What is a traditional lightweight technical snowshoe?

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What is a traditional lightweight technical snowshoe?

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The Alaska sourdough snowshoe made of bent wood strung with gut has morphed into a relative of the lawn chair, with an aluminum tubing frame strung with plastic and tape. Now these ubiquitous recreational snowshoes are in every outdoor store and can be enjoyed in powder snow by every man, woman and child, clad in any outdoor shoe or boot and lots of sweaters, hats and gloves.

The attachment of recreational snowshoe to footgear ranges from very sloppy to pretty sloppy, and this is not a bad thing, because the attachment will stretch before the innocent ankle will break. All of these snowshoes have enough play in the "binding" to permit the heel to shift off center enough that the heel is in contact with the tubing edge of the snowshoe when a sidehill is encountered in anything but deep new powder snow. Recreational snowshoes are a little like the wagons used on the Oregon Trail - the wagons had to go on the flat, or straight up or straight down the terrain, they were not able to side hill. Light weight technical snowshoes have more firm and positive binding systems.

Another problem with recreational snowshoes is in securing the fore and aft position of the shoe or boot on the platform. Most have a hinge devise of some design at the ball of the foot to allow the heel to come up in normal walking. The foot often slops out of the correct position. The rear of the recreational snowshoe drags on the ground which is not always desirable. Light weight technical snowshoes hold the proper boot in proper position.

Most recreational snowshoes have an aluminum claw (sometimes called a crampon) at the hinged ball of the foot to aid in going up-hill. Usually, these appendages are somewhat ineffective. They are not very aggressive and they often ball up with snow and need to be cleared by a whack with hiking poles. Recreational snowshoes can slip and slide on oft encountered hard icy snow. Light weight technical snowshoes are best on icy trail and slopes.

Recreational snowshoe manufacturers make much of the flotation factor, the size of the snowshoe related to the weight of the shoer and her pack weight. The size of the shoe is related to the weight of the shoe - more is heavier. However, experience tells us that snow is an ever changing medium ranging from extremely deep, unconsolidated powder to hard consolidated windswept snow with a few inches of powder, to shaded hard icy slopes, all found on the same adventure. North facing slopes that never see the sun in winter, dense stands of trees, down wind slopes with huge depositions of snow all might require a different size snowshoe.

Recreational snowshoes are hard to use when climbing up a long consolidated snow ridge or slope. Technical snow shoes have a wire heel prop that saves the calves from strain.

Recreational users can pick the snow that suits their snowshoes. Mountaineers (and snowboard riders seeking the tops of slopes) have to cope with what they find on the way to the technical snow, rock and ice of the summit ridge. Mountain Safety Research (MSR) offers one traditional technical snowshoe with two additional tails that can be carried on the day/summit pack and added for flotation as needed. A good idea, because a pound on the foot is said to equal five ponds on the back!

Yes, recreational users can pick their own snow! Be advised that I am too smart to struggle through deep powder snow. I have never used the extra flotation offered by my MSR technical snowshoe add-on tails. If my companions want to struggle through deep snow to reach a pre-planned destination, OK. I will be at the back walking on their well broken trail. Light weight technical snowshoes can be short and light, fine for the compact snow of ridges or icy slopes impossible for the lawn chair snowshoe models

Traditional "technical "snowshoes have the following attributes:
1. They are made of strong light weight plastic with sharp edged sides, sometimes hard aluminum, and they are not to large to be carried on a pack, sometimes with add-on flotation,

2. The attachments are true bindings, often evolved from the traditional mountaineering or snowboarding industry,

3. They have several very sharp ice studs on the bottom and or sharp metal edges all around the shoe, for consolidated snow or shaded icy slopes,

4. The toe claw is aggressive,

5. They often have additional claws that can be easily fitted and removed,

6. The heel of the boot can be clamped down to the platform of the snowshoe,

7. They have a wire bail that flips up under the heel of the boot to raise the heel for uphill work and

8. They can cost less than many recreational snowshoes!

--On Belay! Bob Speik
Copyright© 2000-2011 by Robert Speik. All Rights Reserved.

MSR Traditional technical snowshoes

These do come in black, unless they are a Christmas present!

Denali model snowshoes
"We built our reputation on these time-tested snowshoes, which offer high-end features at an entry-level price. They come equipped with steel traction bars for outstanding grip and accommodate tails for added flotation.

Great Traction: Steel traction blades, crampons, and molded braking bars in deck offer outstanding grip.
Versatile: 4" and 8" flotation tails (sold separately) make Denali snowshoes a 3-in-1 package, eliminating the need for multiple pairs of snowshoes.
Easy to Use: No-hassle binding is secure and packable.
Secure Fit: Crampon extension plate eliminates heel drift, while four-strap binding provides a great fit and secure attachment to snowshoe.
Accommodates Large Boots: Enlarged boot hole allows for use of snowboard and/or ski boots."

Dimensions: 8 x 22 in. (20 x 56 cm)
Weight: 3 lbs. 12 oz. (1692 g) per pair

$139.00 MSRP

Denali Ascent model snowshoes, with optional tails
"Interactive Snowshoe Selection Guide Demanding winter ascents require equipment as tough as you are, which is why we created the Denali Ascents. These lightweight, technical snowshoes offer incredible performance on ice and snow-covered landscapes.

Unmatched on Steep Terrain: Televator™ heel lifter reduces calf fatigue, making climbing easier and more efficient.
Superior Traction: Steel traction blades with saber teeth, crampons, and molded braking bars in deck provide exceptional grip.
Versatile: 4" and 8" flotation tails (sold separately) make Denali Ascent snowshoes a 3-in-1 package, eliminating the need for multiple pairs of snowshoes.
Secure Fit: Crampon extension plate eliminates heel drift, while four-strap binding provides a great fit and secure attachment to snowshoe.
Easy to Use: No-hassle binding is secure and packable.
Accommodates Large Boots: Enlarged boot hole allows for use of snowboard and/or ski boots."

Dimensions: 8 x 22 in. (20 x 56 cm)
Weight: 3 lbs. 12 oz. (1692 g) per pair

$179.00 MSRP