<p>My DD snowshoed over the break with friends and thinks we should get some for home. Does anyone have any suggestions for the best starter set?</p>
<p>You can make your own snow shoes - a fun family project.</p>
<p>Look for clip fastenings instead of ties - they’re much simpler and less likely to loosen and fall off.</p>
<p>What you should get to start depends on whether you are hiking or racing, whether the snow where you are is more powder or ice, how steep you will be going (would poles be needed, etc), and pace - leisurely versus actually running in the snowshoes.</p>
<p>I have attached a link to the REI Snowshoe site - it is a great sport. I snowshoe hike for a good workout since I can’t XC ski to save my life, my D has been a competitive snowshoe runner for years. We have always used Atlas, but Tubbs is good too, and Dions are a good choice if you are going to be snowshoe running… </p>
<p>[Snowshoes</a> for men, women and kids from Atlas, MSR, Tubbs & more at REI.](<a href=“http://www.rei.com/category/40004010]Snowshoes”>http://www.rei.com/category/40004010)</p>
<p>There is an article in the latest Runner’s World which reviews a couple of pairs. There is a lot of info online. Agree- depends on what you plan to do with the snowshoes, but I would go with fairly small and light- not necessarily racing shoes, but not the big clompers, either. I like my Atlas ones and H has Redfeather (bigger) and likes them. Ease of on/off is important.</p>
<p>We snow shoe and hike on a regular basis. We went on a great snow shoeing hike on New Years eve with a bunch of friends, great fun on a beautiful clear winter night. I would suggests Tubbs, great brand, good quality, and offer wide variety of entry level snow shoes ($ 100.00). Please note it is very convenient to have quick entry pull type bindings, without them it can be a bummer getting them on and off. Make sure you buy poles (adjustable $ 25.00) they help with balance on uneven terrain and deep snow, also buy a pair of gators (imperative $ 25.00) which stop snow from getting into your boots in snow that is over your boots. It is great fun, good luck. Beleive it or not my wife and I just saw beginner sets of snow shoes (Tubbs with decent quick pull bindings, and adjustable poles) for sale at Cotsco. I do not remember the price but I would check it out before going to a sportings good store and paying alot more.</p>
<p>After renting them a few times, I bought showshoes a few months ago. Snow has only been good enough to use them once and we loved it. We bought them my mail from [discount</a> msr - atlas - tubbs snowshoes from orssnowshoesdirect.com :: buy snow shoes online for adults kids women on sale](<a href=“http://www.orssnowshoesdirect.com%5Ddiscount”>http://www.orssnowshoesdirect.com). I called them and spoke to someone who was very knowledgeable about the different options. Our local REI has a small but good selection, but the salespeople were not very knowledgeable.</p>
<p>Might also try L. L. Bean. I seem to recall that they had Tubbs. We don’t own snowshoes but have really enjoyed using them at the Balsams in Dixville Notch (NH) in the past, where they are available for use by guests. I remember that the newer kind had much easier fastenings. For walking-in-the-snowy-woods purposes they seemed just fine.</p>
<p>[How</a> to Choose Snowshoes: Expert Advice from REI](<a href=“http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/snowshoes.html]How”>http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/snowshoes.html)</p>
<p>I agree with getting poles but I dont wear gaiters not even for x-country skiing, I just wear my Ds discarded snowboarding pants . ( for x country skiing I wear synthetic stretchy pants, cause I would get too hot with insulated ones)</p>