The Snowshoes are made with leather lacing and ash splint frames. These traditional style snowshoes are more
adaptable to different snow conditions than more modern snowshoes. With a little
bit of care and maintenance, these working snowshoes can be handed down to
future generations. (See Care and Maintenance below.)
Please note that these snowshoes are functional
ones made by a Native American-owned and operated company in a production
environment for actual use by enthusiasts. If you are looking for finely
finished, hand-crafted snowshoes made by an artisan using moose sinew with fine
webbing and a lot of detail work, these may not be for you. We sometimes
have a selection of used snowshoes that will meet this requirement, but these
can cost between US$300 and US$500 each. If you want to hit the trails
with real wooden snowshoes, then these are perfect.
The weight recommendations below
are a guideline for use in deep, fluffy snow. For damp or
compact snow, the snowshoes will work well with up to a 50-pound
higher load. The show capable of carrying the heaviest
load is the 16" by 32" Bear Paw described below.
The biggest snowshoe we can get is
a Wide Trail one made from aluminum. It is 12" by
42" and will carry loads up to 300 pounds in deep, fluffy
snow and 350 in damp, compact snow. The order code is
R-47-5049 and the price is US$425.00. You will need bindings
as well.
Click HERE for more snowshoes.
Native Made in Canada |
|
Huron Mini Snowshoes
Order Code: R-47-01
Made just like larger, working
snowshoes. These 16" snowshoes are a great decorative
item.
Weight
of each pair: 8 oz.
Price:
US$95.00 per pair |
|
|
Huron Snowshoes
| Order Code |
Size |
Weight |
Price |
| R-486-19
|
9”x29”
|
≤ 50 lbs.
|
US$135.00
|
| R-486-14
|
10”x33”
|
50-100 lbs.
|
US$155.00
|
| R-486-15 |
11”x36” |
80-120
lbs. |
US$165.00 |
| R-486-11
|
12”x42”
|
100-160
lbs.
|
US$195.00
|
| R-486-10
|
14”x48”
|
175
lbs. & + |
US$220.00
|
Huron
Snowshoes are used for walking on trails or in open woodland.
They are recommended for family recreation.
Split
lacing. Bindings
sold separately. See below. |
|
Bear Paw Snowshoes
| Order Code |
Size |
Weight |
Price |
| R-486-24C |
12”x30”
|
125-175
lbs.
|
US$220.00
|
| R-486-14C |
14”x32”
|
150
lbs. & +
|
US$220.00 |
| R-486-15C |
16”x32”
|
200
lbs. & +
|
US$235.00 |
Bear
Paw Snowshoes
are ideal in dense woods or in situations where it is necessary to
turn often. Split lacing. Bindings sold
separately. See below.
Native Made in Canada
|
|
Modified Bear Paw
| Order Code |
Size |
Weight |
Price |
| R-486-21
|
10”x30”
|
75-150 lbs.
|
US$205.00
|
| R-486-22
|
10”x36”
|
150
lbs. & +
|
US$220.00
|
| R-486-23
|
11”x40” |
150
lbs. & + |
US$235.00 |
Modified Bear Paw Snowshoes are
the most popular snowshoes for any type of environment. Split
lacing. Bindings
sold separately. See below.
|
|
Alaskan Snowshoes
| Order Code |
Size |
Weight |
Price |
| R-486-12
|
10”x46”
|
100-160
lbs.
|
US$245.00
|
| R-486-17B |
10”x56”
|
160
lbs. & +
|
US$260.00
|
| R-486-18 |
12"x60" |
|
US$270.00 |
Alaskan
Snowshoes work
well on open ground and in deep snow. Slightly turned up front ends allow sliding on hard surfaces.
Full grain lacing. Bindings sold separately. See below. |
|
Ojibwa Snowshoes
| Order Code |
Size |
Weight |
Price |
| R-486-30
|
10”x48”
|
100-190 lbs.
|
US$275.00 |
| R-486-27
|
11”x54” |
160
lbs.
& + |
US$275.00 |
Ojibwa Snowshoes work well on open ground and in deep snow.
Also called the “ski-snowshoe” because slightly turned up
front ends allow sliding on hard surfaces.
These are made with full grain leather lacing instead of split.
Bindings
sold separately. See below.
|
|
Nylon and Olafin Bindings
| Order Code |
Description |
Price |
| R-486-H2 |
Nylon and Olafin Bindings (Pair) |
US$42.00 |
Instructions for how to attach the bindings to your snowshoes |
|
|
The lacing must be varnished regularly to keep the hide from
sagging. Our supplier uses boat varnish which can be purchased at
most hardware stores. If the lace becomes limp after use, it must be dried
slowly (away from a direct heat source), and then generously
varnished with an exterior oil-based varnish. Do not allow wet
lacing to freeze by leaving in the trunk of a car, for
example. Snowshoes should be stored in a cool, dry place away
from the sun and rodents, which may be fond of rawhide. |
Snowshoe
Model Selection
A tail on a snowshoe (as in the case of the Huron, Alaskan, and
Ojibwa models) acts like a rudder and allows the snowshoe to stay in
a straight line with each step. It also serves as a counterbalance
weight at the back of the snowshoe, thus helping to lift the tip out
of the snow. However, in dense forest especially in deep snow, the
tail can be cumbersome in turning around trees that are tightly
spaced. For this type of snowshoeing, a bear paw style is
recommended. The bear paw snowshoes provide greater
manageability and are easily stored and transported, but the round
heel will make the snowshoe drag with each step. Despite this, the bear paw
snowshoe is still the first choice of forest workers, trappers,
hunters, and winter campers. |
Snowshoe
Size Selection
In general, the heavier the individual, the larger the surface
area needed to support his/her weight in the snow, and the taller
the snowshoer is, the wider the snowshoe he or she can choose.
A shorter person with snowshoes that are too wide will have to lift
his or her knees up higher with each step. |
