How to use

Snowshoes just like skis, diving fins or mountaineer's crampons are designed for a very specific activity. And despite the fact that with a little imagination the use of snowshoes could be applicable in a much wider range of situations, like successfully replacing a broken tennis racket during an intense tennis game with no other options available, Snowshoes like other 'feet accessories' become very effective in improving one's maneuvering abilities through the environment if used in the appropriate manner.

An effective use of snowshoes is not necessarily difficult. One could even say that it is fairly simple. The whole process can be divided in to three parts: Putting the Snowshoes on, Walking and Taking the Snowshoes off

Putting the Snowshoes On

The better you 'strap in' the better your snowshoeing experience is going to be. Putting the Snowshoes on is all about 'strapping in' as tightly and securely as possible. And while the many different types of Snowshoe bindings available to human use each require a different approach to achieve maximum comfort during the walk, they all share the same purpose - keep the Snowshoes well attached to your feet.

The Baltic Snowshoes bindings are not an exception in that respect. They have been designed with simplicity and functionality in mind not relying on complicated parts to do 'the job' but rather finding ingenious ways to use the good old 'rope and leather' for meeting an experienced snowshoer's standards of conduct.

Walking 

Things to keep in mind when walking

Walking with snowshoes is a very close relative to simple walking. Unlike skis or skates, for example, you can not use snowshoes to slide around. But you can use them to Walk! And by doing so, conquer vast territories of deep snow covered fields and forests.

Walking with snowshoes can be done in several different ways, however, the first thing to learn and get used to is the Size of snowshoes. Snowshoes, especially traditional snowshoes, are often fairly large in size and for that reason require more attention on the walker's part when making each new step. While the size of snowshoes is a factor that you will soon get used to and adapt the manner in which you walk to the dimensions of the shoe, you still have to be attentive when making steps to avoid stepping on the other shoe and loosing balance.

You should also be aware of the terrain and objects that lay in your path. Once again, traditional snowshoes are a great deal larger than a regular hiking boot, and being aware of where your next step is going to land and take off from can save you from tripping over logs, fallen branches, bush, etc.

! Important ! When snowshoeing avoid 'bridging'. In other words, do not make your snowshoes serve you as bridges between two obstacles such as two fallen logs. Visually snowshoe 'bridging' would look something like this - the back tip of a snowshoe has landed on a tree stump, the front tip on another stomp and you are left hanging in midair. Sustaining the stress of full body weight combined with the momentum of your motion all concentrated on one section of the snowshoe frame is not necessarily the intended  function of the snowshoe. And while our snowshoes are designed to be strong and durable and could sustain such physical challenges, your snowshoes will last a great deal longer if you avoid inattentive walking to the best of your ability.

The walking

The most appropriate way of walking with snowshoes mostly depends on the conditions of snow, the terrain and the rhythm in which you would like to conduct your walk.

When walking in soft snow in which snowshoes sink only a couple of inches, requires little effort and the walking can be done without lifting your feet too high. Instead of trying to lift the whole snowshoe at every step, lift your feet only slightly allowing the tale of the snowshoe drag in the snow. Walking in such a manner makes the tale of the snowshoe function like a ship's rudder keeping you steady and on track.

When walking in soft snow in which snowshoes sink 10 inches or deeper, requires a little more effort. To avoid getting caught in the deep snow, avoid making your steps in a sharp angle. Instead, lift your leg upwards until the tip of your snowshoe is above the surface of the snow. When the snowshoe has 'surfaced' you can then move your step 'forward'. Baltic Snowshoes are balanced in a way that makes walking in such deep and soft snow much easier. These snowshoes will automatically tip upwards when you lift your leg so you don't have to worry about getting caught and loosing balance knee deep in the snow. Just keep walking.

When walking over a crusty snow in which snowshoes don't sink at all is probably the easiest. While walking over such snow with no snowshoes may result in occasional 'breaking' through the crust and all the difficulties associated with that, using snowshoes in similar conditions will most often carry you over the seas of white without a single trouble. There is not much more to add in this case apart from - enjoy the walk. Make your steps freely, though still attentively, and let the nature amaze you.

If you would like to make a sudden sharp turn while snowshoeing it is best to make it by taking several smaller steps instead of trying to swing your body around all at once. For example, making a 180 degree turn will be easier by making 4 steps instead of one. It will save you the trouble of tripping over yourself, and maintaining balance which is especially important if the reason for making that turn is a reason of great urgency.  

You are also welcome to try snowshoeing with the aid of skiing poles (or walking sticks, depending on the condition of the snow). You are definitely going to enjoy a 'more balanced' walk. It will also give you the possibility to test the grounds ahead, see if the ice patch you are about to cross is firm enough, test the snow conditions around you, tap on the trees around you to signal the wild life near you of your presence, etc.

These are surely not the only tips for successful snowshoeing, and many experienced snowshoers will definitely tell you more about the process. But there is one thing to keep in mind, there is no greater teacher than the experience itself. So the best thing you can do to learn walking in snowshoes is getting out there are snowshoeing!

Taking the Snowshoes Off

This is the most simple part of snowshoeing. Not to say that Putting the Snowshoes On is much more difficult and knowledge-intensive that Taking the Snowshoes Off, but one is clear, it is always a little easier to take something apart than putting it together. So, just untie the binding laces and slip your foot right out of that snowshoe. Brush any snow off the snowshoes and store them in a dry ventilated space, preferably out of direct elements like water or sun, until the next wandering into the wild.