Hiking Snowshoes
Hiking snowshoes will be different from other snowshoes, the most important difference being their load capacity. Backpacks always add a few pounds, even in summer when gear demands are much less. In winter, however, you are generally taking more gear, and heavier gear, to contend with the weather and the safety concerns that winter weather can sometimes bring on.
Which means your backpack weighs more, and your snowshoes will need to be bigger and better to help carry that extra weight. If your snowshoes cannot take the weight they will sink, and you will expend a lot more energy when hiking. To accommodate that extra weight you should pick up a pair of hiking snowshoes, as there are some snowshoes on the market that are made for running, for example, or for quick romps in the snow, where weight isn't such a concern.
Beyond that, you want to at least consider the weight of your snowshoes. Hiking snowshoes will tend to be bigger, and weigh more as a result, but you should always try for lightweight hiking gear because all other things being equal, you tend to have more fun when you carry less weight.
Hiking Snowshoes
Here are a few well reviewed hiking snowshoes to consider if you're looking for a pair of hiking snowshoes, or just wondering what's out there.- Atlas 1235 Snowshoes - These hiking snowshoes from Atlas feature an aluminum frame and nylon deck, which is fairly standard for snowshoes. The load capacity goes up to 300 pounds, which is ideal for just about anyone, unless you've volunteered to carry gear for the whole group. They weigh in at 2097 grams, or 4.6 pounds, so you wont be saving on weight, but they're an all around good snowshoe, so definitely worth checking out.
- MSR Lightning Axis Snowshoes - The Lightning Axis from MSR is one of several hiking snowshoes that MSR carries. MSR has a removable tail system that makes their snowshoes ideal for hiking and backpacking, because you can tailor the load capacity of the snowshoes, depending on how much gear you plan to take and how much you weigh. MSR also puts traction spots on the frames of their snowshoes, so you get good grip in a wide variety of conditions. The load capacity goes up to 300 pounds, with the removable tails attached, so definitely a hiking snowshoe worth considering.
- Tubbs Mountaineer Series Snowshoe - It says mountaineer right in the name, so they cant be that bad. These hiking snowshoes from Tubbs are beefy. They weigh in at 2579 grams, or 5.7 pounds, so not very light compared to other models, and the biggest model is 36 inches in length, whereas a lot of other hiking snowshoes only top out at 30 inches. The load capacity tops out at 300 pounds, which is fairly standard, but if you're not concerned about weight and are looking for something bullet proof, these might be the hiking snowshoes for you.
