How to Put on Snowshoes + Beginner Snowshoeing Tips and Techniques

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Have questions about snowshoeing that we didn't cover here? Got other snowshoeing tips or advice to share? Drop a comment below and let us know!

[@jimbauer5560]

Thanks so much! Just got my first pair of snowshoes, use to ski and snowboard, little old to put my body through that! Thanks again!

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

@@jimbauer5560 Awesome Jim -- excited to hear how it goes!!

[@CrazyHikers]

Thanks for teaching others. I've seen a lot of new snowshoers put them on wrong and this video is great for them.

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Haha well.. the first time we put on snowshoes we were quite confused and we tried to find a straightforward video to tell us what the heck to do, and it was fairly hard to find. So we figured we would just forward along the info for anyone giving it a go for the first time!

[@johnl3842]

Such a helpful video! Would you recommend the Evo Trail snowshoes for golf course like level and more gradual up and down terrain in New England (2 ft would be a good amount of snow here if lucky, but I may do some traveling)? I've seen them advertised on "trails" more than natural non-groomed areas that I'm mainly planning on and you seem to be traveling on as well. Maybe you've had to add the flotation tail depending on how much and type of snow, or the Evo Trail works just fine on its own? Thanks so much!

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

That's a great question. For me (Adam), the flotation tails are definitely necessary if the snow is fresh and powdery. But if it's got a bit of a crust on it or it's packed and icy, just the shoes with no tails are perfect. In truth, even with bigger shoes or flotation tails it's hard for a really big guy to float on fresh powder, but that's okay -- at least you don't post-hole as far as you would without the shoes on! --A

[@ajohnson3830]

We just bought our first pair! I’m disabled and hope they help strengthen my legs and hips.

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

That is fantastic to hear! We have definitely found that they have helped us to strengthen those areas as well as the glutes, and hope they will do the same for you. Really excited and hoping the best for you, and please let us know how it works out! ❤️

[@jgv1]

So useful- I would have put them on backwards, on the wrong foot.

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Haha very glad we could be helpful -- hope you will have a blast out there in the snow!! ❤️

[@wowzieee]

Good to know. I got snowshoes for Xmas and with the snow we got in Toronto, I'm walking, getting in my steps and making walking trail for the dogs in the area. Keep inspiring.

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Love it! Getting great fun exercise and doing a good deed for the community -- that is our kind of workout! ❤️

[@jimdoner3443]

I just got a pair at costco Alptech Pro, went out twice so far, im now under 190 lbs yeah, 5'9" 62 years old

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Excellent, Jim -- hope it's going great! We just had a really big snow in Cali this past weekend, so we're looking at a snowshoe adventure for this week! ❤️

[@jimdoner3443]

@@LiveHardxLoveHard its melting here in Traverse City Michigan , but we have some snow pack and hopefully 6 to 8 weeks left

[@foaly8]

Would have been nice to see some tips for descending

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Great idea! We will def do an updated video this winter and include that and some other stuff we've learned over lots of snowshoe adventures the last couple years. ❤️

[@randyhasselaar4697]

Super great Tips.! Thanks for sharing.! Done lots of miles on the trails but going on my 1st snow shoeing adventure up at Artist Point on Mount Baker tomorrow. Should be Epic.! Wish me luck.!

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Best of luck, Randy -- can't wait to hear how it goes!! ❤

[@firdosvohra4315]

thank you! i never saw snow before "The Texas Freeze" earlier this year and I'm ready to start exploring colder weather.

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Heck yes -- you will LOVE it! Things are so, so beautiful in the snow. It gives a whole new perspective to hikes you enjoy during the summer.

[@stevejuststuff2779]

I've snowshoed for years on the traditional wooden Iversens. Just got my first pair of aluminum. Can't wait to try them. Great video.

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

You're gonna love them, Steve -- the lighter the better! Excited to hear how it goes!! ❤️

[@krilin31]

*Adam's breathing intensifies*

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Haha he def needs to get that under control 😂

[@DONTTREAD823]

I know this video is a year old, but if you place the tip of your trekking poles in the one or two eyelets in the shovel (In front of your feet) and press down on the front with the poles. That’ll allow you to raise the tail as high as your need it in order to back up

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Dee that's a great tip -- thank you! Very timely as well, because snowshoe season is upon us and we're definitely planning a few snowshoe trips after the storms let up! ❤️

[@microxphere]

Really nicely done! Seeing how comfortable you both are in front of the camera and how well you describe the technicalities of the subject, I'm hoping you'll provide other educational videos and share some of the gotchas you've learned along the way. Perhaps include a few tips and tricks for a better hiking experience, I'm sure other hiking enthusiasts like myself would appreciate the input! Keep on truckin' and don't ever squelch that passion.

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Thanks so much, Bill, and we will definitely take that advice. We already have a thing on how to rappel without a harness that we'll put out in a week or two, and we're also thinking of doing one on advanced trekking pole techniques because Adam is a wizard with his poles -- sometimes he even shortens them up and uses them kind of like an ice axe on super vertical climbs. And feel free to let us know any other things you'd like to see -- we really value the input!

[@TrishCanyon8]

THANKS. You answered questions I didn't know I had. I just want to be secure on snow and ice and prevent a fall/fracture on this 70 y/o body.

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Trish that is so awesome that you're snow hiking at 70! Not sure where you're going to hike, but if there's a lot of ice you might also want to think about crampons, which have amazing bite (better than snowshoes) when going up or downhill on icy terrain. And of course always have good poles. Can't wait to hear about your adventures! ❤

[@TravelwithSuri]

Great video for the first timer! I hiked a lot in snow with microspikes and crampons but never tried snow shoes! Thanks for sharing 👍😊

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Thanks so much Suri! I’m surprised you haven’t snowshoes before, seems like something you would really love! - E

[@SuzieRidlerbadasste]

Excellent video! Thank you! I tried snowshoeing as a kid with old school wooden ones and it was so hard I never tried again. I know it will always be physically calling but do the new tech style help make it less hard to do than the wooden ones?

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Yes Susie, it is SO much easier with the new ones. They are ultra light, and it is almost just like regular hiking (except you can't step backwards or the rear will catch and you'll fall over!). But it is nothing at all like those crazy wooden ones -- these are much lighter and more maneuverable. You'll be amazed at the difference!

[@SuzieRidlerbadasste]

@@LiveHardxLoveHard Fantastic!!! Thank you, that’s exactly what I needed to know.

[@jimdoner3443]

Yes yes yes, as a kid in an outdoor education class, I made a pair in the 1970s sold them to someone in that first winter, now im back at it and loving it. $ 50.00 bucks at costco

[@marialechiribao]

Where is your outfit from!???

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Glad you like it! I always wear the same brand of tights and sports bras from Amazon, and we have a link to them on the gear page of our website, same name as the channel! ❤️

[@marialechiribao]

@@LiveHardxLoveHard thank you!!!

[@rockytopwrangler2069]

... Important to put snow baskets on your hiking poles ... needed support .. full baskets will pack snow for support ........ Straight tips will get you injured ... poles can "posthole" when finding depth usually resulting in a broken pole ... in deep snow ,you are not looking for "ground" .. .. On ascents and descents ,, side step in deep snow ,, creates a wider "shelf" to press on ... ( that fall would not have happened) ..

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Well in truth it depends on the trail, but yes snow baskets are usually better unless it's pretty icy and packed, in which case microspikes might be better than snowshoes anyway. Nice tip about the side stepping!

[@jimbauer5560]

what kind of trousers do you guys recommend? How do you keep your lower pants, and socks dry?

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

This is a great question, Jim. The key is waterproof gaiters. As long as you have those you can wear pretty much any pants that are comfortable for you, from tights to snow pants. We get our gaiters from Bluefield, and they are very reasonably priced. ❤

[@teresawhite4953]

Do you recommendations for snow shoes to get? We don’t get very deep snow where I am.

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Hi Teresa, if you don't get too much snow then the MSR EVOs that we use would probably be perfect for you. They are light and very easy to use. The only downside is that Adam, at over 220 lbs with his pack on, sinks a little too deeply into deep snow with them. But as long as you're looking to float a person weighing between 100-180 pounds, they should be perfect! We'll put up a link to them on our gear list.

[@hppy2bhere]

best video I have seen! I feel like a PRO NOW!!!! Thank you

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

So glad to hear that! Snowshoeing has given us so much joy over the years (as you can see from our various snowshoe adventures around the Sierra!) -- really excited for you that you are getting into it. ❤️

[@rantswithrogers2187]

Thank you for these great tips! We did our first snowshoeing video and gave you a shout out at the end!

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

That's so sweet of you guys -- thank you!!❤️

[@davidolson558]

I just bought some new snow shoes and this demonstration was great! You both know how to explain things very clearly... Any advice on poles? I need to get a pair

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Thanks David, and yes we do have advice on poles. We really like the Black Diamond adjustable trekking poles, but depending on terrain and depth of snow you might also want to get some removable snow baskets for the poles that you can put on in deep snow but take off for no snow or light snow conditions. ❤️

[@davidolson558]

@@LiveHardxLoveHard thanks for the great advice! I live in Minnesota, just south of Minneapolis and plan some cool snow shoeing outings on the week of 1/10 here.

[@EFTTappingwithHeatherAmbler]

Very helpful. Thank you!

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Our pleasure! Hope you have lots of fun in the snow this winter!! ❤️

[@dario6253]

Very informative.

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Glad to hear that, Dario! Snowshoe season is upon us and we've already got a few exciting trips planned for this winter! ❤

[@vickyneuman5398]

Thank you

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Our pleasure, Vicky! Just packing up the snowshoes right now for an adventure this weekend if the incoming blizzard doesn't wipe us out! ❤️

[@TheDeterminedRunner]

I really need some snowshoes! Well done with the tutorial Elise & Adam. Great looking location again ❄️🏃

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Thanks so much! Love getting out after a snowstorm. And we seriously gotta get you out snowshoeing!

[@rantswithrogers2187]

What boots are you wearing here?

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

These are Salomon X-Ultras -- pretty much our all-purpose boot. Flexible, we can run in them, but they also work with snowshoes and crampons.

[@rantswithrogers2187]

@@LiveHardxLoveHard Thank you!

[@traveler.west1]

Adam & Elise, your content is a happy confluence of nature and a meaningful personal relationship. Thank you for sharing it.

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

And you are just a ray of sunshine with all these positive comments! Thank you so much!

[@ariellemccracken9565]

Awesome! I learned so much about snowshoes thank you. Now I want some 🤪☃️

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Haha, we have definitely got to get you out snowshoeing with us! I'm sure there's great spots in Germany :D

[@suburban91]

Would be nice to see how they were put on from the back as well

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

You're right -- next time we'll def remember to show that too! ❤️

[@Kflem]

A great follow-up to your last video! ❤️

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Thanks so much! Hoping to encourage others to get out in this beautiful fresh snow!

[@josephacri6855]

Thank you never tried snow shoeing looks fun😊❤️

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Oh you have got to give it a go! I think you’d love it!

[@josephacri6855]

@@LiveHardxLoveHard yeah agree just got to get better,then I can get back to life praying I make it 😊❤️

[@justrione]

Thank you. Thank you.

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

John! Are we gonna see you getting out for some snowshoeing?

[@arturocubos4077]

She bae asf ong omg

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Aw thank you

[@arturocubos4077]

@@LiveHardxLoveHard 😍😍😍😍😍

[@UndertakerFromWWE]

@4:20 🍑

[@delcysanthosh9218]

Hi ....just curious to know have you guys seen snake on your hiking.?

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

We have seen so many snakes! They are Adam's worst enemy... it's quite funny when he encounters one :D - E

[@traveler.west1]

Today’s social media platforms are filled with too many personal grievances that have a strong polarizing effect. It is very refreshing & uplifting to turn to your channel and see how a partnership uses strength, beauty, determination, and much more to overcome some extremely challenging situations. I thank you for shinning your positive light on those of us willing to see the goodness we have as human beings.

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

That's seriously so kind Frans. We want nothing more than to just spread positivity and joy around here. So glad it's coming across!!