The Best Snowshoes For Backpacking Of 2024: Great Picks & Buying Guide
By, Sarah CombsUpdated
Our Top Picks
1. Best Overall: Gpeng 3-in-1 Xtreme Lightweight Terrain Snowshoes
Gpeng 3-in-1 Xtreme Lightweight Terrain Snowshoes are designed to help you maneuver in any weather condition. They feature an ergonomic and streamlined design and a slightly upturned rounded tail that assures a comfortable and easy walk for your hiking and climbing. They also come with strong metal frame, high-quality PE decking, heel straps with quick release buckles, all terrain forged aluminum alloy crampons for aggressive traction. Read Review
2. Runner Up: G2 30 Inches Red Light Weight Snowshoes
G2 snowshoes are made with high-quality and lightweight HDPE to provide a nice floatage in the snowfield. This saves energy and gives you a chance to go further. With our yellow ratchet binding, you can fasten these shoes easily by pressing the one-pull buckle with just one finger even when your hands are frozen. Read Review
3. Best Reliable: Gpeng 4-in-1 Xtreme Lightweight Terrain Snowshoes
Take on the winter with these four-in-one snowshoes. With an aluminum frame and ergonomic design, they are lightweight and easy to carry. The double ratcheting bindings will make it effortless for you to adjust your shoes so you can keep up with the changing terrain. Made from durable materials, the adjustable height treeking poles work great in various conditions, including wet ones. Read Review
4. Best Performance: Retrospec Drifter 25/30 Inch Snowshoes
Engineered for prime snowshoeing performance, this lightweight snowshoe has a tough polyethylene deck for maximum support on the snow. The double-ratchet binding system makes it easy to strap in and out while on the trail. Lightweight 6061-T6 alloy frames with tough polyethylene decks provide superior support on the snow and keep your steps light and controlled. Read Review
When you’re on a backpacking trip, you want to be able to do everything that nature has to offer. Not just see it and smell it, but experience it from every angle possible. Whether you go for a day hike or an overnight trip in the wilderness, snowshoeing can take you there.
The trick is finding the right set of snowshoes for your next backpacking trip. Here we have compiled a list of the best snowshoes for backpacking with detailed reviews to help you ensure that your next excursion is as comfortable as possible.
After lots of research based on customer feedback, We think the best snowshoes for backpacking is Gpeng 3-in-1 Xtreme Lightweight Terrain Snowshoes. We have provided you with a detailed buyer's guide and many other good choices so that you can decide which one is the best for your requirements.
RELATED: Are you looking for a best snowshoes for beginners that meets your needs while also being cost-effective? Find the best one for you here.
Our Top Picks
- DESIGN: Ergonomic and streamlined design and a slightly upturned rounded tail, the snowshoes ensure a comfortable and easy walk for your hiking and climbing. Meet max floatation and fast movement in heavy snow condition.
- Functional Use: a strong metal frame provides a stable platform while the high quality PE decking creates max flotation; heel straps with quick release buckles keep your feet in place; all terrain forged aluminum alloy crampons for aggressive traction
- Sizes & Weight Capacity: 14 Inches:30 - 70 lbs / 14 - 31 kg; 21 Inches: 70 - 150 lbs / 31 - 70 kg; 25 Inches : 120 - 180 lbs / 55 - 82 kg ; 27 Inches:160 - 235 lbs / 73 - 107 kg; 30 Inches:180 - 250 lbs / 81 - 114 kg
- Package Included: a pair of snowshoes + a pair of Snowshoeing Poles + a Carrying bag
- Fully Adjustable : double ratcheting bindings easily adjust to most footwear and enable a secure fit for maximum efficiency during outdoor treks; one-buckle tightening mechanism coupled with an TPE heel strap provides efficient support
- ❄【MORE COMFORTABLE】- We padded soft EVA foam inside of snowshoes to provide a warm and comfortable feeling, protect your feet during cold winter.
- ❄【SPECIAL STRUCTURE】- Flex pivot bar and heel lift makes users feel more natural no matter in flat or uphill, enable your to enjoy your winter hiking more.
- ❄【STRONG MATERIAL】- G2 snowshoes used high quality & lightweight HDPE as its deck to provide a nice floatage in snowfield so that users can save their energy and go further.
- ❄【IMPROVED CRAMPONS】- This sharp crampons is made of high quality aluminum, which gives an excellent grip in snowfield or ice, keep you from dangerous.
- ❄【PROFESSIONALLY DESIGNED】-Fast ratchet binding is designed for low-temperature environment. It can be fastened easily by lift the one-pull buckle with just one-finger even when your hands are frozen.
- Package Included: Snowshoes + Trekking Poles + Leg Gaiters + Carrying bag
- Sizes & Weight Capacity: 14 Inches:30 - 70 lbs / 14 - 31 kg; 21 Inches: 70 - 150 lbs / 31 - 70 kg; 25 Inches : 120 - 180 lbs / 55 - 82 kg ; 27 Inches:160 - 235 lbs / 73 - 107 kg; 30 Inches:180 - 250 lbs / 81 - 114 kg
- LIGHTWEIGHT & EASY-TO-PUT SNOWSHOES: Made of lightweight and strong aluminum frame , the snowshoes feature an ergonomic design to ensure comfortable and easy walk. With upgraded double ratcheting bindings, it's easily adjust to your footwear. And the one-buckle tightening mechanism coupled with TPE heel strap provides efficient support.
- ADJUSTABLE TREEKING POLES: Easily changing the height of these telescoping poles from 25.5 to 54 inches is a breeze even when you're wearing gloves or trekking in wet conditions.
- Fully Adjustable : double ratcheting bindings easily adjust to most footwear and enable a secure fit for maximum efficiency during outdoor treks; one-buckle tightening mechanism coupled with an TPE heel strap provides efficient support
- Sizes & weight capacity: Snowshoes come in three sizes: 21"/80-120lbs, 25"/110-160lbs, 30"/160-210lbs. Trekking poles are adjustable with a height range of 43-53”.
- Functional Design: Fast, secure double-ratchet binding system allows you to easily strap in and out of your snowshoes while on the trail.
- Lightweight & Durable: Lightweight 6061-T6 alloy frames with tough polyethylene decks provide superior support on the snow and keep your steps light and controlled.
- Everything You Need: Includes 1 pair adult snowshoes, 1 pair adjustable trekking poles with multi-terrain attachments, carrying case for snowshoes and trekking poles.
- Traction & Stability: Heel lifters and full-floating pivot system increase traction and reduce fatigue while exploring steep terrain. Trekking poles with multiple terrain attachments add stability and balance.
- Made of premium aluminum frames, these snowshoes combine performance materials with a sleek modern design. Ergonomic and streamlined design and a slightly upturned rounded tail add better flotation in softer snow. A cold resistant TPU binding combined with large electroplated front and rear steel grip crampons offer additional traction on icier surfaces.
- These durable snowshoes were built for all-terrain recreational snowshoe hiking and climbing. It'll help you floating on snow easily which means focusing more on the scenery and less on your feet.
- Sizes & weight capacity: 21 Inches: 70 - 150 lbs / 30 - 70 kg; 25 Inches : 120 - 180 lbs / 55 - 80 kg; 27 Inches:150 - 220 lbs / 70 - 100 kg; 30 Inches:180 - 260 lbs / 80 - 120 kg. (Load refers to total weight of user plus anything they are carrying such as pack, equipment.)
- Package Includes a pair of snowshoes, a pair of trekking poles and a carrying bag.
- Fast pull binding system easy entry and fast-lock allow your winter boots put on and off quickly. Heel lifters increase traction and reduce fatigue while exploring steep terrain.
- Adjustable Trekking Poles: 3 section anti-shock poles allows you to easily extend the poles from 26" (66cm) to 53" (135cm), which perfectly fits for adults and kids. Tungsten tips are designed to firmly keep the walking poles in place and prevent them from sliding down, offering you the ultimate stability in snow. Package includes one pair of snowshoes, one pair of extendable trekking poles and a snowshoes tote bag, easy to carry and storage. Ideal Christmas gifts for your family or friends.
- Upgrade Function: Fast pull binding system make it easy to put on and take off your winter boots. When adventuring in winter, TPE heel strap provides extra efficient support. Rear steel crampons system offers strong traction and grip on snow.
- Size & Weight Capacity: 21 inches snow shoes optimized weight range is 70-150lbs/31-70kg, 25 inches snow shoes optimized weight range is 120-200lbs/55-82kg, 30 inches snow shoes optimized weight range is 180-250lbs/82-114kg, 3 selectable sizes suits for men, women, youth and kids.
- Comfortable Design: Ergonomic and streamlined design and a slightly upturned rounded tail to reduces the resistance of walking and meet max floatation and fast movement in snowfield, ensuring a comfortable and easy walk for your hiking and climbing.
- High Quality & Lightweight Material: Our snowshoes are made of light weight 6000 Series aircraft aluminum frame and strong HDPE decking to create a durable and abrasion-resistant deck, which will not crack easily under extreme cold winter.
- ⛄【Fully Adjustable】Its double ratcheting bindings fit a wide variety of winter boot styles and sizes, requiring a quick tug of webbing straps and heel adjustment. What's more, the heel strap and aluminum teeth of crampons provide increased traction and comfort on packed snow and moderate terrains that are great for enjoying winter hiking through trails and forest.
- ⛄【 Ergonomic Design for Easy Walking】The upturned round tail design of snow shoes can effectively prevent snow shoes from being inserted into the snow during walking, ensuring user’s safety. In addition, the aluminum alloy claws help the users move forward easily in the deep and wet snow.
- ⛄【Gift for Outdoor Activity Enthusiasts】 Our snow shoes are useful outdoor equipment. When there is a lot of snow on the road, outdoor activities enthusiasts can wear the snow shoes to go on their snow trekking or adventure, because the snow shoes can avoid sliding or get struck into the snow.
- ⛄【Premium & Strong Material】This premium snow shoes are made of aluminum-alloy, which is sturdy enough and can withstand 150 to 275 lbs of weight. In addition, the panel is made of HDPE plastic that is low temperature resistant. Therefore, our snow shoes are very durable and not easy to be broken.
- ⛄【Convenient to Carry & Wear】 There is a carrying bag for you to put the snow shoes, trekking poles and snow supports in our carrying bag when you need to go out. Besides, our snowshoes are very easy to wear, and you just need to tighten the straps to keep your feet secured.
- Function: Fast pull binding system easy entry and fast-lock allow your winter boots put on and off quickly. Heel lifters increase traction and reduce fatigue when you are exploring steep terrain.
- Sizes & Weight Capacity: 21 inches snowshoes optimized weight range: 65 - 155 lbs / 30 - 70 kg(Load refers to total weight of user plus anything they are carrying such as pack, equipment, etc.)
- Complete Snowshoe Kit: One pair of snowshoes, one pair of adjustable trekking poles and a zippered snowshoe tote bag for easy carrying and storage.
- Materials: Durable lightweight 6000 series aircraft aluminum frame. Two sets of forged aluminum alloy crampons provide traction on icy hard surfaces. Whether you're going for a casual walk in the snow or hitting the hiking trails, the lightweight aluminum frames of these snowshoes offer lasting durability and comfort.
- Design: Ergonomic and streamlined design and a slightly upturned rounded tail, meet max floatation and fast movement in heavy snow condition. Buckle tightening mechanism coupled with an PVC heel strap provides efficient support.
- Snowshoes measure 8 x 30 inches, weigh 4.93 pounds/pair, and can carry up to a 280-pound load; bindings fit men’s shoes sizes 4.5-15; made in the USA
- 360-degree Traction Frames deliver edge-to-edge grip, especially on traverses, while durable steel DTX crampons provide serious bite on alpine steeps
- Paragon bindings feature a one-piece contouring strap that wraps securely around boots, for a glove-like feel that eliminates rigid pressure points, and provides easy alignment and foot control
- Ultralight (4.93 lbs) technical snowshoes with superior traction for mountaineering, aggressive backcountry pursuits, and rugged terrain
- Ergo Televator heel lift bar flips up to increase uphill efficiency, provide help on steep ascents, and reduce fatigue
- User and gear weight range: Up to 150 pounds; Includes: 1 pair of showshoes, 1 pair of poles, and 1 convenient travel bag
- Fast Fit II easy pull binding designed to optimize the fit to most any winter footwear; Forged steel and ultra strong 6000 aluminum frames
- Snow Motion axle system gives frame additional 30% torsional rigidity for ultimate traction on double fall lines
- 8 x 21 inch women's snowshoe kit with poles and bag; Heavy duty HDPE decking creates maximum flotation and durability you can count on
- Exclusive Rocker V Tail for natural stride whether walking or running; Powder coated crampons on front and rear for superior trail gripping traction
What Factors Should You Consider While Choosing best snowshoes for backpacking?
Getting to the best decision for a product purchase may take a bit of time. In a nutshell, we're available to serve you with your product problems at all hours of the day and night!
You can rest assured if you consider the following points before selecting best snowshoes for backpacking:
Bindings
These main strap materials can be made from nylon, rubber, and cable lace. The straps are available in straight straps or ratchet and pull straps.
BOA cable-lace bindings with pull webbing offer both a secure, snug fit as well as quick access to your snowshoes. While snowshoes come in many different materials, the most popular are usually made of hardened plastics with carbon, steel or aluminum.
Traction & Climbing Features
Type Of Terrain
Type Of Boot Attachment System
Material
Sizing
The specifications on the snowshoes should be checked. It will specify the minimum recommended load as well as the best type of terrain. Maximum load for day trips should not be more than 20 pounds. If you are going on overnight adventures or climbing, your maximum load should be between 30-60 pounds higher than your bodyweight.
Due to the greater area of snowshoes, longer ones are more efficient at traversing powder. A longer snowshoe makes it more difficult to travel up or down steep terrain. It is better to have a shorter ski than you need if your goal is to move on snowpacked terrain.
RELATED: Looking for the best youth snowshoes? We've got you covered. These top picks will help you get out there and enjoy the winter.
FAQs
What Kind Of Shoes Do You Wear With Snowshoes?
For the most comfort and fit, you can use any type of shoe with snowshoes. However, we recommend water-resistant boots that are relatively tough hiking/backpacking shoes.
What Size Snowshoes Do I Need?
The sizing of your snowshoes will depend on how tall you are and what weight you have (including the pack weight). You can find the recommended sizing for each brand or model here.
A longer snowshoe is more comfortable to use in powder, because it has a greater surface area. A longer snowshoe can be more difficult to use on steep terrain.
What Is The Best Snowshoe Brand?
While there are many high-quality brands, your personal preferences and needs will determine which brand is best for you. A snowshoe that is designed for trail running will be different for someone who is shorter than you. In order to find the best snowshoes for you, it is better to put your needs first than the brand.
What Shoes Do You Wear With Snowshoes?
For most snowshoeing conditions, a pair of good hiking boots or winter boots is recommended. You want to make sure your feet are dry and warm without restricting mobility. For top choices, check out our review of the Best Men's Winter Boots as well as Best Women's Winter Boots.
Gaiters are a great way to prevent snow from getting into your garden. Dry means happy.
How Much Snow Do You Need For Snowshoeing?
Snowshoes should be worn in deep, soft snow. To use snowshoes for any other condition, it isn't practical. They are too heavy and bulky. It is better to use crampons for snowshoeing on hard and frozen terrain.
Do You Need Poles?
Even though you won't need them, poles are strongly recommended. Even the most agile people can be a bit clumsy when starting snowshoeing. Poles are a great way to increase balance in the upper body, and also engage your arms in this otherwise leg-focused sport.
You will require poles for technical or more difficult terrain. These poles are a safety net for those who find themselves on unstable ledges, or just need an extra layer of security.
In general, product information and news are now available to users. In addition, as previously said, the Internet is constantly updated with new technology. Thus, customers will need to be informed so please subscribe to our newsletter or visit our website frequently to check the latest information.
Do you have any product-related questions or concerns you'd like to share? As a result of your efforts, we will attempt to ensure even greater standards of excellence!
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About Sarah Combs
