Best Snowshoes for Winter Hiking in 2022 – Buyer’s Guide & Reviews


Walking around in deep snow with just your regular snow boots on is not a fun experience at all. You will continually struggle to make every step as your feet sink into loads of snow. But, thanks to the invention of snowshoes, walking in the snow is easier and more fun. Check out Best Snowshoes for Winter Hiking here.

Thus, it is important to choose the best snowshoes to allow you to walk comfortably and easily. In this review, we have highlighted some of the best snowshoes in the market, the factors that need to be considered, and other important details to help you choose the best one for your style and needs. Read along!

Comparison Table: Top Rated Best snowshoes

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Top 10 Best Snowshoes Product Review

Check out an in-depth review of the top 10 best Snowshoes available on the market these days in the section below.

01- ENKEEO All-Terrain Snowshoes

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Walk-in style on the white flurry snow with these ENKEEO All-Terrain Snowshoes. With the right combination of black and orange color plus an efficient rounded and slightly upturned tail, climbing and trailing in the snowy path has been easier. These snowshoes have a sturdy aluminum-alloy frame that provides a stable platform while keeping it lightweight. In addition, the finest quality PE decking offers max floatation and long-lasting usage even in the harshest winter. These terrain snowshoes also have quick-release buckles for heel straps and crampons to keep your feet in position while maintaining traction. Furthermore, the double ratcheting bindings are fully adjustable and house your foot securely and comfortably; the one-buckle tightening mechanism, plus the TPE heel strap, gives excellent support. The package comes with a portable carry bag to store your terrain snowshoes, ideal for your snow trailing adventures.

FEATURES

  • Aluminum-alloy frame
  • Finest quality PE decking
  • Quick-release heel straps
  • Aluminum-alloy crampons
  • Double ratcheting findings
  • One-buckle tightening mechanism
  • Four different sizes to choose from
  • Kid-friendly
  • The package includes one pair of snowshoes, one carry bag, and 1 Thank Card.
Pros
  • The bindings are easily adjustable yet sturdy. Keep the foot securely and comfortably
  • They can slip on and off easily even with a gloved hand
  • It is extremely lightweight and comfortable to walk with
  • The aluminum spikes give good traction
  • The price was reasonable enough
Cons
  • It tends to be easily clogged up with snow
  • The guidelines for the length on the site were a bit inaccurate

02- MSR Evo Trail 22-Inch Hiking Snowshoes

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The MSR Evo Trail 22-Inch Hiking Snowshoes are ideal for people who are looking for dependable and durable snowshoes to keep afloat from the blanket of snow. These snowshoes have been a fan favorite of snowshoers across the globe because of their durability and exceptional value in almost all kinds of snow-covered trails. The brake bars, steel traction rails, and carbon-steel crampons give trekkers a safe and steady grip even in risky situations. In addition, the DuoFit bindings offer glove-friendly and weather-resistant adjustable attachment to different types of footwear. These hiking snowshoes are an ideal choice for both men and women, and they come in four vibrant colors to choose from – charcoal, red, mineral, and dark teal.

FEATURES

  • Steel traction rails and brake bars
  • Carbon-steel crampons
  • DuoFit Bindings with glove-friendly and weather-resistant adjustable attachment
  • Optional modular floatation tails
  • It comes in 4 vibrant colors (charcoal, red, mineral, and dark teal)
  • Three-year warranty
Pros
  • The shoes are super light and are easy to carry
  • To give extra floatation, you can simply attach an optional floatation tail
  • The shoes give more ease in walking
  • The grip on the shoes is durable
  • They are durable and easy to use
Cons
  • They tend to create a noticeable slapping noise when walking
  • The rubber straps tend to be hard to control

03- Gpeng 3-in-1 Xtreme Lightweight Terrain Snow Shoes

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Are you looking for extremely lightweight terrain snowshoes to make you stay afloat on loads of snow? Then, look no further because the 3. fits all your needs. Available in 5 different sizes, the Gpeng 3-in-1 Xtreme Lightweight Terrain Snow Shoes have an ergonomic design with a rounded and slightly upturned tail that makes climbing and hiking in a pile of white flurry more comfortable and trouble-free.

The sturdy metal frame creates a stable platform while the PE decking keeps you afloat even in the deep snow. It also comes with heel straps that have quick-release buckles that secure your feet in place. The aluminum alloy crampons also provide good traction even on a slippery trail. Furthermore, these lightweight terrain snowshoes by Gpeng also have a double ratcheting binding that allows the easy and efficient fit to almost all kinds of footwear during outdoor treks. The package comes with a carrying bag and snowshoeing poles to give you an excellent outdoor experience for keeps.

FEATURES

  • Sturdy metal frame
  • Rounded and slightly upturned tail
  • Superb-quality PE decking
  • Heel straps with quick-release buckles
  • Aluminum alloy crampons
  • Double ratcheting bindings
  • The package comes with a snowshoeing pole and carrying bag
Pros
  • The shoes give good fitting to almost all kinds of winter footwear
  • Both the shoes and the poles have an attractive appeal due to its vibrant orange color
  • The poles are quite sturdy yet give the right amount of flexibility for the job
  • The shoes are super light and ideal for long-distance walks
  • They are easy to get on and off
Cons
  • The soles of the shoes are quite sharp that it creates holes in the bag

04- WildHorn Outfitters Sawtooth Snowshoes

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The new and improved Sawtooth Snowshoes by WildHorn Outfitters are reinforced and adjusted in a way to answer the feedback of the clients. These Sawtooth Snowshoes are created with a long-lasting aluminum frame to offer you the optimal snow floatation from the deep white powder. Plus, they are made with weather-tested and high-grade materials to ensure a high-quality product that lasts long. For traction, the shoe is now reinforced with heavy-duty crampons to give you a grip even on icy surfaces.

It also has an Incline Heel Lift Riser to support and balance, especially climbing high slopes. They also have a no-slip textured pad plus an excess heel strap that cradles your foot securely and comfortably to prevent you from accidental slips while snow trekking this winter. These adult snowshoes come in two fully adjustable bindings that can accommodate the size of your foot, while the ratchet-style binding, with a quick-release buckle secure strap, offers a personal touch. With all these features, the WildHorn Outfitters Sawtooth Snowshoes are extremely lightweight, giving you the maximum support and comfort that you deserve.

FEATURES

  • made with weather-tested and high-grade aluminum frame
  • Fully adjustable Ratchet Bindings
  • Auto-locking system on the heel strap
  • Hard Pack Grip Teeth
  • Incline Heel Lift Riser
  • Don’t Slip Features
  • It comes with 2 adjustable lengths (21 inches and 27 inches)
Pros
  • The overall built of the snowshoes are sturdy and solid
  • The straps are quite easy to adjust even with gloves on
  • High-quality crampon gives good traction
  • Heel plate helps climbing a steep terrain more comfortable and easier
  • They have cool designs that make you kind of stand out and look cool
Cons
  • The package doesn’t come with a handy carrying case to store the shoes when not in use

05- Winterial Highland Snowshoes

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These all-in-one Winterial Highland Snowshoes gives you the best when it comes to functionality, comfort, and style. Made from a high-quality aluminum frame, these snowshoes are extremely lightweight and trusted to keep you on top of your game. They have heel bindings and aluminum teeth to make it easier to climb up high while providing good grip and traction to the snow. To give you extra comfort, the package includes shock-proof poles to give you the ultimate snowshoeing experience of a lifetime. It also includes a handy carrying bag to keep your snowshoes in, especially when not in use.

FEATURES

  • Made from the lightweight and durable Aluminum frame
  • Heel bindings
  • Aluminum teeth
  • It comes with a carrying bag and two shock-proof poles
Pros
  • The snowshoes provide amazing traction, especially on a climb
  • They are easy to wear and use
  • They are extremely lightweight that you can walk for miles without feeling tired
  • They are easy to maneuver yet durable
Cons
  • The straps don’t distribute pressure evenly and are quite hard to adjust

06- ALPS Adult All Terrian Snowshoes

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Trekking in the blankets of snow is made stress-free and comfortable, thanks to the ALPS Adult All Terrian Snowshoes. These snowshoes are made from durable aluminum tubing, while the decks are constructed out of UV-resistant and durable polyethylene material. They also have easy-to-use ratchet bindings that secure your footwear properly. They also have quick-release heel straps that make it easier to take off the shoes, even with your gloves. The crampons are made with heavy-duty aluminum to ensure a good grip and traction during a climb. These snowshoes come in 7 different sizes and a carrying tote bag to keep your snowshoes in.

FEATURES

  • Made from durable aluminum tubing
  • Decks are also constructed from UV-resistant and durable polyethylene material.
  • Quick-release heel straps
  • With heavy-duty aluminum crampons
  • It comes in 7 different sizes to choose from
  • The package includes a carrying tote bag
Pros
  • The shoes can be easily worn and taken off even with numb or gloved hands
  • The front bindings are quite easy to amend
  • They work well both in going up or down the hill
  • They look sturdy and provides good footing
  • They give a decent floatation
Cons
  • The buckle system of the shoes is not that flawless
  • You may need to twist hard in order to lock the clutch of the poles

07- FLASHTEK Light Weight Snowshoes

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Flash trek Lightweight Snowshoes allows you to move fast and achieve max floatation even in heavy snow conditions. These snowshoes are designed ergonomically to ensure comfort and trouble-free walking even on deep snow-covered trails. Plus, they are made with an extremely durable and lightweight aluminum frame that guarantees a long-lasting product even with continuous or everyday use. They also have a quick pull binding system that easily secures or removes your winter boots as you deem necessary. In addition, they also have environmental HDPE decking, DuPont Pivot, and aluminum alloy crampons to ensure both the safety and comfort of the user. The package includes an additional trekking pole and a nylon carrying bag to store your necessities. They have three different sizes and six vibrant colors to choose from.

FEATURES

  • made with an extremely durable and lightweight aluminum frame
  • quick pull binding system
  • environmental HDPE decking
  • DuPont Pivot
  • Aluminum alloy crampons
  • The package comes with additional trekking poles and a nylon carrying bag
  • Three different sizes to choose
  • Six vibrant colors to choose from
Pros
  • The shoes are durable and made of sturdy and high-quality materials
  • They can be easily strapped on or stripped off
  • They have a variety of colors to choose from, giving you a hot look even on cold winter snow
  • The shoes are not too heavy to walk with
  • They have a good instructional video to guide you on how to use the shoes
Cons
  • The paint tends to scratch off easily
  • The plastic bindings barely moved and seemed like they could easily break

08- Chinook 80006 Trekker Snowshoes

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To keep you afloat even on loads of white flurry powder, the Chinook 800006 Trekker Snowshoes proves to be one of the best in the market. They are ergonomically designed and constructed with a strong yet lightweight aluminum frame to guarantee you a comfy and stress-free walk. They also use UV-resistant polyethylene bindings and elastic decking up to -40 Celsius. Plus, they also have dual freeze-resistant and easy-to-use ratchet bindings that you can easily adjust even with a numbing hand or with gloves on; the heel straps have quick-release buckles that cradle your foot securely. In addition, they also have long-lasting aluminum crampons to give optimal traction, especially in heading downslope. The package comes with a carry bag. The snowshoes have a limited lifetime warranty.

FEATURES

  • Made from a strong yet lightweight aluminum frame
  • It comes with UV-resistant polyethylene bindings and decking
  • dual freeze-resistant and easy-to-use ratchet bindings with quick-release buckles
  • long-lasting aluminum crampons
  • limited lifetime warranty
Pros
  • The shoes are extremely comfortable, lightweight, and durable
  • The binding system is simple and effective
  • They provide good traction even on slippery roads
  • The tension adjustment is functional and doesn’t slip out easily
Cons
  • The lower adjustment strap is a bit long and hangs over the snowshoe

09- Carryown 3-in-1 Xtreme Lightweight Terrain Snowshoes

best snowshoes for deep snow

If you are looking for the perfect snowshoes to meet all your needs, then the Carry own 3-in-1 Xtreme Lightweight Terrain Snowshoes could be the one. Made ergonomically with a strong alloy frame, these terrain snowshoes will let you walk easily and in style; plus, they will let you move quickly and trouble-free even on the toughest snow trail. In addition, the shoes have aluminum teeth of crampons and quick-release heel straps to provide you with a good amount of comfort and traction, perfect for snowshoeing in the forests or trails. They also have double ratcheting bindings that use a one-buckle tightening mechanism to give optimal support and a secure fit for any of your winter footwear. They come in 4 different sizes to choose from and include a carrying bag and a pair of adjustable and shockproof poles to complete the gear.

FEATURES

  • Made ergonomically with a strong alloy frame
  • aluminum teeth of crampons
  • quick release heel straps
  • double ratcheting bindings
  • come in 4 different sizes
  • includes include a carrying bag and a pair of adjustable and shockproof poles in the package
Pros
  • They are extremely light and work well even in deep snow
  • The construction is sturdy and durable
  • They can be worn on and off easily using the quick-release buckles
  • The metal spikes underneath work perfectly
  • The straps are easy to tighten and secures your feet well
Cons
  • The excess strap was so long and stiff that it tends to get in the way
  • The shoes easily accumulate a hard ball of snow, making it feel awkward as you walk

10- ALPS Lightweight Snowshoes Set

best women's snowshoes 2020

For women who are always on the go, even under the snow, the ALPS Lightweight Snowshoes Set is a must-try. These are made from Easton Aluminum tubing that is extremely lightweight and ideal for movement on the deep blankets of snow. The decks, in addition, are also built with lightweight and durable Nytex material that guarantees users of prolonged high-quality use. These shoes are equipped with a lacing system that cradles your feet steadily, while the Fast-Loc buckles make putting on and taking off as simple as 123. In addition, the binding of these women’s snowshoes is formed over a man’s boot to secure and cushion the ball and arch of the foot; therefore, the shoes don’t have pressure points. These shoes come in a package with a carrying tote bag and anti-shock walking poles to complete the deal.

FEATURES

  • made from 6000 series Easton Aluminum tubing
  • Decks are built with lightweight and durable Nytex material
  • with a lacing system
  • no pressure points
  • shoes come in a package that includes a carrying tote bag and anti-shock walking poles
  • It comes in 7 different sizes
Pros
  • They are extremely lightweight and easy to walk in
  • Donning and doffing the shoes is very simple and quick
  • The price point is excellent and reasonable
  • The outer look is quite chic and classy
Cons
  • The carrying bag that comes with the package is small that the shoes barely fit

BUYER’S GUIDE

How to choose the Best Snowshoes?

To choose the best snowshoes in the market, you must first know what to look for. Here are some of the factors that need to be considered in choosing the snowshoes that perfectly suit your tastes and needs.

Size of Snowshoes

Getting the right snowshoe size is extremely important, thus making it the top factor to consider in choosing the perfect snowshoes. Snowshoes come in varying sizes that provide the right amount of floatation that a person will need to move freely in the pile of snow.

Generally, the widths of the snowshoes are quite similar, but they differ in length to provide you with more surface area for floatation to work. It is an important thing to note that the longer the snowshoes, the less maneuverable they become; thus, you need the right amount of balance between the two.

Types of Snowshoes

There are three types of snowshoes in the market: flat terrain, rolling terrain, and mountain terrain. Let’s try to learn more about the difference between the three.

Flat Terrain

The flat terrain shoes are ideal for beginners without experience with snowshoeing. These shoes are designed for walking on flat to rolling terrain and for casual snowshoers. They usually feature adjustable bindings and less forceful tractions.

Rolling Terrains

These rolling terrain shoes are made for trekking on rolling or steep terrains, thus making it ideal for hikers and backpackers. They have beefier bindings and more aggressive crampons to provide a good amount of grip and traction.

Mountain Terrain

These mountain terrain shoes are designed for slippery or icy terrains. These are perfect for advanced mountaineers, hikers, and backcountry snowboarders and are intended for snowshoers who want to blaze new trails. These are made with rugged bindings and climbing-style crampons to withstand the toughest terrain with harsh conditions. 

Snowshoe Bindings

Snowshoe bindings are also an important factor to consider since they are designed to fit winter footwear. Other companies also make bindings large enough to fit snowboard boots as well. There are a lot of snowshoe binding types on the market, like straps, buckles, dials, ratchets, and so on.

The way these snowshoes attach to the bindings is also vital. There are two types of attachment to bindings: rotating and fixed. The rotating bindings hinge at the point where they connect to the decking – usually under the balls of the feet. This will allow you to move and walk naturally and climb up the hills. Meanwhile, fixed bindings are attached with heavy-duty neoprene bands or rubber that doesn’t rotate as much. This allows you to stride and step over obstacles with ease.

Snowshoe Traction Devices

To give you a better grip, snowshoes nowadays are equipped with crampons or cleats. Instep crampons are usually found on the undersides of the bindings; thus, they usually rotate with your fit and dig in when you climb. Instep crampons are generally the primary source of traction for snowshoes. Snowshoes are also equipped with heel crampons, generally in a V-formation located on the decking undersides. These crampons slow you down as you go down a slope.

Side rails or traction bars also stabilize and lessen side-slipping in crossing slopes.

Braking bars, on the other hand, are added to the undersides of snowshoes to give good traction and avoid backsliding. Heel lifts or climbing bars prevent Achilles strain and exaggerated calf.

Tips for Snowshoe Sizing

As aforementioned, having the right snowshoe size is extremely important because this can make or break your snowshoeing experience. If you happen to have a smaller size, the tendency is you will just sink in the snow instead of floating. However, if you have a larger size, you will also have difficulty maneuvering or moving. Therefore, it is important to get the right amount of balance. Here are some tips to help you pick the right snowshoe size.

Sizing by Recommended Load

Your weight plus the weight of your equipment determines your carrying capacity or recommended load. Every company offers different snowshoe lengths with the corresponding recommended load. You just have to check it out with the product’s page to ensure the right snowshoe length that matches your recommended load.

In almost all circumstances, people with the larger recommended load will need larger snowshoes than those with the lesser recommended load. This is not merely the total body weight of a person; this is the sum of the weight of the person, his/her winter clothes, and the weight of the backpack.

Sizing by Age and Gender

Kids’ snowshoes are generally smaller. These are aimed for just a laid-back snow play. There are also kids’ snowshoes with larger models that offer more or less technical features of adult snowshoes.

Men’s snowshoes have the largest size because they are intended to accommodate heavier loads and larger winter footwear.

Women’s snowshoes have a narrower and more contoured design and are somehow smaller than that of man’s shoes. The narrow profile makes these shoes easier to stride and walk. The bindings are aimed to snuggle women’s winter footwear perfectly. The underfoot grips and crampons lie under the woman’s feet.

Sizing by Terrain Type and Snow Conditions

It is also important to consider the snow condition and terrain before choosing the right snowshoe size. If you plan to trail on powder snow, then you need much bigger snowshoes to stay afloat than you would wet, compact snow.

Forest, brush, and packed trails demand compact shoes that can be easily maneuvered even in tight spaces.

For icy or steep terrain, smaller snowshoes are the best option to consider. Wide-open areas with profound drifts will need larger snowshoes.

It is important to get the smallest size that can support your recommended load. As long as you can stay afloat in the blanket of snow, the smaller the snowshoes’ size will be easier to handle and maneuver.

Final Words

This sums up our review of the best snowshoe on the market nowadays. Snowshoes are essential, especially if you are situated where winter is the harshest. These shoes will keep you afloat and make you move easily, even on piles of snow. Therefore, it is important to choose the best one that would suit your wants and needs. We have highlighted the top 10 best snowshoes in the market and have indicated their strongest feature to help you with your decision.

We have also highlighted the factors that need to be considered in choosing the best snowshoes, which include the right size and type of snowshoes, the snowshoe bindings, and snowshoe traction devices. These factors are crucial in helping you get the best of both comfort and function. We have also added some tips on determining your right snowshoe size, which is important in helping you reach your ultimate decision. Have fun gliding and striding in the blanket of snow. Read about the best climbing shoes here.

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