Snowshoes and snowshoes were among the few activities allowed in the mountains in the last two winters characterized by the closure of the ski lifts, the stop to alpine skiing and the colored areas that limited the possibility of moving towards the mountains. And so those who love the mountains in winter and the snow, not being able to ski, have rediscovered snowshoe excursions. The winter version of mountain excursions then led so many of us to buy a (new) pair of snowshoes, finding themselves faced with an offer that has literally exploded in recent years. Net of the different brands, snowshoes are essentially divided into 2 large categories: Canadian snowshoes and snowshoes made of composite material.
Snowshoes and snowshoes: the difference
The Canadian snowshoes they are the most traditional ones: large in size, they once had a wooden structure and today they are mostly made of aluminum with an internal part in soft material. The shape of a tennis racket and the large support area make them suitable for progress on fresh and dry snowthe one typical of North America also called in jargon powder, or dust. Snow that is rarely found in our latitudes and on our mountains. Given the large surface area and the great flotation capacity on powder snow they are used to progress by sliding the foot on the snow rather than lifting it. A technique more similar to sliding on cross-country skis than to actual walking.
The snowshoes in composite material they are the most widespread ones in our area, which are mostly found in shops and also in rental shops in mountain resorts. The shape, rather than that of a tennis racket, resembles that of one hourglass, pointed at the tip and on the back and rounded and wider in the center. They are made of very resistant composite plastic materials, they have an accommodation for the foot with a fixing system, they often allow the heel to be released, they are stiffer and harder than the Canadian ones and they are used by progressing by lifting one foot at a time, as in a more or less normal walk.
Here you can find one selection of the best snowshoes and snowshoes to buy this year.
How to choose snowshoes
The first technical characteristic to consider when choosing snowshoes is the weight that they can bear. Weight of the user to be added to that of the backpack and everything needed inside. Normally, manufacturers indicate the minimum and maximum weight that the snowshoes are able to support, and the ideal thing would be to take snowshoes whose minimum weight is very close to your clothing weight from the mountains and with all the equipment. Generally the more weight they support, the wider the snowshoes are so even fixating on a small size is not always a good choice.
In addition to this, it is good to have a fairly clear idea of what you want to do: if you are going to use it on the beaten and signposted routes, even snowshoes that are not too large are fine, but if you intend to do fresh snow and “off-piste” then to float a larger support area is needed.
For snowshoes made of composite material it is also a good idea to take a look at the bottom of the racket: on the hard and compact snow of our mountains, especially on the slopes, It’s a good idea for snowshoes to have small integrated cramponsat least in the front part: this undoubtedly guarantees greater grip uphill and downhill.
A last very useful feature when tackling slopes is the heel lift: it is a device under the heel that allows you to raise the heel a little, increasing the “drop” to make a comparison with running shoes. This is very useful when going uphill because it allows you to reduce the closure of the ankle angle and put less strain on the back muscles of the legs, especially the calves, and enjoy the trip with less effort.
Credits photo: Sestriere.it
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