If you’re wondering whether or not snowshoeing is more difficult than hiking? Perfect, you’ve come to the right place. Here we will be discussing the factors to consider when it comes to snowshoeing versus hiking, and how each different aspect of the activity can in many cases proved be slightly more difficult then the other.
And for good reason, but that does not mean that one or the other is better. This article is rather to explain, as well as compared the two side by side. I too have wondered the question “is snowshoeing more difficult than its counterpart hiking??” So this will also be a learning experience for myself as well.
But to be honest, I have written a lot of content around the topic of snowshoeing, as well as participated in snowshoeing for a number of years. I feel that I can thoroughly answer this question due to my history with snowshoeing, as well as convince you how snowshoeing, like hiking, can help improve your life and overall enjoyment of the world.
First let’s get the major question out of the way:
Is Snowshoeing Harder Then Hiking? Broadly speaking, Snowshoeing in many cases is harder than hiking. The major difference between the two is the resistance snow provides, as well as the added weight in both clothing, and gear that one who is snowshoeing typically carries. But this depends greatly on the overall snow conditions. As snow that is compact makes snowshoeing drastically easier than snow that is fresh and soft.
But given the fact that snow conditions can change quite drastically over even a short period of time. It makes judging the difficulty of snowshoeing when compared to hiking quite general. Not to mention that snowshoeing is basically the same thing as hiking. The only difference is you are in snow rather than dirt, or asphalt. As well, snowshoeing requires a different footwear, hence the snowshoes.
I’m assuming, you are wondering the difficulty of snowshoeing compared to hiking because you spend a lot of time during the warmer months hiking, and you are now considering snowshoeing as a colder season activity, when snow lines the ground around…
Well, due to the nature of snowshoeing. I see it as a polar opposite to hiking. That is if we are comparing summer hiking, when the sun is out, and the temperatures are greater than 60 degrees out. Now, I say polar opposite more to do with the climate rather than the activity. As you are in dramatically different climates. But the concept still is quite similar. Let’s dig into each factor to consider when snowshoeing vs hiking below.
Aspects That Make Snowshoeing Harder Than Hiking
Like we discussed, snowshoeing in most cases is more difficult than hiking. But again hiking is a general term as essentially you are hiking when you snowshoe. But we are comparing hiking during the warmer months, and snowshoeing during the cold months.
To Begin, there are four aspects to be considered when comparing snowshoeing to hiking. Let’s dive into each and discuss them in great detail.
1st) Resistance Of The Snow
The resistance of the snow greatly depends on the overall snow condition. As it more applies to those who are snowshoeing in fresh, powdery snow. Not so much to those who are snowshoeing unpacked, or icy snow. As in these situations the snow doesn’t give as much resistance, when compared to fresh snow that has not been seen by others in snowshoes, or on skis.
if you have never been snowshoeing before you may not understand exactly what I’m speaking of here, but you likely have experienced hiking through somewhat deep snow without snowshoes. Well, either way you experience the resistance of fresh snow each step you took. Each time you took a step your foot would sink, requiring a little extra effort every time you took a step.
It’s the same idea with or without snowshoes. The only difference between not having snowshoes in snow versus having them is that, with snowshoes you don’t sink nearly as deep. Now, in this case it makes snowshoeing easier, with snowshoes. But when comparing snowshoeing in snow, versus hiking without snow obviously the difference snow has on you can be substantial over a period of time.
But this isn’t a bad thing, as snowshoeing provides quite a different experience then hiking. I mean the overall landscape has completely changed when compared to summer time in most instances. But it’s also the activity of snowshoeing itself that provides one to experience a completely different way of hiking.
Now I’m starting to rant quite a bit let’s move on to the next factor:
2nd) Added Weight
In order for us all to stay warm in the winter time we need to bundle up quite a bit in most cases. This means bulky snow pants, bulky jacket, large gloves, many layers of clothing, added gear for emergencies…
Now, compare that to hiking in the summer when it’s warm out, typically do you do the opposite with your clothing and gear. Less equals more… Except for when considering emergency equipment, as I was always a requirement. But I hope you can see that snowshoeing requires a little bit of added weight and overall gear and clothing.
But in most cases, that doesn’t make it much more difficult in the overall aspect, just more comfortable. As, I’m sure you would not enjoy the experience of snowshoeing if you went dressed like you would if you were going on a summer hike…
But I got to admit, I kind of enjoy the added gear of snowshoes. There is just something about snow shoes that is kind of satisfying when you walk. I don’t know if it’s the fact that you’re not sinking when in most cases you should be, or if it’s just the way they feel on my feet… Either snowshoes provide a different experience, and I think is well worth the added weight.
3rd) Movement Restrictions
Probably the biggest downside to snowshoes is the fact that it kind of limits mobility to an extent. Now, it’s not just snow shoes that limit your movement, but also the closing and gear you are required to take in most cases.
For example, why do people when they go to the gym typically only wear a pair of shorts, as well as a t-shirt or a tank top? It is because they need as much mobility as we can get out of there closing so they can perform the complex exercises that they have set on their schedule.
Well, back to the whole snowshoeing concept. You typically have a lot of clothing on in order to contain your body’s heat as it is given off. This can cause for freedom of mobility being lost.
The other factor top mobility restriction that needs to be considered as well, is that snowshoes are quite large in most cases. Especially if you have them sized right for snowshoeing in soft powdery snow. This can cause for limited mobility when trying to get over logs, or around bushes. As they tend to get caught up, and restrictive in certain situations.
But unless you are trekking through the backcountry, on an unheard-of trail that you are creating as you go. You are likely to not experience this to a great extent. As in most situations, if you are on a designated trail you shouldn’t run into obstructions along the way.
4th) Colder Climate
The colder climate isn’t really so much of an effect, as long as you wear the proper clothing when you go. You see the big problem that people run into when they go snowshoeing for the first or second time. Is that they come to realize that they either wore too much clothing, or too little clothing.
Either way both situations can become quite miserable as in the first, you’re sweating heavily, making your clothing wet from the inside out. And the other,you can’t feel your feet, hands, legs… Due to how cold you are. Which will will basically always results in a miserable experience…
But, the same is true for summer hikes. As if you wear too much clothing you will sweat heavily, but the opposite isn’t always the same. As in some cases people would prefer to wear no clothing, and they’d still be sweating heavily…
The second part to the factor of the colder climate relates to the “added weight” factor.As in most cases added clothing, results in the added weight. But I mean, unless you are wearing battle armor when you snowshoe, the added weight is very minimal.
Is Snowshoeing Worth It?
At this point i’m sure your torn between whether or not snowshoeing is worth it as I have basically gone through and told you the bad parts of snowshoeing. But to be honest the downside to snowshoeing far under weighs the upside. As snowshoeing provides someone who does alot of hiking during the warmer months, to keep hiking even during the colder months when the snow hits the ground!
If you were to ask me my thoughts personally on the subject of snowshoeing Id Say:
Of course! You see, I like to look at snowshoeing as follows. Yes, its more difficult then Hiking on a warm, snowfree, summer day. But I look at things that are difficult with the expectation that “I’ll grow, and change for the better”. Snowshoeing during the winter months can help drastically improve the incline, as well as distance you are able to travel during the summer months!
Conclusion
Most to enjoy the activity of snowshoeing, as well as myself are likely to say snowshoeing is more difficult than simply hiking. But this is all under the context that we are comparing snowshoeing during the winter time, versus hiking during the summer time when there is no snow.
However, if we are comparing snowshoeing when there is snow (obviously), with simply hiking when there is snow. Then the tables drastically turn, as in most cases snowshoes will keep you from sinking to the extent you would without them. For this reason snowshoeing becomes a much easier task when compared to hiking in snow of the exact same density, depth, color… You name it.
All in all, snowshoeing is a great activity to participate in, and even though it is a little bit more difficult than hiking when compared to summertime hiking. It allows you to continue hiking even through the winter months. Because without snowshoes, our ability to simply go out on a hike in deep snow would be drastically harder to handle.
I hope you were able to gain some value from this article. If you need any further information regarding snowshoeing then be sure to check out the Outdoor Luxuriez Snowshoeing Lounge before you go!
This Is Colt Signing Off!