by slparker » Tue 22 Jun, 2021 6:58 pm
Whilst I am unfamiliar with the Kosci region, I occasionally snowshoe on the Bogong High Plains and Mt Bogong.
Snowshoes, or skis, are required in off-trail snow because of postholing, and in steep or icy terrain for traction.
Trail runners and microspikes do not work off trail as you will posthole terribly. I personally wouldn't trust them on steep icy terrain (if this is where you are headed) as snowshoes have more reliable traction and crampons even more so.
If you're sticking to groomed trails, I have worn trail runners without microspikes without any issues.
I bought tubbs snowshoes from Mont and they are great, MSR also are highly regarded. I chose the tubbs because the retention system is light years ahead of MSR and the traction is about the same.
Snowshoeing is laborious, if you can manage to learn how to ski then that is a better option for backcountry, IMO.