Snowshoes are not shoes that you put on, but sports equipment that you buckle under your winter shoes or mountain boots. With snowshoes, you can walk much lighter through deep snow and over icy frozen snow than with normal winter boots. The trick is that the contact surface of your shoes is enlarged and your weight is distributed over a larger area. This means you don't sink as deep into the snow and can walk through the winter landscape more effortlessly and with less effort.
A snowshoe prevents your shoe from sinking too low into the snow. It does this by increasing the tread area of your winter boot. However, snowshoes are also used to get over hardened snow surfaces. This requires claws, spikes and crampons. Here, too, there are differences in shape and design. Some snowshoes have aggressive stainless steel front spikes for maximum grip even in difficult terrain. If you want to hike in moderate, hilly terrain, aluminium prongs have proven their worth.
Snowshoes are made from different materials. Each of them has its advantages and disadvantages:
This light material is also very durable. Aluminium snowshoes usually have a wider design and therefore offer very good buoyancy in the snow. Buoyancy means that you don't sink in as low and can therefore move around much lighter and more ergonomically. However, aluminium snowshoes are usually coated with plastic because snow and ice do not stick to the plastic as easily.
The biggest advantage of plastic is its mobility. These plastic models offer a high level of walking comfort as they follow the natural rolling movement of the foot. High-quality models are long-lasting. Plastic snowshoes are particularly suitable for hard terrain.
The binding type connects the snowshoe to you and your effort. It must provide strong support and be able to follow your movements flexibly. A snowshoe binding is always already mounted on the snowshoe and can be adjusted in size from small women's sizes to large men's sizes.
How far you sink into powder snow depends strongly on your body weight. Animals leave very different track depths in the snow. A bird's track on powder snow is only very faintly visible, while the tracks of roe deer are pressed low into the snow. Snowshoes are always labelled with a weight class. This refers to the total weight that you put on the snowshoes with all your equipment. So you also need to add your clothes, your backpack and everything else you want to take with you.
Snowshoes service kit - you should always have one with you! The service kit usually contains bolts, screws, nuts, pull tab, snap ring, replacement belt, belt lock and washers. Ideally, this service kit is suitable for many different models. Snowshoes bag - you can find practical and robust bags for your snowshoes in the Transa shop. Make sure they have good ventilation thanks to a mesh insert. The bag can often be attached to your backpack so that you can easily take it with you. The snowshoes bag is just as suitable for storage in the summer months. Gaiters - prevent the swirling snow from touching the lower part of your trouser legs and making them damp when it melts. Gaiters keep you dry and therefore comfortable.
Transa now also offers special snowshoes for women, snowshoes for men and, above all, snowshoes for kids. They are all adapted to the special challenges and provide the greatest possible comfort when hiking in the snow. All of them are available here in the Transa online shop.
(With the TransaCard always free of charge)