This thread came at just the right time as I was planning to buy some snowshoes. Lisa, I purchased some women's 25 Odyssey snowshoes too. We're supposed to have snow and freezing rain for a few days so I'm anxious to go play in the snow. A life-time 28 years ago my family rented cross-country skis to see if we liked it enough to purchase the equipement. My husband and 2 boys got their skis on first and I had my stuff on all of 3 minutes when I fell and broke my elbow. I now have completely put that out of my mind. After all I'm much wiser-cautious,and at 56 very young at heart. I'll keep you posted on my new endeavour.