Hey, a friend and I are going snowshoeing soon, it’s about a 4 mile hike on a road. She suggested I get some heavy, waterproof boots and I have Sorels or I guess they are like duck boots. Seem very cumbersome. Would waterproof hiking boots be sufficient if I have tall gaiters?
Hi Kimberly & wrlcome! I got into snowshoeing a couple years ago and I wear a pair of waterproof ankle high Keens. The work great. I wear a thin liner sock underneath a good pair of merino wool socks.
It’s enough of a workout without adding large boots! However when it’s really cold I have a pair of Columbia boots that still maintain a fairly small profile and are lightweight.
Once you stop banging your feet into each other its very nice!😂
Lol
Thanks for the response! These Sorels are awesome but my feet swim in them and they probably weigh about 5 lbs combined. This will be my first time, I’m excited!
We’ll be going about four miles with packs and staying in a cabin for 5 days. Do you have recommendations for packing light? There are some provisions at the cabin. I have a 38L pack, sleeping bag, I’m thinking 2 of everything, thermal tops, bottoms, snow pants, sweaters, some food, etc…thanks!
That sounds like a great trip!
I’m afraid I’m no help as far as packs, but avoid jeans. Long Jill’s with nylon pants will keep you warm and dry. I wouldn’t snowshoe with a pack without ski poles as falling down sucks!I have twice walked into a remote cabin but I used a harness with ten feet of rope pulling a sled with my gear. FWIW I’m about 30 days out from turning 60 and packs just don’t work for me, causes me to bend to severely at the waist.
Try to not haul water for your stay and just melt snow once there however a camelback to drink on the hike in is a must,or whatever works best for you, just stay hydrated!
Its easy to over plan meals, be realistic about what you REALLY need. I’m still waiting for powdered Crown Royal!
If I think of anything else I’ll pass it on!
Earbuds and tunes help me immensely!
Hard to beat mukluks for snowshoeing as far as comfort and weight. I would get the water resistant mukluks and not the waterproof ones so you still have breath ability which cuts down on foot sweat, especially when being active like snowshoeing.
Sorry you’re not getting much help here, Kimberly!
I’m a little disappointed!
Maybe if you would’ve posted something about the T-wolves?
If you are going in on fluffy snow I would get the longest pair of snowshoes you can find. On a packed down trail most any will be fine. You probably don’t need a big heavy boot but something with some insulation and waterproof.
Hi Kimberley, Take a sled. You can use your pack but put it in a small plastic sled. They pull easy and it is lots more efficient than a backpack with your snowshoes. Dress in layers and take layers off before you get too warm and sweaty. Drink before you get thirsty. Don’t hurry!
Enjoy!
Thanks guys!
Suggestions will depend on details of the trip i.e. expected temperature range, cabin amenities, heat source at the cabin, etc.
I’ve used Sorels, Neoprene rubber boots and hiking boots with overshoes with snowshoes. Feet swimming inside the boot doesn’t sound good for hiking. A friend of mine who spent time in Alaska made the claim that sleds were for lakes and glaciers. If you’re hiking any kind of terrain a pack is the way to go. I’m not sure you need to double up on your outer layers but I would keep layering in mind. A typical situation is you’re warm while hiking but cool when you stop. Bring layers you can put on or take off as needed. This would be another reason for a pack if you’re doing day trips from the cabin. Think about an emergency kit with fire starter, reflective emergency blanket, signaling devices, etc. One thing I’ve found for winter conditions is a wide mouth water bottle is better. Narrow openings are prone to freezing.
Camp life will be dependent on what’s at the cabin.
Hey, a friend and I are going snowshoeing soon, it’s about a 4 mile hike on a road. She suggested I get some heavy, waterproof boots and I have Sorels or I guess they are like duck boots. Seem very cumbersome. Would waterproof hiking boots be sufficient if I have tall gaiters?
First, I see a lot of snowshoeing newbies walking like a duck on packed down trails that, errr, don’t actually require snowshoes. Snowshoes are to make travel easier in deep snow by preventing you from sinking in. I know that seems obvious, but there are clearly a lot of people who don’t get this. If the snow is only a few inches deep, it’s way more energy efficient to just walk. I bring this up because you mentioned a road, if it’s been packed down, it’ll actually be more effort to wear the snowshoes.
I’ve used all kinds of boots depending on how far I have to go and what I’m doing when I get there. Oftentimes I end up wearing Sorel type boots not because they are best for the snowshoeing, but because I need them once I get to my destination.
Hiking boots will work fine. Don’t make the mistake of trying to make the hiking boots warmer by adding thick socks. Restricting circulation will make your feet colder.
IMO the most valuable layering garment for on snowshoes is a waterproof / windproof shell and pants. Easy to put on when needed, blocks the wind, easy to shed when workload is high. Snowshoeing in deep snow means lots of energy expended and so heat and moisture control are key. Nothing cotton! Everything cotton will get soaked with water, sweat, or both.
A hydration bladder or pack is an absolute necessity. You must have an insulation sleeve for the pack and the drinking hose on the hydration pack or the water will freeze in the hose. Make sure the hydration pack has a wide mouth opening or filling is a giant PITA.
Another necessity is an LED headlamp. Doing anything after the short winter daylight is gone requires a hand’s free light source. I use my headlamp so much I have forgotten to take it off and went grocery shopping with my headlamp on.
Grouse
very similar to the others.
Headlamp: listen to Grouse. Headlamp and extra batteries. The cold is murder on batteries. Go for a night hike especially if it’s a clear sky.
Footwear: If not super cold I like hiking boots most of the time. One exception, if it’s getting warm enough to be very melty then a Sorel type boot with a full rubber bottom may have it’s place.
Backpack vs sled: Sled, sled, sled all the way since it sounds like easy hiking via a roadway. Cheap kids toboggan at any hardware store or Fleet Farm. Upgrade by drilling holes and adding rope to cinch down whatever you put in it. Add more rope to make a “harness” for you to pull it hands free.
Backpack: still take it, put it in the sled. You’ll probably want a day pack for afternoon adventures around the cabin
Waterproof matches: put some in whatever jacked is most likely to be with you all the time. Ditto for snow/shell pants.
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