Hiking Backpack Zone

Snowshoeing is suddenly a favorite winter activity for lovers of the outdoors. It’s a fun and healthy way to get out and enjoy the snow. You can snowshoe just about anywhere — in the woods, on a trail or near a cross-country trail.

Besides being easy to learn, walking around with your snowshoes on is a great workout. It is like walking in shallow water. A single step is easy, but when you add up all the steps you take, it ends up being a good workout. You can get your legs in shape fast.

Getting around on snowshoes is a relatively safe activity. Snowshoes are very stable and offer a great method to travel in the snow and get an aerobic workout at the same time. They can be a terrific, low impact, winter-time cardiovascular workout that doesn’t punish your joints. If you are an experienced snowshoer and on the adventurous side, you will be able to explore some remote areas of our national parks that most people don’t get to see in the winter time.

How do they snowshoes work? They work by distributing the weight of the user over an area larger than the person’s foot by increasing the surface area that makes contact with the snow. This helps the user to not just sink past the surface of the snow. Snowshoe manufacturers call this a snowshoe’s flotation factor.

Snowshoes can have different designs, different features and be made from different materials. Choosing your model will depend upon personal preferences as to how they feel, but you should also take into consideration the advice of a salesperson or outfitter. They know that each model works best in one general situation. For example, if you are interested in starting to jog in the snow, you should go with a small running snowshoe. On the other hand, if you will be trekking through deep powder with a backpack, you will probably need a larger-bottomed model.

The biggest accessory you will need before you go out is a pair of trekking poles. A good pair of poles will help you keep your balance as you trudge around and will be especially helpful when coming down a steep hill.

Most snowshoes will accept most any type of shoe or boot. Since you’ll be in the snow all day, you will want to use a waterproof, insulated boot. Try to get the most comfortable footwear you can, as long as it is waterproof and warm.

One last thing to consider picking up to go with your snowshoes is a carrying and storage bag. You can use the bag to store your shoes during the off season and use it to carry them to the hiking area. You can often get them included as part of a package deal.

A word of warning, however, please be sure to tell a friend where you will be hiking to in case something happens and you don’t come back. Snowshoeing is almost always a safe adventure, but things can happen out in the woods.

I think the strongest benefit of snowshoeing is how it gets the people who don’t ski outside during the winter. It is an outstanding way for non-skiers to enjoy the snowy season.

Although he says to be just a snowboarder, Robert Jensen likes the sheer fun of snowshoeing around the park he lives near. He recommends browsing through some of the best snowshoe shops to get an idea of which snowshoes might be best for you.