Snowshoes

**aflineman** · 01-09-2010, 05:28 PM

Does anyone have any experience with the military magnesium snowshoes? Sportsman's has them for $36, and I think I can get them at my downtown surplus place for about the same (or maybe even do some trading there). How well do they work? They are the round front, with the back tapered to a thin blunt point (The typical "snowshoe shape"). Any advantage to these over the more expensive "sporting" styles? Any disadvantages to these? I have used the "sporting" style a few times, as well as some more traditional ones. Mainly for a few weekends at a time. Nothing really extensive. Maybe 100 miles all told. They are nice for winter time mtn. lion and coyote hunting in the higher elevations around here.
Thanks for your time.

**trax** · 01-11-2010, 10:49 AM

I don't have any experience with that type at all, I always use traditional. Having said that, I'd trust the military on 'em, magnesium is nice lightweight material, it's a good design and at that price, I'd say you're getting a deal.

**Sourdough** · 01-11-2010, 11:27 AM

I would NOT buy them for regular use. In fact I have had people offer to give me a sets for free, and I declined. No one around here likes them. I have never had to use them, but would in an emergency. I use Iverson shoes & Bob Maki bindings.

**trax** · 01-11-2010, 01:39 PM

wow, that bad huh? Thanks Sourdough, good to know.

**Beo** · 01-11-2010, 07:57 PM

Originally Posted by trax

I don't have any experience with that type at all, I always use traditional.

Ditto, try this site http://www.snowshoestore.com/

**canid** · 01-11-2010, 07:59 PM

wow. i would take ANYTHING made of magnesium if offered free.

there's always uses for magnesium.

**Beo** · 01-11-2010, 08:05 PM

Yeah bullet molds...

**trax** · 01-12-2010, 01:38 PM

Originally Posted by Beowulf65

Ditto, try this site http://www.snowshoestore.com/

who? me? uhuh, I got snowshoes, lol.

**Mertell** · 01-12-2010, 02:31 PM

I have 3 pairs and we like them. They are smaller than traditional ash and rawhide "Alaskans" or the "Michigan" style.

Being smaller, a full sized person will sink a bit in soft powder. But these Miltary snowshoes ARE a good compromise between larger styles and the modern versions made for trail walking.

As for bindings, I made some out of nylon dog collars. Simple and effective.

-Mert

**klkak** · 01-12-2010, 02:56 PM

I have a pair I use for breaking trail since someone stole my big Tubbs. I use the modern style for everything else.

**aflineman** · 01-31-2010, 01:56 AM

I finally got my hands on some. I got to play with a pair at our Klondike Campout for Scouts last weekend. They worked, but I think I like the more modern ones better. For the price though, they are not bad. I may just have to keep looking at garage sales and see what pops up.

**Rick** · 01-31-2010, 09:09 AM

225lbs including pack weight? How does the military handle that? A 200lb. man plus a 70+lb. pack = Ooops.

**crashdive123** · 01-31-2010, 03:53 PM

Originally Posted by Rick

225lbs including pack weight? How does the military handle that? A 200lb. man plus a 70+lb. pack = Ooops.

Lowest bidder.

**Rick** · 01-31-2010, 04:14 PM

I was just surprised by the weight limit. There are a lot of folks around in the 225 range (or more...lot's more) and toss a pack on them and now your up in the 250-260 range. So what do you do in that case? Use a 56" snowshoe? I can see why the size and webbing would have an impact on supporting any weight on powder snow as in too heavy, it wouldn't but I would have thought the rating would have been higher.