Snowshoe weight and sizing

[Jonathan M.]

Hello. I'm sorry if this should be in the gear forum instead of here. For the past couple of winters I've been thinking about picking up a pair of snowshoes to do some more winter hiking that I usually do. One thing that has held me back is that I'm a big boy (my total weight would be about 315-320lbs with gear). I didn't think I could find a pair of snowshoes that would accommodate me without being gigantic and probably too big to strap onto my pack when not needed. I've been doing some research again and found this one company who states that their 92cm(36") snowshoes can handle 350+lbs. That seems to be contradictory to everything I've read about the relationship between snowshoe size, weight, and flotation. It also seems like no other manufacturers (MSR, Tubbs, etc.) with similar length snowshoes recommend use if the total load is over 300lbs. Aside from that, I've also never heard of this company before and am not sure how reputable they are. Does anyone have any experience with them or there any other big guys who use snowshoes? http://www.mtsnowshoes.com/page2.html

[Ken Thompson]

Is your snow powdery or like Cascade concrete? I don't see shoes available longer than 36" How about dragging a pulk. At least the gear weight would be off the shoes.

[Jonathan M.]

Ken, That's a solid idea thanks! They don't list anything longer than 36" on their website, but their weight claims are way more than most other established manufacturers so I don't know if I really believe their claim. I should have mentioned that I'd be using them on East Coast (mostly in upstate NY). The snow isn't like the "concrete" I've heard described on the West Coast. It can sometimes be powdery snow on top of a packed trail. I don't think I'd be able to use them consistently all Winter, but there are some times where they are definitely necessary. Regards, Jon

[Bob Moulder]

Whether or not a pulk will work for you is about location-location-location. :-) Sounds as if you will be doing a lot of stuff in the Adirondacks. There are many areas (the Daks being a HUGE park) where a pulk might work well as long as you have consistent and reliable snow cover. But the minute you start adding a significant amount of "verticality" to the equation (say the High Peaks region), a pulk can become a huge liability, and when you add in sidehilling with a pulk, it can quickly become a nightmare. Where the pulk strategy shines is in areas such as the Pemigewasset Wilderness in the Whites or Avalanche Lake in the Daks, where you can do an approach on relatively flat trails, establish a base camp and then do day hikes/climbs etc. But if you are doing a loop or out-and-back carrying a full load over steep terrain and rocks/ice, a pulk is not recommended. Google "snowshoes for big guys" and you will get a bunch of hits. Faber Mountain Quest has sizes up to 11×40, and there are some Canadian companies who make some larger than that… IIRC I've seen lengths up to 46"!

[Jonathan M.]

Bob, Those Faber Mountain Quest 11×40's look perfect. Thanks for the recommendation!

[Andy F]

I've done the UP of Michigan in 3-4 feet of snow on Atlas 1235 (35") snowshoes with a total weight on the shoes of about 250. Powder is always exhausting no matter how big the shoes are. I was sinking about 10-12" in the more powdery sections, which is manageable and about what I expected. Packed trails were a breeze.

[Eric Blumensaadt]

If you've ever XC skied then long snowshoes should never be a problem. I have MSR Lightning Ascent 'shoes with tail extensions. With the extensions on they do not feel too long because I'm also used to using back country skis which are much longer. So get then longest snow shoes you can find. You'll be glad you did when the snow is hip high.

[Jonathan M.]

Thanks for the advice, gentlemen. Eric, I've never been XC skiing, but I do a good amount of alpine skiing. i have no problem "skating" on my alpine skis (98mm width,187cm length). Is that comparable to XC skiing?

[Andy F]

Just getting around with your feet strapped to something is the main skill. :) XC skiing does much more of that, since it's part of the activity on the trail. One of the big things is kick turns: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfXq667WuFY They're so much easier on snowshoes too!

[Eric Blumensaadt]

From my experience at backcountry skiing both on XC touring skis W/ steel edges and on shorter, wider Telemark skis with plastic boots I can say that I MUCH prefer going on skis. Even with the inconvenience of putting on and removing climbing skins you go much faster. (Of course there is the year you need to spend learning to ski.) But also if you can get a backcountry/XC skier to accompany you and entice him or her to break the trail you will have a FAR better time snowshoeing. (See below) No skier wants to ski in a trail broken by snowshoes but ALL snowshoers want to 'shoe in a ski trail.

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