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ORS Snowshoes Direct has partnered with Snowshoe Magazine, the nation's leading snowshoeing resource. Snowshoe Magazine is dedicated to the ongoing promotion and growth of the sport of snowshoeing. We recommend visiting them at snowshoemag.com.

ALL SNOWSHOE HELP ARTICLES

The collective staff and network of friends at ORS Snowshoes Direct have years and years of snowshoeing experience. From international expeditions and backcountry guided tours to day hikes and quick snowshoe jaunts in the park, we've done it all and we truly love snowshoeing. With a vast snowshoe knowledge base, ORS Snowshoes Direct is constantly adding new helpful resources and articles to answer as many questions as possible regarding snowshoeing. We invite you to browse our snow shoe help articles below.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE SNOWSHOES PERFECT FOR YOU

» How to Choose the Right Snowshoes for You
Choosing the right pair is much easier than it may appear. Yes, there are many different types of snowshoes, and the selection at first can seem overwhelming, but when armed with a reasonable amount of knowledge, you’ll be able choose the right pair for you. This article will explain the key elements of the function of snowshoes, as well as snowshoe anatomy, and the different categories and intended uses. Once you’ve read this, you’ll have a much better idea of what to look for and your selection can then be narrowed down to just a few pairs...
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SNOWSHOE GEAR CHECKLIST

» Snowshoe Gear Checklist
Once you’ve chosen the snow shoes that suit your needs, it is time to consider some snowshoeing accessories that will enhance your experience. There are many snowshoe accessories out there that you could consider, but we’ve made a Gear Checklist of the accessories that we feel are the most important...
» view the snowshoe gear checklist

SNOWSHOE HELP VIDEOS

» What to Wear Snowshoeing video
Snowshoe Essentials Part I - by James Eric Anderson
What to Wear When Snowshoeing
This is a fantastic 'snowshoe essentials' video created by James Eric Anderson, an ORS Snowshoes Direct customer. Besides your snowshoes and snowshoe poles you will also want to consider the following helpful advice when deciding what to wear when snowshoeing...

Start off with your base layer: long underwear and top, preferrably made from synthetics or wool which shed perspiration better than cotton, also wear warm wool socks / next is the mid-layer: a full zip fleece is best for ventilation, a neck gaitor or balaclava, waterproof pants and boot gaitors, have two pairs of hats (one light and one heavy) and two pairs of gloves or mittens (one light and one heavy) / also wear waterproof boots / and for the outer layer: a shell, waterproof jacket preferrably with pit zippers, an insulation layer for when you take a break and cool down or when it's really cold out / all these items will provide you with a comfortable snowshoeing experience.

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» What to Carry in a Snowshoeing BackPack video
Snowshoe Essentials Part II - by James Eric Anderson
What to Bring in Your Snowshoeing BackPack
Another superb 'snowshoe essentials' video created by James Eric Anderson, an ORS Snowshoes Direct customer. This time he takes a good look at what you should consider including in a snowshoe backpack when heading out for your next snowshoeing adventure...

First off you need to select an appropriate backpack, there are many backpacks made especially for winter sports, choose the one best suited to your needs / Now for the backpack contents: sunglasses and sunblock are a necessity; a GPS and compass work together well with map; always bring snacks and water (dehydration is as prevalant in winter as in summer); a waterproof pad for kneeling on to put on your snowshoes or sit in the snow without getting your behind wet; a knife & emergency whistle (hint: tape the whistle with a paper towel to keep the pea from rattling while in backpack); a multi-tool and saw are also a good idea; a tarp with fasteners are great for wind block while lunching or taking a break, the fasteners make it easy to set up and take down (knots are very hard to undo with cold fingers), a tarp also serves as an emergency blanket; first aid supplies (stored inside a baggy is a good idea); flashlight and/or headlamp; toilet paper, trowel, kleenex, lotion; a rubber tourniquette is handy for unscrewing snowshoe poles which can get stuck after a long day of cold; extra baggies and a waterproof baggie; waterproof notepad & pencils for writing notes and/or geo-caching; camera with extra batteries; a snow shovel is handy for emergencies or making a temporary camp; heat packs can save you from frostbite; also in the backpack should be your insulation layer, extra gloves, hat and socks (the trick is to regulate your body temperature as best you can while snowshoeing (it's better to carry enough to always be warm than to be too cold, as frostbite can set in fast); Most importantly, customize your personal snowshoeing backpack to suit your specific needs and you will have a more pleasurable snowshoeing experience.

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