Whether you’re a serious explorer who likes to spend long days in the backcountry or a weekend warrior headed out for a day hike, here are some tips for choosing your snowshoes. Follow the 3 easy steps below to help select the best snowshoe for you.
STEP 1: CHOOSE WHERE YOU’LL BE SNOWSHOEING
MSR’s snowshoes fall into three categories based on your intended terrain: Will you be walking along flatter terrain like cat tracks and lowland trails; winter hiking on or off the trails on day and extended trips; or accessing rugged backcountry terrain and mountain climbing?
FLAT TERRAIN SNOWSHOES
Best for minimalists and recreationalists on flat trails or rolling hills.
If your winter excursions are primarily on mellow terrain, MSR’s Trail Series is a great choice. With easy-to-adjust, comfortable bindings and fewer features, these are great for long-distance snowshoers looking to shed weight or casual snowshoers exploring their local woodlands and valley basins, who need only essential easy-to-use performance.
ROLLING TERRAIN SNOWSHOES
Best for hiking on and off-trail, with a priority on comfort for all-day adventures.
For hikers and backpackers who like to spend long days on or off the trails in variable snow conditions and terrain, MSR’s Explore Series is the way to go. This series offers a great combination of all-day comfort, extra features for hiking on soft slopes, and a fast, easy on-off binding that makes getting in and out a breeze. These are great all-around snowshoes for winter exploration
MOUNTAIN TERRAIN SNOWSHOES
Best for mountaineering, backcountry pursuits and rugged terrain.
Whether you’re bagging peaks or headed up the mountain in search of fresh powder, when you’re serious about ascending you’re looking for a snowshoe with maximum traction, rugged bindings and ultralight performance. The MSR Ascent Series is the perfect fit. Designed specifically for backcountry pursuits with extra-secure and comfortable bindings, and reliable durability, every snowshoe in this series can be paired with either plastic mountaineering boots or the footwear of your choice.
STEP 2: CHOOSE SNOWSHOE SIZE
Now let’s look at how to choose the right size.
SIZING BY SNOW TYPE AND WEIGHT
Both the snow type you expect to encounter as well as the load weight you’ll be carrying will affect the size of snowshoe you select. For drier snow and heavier loads, you’ll need a larger snowshoe surface area, and for lighter loads and wetter conditions, you’ll be looking for a smaller area. To maximize agility and efficiency look for the smallest size that will support your weight (including gear and clothing). If you’re between sizes or need a boost for a powder-filled or heavy-pack trip we offer removable snowshoe tails that are available for all MSR adult snowshoes.
- Packed trails: Choose smaller snowshoe sizes for easy maneuverability.
- Steep or icy terrain: Smaller is better for agility in high-consequence situations.
- Powder snow: Look for larger sizes for more flotation in light and dry conditions.
SIZING BY GAIT
- Men’s snowshoes: These are sized for carrying heavier loads and accommodating larger footwear.
- Women’s snowshoes: These feature narrower frames or narrow bindings that offer greater agility and a more natural stride for those with a narrow gait; they’re also ideal for anyone seeking the lightest snowshoe possible.
- Kids’ snowshoes: MSR’s youth series are sized-down versions of the MSR adult line, engineered to the same exacting standards.
STEP 3: CHOOSE PERFORMANCE FEATURES
FRAMES AND DECKING
The frame is the outermost edge of the snowshoe, while the deck is the flat inner material that provides surface area for flotation. MSR’s snowshoe lineup offers three types of platforms. An ultralight aluminum frame and nylon decking for fast-and-light travel. A steel frame with an ultra-rugged plastic deck to provide streamlined performance and durability. And a one-piece injection-molded plastic deck that is super durable for years of snowshoeing adventures, perfect for people who are tough on their gear.
TRACTION
Snowshoes are designed with a variety of traction components to ensure safe and efficient travel, especially on higher consequence terrain such as steep slopes and sidehill traverses.
WHERE THE TRACTION IS LOCATED ON MSR SNOWSHOES:
- Toe or instep crampons: The main source of snowshoe traction, toe crampons are located underneath the binding platform and are designed to rotate with it and gain purchase as you climb.
- Side rails/traction bars/traction teeth: Located around the decking’s edge, these teeth provide extra traction, especially on traverses.
- Braking bars: Found under the snowshoe behind the foot, these provide forward traction and prevent backsliding.
MSR’s Ascent Series and Explore Series have more advanced traction for mountain terrain.
HEEL LIFTS / CLIMBING BARS
To relieve calf strain and save energy on ascents these wire bars can be flipped up under your heels (pro tip: use the handle of your trekking pole to flip them up). Using them also increases your traction on steep slopes, keeping your weight squarely on the snowshoe. On MSR models, these are called “Televators” and can be found on the Ascent Series and Explore Series.
BINDINGS
There are a few different styles of snowshoe bindings, each optimized for varying levels of security, comfort and ease of use. All MSR bindings utilize a variation of Rotating (or Floating) Bindings, which allow the binding to pivot freely on its deck. This causes the tail to fall away and shed snow with each step, in turn reducing the overall energy you need to expend (snow is heavy).
MSR BINDINGS:
- DuoFit™ Bindings: Available on the Youth Series, these classic two-strap bindings are perfect for walking along flat trails. They’re light and very easy to use with gloves on.
- Paraglide™ Bindings: Our lightest bindings, available on the Trail Series and designed for ease of use and comfort for newer snowshoers while providing a secure fit. They provide a pressure point-free hold that is compatible with nearly any footwear, from light hikers to snowboard boots.
- HyperLink™ Bindings: With a quick and easy ratchet system and cushioned cradle, these bindings are great for all-day adventures. They’re available on the Explore Series.
- Paragon™ Bindings: Designed for aggressive ascents and ultra-secure all-terrain stability, these are available on our Ascent Series.