Snowshoeing Gear:
How To Buy The Best
For Winter Hiking

by Diane Spicer

Meet Hiking For Her's Diane

Guess where we start our discussion of snowshoeing gear?

Wrong.

Not with the snowshoes.

• They are minor players in terms of the success of your snowshoeing adventure.

Does that surprise you?

It shouldn't.

Manufacturers have figured out that women need snowshoes suited to their unique strides.

And they're starting to produce decent women's snowshoes.

Wonder of wonders!!

So no worries about how to buy snowshoes - just follow that link above to Hiking For Her tips on finding the best snowshoes for your feet.

You can also use this detailed snowshoe gear guide to get everything you need lined up for your winter hiking plans.

Here, put your efforts into finding the perfect pair of winter boots first, after you check out the snowshoe gear checklist we'll be covering.

Snowshoeing gear checklist

To call yourself a snowshoer, you'll need this gear:

• Warm, waterproof winter boots
• Thick knee length moisture wicking socks
• Hiking gaiters
• Layers of clothing
• Hand, neck and head coverage
• Eye protection
• Trekking poles

Use this handy REI Co-op snowshoeing gear checklist, so you don't forget anything.

Snowshoeing gear:
let's start with boots

Boots to fit into your bindings will not be the focus of your search, because snowshoe bindings can accommodate a wide range of boot sizes.

Boots which will keep your feet warm and dry - that's a different story!

You need weatherproof boots, with removable liners.

• Look for thick soled, water proof, easy to get on & off styles.
• Make sure the boots have removable liners made from warm, fast drying, moisture wicking material. You'll want to remove the liners and air dry them at the end of your snowshoe hike.

Personally, I'd avoid zip up boots, and stick with laces.

• You don't want to run the risk of a jammed zipper when you are miles from nowhere in the snow.

In an abundance of caution, I recommend that you carry extra laces with you.

Or at least inspect your laces at the beginning of every season.

Better safe than sorry, right?

Next up: socks

Socks deserve a few words as essential snowshoeing gear.

Here's what I've learned works best:

I wear 2 pairs, both of them knee length.

• My liner socks are thin, and designed to keep my outer socks in place as well as to soak up moisture from my sweaty, hard working feet.
• My outer socks are thicker and not as tightly fitted. Their job is to keep my feet from slipping inside of my boots, and to provide warmth.

I replace my socks every few years, because worn out socks lose their ability to wick sweat and are definitely lacking in the warmth department.

If you'd like to wear just one pair of socks in your boots, be sure you buy a pair of boots that does not have a lot of room around your feet (but not too tight, either).

Here's a suggestion: Try a pair, after you read HFH's review of Injinji toesocks.

Gaiters - wait, what?

Not the critters with sharp teeth!

You'll want a pair of weather proof hiking gaiters to go over your boots.

There are 2 basic types of gaiters:

• the low-tech style with a cord under the boot sole and an adjustable toggle to snug it to the right dimensions once you put it on;
• the buckle & strap type.
  

Personally I hate the idea of trying to thread a small strap through a metal buckle when I'm cold and/or wet, so I prefer the low-tech approach to snowshoeing gear.

Easier to repair, too... just switch out the cord once it's worn out.

But the gaiters with straps hold tight in all kinds of conditions, so if the idea of buckles doesn't bother you, grab a pair!

Be sure to buy the full size pair, not the ankle length. You want full protection from snow getting dumped into your boots.

Snowshoeing gear tip:
layer your clothing

Use the following layers of hiking clothing on the top of your body:

a) a properly fitted sports bra;

b) a base layer of moisture wicking long underwear;

c) a warm long sleeve shirt, with or without a collar, depending upon whether or not you're going to wrap a scarf around your neck; and

d) a fleece or down vest.

A waterproof jacket goes over all this, allowing you a wide margin of flexibility to respond to changing weather conditions or levels of exertion.

For your bottom layers:

a) appropriate underwear;

b) a base layer of moisture wicking long underwear (extra points if it matches the top base layer!);

c) waterproof pull on pants with adjustable waist and full length leg zippers so you can get them on/off over your boots.

Some women swear by a lightweight pair of hiking pants in between these layers.

• I find that a second pair of pants prohibits my movements, especially when I strap on a camera case and a backpack.

[Cameras are not necessarily required snowshoeing gear, but it certainly is entertaining to watch the videos of me battling my layers when I get home.]

If you begin to feel cold or shaky, put on more layers.

• Hypothermia is NOT your friend!

Read more about choices for womens athletic clothing here.

• More cold weather layering tips here

Cover up your hands!

Gloves or mittens?

The eternal dilemma of finding perfect snowshoeing gear has a few sides to it.

Here are my thoughts about covering up my hands:

• I want full mobility of my hands and fingers, so gloves are the ticket.
• But my fingers get cold in gloves, so I carry a set of waterproof mittens, too.

I've tried those "compromise" mitten/gloves: two fingers get segregated away from the other 2 fingers, and the thumb gets its own little snug compartment.

• The trouble is the magnet closures allow the "mitten" part to fly open at unpredictable moments, exposing my hands to snow and cold.

Another option is to try water proof removable glove covers. Good luck finding a good pair - they're elusive.

You can figure out how to choose the perfect pair of gloves here.

I'm going to keep at it until I figure out what the PERFECT combo for snowshoeing gear looks like.

Of course, that depends upon weather conditions, too!

That's why I have more pairs of gloves than I will admit to - because I'm a prepared, smart snowshoer (that's my story, and I'm sticking to it).

Scarves, anyone?

My neck is where the cold really gets to me.

I mean it really, really makes me miserable.

So I wrap up my neck in a lovely fleece scarf that my daughter gave me.

And I make sure the ends of the scarf are firmly tucked into my jacket, so they don't distract me when I'm working hard.

Choose one for yourself!

When the winter weather is mild, I switch to a "neck gaiter" (some might call it a bandanna). Try it, you might like it!

Snowshoeing gear
includes hats, right?

Snowshoeing gear must include head coverings.

You lose a ton of body heat from the top of your unprotected head, and you really can't afford to do that when you're out in the cold.

I have 3 winter hats, none of them flattering but all of them very warm.

That's the bottom line, isn't it?

Try fleece or non-scratchy and machine washable wool.

And be as wild and creative about covering your ears as you can be.

On warmer days I wear a fleece or nylon headband, giving me just the right amount of warmth.

On super cold windy days, I wear a headband underneath my wool hat!!

Anything goes, as long as your hair stays out of your eyes and mouth, and you're protected from snow dumps from nearby trees when the wind whips up.

Or chilly breezes down your neck.

 Protect your eyes
from snow glare

Sunglasses are a must for bright conditions on snow.

Protect your corneas from those UV rays so you can avoid cataracts as you age!

Protecting your eyes from bouncing sun rays will also minimize the chance of headaches.

Have a headache even though you're wearing sunglasses?

Consider your hydration status. You might need to be drinking more fluids, even when you're not thirsty.

Ergonomic aids for snowshoers:
hiking poles

You need poles!

Why?

• Better balance on slopes.
  
• Probing your way safely if there's a potential for breaking through the snow, especially if crossing water.
  
• Less impact on your knees while going down hill.
  
• A nice upper body workout to match your hard working legs.
• Something to scratch your sweaty back with during a rest break.
• Emergency shelter poles to prop up a tarp.
  
• Defense against wild beasts (ok, maybe not, but you never know).

Read more about hiking poles here.

If you use poles for three season hiking, it's highly likely that they can be converted into snowshoeing poles with the addition of baskets like these.

Just be sure to remove them when the snow is gone, replacing them with a basket with a smaller footprint.

This should be a simple process, if you follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Snowshoeing gear:
miscellaneous helpful stuff

Another problem area on my body is my lips. They get dry and I can feel them begin to crack after a few hours outdoors.

If I lick them, they dry out even more.

So I'm diligent about applying lip balm regularly.

The only trouble is that it gets hard as a rock in my pack, so I carry it in my pants pocket where my body heat keeps it pliable.

I use at least SPF 5, as an extra precaution against skin damage.

And of course, the ten essentials (and a few more) always ride along in my pack, regardless of the season.

Consider carrying a survival kit, too.

Here's an important tip: Pay attention to how many calories you carry. You will be working hard and keeping your internal organs at a steady temperature, so that takes fuel.

Bring food that's easy to eat and won't turn rock hard in your pack. For ideas, start here.

Don't have a day pack yet?

• Consider your choices!

Wow! That's alotta gear!

Yes, it's true that I use a lot of gear when I'm snowshoeing.

But thoughtful attention to detail will make your snowshoe trips much more pleasant.

And they will keep you safe, which after all is the bottom line with snowshoeing.

Now go outside and play in the snow.

Marvel at how you float on top!

Then come back safely, thanks to your great snowshoeing gear, to enjoy a steaming hot mug of tea or hot chocolate.

Speaking of safety, these winter hiking safety tips might be what you need to go along with your cuppa!

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