SH,

I have been looking at them for sometime my self. I really like those rabbit shoes. I hope you get them so I can get a thorough review. :D. They are the ones I a leading towards myself.

My wife and I build our own snowshoes for us and the kids, grandkids, and now great grandkids. We use the Objibwa style which we feel is the best for northern Michigan forests. It is easy to get white ash for the frames because of the emerald ash borer killing so many of our beautiful trees. If anybody is interested in this great winter hobby, Gil Gilpatrick has a great “how to” book on the subject.

I started with snowshoes when neoprene was something only divers knew about. I would be all over that Rabbit Hunter if I didn’t already have four pairs of ‘shoes in the house. The Green Mountain would have been my first recommendation of all types available until I saw the former – the style has had a well-deserved reputation for versatility for a long time and used to be made by many makers.

I suppose I should explain that I’m thinking here specifically of hunting for game that likes heavy cover. I’d have a different recommendation for ptarmigan and other open country applications with very deep snow and long treks.

I have both 2 pair of Green Mountain and 3 pair Ojibwa styles. The Green Mountains advantage is that they are a little shorter without the tail which is handy when you have to step over logs. The Ojibways advantage is the the pointed front parts the brush like the bow of a canoe as opposed to pushing it over like a bulldozer. They also float up and over the deep snow better with the pointed and up turned fronts.

Have used both (but we called them bear paw, not Green Mt. here in New England) We have 3 pair of the Alum ones now, they work better if your inseam is in the mid 20s, rather than the mid 30s. At one time I had hand me down from my parents, and grand parents (actually we took them away from Mom when she hit 80). Really don’t think the alum ones are big enough for 18″ of powder, need the Michigan.

I wish I could give you some info but we don’t have much use for them in Georgia.

ONLY 170???

I can’t get the scale to go that high if I jump on it!!

grumpy wrote: Have used both (but we called them bear paw, not Green Mt. here in New England)

This will come as news to some folks in that verdant state to your north, who came up with the design – and the name. 😉

1979 Sports Illustrated article:

AT VERMONT TUBBS THEY STILL MAKE SNOWSHOES THE WAY THEY USED TO

I have a pair of Michigan style and a pair of the longer trail type (looks like the Alaskan on your link Bruce). The trail type work best on more open trails in forested areas. The green mountain style I have borrowed from a friend and they worked good in both open trail and sneaking through the trees. I believe for where you live you would enjoy the green mountain style more. Although either style you are choosing from would work great. 😀

But I’ve learned to go with what appeases my sense of traditional style most to be happy.

OORRR, you could get both and have a shoe for two differnt specialty type shoeing.:wink:

Beautiful view you have there. If I was in the market for some new shoes that Rabbit Hunter style would be on the top of the list. Then again the kid has hijacked a couple pair of mine maybe I am in the market?

It’s a very good thing you’re 2000 miles away right now. Otherwise I’d come over there, steal your new ‘shoes and smack you upside the head for posting these pictures while I sit here looking at brown ground.

If you haven’t figured it out yet, that Santa of yours is a real catch! 😉

BTW, if you haven’t done so, you should send the pics to the folks in Bingham. I’d sure they’d get a lot of pleasure from seeing these.

Smithhammer wrote: Of course, she also went all the way up the valley and back on her xc skis, in the time it took me to hike about a 1/2 mile. And then, without a trace of irony, she asked me how I liked my new shoes. She’s a keeper.

I’ve been known to bring both many times. (It’s easier when there’s a dog or two available for pulk pulling duty on a camping trip.) I have an extraordinarily low tolerance for inefficiency when it comes to winter travel.

Smithhammer you really know how to hurt a guy. We had a foot of snow the second week of November and a month later it was gone. We now have 1 1/2″ of snow so instead of skiing today I will be helping cut trees on a new trail section hoping for enough snow tomorrow to ski on. Enjoy that white stuff while you have it.:wink:

Kewl – I just got to get me some of those! It’s hard enough sneaking close to snowshoe hare (flushed one the other day that wouldn’t tolerate me any closer than 30 yards and kept bounding off at that distance, which is fortunately rare in my experience!) The gawdawful racket from the MSRs can be heard by bears sleeping in their dens up on the hillsides, not to mention the hare.

Nice stroll in some pretty woods Bruce! Though I always feel bad when you wander way off and I know you have to come back for the camera 😳

We’re gonna get a hard freeze this weekend. Was planning on putting the broccoli in the garden, but will have to wait till Monday I guess.

Never get tired of your videos 8)

Snow shoes styles all have their advantages and dissavantages . Naturally the shorter ones are better in woody or brushy areas and the longer ones in open areas.

I spent eight days on snow (bear paw ) shoes in Wyoming mountains in 1987 trying to cross a mountain lion track . Cutting a track is normally done on snowmobile but the snow was deep and fluffy machines were useless The guide and I spit up and hiked separately canyon after canyon until we found the track and the dogs could get back on the trail. It all worked out and I got my lion (bear takedown recurve) ….and a good education about snow shoes.

Now don’t take me wrong there is nothing more romantic then a pair of ash framed snow shoes no matter what style. I still have mine hanging on the wall in the shop. They remind me of a great hunt and experience in the mountains.On the wall is where they will stay.

If I were going to do a similar hunt or just spend time in the mountains during the winter I would defiantly be on aluminum framed shoes with a good claw binding. On traditional shoes unless using special bindings it is hard to get traction while climbing up slops even using snow plow steps or going up side ways . Traditional shoes become skies when going down hills .Can be lots of fun:D Aluminum framed shoes which also have different configurations are not extreme like traditional shoe styles. For the most part aluminum shoes are smaller, shorter ,lighter and will support the equivalent weight as wood framed shows. When hiking in variable terrain one is removing and putting on shoes regularity. The shorter lighter shoes are easier to carry on or in you pack.

I am a traditionalist and no I do not own a compound bow 😀 but given a choice for a leg taxing, sweat breaking,lung busting hike in the mountains I will become modern .Even at 76 years old you can change your ways 😀

Smithhammer wrote: [quote=vintage archer]Snow shoes styles all have their advantages and dissavantages…

Ain’t that the truth, Joe. We may as well be talking about quivers! It all comes down to what compromises one is willing to live with.

And of course, as with my bow choices, I can’t deny that I just simply prefer traditional, handmade things.

Smithammer Theere is no argument there. I agree with you all the way.

Generally I don’t pay attention to the noise . Probably can’t hear it as I am breathing to hard 😀 😀

vintage archer wrote: Snow shoes styles all have their advantages and dissavantages . Naturally the shorter ones are better in woody or brushy areas and the longer ones in open areas.

…

I am a traditionalist and no I do not own a compound bow 😀 but given a choice for a leg taxing, sweat breaking,lung busting hike in the mountains I will become modern .Even at 76 years old you can change your ways 😀

The MSRs in question are the second pair I’ve purchased of those. The first pair did hard duty on SAR missions in AK and New England and are still serviceable after fifteen years of use. They have the best traction of any snowshoes on the planet, bar none, plus a device to lift your heel when ascending long slopes, and bindings that can be attached to boots while you’re wearing mittens. In short, they’re the cat’s you-know-what for their purpose, which is hardcore mountain snowshoeing on terrain that’s likely to be icy. But they’re ill-suited to hare hunting.

I started on snowshoes in LBJ’s first term. I’ve trod the path from ash and rawhide to neoprene and aluminum to plastic along the way. I like to think I’m one of the people responsible for Smithhammer’s wise choice earlier this winter, and I’m deeply envious of his good fortune in having them available. 😉

I think what most people should gain from this thread is the snow shoe you choose should fit the terrain and conditions you will use them in. Unfortunately there is not a snow shoe that is perfect for every type of snow or conditions.

It has been awhile since I searched out snow shoes I was not even aware of the studs. That looks like a good idea. Smithhammer are you sure those aren’t left over beer bottle caps?:lol:

Like snowshoes there are many different binding to choose from .

As Eidsvolling wrote the right binding can make life a whole lot easier.

I am sure Col Mike will tell you to forget snow shoes and go with a dog sled:D

Great discussion:D

Smithhammer wrote: [quote=vintage archer]Smithhammer are you sure those aren’t left over beer bottle caps?:lol:

Brilliant! I might even have a few laying around… Locally brewed and handcrafted, of course, in keeping with traditon. 😉

LOL:lol::lol:

After seeing the Hammers video, maybe next years Income Tax return will buy a video camera, so Arwen can film me doing a downhill face plant in snowshoes into a 5′ drift. YES, the alum shoes are better at up/down hill, but not good.

Bruce

That statement “the fastest path from A to B isn’t always a straight line” in reference to snowshoes is brilliant. And if followed (which means a map recon) would save a lot of SAR missions as I’m sure Eids would agree to.

My first experience with snowshoe’s in the early 70’s in Norway were standard mil issue wood with rawhide—great stuff for the deep powder there but when we got higher and it got icy—the Norwegian army we were working with had these neat little chain additions that you looped on. But then years later in AK (when among other things we did SAR) mil issue snowshoes were aluminum and nylon and heavy and no chain attachments provided or workable alternatives essentially they were worthless.

In recent years I have used the modern ones–but they lack any aesthetic value—so next year I’m gonna get those rabbit hunters with the beer bottle caps:D If for no other reason then they are pleasing to the eye when one looks down while sucking wind.

On a personal note–in the early 80’s when I was doing a security recon of the AK pipeline in one village we stopped in an elder had snowshoes of wood, aluminum, and whale bone hanging outside his home–I asked which are best–he pointed at the dog team we were driving-then pointed out back at his snow machine and said–that good for short runs–your team good for living–snowshoes good for walk to dance.:roll:

But Joe–I wouldn’t recommend a dog team to anyone that doesn’t enjoy lots of work.:lol:

Mike

colmike wrote:

On a personal note–in the early 80’s when I was doing a security recon of the AK pipeline in one village we stopped in an elder had snowshoes of wood, aluminum, and whale bone hanging outside his home–I asked which are best–he pointed at the dog team we were driving-then pointed out back at his snow machine and said–that good for short runs–your team good for living–snowshoes good for walk to dance.:roll:

But Joe–I wouldn’t recommend a dog team to anyone that doesn’t enjoy lots of work.:lol:

Ek’s Laws of Nivean Locomotion:

1. Never walk when you can snowshoe.

2. Never snowshoe when you can ski.

3. Never carry something when you can drag it.

4. Never drag something when you can get a dog to do that.

5. Never rely on a snowmobile or helicopter to get you back out the same day.

eidsvolling Words of Wisdom

Ek’s Laws of Nivean Locomotion:

1. Never walk when you can snowshoe.

2. Never snowshoe when you can ski.

3. Never carry something when you can drag it.

4. Never drag something when you can get a dog to do that.

5. Never rely on a snowmobile or helicopter to get you back out the same day.

Them there are rules to live by.:D

(but I’m still going to experiment with some bottle caps for traction 😆 )

In my experience, bottle caps led to horse power, but not to traction. 😉 dwc

After almost 30 years my last pair finally gave out toward the end of 2013, so after much searching I settled on Faber snowshoes out of Canada (purchased through a Wisconsin dealer). I like the elongated bearbaw style since I use them in the woods, yet need to support 200 pounds+. Faber had an 11″ x 40″ that I got since I wanted a little more loft than my old 10 x 36 were giving me (could I have put on a few pounds over all those years?) 🙂

Used them this year on a number of late season squirrel hunts and they were great.

https://www.fabersnowshoes.com/snowshoes/traditional/elongated-bear-paw-heavy-duty

Purchased through: http://www.silentglidecanoeandkayakshop.com/snowshoes/bearpawelongated/ (the picture doesn’t look like them)

Spikebuck; I have wooden snow shoes (bearpaws) made in Canada from Cabelas back in the 1980’S. Mine work excellent for me when hunting in thick willow when the snow gets deep enough. Like walking through weeds. Don’t get enough snow every year in S.D. To use them all the time. There still like new. What I need is different bindings. Mine are rubber pull on over the heel, when it’s cold I can’t hardly get them over a pair of Sorel snowpacks. Do you know where I can get some easier to use bindings? Would appreciate the help.

Cleland wrote: What I need is different bindings. Mine are rubber pull on over the heel, when it’s cold I can’t hardly get them over a pair of Sorel snowpacks. Do you know where I can get some easier to use bindings? Would appreciate the help.

On this new pair I got these Faber leather “work” bindings installed and absolutely LOVE them. They allow very good control of the entire snowshoe. They are also very easy on and off in any temperature. A little pricey, but to me, well worth it after using them.

http://www.silentglidecanoeandkayakshop.com/snowshoes/faber-work-bindings-leather/

Thanks for the info spikebuck on the bindings. Going to have to get ahold of Don and order a pair of those! Them rubber bindings on mine are half the reason I don’t use mine. My snowshoes are the 30×16 bearpaws. Excellent for thick willow and woods when there is enough snow.