New Canadian Military Snow Shoes.

What is the advantage to these over cheaper commercial product, say something I'd pick up at costco for less than half the price? Durability/longevity?

Also is there an advantage to the long tail on these? I know its the "classic" look for a snowshoe, but the commercial ones tend not to have this feature so I'm wondering why?
 
Suther said:
What is the advantage to these over cheaper commercial product, say something I'd pick up at costco for less than half the price? Durability/longevity?

Also is there an advantage to the long tail on these? I know its the "classic" look for a snowshoe, but the commercial ones tend not to have this feature so I'm wondering why?
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The shape of them is indicative of nothing but a style really. These are the traditional "Huron" shoes, and they'll be rated for what they can carry. Take your own weight and add whatever you'd liklely be carrying, I personally added 100 lbs to my weight, and that will be the rating you're looking for. They're made of a magnesium alloy for lightweight, strong show frames that will not attract snow accumulation. There is literally not much worse than snow sticking to your shoes.

When using them, they should be left outside the night before to acclimatize them, which if wood and gut minimizes the snow stick. Magnesium is supposed to be better, lighter and less maintenance. View attachment 660903
 
I own a pair of these as well as regular canadian tire bought modern style snowshoes. These work just as well but the best part about them are that the bindings accomodate much larger boots. I can not wear my usgi bunny boots in my new age snowshoes but they fit perfectly in the millitary ones.

Also, like hollow point said, they are emergency fire starter approved, once you get the white paint off it just shave off or scrape off some material and spark it up.

The webbing of the snowshoes is coated steel cable. The bindings are fine but i later switched to quick bindings and it makes it much easier to snap in. The stock bindings are very stiff and need to be soaked to soften them up so the stock clamps actually dig in without constantly loosening up on you.
 
During my career as a Forest Ranger I snow shooed hundreds of miles timber cruising. We usually did our cruising work in the winter when beaver ponds and other water courses were never an obstacle. I always preferred (as did my coworkers) shoes with a long tail over bear paw types. The long tail never really cleared the snow when you took a step. It just trailed after the toe which cleared the snow when you took a step forward. Most bear paw types tended to come up kind of flat and it was easy for the toe to catch and was a trip hazard. Been a long time since I was on snow shoes. My grandson is an army cadet and his Corps snowshoed a few klicks on the weekend. Cadets the best youth program in Canada!
 
Old Ranger said:
During my career as a Forest Ranger I snow shooed hundreds of miles timber cruising. We usually did our cruising work in the winter when beaver ponds and other water courses were never an obstacle. I always preferred (as did my coworkers) shoes with a long tail over bear paw types. The long tail never really cleared the snow when you took a step. It just trailed after the toe which cleared the snow when you took a step forward. Most bear paw types tended to come up kind of flat and it was easy for the toe to catch and was a trip hazard. Been a long time since I was on snow shoes. My grandson is an army cadet and his Corps snowshoed a few klicks on the weekend. Cadets the best youth program in Canada!
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I will say though that the current bear paw style comes with better spikes. These ones are rounded and dont bite in very well. Nothing a file and elbow grease cant fix, though. Save the filings for fire starter afterwards lol
 
I have used both modern and these shoes. The surplus shoes have more float and are easier to walk in. The tail keeps them straight and helps with float on soft snow. With the cables and little teeth, I never have an issue slipping, even on steep hills. The modern ones have plastic which slides, the crampons get plugged with soft snow and you then have a ski. Packed trails, modern shoes are great, anywhere else, go with a design that has worked for centuries. Did 7kms with mine last weekend, hope to get out again this weekend.
 
FLYBYU44 said:
I have used both modern and these shoes. The surplus shoes have more float and are easier to walk in. The tail keeps them straight and helps with float on soft snow. With the cables and little teeth, I never have an issue slipping, even on steep hills. The modern ones have plastic which slides, the crampons get plugged with soft snow and you then have a ski. Packed trails, modern shoes are great, anywhere else, go with a design that has worked for centuries. Did 7kms with mine last weekend, hope to get out again this weekend.
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Agreed! The sticky wet snow makes for big annoying bumps under your feet with the modern ones like you say. Although maybe more expensive, higher quality ones, don't have that problem - im not sure.
 
Can confirm, the magnesium from the tail can (with the right conditions and training) can be used to light fires.
 
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