OK ladies, it's official. I am the proud owner of a pair of showshoes. Thanks for all your help and suggestions. I wasn't sure if this sport was going to be for me or not. I debated, after all I have xc skis and wouldn't that be enough? Do we really get that much snow to warrant both the shoes and skis? Would I like this activity? Do I really want to spend the money? SO, after having my shoes for a month, I pondered all these things. They sat in their box, all wrapped and just stared at me everynow and then. I had them all pkged back up to return. It FINALLY snowed yesterday. I am now itchy to try these things and curiosity got the best of me. DH carefully removed the twist tie thing so it could be reused, he taped the crampons and put a garbage bag over the shoes so in case I was going to return them they would'nt look like they were used. Well, the bag came off as I finished my first trip around the hills/yard. It was great fun and a workout. Much better than being indoors on my elliptical anyday. So, I am the proud owner and can add another activity to my boring winter. Now if the snow would just stay it would make it so much nicer.