Lampwick Bindings: Tieing and Using

How to tie and use lampwick bindings with traditional snowshoes.
The shoes and the bindings are available at:
lureofthenorth.com/shop/produc...

[@justforever96]

Great video. To the point, concise, jumps right into the relevant information without a lot of gab and extraneous stuff. Thumbs up. I didn't click on a video like this to be entertained, I clicked on it to learn about lampwick bindings. Thank you. Although it's funny whenever I click on a showshoe video, it invariably seems to show a person walking around in showshoes in about 6 inches of snow (say 12 cm if you'd rather), which you don't actually need snowshoes for. If you think it's fun to walk around in snowshoes, I won't try to stop you, but for me, if there is less than a foot (say 24cm) of snow, I find it generally easier to just wade through the snow, depending on composition. It takes more effort to walk in the shoes than you save by any added flotation they give you. But that's just my opinion and I don't stick by it. I am very impressed by these bindings, and am going to give them a try. Although it doesn't seem to me that one actually needs to go out and find genuine lampwick to make them. I see stores selling "lampwick bindings" for $15, when all it is is a piece of kerosene lampwick worth $2. Any you don't need lampwick. They used to use it because it was highly available, light, flexible and strong (and it still works probably better than any other althernative material). Their alternative was to use rawhide, leather or try to make hemp cord work. WE have available all sorts of cords and straps, any one of which could be used to make the same style binding. However real lampwick is worth using. I doubt you can find anything BETTER than that, and the width helps spread the stresses out on your ankle, and on the lacings. But you can buy it by the foot in any good hardware store. You don't need to buy "lampwick bindings", just a piece of lampwick. As for the style of binding itself, I am very impressed. It's a perfect sort of simplicity and utility that I love best. I bet it works better than most more expensive purpose-built bindings. And you can use the lampwick for other purposes in an emergency (also seems like a good thing to carry a spare length of, like paracord). Or vice versa, one can easily replace a lost lampwick binding with a piece of cord or rope. Perfect.

[@MikeProut]

I just made a pair of Roycroft ski shoes and I tried using some old seatbelts to lash them on. It was a complete failure no matter how I tied them. Then I found this video. Thank you so much this is the perfect solution that I need. I'm heading out this afternoon to find some lamp wick. Very clear instruction. Very very very helpful.

[@lureofthenorth]

+mike prout Hi Mike, glad we could be of some help. Have fun with the new shoes!

[@Nancytoday]

Thank you so much for this. I have been trying to do this for years, but it looks so good when you did it. I'll go fix my bindings now! Bless you for posting!

[@garthwunsch]

I’ve had a roll of lamp wick hanging around since before the internet was in common use, just for this purpose, but could never make it work. My dad said that’s all they ever used, but never got around to asking him how. Thanks for this... from your neighbour in Lively.

[@SoldierAndrew]

Best video tutorial on snow shoe bindings. Could you make a tutorial on how you use beeswax to seal the ends of the lampwick?

[@Wintertrekker]

Thanks for showing that Dave! Well done!

[@onewithnature8435]

This worked great for me, and the beeswax sealed the tips of the lampwick, cheers!

[@oldsoldier181]

That's so simple. I have a modern pair of deck snowshoes, but am looking to pick up a trad pair before next winter. Wanting to get a lot of winter trekking outdoor rime next year!!!

[@quailypoes]

You're a saint!

[@NomadicWoodsman]

Great video ! to the point and clear. Subbed !

[@AvoidingChores]

Never seen that binding before, good stuff.

[@TJackSurvival]

Brilliant

[@philipjean1086]

Great video professional job

[@sheerwillsurvival2064]

No school like old school 👍🏻

[@serenegreene6984]

Pretty slick.

[@BryanDenlingerKJVM]

What kind of boots are those? Did you make them? Great video!

[@lureofthenorth]

+husky394xp Hi Husky, I'm sorry I didn't see your question when it first came in. Those are Lure of the North moccasins. We sell complete moccasins as well as DIY kits here: lureofthenorth.com/shop/product-category/clothing/footwear/ Thanks and best wishes,

[@johan.ohgren]

That´s neat, but why do you not fix the strap on top of the foot? It seems to me you would have to adjust it as you go.

[@nicolehervieux1704]

Hi Guys, I just found your videos, they are awesome. I live here as well (Sudbury). Do you sell your snowshoes or sleds? I am preparing a bug out bag and there is no way my husband and I will be able to carry them to our bug out destination. 3-4 hrs car drive and then 2 miles in 5 feet snow. We need a sled and snow shoes but I don’t know where to start with it. Do you have discarded items that you don’t use anymore, updated and want to sell at a good price to this “pass their prime couple”? Lol? Seriously I need to find something maybe you can guide me to where I can get something that would work if you don’t have any. Great videos! I am just st starting watching them! Have a good week!

[@lureofthenorth]

Hi Nicole, we sometimes clear out stuff, but not mid-season. We won't have a chance to inventory and sell used equipment until sometime late summer or fall. We have found lots of pairs of old snowshoes available on kijiji or at outdoor ed centres, I've got videos on re-weaving them if they need a little bit of TLC. For a low cost sled, the Paris Expedtion sled is what we started with, not great in deep snow as the sides dig into the snowshoe track, but better than carrying everything on your back!

[@nicolehervieux1704]

Lure of the North : thank you.

[@justina3064]

what type of shoe is that?

[@lureofthenorth]

+JustinA Hi Justin, those are our own brand of snowshoe moccasins. We sell a couple of varieties, as well as DIY kits here: lureofthenorth.com/shop/product-category/clothing/footwear/ Thanks for the interest!

[@nickkanakis3469]

I have tried that style many time but can't seem to keep them from falling off my foot constantly. Do you have a few more tips?

[@lureofthenorth]

They work best with a soft moccasin or mukluk to bite into. Get them fairly snug.

[@quailypoes]

​@@lureofthenorth so basically the opposite of modern snowshoes? This is so cool!!! Thank you for the info!