Many people get involved in snowshoeing with the assumption that snowshoes will simply allow them to skim across the surface of the snow rather than sink at all. But this is vastly overestimated the ability snowshoes have in terms of keeping you suspended near the surface of the snow.
Trust me, I can relate heavily. The first time I went out snowshoeing with my uncle I came to realize quickly that the idea of skimming across the surface of the snow was greatly a pipe dream. That is if we were talking about fresh, lightweight, powdery snow.
But the overall question of how deep you should sink in the snow with a pair of snowshoes on is asked by many. As for some reason the idea of snowshoes seems to give everybody the assumption that they can simply skim across, or float across the surface of the snow. But due to the overall weight of a user, and the size of the snowshoe that they have selected can greatly impact the depth to which you sink.
Below we will be going over how deep you should expect to sink with a good pair of snowshoes that are sized correctly for your weight (including both you the user, as well as any gear you are likely to carry). As well as some ideas you can implement in order to keep you suspended closer to the surface of the snow.
First off, let’s answer the big question most of us are wondering at this point:
How Deep Should You Sink In Snowshoes
Like we discussed above many people enter the atmosphere of snowshoeing assuming that they will simply float across the surface of the snow. But after their first experience out snowshoeing they come to realize if they sink quite a bit more than they had originally anticipated. They then begin to ask the question as to how far they should be sinking in there snowshoes. I’m assuming you are probably experiencing the exact same situation, as many have in the past before such as myself included.
Well, Dependent on the snow conditions, if you are snowshoeing in powdery snow you can expect to sink anywhere between 6” to 12” below the surface of the snow. But this is greatly dependent upon if you are wearing the proper sized snowshoes for your weight as well as the snow conditions. Not to mention the different caveat to this question. To which we will be diving into below.
First of all, there are three major factors to consider when it comes to snowshoes and how well they keep you suspended near the surface. Those include:
- Snowshoe Size
- OverAll Weight Of The User (Including Gear)
- Snow Conditions
Now, the first two “Snowshoe Size” As well as “Overall Weight” are kind of self explanatory and we will be discussing more about these later. But for now the big factor that I want to discuss at the moment is “Snow Conditions”. As it is the different snow conditions that can make a snowshoeing trip last week, and one this week feel completely different. So much so, that you begin to question the ability of your snowshoes…
When it comes to snow conditions, there are really 4 major types of snow (Or Snow Density) you are likely run into, plus anything in between. Now by types I mean different densities I guess you could say. Those Are As Follows:
- Powdery, Fluffy, Dry Snow
- Heavy, Wet Snow
- Packed, Hard Snow
- Ice
Now, when it comes to a Powdery snow you can expect to sink quite considerably, as it is not very dense at all and it doesn’t support weight well. It is typically when you are snowshoeing in powdery snow, or snow that has not been seen, or touched by others (fresh snow) that you can expect to sink anywhere between 6” to 12”. Maybe even slightly more for those who are breaking trail.
But when discussing snow that is Heavy, and quite Wet. You know, the snow that makes building snowman’s and snow fort quite easy? This type of snow allows for a little bit more support when you snowshoe, which allows the user to stay closer to the surface. You can expect to sink nearer to that 6” to 8” in depth. Maybe even less, depends on how wet the snow is, and the overall snow density.
The other two aspects of snow density both Hard-packed, as well as Ice, is kind of self-explanatory. In these situations you can actually expect to skim across the surface. As, the snow has already been compressed to a point it won’t allow you to sink any further. That is, if it has been compressed by something, or someone that is heavier then the current users weight.
Just a quick example, if you have ever driven on a snow-covered road that had been driven on by other vehicles prior to your arrival, you likely know the best place you can be is in the same tracks of where the previous drivers had gone. As it is in this section of road where your vehicle has the least amount of resistance, allowing you to drive the road without obstruction.But as soon as you fall off the pre-prepped path, you fall into deep powdery snow where your vehicle has much more of a struggle propelling itself forward, you may have even experienced getting stuck at this point… I know I have.
Anyway, The same sort of idea applies to those who are snowshoeing on hard packed or icy snow, versus those you are trekking through powdery, fresh snow.
Now, depending on whether or not you plan to be snowshoeing in hard packed snow conditions, or powdery, dry snow conditions the overall sizing of your snowshoes will be a large factor to consider. As when it comes to snowshoe sizing bigger isn’t always better. We will discuss more on this later but I want to cover the term flotation and what it is, as it applies heavily to the above idea. If you are new to snowshoeing you may have not heard the term “flotation”. If you have, great! Simply skip ahead if you’d like.
What Is Flotation
Flotation is basically a term used by many who do a lot of snowshoeing. It takes into account two different factors. The first includes the overall weight of the user, paired with the overall size of the snowshoe.
Based on these two different factors you can either have more or less flotation. Flotation, meaning basically the depth to which you sink in the snow.
For example, let’s take two people of different weights. The first weighs 150 lbs, the second weighs 200 lbs. Now if you place them on the exact same pair of snowshoes (same size, brand, style, type…). For this example let’s use a pair of snowshoes that are 25” long x 8” wide. The user that is 150 lbs is going to have more flotation than the user that is 200 lbs. As the user that is 150 lbs weighs less and requires a smaller size snowshoe than the user that is 200 lbs.
So essentially, the user that is 150 lbs is going to stay closer to the surface of the snow, then the user that is 200 lbs
Really, that is all flotation is, typically just a overall estimation as to how deep someone will sink into the snow with a specific size to snowshoe.
Snowshoe Sizing Paired With Flotation VS Snow Conditions
Now, knowing what you know about flotation I’m sure you can piece together that the smaller the snowshoe the deeper you will sink into the snow. As well as the larger the snowshoe, the closer to the surface you will stay.
But do keep in mind snow condition can drastically affect how a snowshoe does. As in most cases I believe manufacturers assume the size of a snowshoe when compared with a specific weight range will be used in powdery or somewhat wet, heavy snow.
Now the caveat to different snowshoe sizes can be as follows.
If you intended to be snowshoeing at hard-packed or icy conditions, the size of your snowshoe can be minimized. As you will require a lot less surface area in order to keep you at the surface layer. But in many situations like this you may not even need snowshoes.
The opposite applies to those who are going to be snowshoeing in powdery, lightweight snow. You may want to go with a larger then recommended snowshoe in some situations. Has the greater amount of surface area you have the closer to the surface you will stay, hence the better the flotation.
My personal opinion, if you are in the market for a new pair of snowshoes, or you’re simply looking to get your first pair here soon. I would suggest to you that you go with a pair of it is recommended are your specific overall weight (with gear). Or go with a pair that is recommended for slightly heavier than your current overall weight. But this is kind of assuming that you will be snowshoeing in somewhat powdery snow.
Really the only downside to a larger pair of snowshoes is the bulkiness of them so to say. As a larger snowshoe will require greater effort in terms of maneuverability and overall use. But that slight increase an effort to maneuver the snowshoe could pay off and you not syncing quite as deep in the snow, which then results in less effort exerted.
What To Do If You Sink Deeper Then Recommended?
Now, if you are sinking deeper than 12 in I suggest to you that you look up the specific weight rating on your snowshoes and compared to your current weight including gear and other items you carry along. Based on the overall weight you come up with, if you are over the recommended weight limit I suggest to you that you either purchase a new pair of snowshoes that better fits your current weight, as well as ideal use. But before doing so be sure to check and see if the manufacturer of your specific snowshoe also manufacturers what is called “tail extensions” that can be attached to the tail end of the snowshoe in order to provide a greater surface area, which in turn allows for better flotation.
You can see the snowshoe tail extension that I’m talking about Here listed on amazon. But do keep in mind they are designed to attach to specific snowshoes. If you intend to go with this option be sure you select based on the brand of your current snowshoe as well as the specific snowshoe itself.
But if you are interested in a new pair of snowshoes be sure to check out These Ones. As they have proven to be one of the best snowshoes in the industry based on my past research as well as what others have said about them. But I do have to be honest, as I have never personally used them. Currently I’m using an older pair of Yukon Charlies Snowshoes. But, once these go out, I’ll be switching up the the MSR’s
Conclusion
In final, you should definitely expect to sink a little bit and snowshoes. Anywhere between 6” to 12” in-depth is fairly typical. But this factor greatly depends on the snow conditions. As the greater the snow density is, the less you are likely to sink. Same goes for the opposite.
I hope this article was helpful to you and provided you with some value. If you have any further questions regarding snowshoeing then be sure to check out the Outdoor Luxuriez Snowshoeing Lounge for more info.
This is colt signing off!