EC1 Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 Having been a walker since I've started ice fishing 5 or 6 years ago, the last couple have been the absolute worst for walking. Walking a km or two in 2 feet of snow has me stopping for a break practically every 20m. It got me to researching a bunch of snowshoes, and I was wondering if anyone has any experience with snowshoes and how much easier it makes walking. It seems that for walking on fresh powder, you'll need the high end snowshoes that are meant for all-terrain, but those things are pretty pricey. About what price point are we getting to the law of diminishing returns? Let's discuss Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akaShag Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 My days of strapping on a set of snowshoes and walking a few miles are in my rear-view mirror. But there is absolutely no question that snowshoes make walking in snow deeper than about a foot or so MUCH easier. Once you get snow past the middle of your calf, walking without snowshoes is a killer. So yes, snowshoes are the way to go, or maybe a tracked Argo, which I did own once upon a time! But when you are stuck in an eight-by-eight Argo with super tracks on it, you are some surely STUCK. The Canadian military snowshoes are made out of some very lightweight metal, are extremely durable, and have a canvas binding that can fit on just about any boot. I have seen them in army surplus stores for not all that much money, and they are an excellent shoe for the value. I have only worn the new high-performance snowshoes twice and was very impressed, but yes those are pricey. ANY snowshoes are better than NO snowshoes................JMOYMVDoug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burtess Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 I don't know your location but if you are near a Sail store right now they have 30-40% off all of their showshoes. You can get a descent pair now for $100-120 plus tax. They carry brands like GV (Canadian), MSR (USA), and Tubbs / Atlas / Louis Garneau (all off shore). I have a pair of Faber Mountain Master in 9X30" and they make it a lot easier. Got one of my kids a set of MSR Shift but I think I will pick up a larger shoe for her to enjoy on the more soft stuff. Check out the Sail website and have a look at the GV Mountain Trail ($120) or Winter Trail ($105), one of those should do you well. Upsize for better floatation. Burt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirCranksalot Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 I bought a pair of Tubbs not long ago. I really like their bindings. Not cheap but better in the long run than repeatedly buying cheap ones---at least I hope and assume. http://www.sojournoutdoors.com/tubbs-tundra/ The bindings on my GVs was probably most convenient---a ratchet strap that you just pull on to tighten. That type of strap seems to be quite common. One major drawback though(and a deal killer for me) is that the strap has plastic teeth that wear out. They did so quite quickly on mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIFTER_016 Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 Here's some recent talk on the subject. http://ontariofishingcommunity.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=76651 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinker Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 If the snow is real deep, I still break out my 48" woodd/sinew rackets. You just cant beat them if you want to stay on top of the snow. If theres a foot or less, the new style shoes do have their advantages. I have both. Like said above by shag, the military shoes are pretty good too. I have a pair of them I use once in a while too. S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Entropy Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 I bought a 36" pair at tsc for $60 or $80 on sale before xmas. They are great. Light, durable and very easy to use. Wish i had got them years ago. You cant buy anything close on kijiji for the price i paid and get the same performance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SylvanOwner Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 x2 on the TSC shoes on sale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akaShag Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 are these the ones from TSC? http://www.tscstores.com/31-200LB-SNOWSHOES-P16202.aspx Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirCranksalot Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 Plastic ratchet straps!! Don't waste your money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aplumma Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 While I know NOTHING about snowshoes here is a link to T.J.s store. I have seen the quality of them and all of his family uses them up in Sudbury. http://www.totalsnowshoes.com/ Art Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SylvanOwner Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 Yes Doug. Those are them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akaShag Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 back to Sylvan Owner............THANKS!Now to see if my local store has them.............. ..........for my young lad........... Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Entropy Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 Turns out they are 40% on sale right now and have a 3 year warranty.http://www.tscstores.com/68-X-21CM-155LBS-SNOW-SHOES-P22044.aspx Just used them again last eve. Entropy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akaShag Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 The ones at the link in my post above are the 200 pound models, the one in Entropy's post above are the 155 pound models. I don't think the 155s are up to the task of floating my butt on top of the snow, but they WOULD work for my young lad. Thanks!Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akaShag Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 and none at the store in Kingston............oh well............. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuzza Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 I have a pair of GVs which are aluminium framed with a vinyl sheet and the plastic ratchet straps and they are great, I have a similar system on my snowboard bindings and they take much more load with no issues. You can get spare "tongues" if you need them but the trick is not to over-tighten them so they slip. My wife has Tubbs which are also good but they're a harder plastic type - Sail has great deals as someone already said, I also saw some in Costco last week, no idea if they're any good though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motv8tr Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 and none at the store in Kingston............oh well............. Can you not ask them if any of the other stores have them, and if so they should be able to have them shipped to your store... Maureen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akaShag Posted February 20, 2015 Report Share Posted February 20, 2015 back to Maureen.........the Kingston Store Manager advises that they do not do inter-store transfers............. So my young lad can go look for snowshoes himself! Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acountdeleted Posted February 22, 2015 Report Share Posted February 22, 2015 I feel as though there are a few companies that should be giving OFC advertising dollars. After reading this thread and the Rapala one I went out to sail today and bought a pair of Tubbs and a crayfish coloured scatter rap. With their sale discounts it was $120 all in. I'm happy with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirCranksalot Posted February 23, 2015 Report Share Posted February 23, 2015 I feel as though there are a few companies that should be giving OFC advertising dollars. After reading this thread and the Rapala one I went out to sail today and bought a pair of Tubbs and a crayfish coloured scatter rap. With their sale discounts it was $120 all in. I'm happy with that. Good decision I'd say. I think you were wise to stay away from those GV ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acountdeleted Posted February 23, 2015 Report Share Posted February 23, 2015 (edited) Truth be told, with snowboard bindings I absolutely love ratchet straps but with everyone saying how they are no good with snowshoes the Tubbs tie downs looked like the way to go. Ha! My massive boots barely fit in the bindings. Barely, but they fit. Edited February 23, 2015 by jeremy84 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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