Snowshoe advice

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Snowshoe advice

Postby slparker » Mon 15 May, 2017 11:11 am

I am entered into a snow trail running event in September which may/may not require snow shoes in the even (although I have to be prepared to carry/use them if conditions dictate). If I get dedicated running snowshoes these are the type that is recommended:

http://www.crescentmoonsnowshoes.com/pr ... series-12/

pretty expensive for a one activity (+ training) every year. My question to those who have used snowshoes before is:

is there any reason why these may not be suitable for other types of snowshoeing? - I'm thinking that they would be fine for shoeing alongside trails on dinner plain/falls creek but what about snow camping on Bogong high plains on ungroomed tracks with a pack? I realise that they are not designed for backcountry walking but could they work for this? I imagine that a limitation would be grip on steep stuff and ice as well as weight capacity in our potentially wet slushy snow...

Second question - I can use my bushwalking club's snowshoes (I think MSRs) for the event if I want but could I run in them? bearing in mind that 'running' will be a kind of slow shuffle.... Not terribly concerned about how I place in the event so speed/weight isn't a massive deal.

Thanks in advance.
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Re: Snowshoe advice

Postby Mark F » Mon 15 May, 2017 12:04 pm

I am no expert having only just bought a couple of pairs of snowshoes for back country travel. In my reading beforehand I came across this article which my help you https://www.outsideonline.com/1929611/snowshoe-running-101.

Many running snowshoes seem to be very small and light so not ideal for backcountry use or on light unpacked snow or steep slopes. The ones you linked to seem closer to regular ones but put the flotation and quite wide width at the front of the shoe to help with running push off but this won't be very good with a pack on your back for more leisurely travel - less flotation under your heels. Unless you plan on making snow running a longer term pursuit than just a single race I would not bother with "proper" snowshoes but make do with your club's ones.
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Re: Snowshoe advice

Postby Moondog55 » Mon 15 May, 2017 12:17 pm

PM sent
Ve are too soon old und too late schmart
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Re: Snowshoe advice

Postby slparker » Mon 15 May, 2017 12:30 pm

Mark F wrote:I am no expert having only just bought a couple of pairs of snowshoes for back country travel. In my reading beforehand I came across this article which my help you https://www.outsideonline.com/1929611/snowshoe-running-101.

Many running snowshoes seem to be very small and light so not ideal for backcountry use or on light unpacked snow or steep slopes. The ones you linked to seem closer to regular ones but put the flotation and quite wide width at the front of the shoe to help with running push off but this won't be very good with a pack on your back for more leisurely travel - less flotation under your heels. Unless you plan on making snow running a longer term pursuit than just a single race I would not bother with "proper" snowshoes but make do with your club's ones.


beaut, cheers Mark.
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Re: Snowshoe advice

Postby slparker » Mon 15 May, 2017 12:31 pm

Moondog55 wrote:PM sent


cheers.
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