Feb 11, 2006

Notes for Newbies: Snowshoeing Gear


Despite having grown up in the land of big snows, I've never been snowshoeing. Living near Tahoe means a second chance to be part of the walk-based sport and the reservation is in for a March trip. Of course, eyes, toes and fingers are crossed that snow will "hold" till then but in the meantime there's the question of how to gear up.

On a recent visit to REI I met Christa (pictured here) who goes snowshoeing herself and was happy to share ideas and info. Here’s the “totally new to snowshoeing” gear list along with some of Christa's comments and ideas.

1. Christa's first commandment: No cotton, please! Cotton acts like a sponge to hold onto moisture (sweat) instead of the action you need: wicking and drying-- properties of the “technical” fabrics (e.g. polyester, nylon).

2. Breatheable jacket.
Prices vary and sales this time of year can help. Go windbreaker if you don’t mind layering with thermal on bottom, fleece (light or medium weight) next. One with pit zips (zippers under the arm that you can open if you get hot) is ideas. The windbreaker advantage? You’ve got two layers to remove if things heat up during the walk.

Tip: fleece liners that open in the front are easier to tie around your waist when you’re ready to shed them. Fleece tops you have to pull over your head will be a bit more difficult to remove and store as you continue your walk.

Go parka if you’d like to have more “built-in” warmth.

Try to get a jacket that has a hood.

3. Breatheable pants.
Contrary to a misconception based on flashbacks of my last cross-country ski lesson, you won’t be doing lots of falling down while showshoeing. Therefore, you don’t need waterproof pants (unless, as Krista says, you snowshoe in a blizzard!). If you happen to already own waterproofs, however, they should work just fine with an underlayer of thermal.

Otherwise, you can use any pants that are warm, comfortable and allow you to twist, stride, squat and move easily. No jeans allowed (Why? Please see #1).

Wool is a great fabric but as a beginner you might do just as well to layer thermals under a basic polyester workout pant that you probably already own. REI has a big selection of pants in those technical fabrics at varying weights, composition, styles and prices, too.

4. Christa's "Bonne Idee": Use Gaiters.
This idea is so cool and practical, too. Use a pair of workout pants you already own and layer with thermals underneath. Then, just snag a pair of gaiters. They look like sawed off boots made of fabric that wraps around your lower leg using velcro. Gaiters are designed to fit snugly over your hiking boot (strapping under to bottom and hooking into the laces on top) and come up to mid-calf or knee. Any mud or snow or moisture will be stopped by the gaiters and when you get home you can just throw them in the washer. How’s that for convenient and economical?

5. Hand protection. Mittens are warmest. Gloves are fine. Either should have a grip surface on the palm that will make using poles easier and more comfortable.

NEXT TIME: 6. Hiking boots and socks.
Next step (and next blog entry) is a check-in with Kelli to see if those old hiking boots are still a healthy fit and a trip to the sock wall to find which pair will leave you blister-free.

Photo Credit: Walktopia

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