Why Wear Snowshoes?
Posted by Crescent Moon on Nov 11th 2020
When it comes to snowshoeing, many people look at snowshoes for the first time and realize they are shaped oddly. They don’t look like shoes, but they also don’t look like skis? Why are they designed this way? The reality is that people wear snowshoes for many reasons. There are a few key reasons why people decide to wear snowshoes instead of other types of footwear.
Why Wear Snowshoes?
The reasons why people wear snowshoes go back thousands of years. When people used to hunt and gather food for survival, they needed a way to quickly move across the snow to keep up with their prey and efficiently gather food. This is where the idea of snowshoes originated.
To understand why snowshoes work the way they do, we need to understand physics. When someone is walking on the snow, they tend to fall through. If there is a way for them to distribute their weight across a wider surface area, they will stay on top of the snow, making it easier to walk. Crescent Moon has taken this to the next level with the award winning foam snowshoes. They are lighter and have a unique rocker shape to allow an easier gait when you are snowshoeing.
This is where snowshoes come in. Snowshoe design allows for taking someone’s weight and distributing it across a wider surface area. This means that more of the snow is holding up someone’s body, making it harder for someone to sink in the snow, making snowshoes effective in the snow.
The Benefits of Wearing Snowshoes
With this in mind, there are a few key benefits of wearing snowshoes in the snow. The most significant benefit is flotation. Flotation refers to snowshoes’ ability to keep someone on top of the snow instead of sinking into the snow. Anyone who has fallen through the snow while walking through it understands it to be a big problem. The good news is that snowshoes can prevent this from happening. Foam snowshoes make this even better due to a light weight and unique shape!
Another primary reason why people wear snowshoes is for traction. Traction is what separates snowshoes from just about every other option. Snow and ice are slippery. To make sure people don’t slip and slide their way to a sprained ankle or knee, snowshoes, including Eva and Luna foam snowshoes, have been designed to increase traction. When this is combined with adjustable poles, it is easier for people to gain traction as they walk through the snow.
Finally, snowshoes are also designed to add stability. Again, ice is slippery, and it is easy for people to fall over. Because snowshoes are wider than other options, they are harder for people to roll and twist. In this manner, snowshoes add stability. These are a few of the benefits of wearing snowshoes.
Comparing Snowshoes to Other Types of Winter Footwear
There are a few alternatives to snowshoes that people might consider. The first is hiking boots. While hiking boots are better than sneakers when walking in the snow, they do not compare to snowshoes. Hiking boots are thick, bulky, and heavy. They quickly sink in the snow, making it hard for someone to walk in anything more than about three inches of snow on the ground.
Some people might also be thinking about wearing cross-country skis. The main benefit of skis is that they are long, allowing people to move quickly across the snow. At the same time, cross-country skiing can be more challenging and more physically demanding than snowshoeing. They also do not fit into tight space very well. While cross-country skiing is a great sport and skis have their place, they serve different purposes than snowshoes.
Wear the Right Snowshoes for the Terrain
These are a few of the biggest reasons why people decide to wear snowshoes. Like other winter sports gear, there are lots of options from which to choose. Everyone should take the time to find the right snowshoes for their needs. At Crescent Moon, we provide a wide range of snowshoes. We would be happy to help you find the right pair of snowshoes for your needs as well! Check out our selection today!