Do SNOWSHOES Work? | Testing In DEEP SNOW, Bear Paw, Ojibwa Designs

Do snowshoes actually work? Real world testing in deep snow of traditional snowshoe styles!
Ok, Ok, this may not exactly be a scientific experiment, but heck, it's as close as I could get out here. often times I'm asked about snowshoes, which ones are best synthetic versus traditional, the best size to wear, etc.. so i figured, why not just head out onto the lake, stomp around in a couple different styles and see which performs best? So that's just what I did!
I chose to do this test on the lake, where the snow depths are consistent, unlike within the forest. I began with walking a straight line with my 12 x 60 Ojibwa style shoes, then followed it up by walking another straight line next to it with my Bear Paw style 16 x 30 shoes. I also wanted to show just how much snowshoes help, so I then took them off and walked another straight line without any snowshoes at all.....the verdict....SNOWSHOES WORK!
Overall and to my surprise, the Bear Paw's looked to offer a couple inches of extra floatation over the Ojibwa style. I was not expecting this as I've always used my Ojibwa shoes on the lakes and found they were superior. That said, the wider gait needed to walk in the Bear Paw's may mitigate the added benefit of the extra floatation. With the Ojibwa's, at least I can walk normally and over the course of several KM on the lake, this may be an important factor.
Of course in the forest, the Bear Paw's are superior, allowing for effortless walking over uneven terrain. As they have no long tail, it's easy to maneuver these around trees and turn 360 degrees.
There has always been a misconception that if you wear snowshoes, you won't sink down at all, but this is of course not the case. You'll always sink, the amount is just dictated by how deep the snow is, humidity, snow conditions, time of year, etc.. It's clearly evident though from this little experiment though, just how much flotation any type of shoe gives you over having nothing at all.
Time to head back to the cabin! Thanks for watching and please don't forget to subscribe to our channel and leave a comment below if you liked this one!
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[@solotripper]

Gotta love playing in the snow! What's your favourite snowshoe design?

[@HayWoodsandWetlands]

I find the Huron Design is about perfect for my stride. Wide enough for good flotation and long enough to keep me in a straight line. I can't understand modern snowshoe designs. I find they don't sift the snow through at all on the up stroke and you end up carrying a 5 pound load of the white stuff with every step. Seems counter productive. Traditional style shoes seem to just work. Don't overlook old technology, just because it's old, eh? Thx for the demonstration. Do you think the Ojibwa design would allow you to move faster than the bear paw?

[@solotripper]

@@HayWoodsandWetlands Exactly, old school is the best. I can't stand the mostly solid decking of the new designs either. Huron's are my second favourite design!

[@nathanadrian7797]

The bigger the surface area, the less you sink, I prefer Ojibwa for most of my trekking, but also like Huron, Alaskan and Montagnais.

[@ronaldwilliams4110]

My favourite is bear paw 🐾 excellent for rabbit snareing in wooded areas love your video awesome 👏🙃

[@jerryschneider145]

60x12 Ojibway, homemade leather bindings.

[@factChecker01]

I am glad that you did the last test. It amazes me that people would think that the snowshoes are just for fun and that the people who use them don't know what they are doing.

[@benburns5995]

Great video comparing the 2 sets of snowshoes and walking without them. It's amazing how much snow is displaced with the snowshoes and it looks like you would get pretty tired, in a short amount of time, without them. This is a great example of a picture being better than words.

[@solotripper]

Thanks Ben, ya the natives had it figured out with their traditional technology! Cheers,

[@bobwalker9635]

If I was just cutting firewood or working in a small space I'd use bear paws. For traveling over distance I'd go with the Ojibwas. I feel like I can get in a better gait with the more narrow shoes. Of course things can change if you have a top crust, or bottom slush etc. Sometimes it's just a matter of what you have on hand.

[@solotripper]

Hey Bob, for sure,, totally agree. The swiss army knife of shoes is likely the Huron design, but I did not have those with me. Like you, for the large crossings I use the Ojibway as my steps are more natural. Thanks for checking this one out.

[@justforever96]

Man I love the north. Gotta say your accent is interesting. I hear the typical Canadian accent, but I also hear a strong trace of what we consider a "Yankee" accent, with varieties in New Hampshire and Vermont, probably in Maine as well. When you say "walk down'err and see what happins", I'd swear it was a rural Vermonter talking, if not for the traces of "aboot" here and there. Are you on the border?

[@domizzi626]

Watching this makes me want to pay for a visa and move to Canada 🇨🇦

[@nathanadrian7797]

Where are you from? We have plenty of room for another outdoorsman!!

[@domizzi626]

I’m from California 🇺🇸

[@domizzi626]

Hopefully in the future I can move up there.. I would gladly become a Canadian citizen 🇨🇦

[@MaceWinduDuHuen]

straight anwser: no, they don't. people built them for a couple thousand years for fun :)

[@HowToHaveFunOutdoors]

Great Video. Time to have some fun Snowshoeing!

[@BuckMckawtheotherone]

I have a set of 48" x 16" Hurons which were made in 1958 that my Dad gave me when I was 10 yrs old. I'm 64 now, and still have them. They work great on open ground, lakes, fields, ski-doo trails. I have bear paws too, 14" x 32", and I like them in underbrush as they don't get hung up like the Hurons do. This Christmas, my wife got me some modified Bear paws 10" x 36" and they float as much as the other Bear paws (same surface area I guess) but, legs don't need to spread out as much. So, for underbrush, modified bear paws seem to win over regular ones.

[@solotripper]

Wow, so cool that you have those really old ones. What shape is the guy webbing in? Do you need to re varnish them at all? I redo mine every season with marine spar varnish, works like a charm. Thanks for sharing.

[@BuckMckawtheotherone]

@@solotripper my older ones, I broke the babbiche on one and, being 15 or 16 years old, I used snare wire to repair them, and kept going. The wire is still there. lol. I learned to use marine spar varnish and do likewise every spring to seal them. They look great and work well. 61 years old and still as good as they day they were made. I did have to replace the harness once though, but, two sets of leather harnesses in 61 years is a good track record. :-)

[@cliffordwright1603]

I have old Ojibway and love them over my newer Sherpas although they are great. Problem most people have is using snowshoes too small. That are made for packed walking trails not for lake or bush hiking with a pack on or pulling a sled. Nice experiment. You got a lot of snow

[@solotripper]

Hey Clifford, nice, glad to hear you have a seasoned pair. I agree 100% with you. All the fancy stores sell mostly the newer synthetic models that are so tiny and virtually useless in the back country. You need surface area to distribute the weight!! I fear for the future lol....we do have a lot of snow and another foot now since I shot this video. Thanks for pulling up a chair and watching.

[@cliffordwright1603]

It is my plan to come up your way this year for a trip. It will be spur of the moment. But I’m going to stop in

[@solotripper]

@@cliffordwright1603 That's awesome Cliff. Looking forward to it!

[@philsmith2444]

You can find large modern snowshoes, several brands make 10x35/36 and GV makes a 12x42. The advantage modern snowshoes have over traditionals is they have much better traction for use in hilly or mountainous terrain where traction is more important than the greatest flotation. The bindings tend to be much more secure as well. In more open, flat areas traditionals like a pair of 12x72 Hurons would probably be better for a 250lb guy like me. But it’s definitely surface area and not materials or method of construction that makes them work. Modern ‘shoes were originally designed for use in areas that don’t have such fluffy, dry snow, the wetter snow they have requires less flotation to stay near the top. Many people who use modern snowshoes do use ‘shoes that are too small for off-trail use, but I think most of those people stay on-trail so they’re adequate. The weight limits given by most manufacturers are for trail conditions and they don’t always make that clear. GV snowshoes gives their weight limits for off-trail conditions, so they’re rated for about half the weight of similarly-sized snowshoes from other brands. They’re always where I send people who ask me what size they should get. As someone who snowshoes off-trail about 95% of the time I buck conventional wisdom and say to always size up rather than down if you fall in between 2 sizes.

[@livelife4471]

The long and skinny snowshoes (Ojibwa) are good for the woods. Try snowshoeing between trees grown close together and you will appreciate the Ojibwa design. Getting in between trees. The short fat snowshoes (bear paws) are good for open country between trees not so good.

[@BryanForsyth1]

Bear paws for me. Most of my deep snow walking is in the bush. Snowshoes are a must.

[@solotripper]

Especially when you carry a little red mystery bag with them hahaahahahaha

[@philipatoz]

Oh, and this demonstration gives one just a slight glimpse of why those trapped with Donner family during the infamous California winter of 1845-46 couldn't just easily walk out of their snowbound situation - as they didn't have proper snowshoes or gear and the snow was FAR deeper than in this video. Great demonstration!

[@DougieJR]

I still don't get the science of it. I still looks way easier walking in just boots.

[@Kevnadian]

It distributes you're weight over a larger area so you don't sink as deep into the snow. Without snowshoes, walking in deep snow is very sluggish and exhausting. Snowshoes may seem awkward to walk in at first but once you get used to them they're great.

[@robbullis5025]

I prefer the Ojibwa's I have the 12 x 60 and dressed for outside weight about 190-200 lbs. I love them just for the way you do not have to change the width of your stride.

[@solotripper]

Ya, i did like that about the Ojibwa, regular stride and no bow legs!

[@kevinfarias7065]

Your white parka, what brand is that?

[@garybrown9311]

I'm outta shape too but people tell me that round is a shape so that makes me feel a little better. Mostly bear paws here in Northern Maine.

[@solotripper]

Haha, round is s shape! Glad you checked out the video.

[@rockytopwrangler2069]

..Have a brother that tells me that whenever to talk of fitness comes up ...

[@ViktorSuhov]

Interesting. Here in Russia we've got snow as deep as in Canada and we use wooden "hunter" type skies that measure 150 to 190 cm in length and are 15 to 20 cm wide. Snow shoes are not as popular, but I would love to get myself a pair of Bear Paws for the deep forest. As always, thanks for the video and stay safe ;)

[@solotripper]

Hey Viktor, Yes I've seen many European countries that use skies as a more popular choice over snowshoes. Have you watched the movie Happy People? I think they are wearing the skies that you are describing, here is a link kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJPLgXyBYtR1rKM I'd love to try a set of these someday! Thanks for watching!

[@ViktorSuhov]

@@solotripper Yes, Happy People is my favorite documentary about Siberia. Please also watch The Journey to the Source of Lena when you got time. It is really good too :)

[@ViktorSuhov]

@@solotripper kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3KUeZZoi9KCbK8

[@solotripper]

@@ViktorSuhov ohhhh ya, my evening is now set! Thanks for the link!

[@ViktorSuhov]

@@solotripper you're welcome, I hope you liked it

[@ericl2969]

I'm under 160 pounds and use either the Maine style in 13x48 (or sometimes 14x48 for more flotation), or a modern style in the largest size I could get, which was 10x36 (that's very big as modern snowshoes go. Most modern snowshoes are simply to small too be good for anything at all, other than steep mountain slopes and well-packed trails). I have an ancient pair of bearpaws but they lack the upturned nose, and that's quite a disadvantage. Oddly, bearpaws are not automatically "better in brush". Sometimes their extra width is enough of a disadvantage in tight places to counteract their main advantage of reduced length. A person can do 90-degree and sometimes even 180-degree turns with Maine snowshoes (or something like those Hurons that you showed us) in surprisingly thick brush. Those who haven't been in that situation to try it would be surprised.

[@philsmith2444]

GV makes 12x42 Wide Trails that float well and still maneuver through trees. They’re pretty heavy at about 7.25lb per pair, but they are some STRONG snowshoes! A lot of aluminum and thick, durable decking.

[@priscillahaskin7150]

Thanks for the "test". I went for a trip with Lure of the North and we used Bear Paws. They mentioned the others and have the others but we traveled on Bear Paws... Now I see why. Again wonderful demo here.

[@solotripper]

Hey Priscilla, thanks for stopping by. Yes Lure Of The North use large Bear Paw's with heavy duty mono lacing, this is getting quite popular. Where did you head to on your trip?

[@priscillahaskin7150]

We took the Training week with the Vast Horizons trip. Short but just right for us. Training with a nice short trip.@@solotripper

[@solotripper]

@@priscillahaskin7150 Cool. Hope it was a blast.

[@usernick8928]

I see why those bear paws are so great for in the bush

[@bwillan]

Rather surprising the that bearpaw snowshoes had more flotation than the objibway's. I have a set of 16x48 Huron pattern snowshoes that I use for fresh powder snow and for trail breaking. I also have a set of 15x32 modifies bearpaws for use around camp and in the bush. Both work well for me and my girth.

[@RiverbendlongbowsOutdoors]

👍😊 everyone's out of shape when it comes to snow hiking Good experiment

[@solotripper]

Lol, ya but the wife told me I'm really out of shape

[@RiverbendlongbowsOutdoors]

@@solotripper 😅that's harsh

[@solotripper]

@@RiverbendlongbowsOutdoors I told her to never lie to me

[@AlleyeSun]

That snow is too soft, the natives couldn't travel by snowshoe until January - when the snow has compacted hard...

[@BushcraftAdventure]

Awesome footage my friend🌲❄️❄️❄️ The snowshoes are what l was dreaming about in my previous Bushcraft Trip))🤔 Thank you & atb✊🏻🐺 ⋮П￪⟨⋮

[@solotripper]

Glad you liked it. They make all the difference in the world out there! Cheers,

[@adelinanoah1045]

Husband: Has anyone tried to invent shoes to walk on water? Me: Well, kinda, you can walk on lightly frozen water. Tanks for the video, he never saw snow shoes before!

[@PartoftheMadness]

Cool video dude, I've been considering going to a bears paw design for my next set of snowshoes but I like the regular gait of the Ojibwa/modern synthetic design. I live in the Rockies and the powder gets thigh high even in my snowshoes. I reckon that the only people who don't believe in snowshoes/backcountry skis are people that haven't been in deep snow. You'd sink like a stone and get absolutely nowhere out here, haha.

[@bryanmoir3184]

Does it have more to do with size of shoe and style vs snow conditions?

[@philipatoz]

And THAT, ladies and gentlemen, is exactly how Bigfoot tracks are made! LOL!

[@northwoodsrat6686]

Thanks for sharing the results of this experiment . This should put to rest any remaining doubts about the effectiveness of snowshoes .

[@solotripper]

Agreed. Thanks for watching man!

[@craigbetts1586]

good test to show the difference in deep snow that snowshoes are a must, the last time I did snowshoeing was 40 years ago

[@solotripper]

It's time to strap on another set Craig! Thanks for stopping by!

[@Chris_at_Home]

That snow isn’t very deep. I have a place where it isn’t uncommon to have snow that your feet don’t reach the bottom on the snow. I call it asshole deep because any deeper doesn’t matter.

[@peachof6145]

Wtf is “isn’t uncommon”

[@pparker768]

@@peachof6145 moron

[@philsmith2444]

In one of the places I snowshoe here in NW Maine I extended a trekking pole to its full 5’/150cm length and stuck it in the snow up to the bottom of the grip. The tip wasn’t touching solid ground yet. My 10x36 snowshoes would sink about 8” with 280lb of myself and my gear.

[@amazingonion]

If my ancestors were as tall as my family (around 6 ft) the longer ojibwe shoes would be preferable with them having a long stride

[@richfreireich4528]

The Ojibwa or Alaskan will be easier to navigate thru brush and willows and long distances

[@loghog4392]

This test, made four years ago, has become irrelevant due to the global climate warming change. It no longer snows. We need a flip flop and swim fins test now.

[@acgrwyzz]

Oh man, I thought you were workin with like maybe 8”-12” snow when you had the shoes on. Boy was I wrong as soon as you took them off. Very interesting and cool as someone from farther south.

[@stevebourke9769]

I don’t know why I am watching this as I come from Australia but I find it fascinating. We do have snow but I haven’t needed snowshoes as yet.

[@solotripper]

Because its sooooo interesting hahah! Thanks for watching all the way from across the world!

[@factChecker01]

In these days of KZbin, we can vicariously enjoy a lot of things from the couch, while having a beer. Thanks to those who are doing it and posting the videos.

[@michellenearing9860]

I find the O’s are better for cutting through the willows and thick brush, don’t get hung up as much.

[@Haphagurd]

Love it man. I have so many different snowshoes. I have three different huron type snowshoes made from aluminum, plastic and traditional wood. We like lots of "backcountry" or "alpine" snowshoes here in the Rockies to walk on steep trails or breaking trails through trees. That being said, I feel like I need some Traditional Wood Bear Paws after watching this. I have been looking at them but this helped a ton!!! I have been doing a lot of lower valley flat deep snowshoeing and the bearpaws look like the ticket. Thanks man and keep the videos coming. 1 a day would be nice!!!

[@solotripper]

Any traditional will be good in deep snow....i guess i never addressed the alpine conditions, that is somewhere that the synthetics would do better I'd bet. Sorry, no video tomorrow but I'll have another thursday....lol thats 3 in 4 days haha

[@Haphagurd]

@@solotripper good enough man. I guess you got a couple other things to do up there

[@igee]

I came here because of asha greyjoys dance of dragon excerpt.

[@G55-j9z]

Great Video and thanks for posting, I have always wondered about which were best, Kind of makes modern Snowshoes out of place and makes me wonder if they would even work in that type of Snow, Major Thumbs Up. Thanks again.

[@philsmith2444]

If they’re made in the same size they’ll work the same. I have a pair of 12x42 GVs that float me in all but the fluffiest, driest snow.

[@quinntheeskimooutdoors6234]

I have both types, Bear paws are better in the woods. On potential weak ice Ojibwa could be safer. Thanks

[@solotripper]

Thanks for checking this out Quinn

[@jonball290]

there are really people that believe snow shoes don't work like you said?

[@FlyFishingPhotographer]

Hey bud what kind of coat and boots you got on here

[@Stardust12397]

Hi, what breed is your loving dog?

[@thomasfenlon2363]

tells us about the coat you are wearing????

[@svyr6953]

That squishy noise making me cringe

[@DominionGF]

Do they work on mud terrains?

[@bonpecheur4565]

The test say's it all 👍I think the bearspaws would be the better choice for the forest and the other for open country , thank's for the video, Sylvain , Québec

[@solotripper]

Yes, the Bear Paw's would be the best in the forest, where you need mobility and to turn quickly. Thanks for checking out the video.

[@mariohunter103]

very interesting tank you

[@mglennon5535]

You are the fu{

[@solotripper]

Ha, would love to take you up on that offer! Thanks for checking it out man

[@nuttintoseehere9141]

Wider stance for women.

[@bobarnall3913]

I have the OJibway, but since I'm already bowlegged I need the Bear Paws. Good video, Thanks

[@solotripper]

haha, thanks Bob.

[@ChrisWilliam08]

I miss your content

[@GonogoBonobo]

Discovering this video. I'm one year late but add my comment anyway.

[@GonogoBonobo]

Posted my mistake before completion. I have a modern style pair and an Huron style pair. For the trails the modern style are good as trails doesn't require good floatation. Their small and narrow size make the walk almost as natural as walking on the street. The claws under the feet ease hill climbing as well as downhill. The foot attachement is good at keeping the foot aligned with the snowshoe. Those modern snowshoe are well suited for the casual or beginner person that stay in the trails. Out of the trails is another story. Their low floatation is bad in fresh fallen snow, they go deep and because of their narrow shape they often dip slanted forcing the ankle. The Huron style have a better floatation and because they are wide have a better lateral stability. The larger the surface area the better the floatation. The wider it is the better the lateral stability. Lateral stability is particularly appreciable when walking under the bush as the terrain is uneven and the snowshoe often dip slanted.

[@journeyman7189]

Great side to side comparison Harlan. Thanks for taking the time to play in the snow :) Nate

[@solotripper]

Tons of fun Nate. Thanks for stopping by

[@Feintgames]

Such a relaxing intro. Nice video. I have some Tubbs snowshoes I've been using this winter and they are really awesome so far in Chicago. We got more snow this year so I can actually use them.

[@GeoterricsOutdoorsAustralia]

Very cool sir! I just got my bear paws from Amazon - dying to try them tomorrow

[@timdunk7278]

Thank you.

[@usa2342]

Thanks!

[@icanonlyimagine4589]

Just moved to the Selawik Valley from the southern US. It’s been a massive adjustment! I lived in Europe for a decade and never saw snow like this. And they say this year has been mild! Guess I need some snowshoes. I get a little panicky when I sink to my knees! Thanks for the video!

[@heathenwolf4997]

I did my daily almost 3 mile walk today, after a 2-3 day snowstorm, was not fun. I had to walk ontop of snowbanks, as not all the city was shoveled yet. That was fun... Everything from my knees down to my feet were soaked.... Definitely was thinking about snowshoes during that time... Especially since it was 2'2"

[@kameronemery993]

I use "el cheepos", but if I were to invest in some I would go with the Bear Paws. They just look cool, and apparently work. I could have used them last week when I had to check my exterior house vents .Excellent vid, and Thanks!

[@solotripper]

Hey Kameron, thanks for checking this one out. How much snow do you have?

[@kameronemery993]

@@solotripper 8 ft drifts, with about 4 feet accumulation. We live at 6,300 ft elevation. BUT....this fall moving to Northern Spain!!

[@solotripper]

@@kameronemery993 That's excessive! Spain sounds fun!

[@caseysimpson1806]

A very practical demonstration. I started with a pair of Sherpa snowshoes for mountaineering. They are now with my daughter. I purchased a pair of Vt. Tubbs Huron in the mid 1990's: now my favorite. At the time, I was considering an Alaskan style shoe but they weren't available. I have been researching the Ojibwe and Alaskan shoes for walking in rolling hill country in fresh snow. Do you have an opinion on either the Ojibwe or Alaskan style shoe. Thank you and great post.

[@jacobreimann5607]

😂 I'm fairly new to snowshoeing (minus what the army considers adequate snoeshoes) And I'm glad I stumbled upon this channel hahaha subscribed

[@pineywoodsriders2184]

Great experiment showing the difference. You have some nice cold weather gear.

[@AJHart-eg1ys]

I had been curious about snowshoes and had considered investing in a pair, but it doesn't really seem like they provide much benefit regarding ease of movement unless you can regularly expect to play in snow that is at least knee high. It you just want something to XC in with a little crampon action, that's different.

[@kestrelfeather]

Nice video! I've used several different types of snowshoe in my lifetime. Several winters I've just about lived on my snowshoes. Canadian eh. I tend to think the narrower shoes might be better in the bush. It's hard to beat the bear paw shoes though. Now that I'm an old retired bushman I don't get out as much. My main trails out of my cabin door these days are to my outhouse and to the road instead of going into the forest. When it snows a lot I still put on my snowshoes and pack my trails though. Trudging through deep snow is hard work, I've done my share. Thank goodness snowshoes were invented!

[@zanderdev57]

trust me, bowlegged isn't worth it. if you are uncomfortable over long distances you will cover less ground than a few inches deeper in the snow. also the ojibwas holes allow the snow to fall through so it isn't that bad

[@djchinatown]

I thought snow shoes were way more effective keeping you above the snow since the area was distributed to a larger surface. Still looks like a lot of work walking in snow.

[@solotripper]

Yes, this is one of the reasons i wanted to make this video. It's a misconception that they keep you from sinking down at all.....you will always sink down, just not nearly as much as if you had nothing at all ! It's still a TON of work, my respect to those that have to travel long distances with them on

[@nathanadrian7797]

@@solotripper Here in southern B.C., our snow gets a crust in spring, it won't hold a man without snow shoes but a man on snow shoes will hardly mark the snow!

[@ericl2969]

One thing worth pointing out is that most of the effort is in breaking trail, so walking in your own tracks on the return trip (when possible) saves effort, and if you have a group, you should take turns with who's in the lead. That greatly reduces effort and maximizes the advantage that the snowshoes provide.

[@Wolfboy2712]

Just found this at 12:50 while researching why my costco snowshoes are so shit. Great video, love the format, don't change a thing. Stay out of shape!

[@vrod1a]

Nice demonstration, well explained 👍 Thanks !

[@williambonk380]

Simple to the point very well done Thank you very much. I walk in deep snow and now getting older the grand pa bear paws are coming out for me.

[@lillyrose3545]

I like the sound they make. I hate the cold and all things cold. I came here to see if I could find the reason people do this and if it is really a thing. Cool vid

[@gregjohnson995]

Where did you purchase that white jacket. It’s nice

[@kentuuri8272]

That actually surprised me the bear paws had more floatation

[@zerocool3742]

wow, you really took one for the team. thanks brother! very informative!

[@MrBurns0618]

I would have to say for me, the bear paw gives the best float! Although the only reason I would wear modern snowshoes is because I live in the Adirondacks, which is very hilly and dense, traditionals are just so big and no crampons.

[@joshk8763]

I’m in the debate right now of which design to get.. might end up with both, or try the Alaskan style as well

[@solotripper]

Dude, DO NOT GET THE ALASKANS unless you're in pretty open country. You'll be miserable within the forest with those as the tails will dig under the snow and trip you up on every fallen tree....lots of coverage with those beasts though!

[@joshk8763]

solotripper thanks for the advice! Since I’ll primarily be in boreal setting like you, I’ll probably get a pair of bear paws for winter foraging and altai skis for longer treks!

[@solotripper]

@@joshk8763 Bear Paw or Huron would work well for you...just nothing with a tail. Trust me, been there, done that!

[@nathanadrian7797]

@@solotripper I use my 12x60 Ojibwa's here in southern B.C.'s thick brush with no problems, my brother uses Huron style and they have a tail, and work fine in the brush as well. I have even used my Ojibwa's for cougar hunting on the mountain side in big timber, no problems so far!

[@superkitty7229]

I loved this video--thank you!!

[@ricklarade3593]

your channel is a breath of fresh air sir!!, i love the winter

[@Kelli5555]

I wish I was your Dog 😍

[@canadianroxy]

I've never tried the bear paw design... I'm actually impressed by the difference in floatation between the two. I've always only used the long traditional ones. Have you tried the modern snowshoe? I'm curious as to how they compare :)

[@billygauthier9512]

I'm from Labrador and come from a long line of trappers. The ONLY snowshoes they would wear in the winter here are bear paws. We have very deep snow here and it's often fluffier and much deeper in the woods. Short wide snowshoes are much more maneuverable in a Forrest and you will actually float on the snow, those Ojibway ones are better for long walks in a foot or two of snow. Here we can get 3 feet of snow in a single snowfall so we need bear paws unless we want to work a lot harder.

[@ashnatiwari]

I would love to buy real snowshoes, where can I get them? I find the ones for purchase are so badly culturally appropriated that they don't even do what was intended to properly.

[@ATMDPNKBJ]

The things leftists say. The ones you can buy at a store work fine because....physics.

[@ashnatiwari]

@@ATMDPNKBJ things people who culturally appropriate and think they make better say, they actually suck in comparison to the Indigenous ones, you most certainly haven't tried which is why you're making ignorant statements like that. It's such a white supremacist response, I have no patience for white men like you. don't talk to me

[@freedomring4813]

@@ashnatiwari GFY

[@philsmith2444]

GV, Maine Guide, Iverson, and Dion are some manufacturers of traditional snowshoes. “Culturally appropriated?” Was it “cultural appropriation” when someone first took a snowshoe made for a different terrain and changed it to fit their own needs, i.e., Ojibwe to bear paw or vice versa? For probably 80% of people modern snowshoes will do everything they need them to do. Plus you don’t have to sand and varnish them every year, traction in hills & mountains is better, etc.

[@ashnatiwari]

@@philsmith2444 thanks for the recommendations. Cultural appropriation occurs in many forms... defensiveness is always the first