Bushcraft - Traditional Snowshoe Bindings Materials and A Simple Method

[@mikemcc6625]

Clear. Inexpensive. Adjustable. Taught expertly. Cheerful!

[@neurodoc4u]

Hello from Ellsworth Maine! I saw this vid, then bought a used pair of snowshoes at an antique shop. I recoated them with some new varnish, made rope bindings just like you demonstrated in this video, and they work just perfectly. Thanks for sharing some great common sense bushcraft-nice job!

[@sargefaria]

+neurodoc4u right on bud! hope you get lots of use out of them!

[@bushcraftnorthof6012]

Can always treat leather or cotton bindings with Sno-seal, or similar wax waterproofing. I love that stuff. Don’t ask me why I’m watching snowshoe videos when we finally just got summer... Take care. Going to subscribe.

[@mwiltfang4618]

Badda-boom, badda-bing, here's how ya' tie up your snowshoes, brotha! LOL! Love the vid! Just so nobody misunderstands, I'm not making fun of the accent. I grew up in Iowa, and I've got more than one Canadian relative and friend, so I appreciate conversational diversity.

[@tonyminnichsoffer7401]

Thank you, thanks dear bushcraft brother. I have used all types: the leather, cotton webbing, lamp wick, synthetic webbing and rubber bindings. All present challenges in the cold and wet. What you showed us beats em all.

[@PTAMPIA]

Amazing what can find on KZbin! This was just what I was looking for. Thanks, very much!

[@SisterSustain]

I was looking to make my own bindings and found this video. This method works great! I’m glad I decided to use 3/8 inch nylon cord since I have small feet. I think I’ll weave flat leather pieces where my sole goes on my Naugahyde snowshoes since that might help protect the weave.

[@fishmut]

Good job mate the snow shoes look like they work great and easy enough to put on and take off ;)

[@miker5502]

Thanks, this is exactly what I was looking for...well explained! Cheers from Nova Scotia.👍👍👍

[@andreborsch2266]

Very clever idea to bind the snowshoe. And thank you for this fantastic instruction.

[@sargefaria]

Andre Börsch Thanks bud

[@ynotsail]

Great video, you explained it all very well, and your video angles etc were just fine. Going to try it today after work. Thanks

[@stephengrell4069]

Great vid, you always make it simple, but most effective.

[@sargefaria]

Stephen Grell Thanks man

[@TrailWright]

Nice, in your part one, when you twisted out of the shoe, I knew that was something I had never seen. Well I'm not a freakin snowshoe expert for sure, but that was something special and glad your shared the process with us. Interesting bowline. Thanks.

[@sargefaria]

Bob Cotter LOL....thanks a lot man

[@marlenelampard6791]

Best bindings i,ve seen love it. thanks for sharing. . if ya can't tie a knot tie alot...priceless..thx. From northern ont.

[@ObsessedGamerYT]

Moved from Michigan to Arkansas in the late 80's, and spent a lot of time in the U.P. during the fall and winter. Watched your video with a neighbor and he just couldn't get past all the snow in your vid. Folks down here can't grasp the fact that the U.S.A. sees multifeet of snow each and every year. It is Jan. and for the last week I have seen temps in upper50's low 60's

[@sargefaria]

David Weirauch right on. Got 2' plus during the blizzard, another 5-between last night and the end of tomorrow morning....and another big one coming in on Monday by the looks haha

[@Mr.Bonami]

Worked good for me , I used electrician nylon rope this has the same weave as lamp wick and it has all advantages of the nylon rope. Thanks for the info

[@jeremyf5170]

Thanks for this video man. I have an old pair of traditional snowshoes & the leather binding rotted off the frame so I'm definitely going to try this. Cant beat the traditional snowshoes. P.s I heard your accent and thought this guy is from my neck of the woods! I live in mass.

[@sargefaria]

right on man. these bindings last a long long time and easy to use. once you get them dialed in, you wish you would have done it this way from the start. I was born and raised in mass, up in NH now tho

[@jeremyf5170]

The Woodsman School and Guide Service Yeah, I just tried this method & it seems to work excellent. Love how it's hands free. Cant wait to try it more. Cheers & subscribed!

[@437AlBig]

Thanks for an informative video. I really like this idea. I'm looking to get a pair of snowshoes so I'll keep this in mind once I do. Thanks again.

[@billa.785]

I use a single toe loop made out of lampwick that was tied in a permanent loop. Then I cut a inch wide loop of rubber inner tube that I put around my ankle. To use my snow shoes I stepped into them with my toe through the loop then pulled the inner tube loop over the toe of my boot. No mitt removal needed. This is the best binding for wet slushy snow or if you are needing quick removal ( like if you fell ) A simple back kick and you are out. Yet it is still strong enough to stay on while walking. The toe loop can freeze with no worries as it is just a permanent loop. I've used them all the way down to minus 35 F with no problems but lower than thet the rubber get brittle.

[@redcanoe14]

I like that suggestion of using inner tube, I face planted in deep snow last year and bust my glasses, the rubber band would be way easier.

[@richardkight4482]

I would like a pic of your setup

[@Nativesurvival]

Great bit of Snowalking lore, thanks bro

[@sargefaria]

NativeSurvival right on bro

[@aurthordog]

+NativeSurvival Wow good to see you here my friend....subscriber and fellow New Englander/Rhode Island.All smiles to see ya again. Ever want to take me up on hunting a section of The Great Swamp here,just let me know. God Bless my friend....and a belated Merry Christmas.

[@mileskhalid8564]

instablaster...

[@trollforge]

Great vid Sarge! I remember being told to tie the lamp wick around the back then bow in front. That way did freeze up something fierce... Jack Cody served as a young man in the North West Mounted Police (my mom's best friend's father) and taught me a way very simular to yours, but with lamp wick, no bowline, and the knot at the back of the ankle. I like the rope idea, I'll have to try that...

[@sargefaria]

trollforge right on bud ; )

[@rolandsilva9743]

excellent video Derek, as always you have done your homework and passed the knowledge on, really well done Thanks

[@sargefaria]

Roland Silva Thanks buddy

[@TomsBackwoods]

Thanks for passing this on Derek! Great info! Some old snow shoes I found don't have any binding's with them. Great stuff!

[@sargefaria]

TomsBackwoods Good deal bro....get some on there

[@caseysimpson1806]

Can't thank you enough. I am going to start practicing with this method.

[@luvhambo]

thanks. Can't wait to strip off my bindings and try the system you show. And yes, the old wood ones just seem nicer in the woods :). Glad you're keeping that pair alive.

[@sargefaria]

***** right on, thanks

[@jayhyland4023]

Thanks, I wanted to see how you set up the traditional bindings. Rocking the old school mora!

[@sargefaria]

jason hyland Thanks Jason...sure am

[@TheGeorgio64]

A bit too much yammering in the beginning of the video for me, however once you got down to showing how to put the binding on it was great! Glad you did both the side and front view because it added some nuances that each side missed on it's own. My 80 year old father has both types of snowshoes in probably a much older vintage with the leather bindings. This video will help greatly with making bindings for the smaller ones, as the larger shoes at around 4.5' long would be a bit too much to lug around in the snow. Cheers!

[@awlach8]

I just received a pair of Vermont Tubbs yesterday (perfect timing on this video) and mine have a pair of spikes bound to the bottom for traction. Do find them to be necessary?

[@sargefaria]

Adam Whitlach Most of the new (commercial type) snowshoes have them as well. They are indeed good for certain things. Better traction on ice and up and down hills and such. I dont prefer them at all as i like the Traditional approach. All depends on the user i reckon ; )

[@awlach8]

Thanks for everything! It's always appreciated!

[@psyamok3735]

excellent teaching, great info!! Thx very much! Thumbs up!

[@redcanoe14]

Hello Brother, this is a very informative and well filmed presentation. The rope you use looks like Kernmantel climbing rope, if so I suspect it is 11mm diameter. I was wondering if 7mm would work as well, or better (easier to knot and twist)? Another possibility might be to use that soft nylon boat line (usually white), again that would be non absorbent.

[@sargefaria]

Just about anything would work. Ive seen folks use paracord as well. Im sure the boat line would work very well. Thanks bud

[@aurthordog]

Appreciate your view on this,extremely informative. And like an Alaskan in the bush on a trapline....and the carburator freezes on the snow machine....they pee on it to thaw it. Have to assume in a survival situation,that... "might" just get you snow shoeing again(referring to frozen bindings). Uh huh..... Laughing, but it would probably work with frozen/unuseable snow shoe bindings. Personally I am going with the poly rope also. Thanks my friend.

[@sargefaria]

+aurthordog HAHA....right on. Whatever works. This is a pretty good technique

[@SuperSwitched]

Thanks a bunch :) LOve the trad method. My shoes are bound with a military rig which I plan on changing out. Outside of buckles on leather, leather has a tendency to stretch when wet, causing one to readjust their bindings all the time.

[@sargefaria]

Switcher exactly...thanks man

[@jimadamson1808]

Very well done! Thank you!

[@bwillan]

That is a good way of using a traditional binding with a modern material. I find that nylon rope tends to stretch easily and will absorb water (paracord). I think a polyester or polypropylene rope would work better for that application. I use a hybrid style of snowshoes. They are traditional shapes but made with modern materials. I have a set of 16x48" Huron style that has the wood frame, but the webbing is a 400 pound test monofilament fishing line used in commercial fishing. The other pair is a set of 15"x32" Bear Paw style snowshoe that is made with a spring steel rod frame and the webbing is another 400# test synthetic line that is used to make fishing nets son the east coast. Actually they were made in Newfoundland, Canada are known as Carey Beaver Tail snowshoes. They are really light. As for bindings I choose to do with a set of ratcheting pivoting bindings with a crampon like on a modern snowshoe. It gives me some extra traction with hard packed trails and icy conditions. They also are easily adjustable for different types of footwear that I may use, or another person.

[@sargefaria]

bwillan Nothing like paracord bud. The cord used was bought from a marine store.And too each their own on snowshoe preference for sure. All in what ya like ; )

[@bwillan]

For my hybrid style snowshoes, it came down to a matter of maintenance. I really didn't want to have to varnish the frames and rawhide every year. ;) And you're right, it is a matter of preference and application (snow conditions and environment) when it comes to choosing snowshoes.

[@abefrohman1759]

Cool trick thanks Sarge.

[@sargefaria]

***** thanks man

[@alextishinov8066]

В России народы крайнего севера тоже используют подобный метод крепления, правда для охотничьих лыж а не снегоступов. Подскажите пожалуйста сколько весят традиционные большие снегоступы из дерева. Почему в вашей стране не используют охотничьи лыжи, они широкие и длинные.

[@kilimanjarno]

fantastic, exactly what I was looking for.

[@sergeirakmaninov]

Fascinating vid again, Sarge, Love the winter light fading and glowing around you. Naive question: why do snowshoes not have any weaving near the toe? Why the open space and not completely woven?

[@trollforge]

maurice ravel the hole is to let your toe pass through, so the snow shoe pivots under the ball of your foot. It makes them considerably more manuverable.

[@sargefaria]

trollforge thanks for helping out bud

[@sargefaria]

maurice ravel Thanks my friend

[@saladfork8]

Way cool,thanks for sharing that. I have a pair of aluminum with canvas web- new fangled balderdash, but better than nothing, at 20 years old at least they hold up. I will make a pair of wood and leather shoes and use this binding with them :)

[@sargefaria]

saladfork8 right on

[@coasterbrookie]

Hey Derek... Good video on the traditional shoes. Have a pair of Iverson Michigan/Huron's myself. Diggin' the Muks and Anorak. Both being made up here in Minnesota. I like the Lampwick type lashings for my shoes. Hey, love that hardcore eastern accent too!! Wish we could get together and hang-out. Lots of common interests. Take care, Andy

[@sargefaria]

Thanks again Andy. We all have our preferences I guess. Love the muks and anorak as well! Is my Boston accent that strong?! haha

[@coasterbrookie]

The Woodsman School and Guide Service oh man that accent is crazy. Some say mine is crazy nordern Minnesotan. Keep the videos rollin my friend. I'll keep watching... eh.

[@opalprestonshirley1700]

The rope bindings are definitley a better choice for getting the shoes on and off than fiddling with the leather and buckles. Repair much easier too. Thanks. atb

[@sargefaria]

Opal Preston Shirley right on buddy

[@Vx777infonet]

snow! no snow here in ne mo, and birds are flying north! funny that first shoe almost looks like a dream catcher!

[@alanmctavish3628]

What is the brand & cost of your mukluks? Where to buy.

[@awlach8]

Is that Boreal Shirt thicker wool than the Duluth wool blanket shirt? I've got the Duluth shirt and I'd like to know how much of a difference there is... other than the hood. Thanks!

[@sargefaria]

Adam Whitlach I have both as well. I think the Duluth one is thicker honestly

[@awlach8]

Fascinating... not what I was anticipating. Thanks!

[@sargefaria]

I bet. Most folks think the boreal shirt is the next best thing to pockest on jeans. I agree to a point, but it is not the best thing out there for wool. Dont get me wrong, they do a tremendous job on these and they are made very well. If you only have the shirt though on a cold windy day....the wind will go right through it for sure. Thats why i wear the anorak with it. Layers help too....but the wind goes through the shirt. I love the thing none the less

[@QualityServiced]

whatever happened to the cabin you were going to build, when you were clearing with Mitch? I was watching it on his channel and curious if you ever built it?

[@sargefaria]

Quality Owners had a change of heart and wouldn't allow me to build it unfortunately. Sucked as we did all that work, but....

[@MTwoodsrunner]

great demo Derek...well done...thanks!...woods

[@sargefaria]

+MTwoodsrunner Thanks Woods

[@connormyron.5366]

Sadly i wont be needing those here, still havent got any snow up here and probably wont this winter. But thank you for the video and the knowledge.

[@sargefaria]

Inconvient Camping Thanks man. All of our snow is fading away as well. Hoping for more. Saturday may bring us some

[@Katiethreeable]

My leather bindings keep stretching ....and I have to make a new hole in the strap.....they get loose and fall off......I need to do what ur doing

[@calvinwipf6592]

great stuff !!!!thanks for info..

[@SgtMac80]

Well done Buddy

[@traprmike]

when you say, nylon rope, do you mean the round braided plastic? like an anchor rope? the cheap yellow rope I see?? and again, thanks for the vid. I've seen this before, but not explained like this. EDIT: I watched Brian Mannings vid last year with the flat lamp wick, I couldn't find long lamp wick so I used 1 inch flat cotton. worked wonderfull but, had to tie it every time.. I'll still use Brian's way, but also try this way also.

[@sargefaria]

traprmike Yes, any of that will work im sure. The white bindings on my bear paws was nylon rope bought from a marine store. The other is similar as well but bought elsewhere.

[@2bonosc]

Good stuff thanx 4 sharing

[@sargefaria]

2bonosc Thanks man

[@lyfandeth]

We always used oil or hot beeswax to saturate boot laces, so they can't absorb water and freeze up. Nylon, surprisingly, can still absorb water.

[@jlpelmel343]

Wondering if there is a written instruction about this binding. I'm preparing for there not to be an internet or a book on snow survival? Thanks if anybody sees this.

[@EatCarbs]

Great video Thanks bro

[@sargefaria]

Eat Carbs Thank Mark

[@wickee920]

Very nicely done thanks

[@ClockCutter]

Great vid. Thanks.

[@sargefaria]

ClockCutter Thanks man

[@harvestblades]

what diameter of rope works best?

[@sargefaria]

Larry Koziol 1/4"-3/8" I would say

[@davidclarke4040]

hi sarge good one nice video

[@sargefaria]

david clarke Thanks bud

[@TheOtterOutdoorsman]

great info man

[@sargefaria]

The Otter Outdoorsman Thanks Nate

[@linklesstennessee2078]

good idea old linkless likes likes the way they go on and off and adjust

[@sargefaria]

Linkless Tennessee Thanks bud

[@Survial9999]

Thank you

[@sargefaria]

Survial9999 ; )

[@Uncas0813]

"Marsha...shut up mom"...hahaha

[@marvona3531]

👍✳️👍✳️👍✳️

[@PrimalEdge]

great info

[@sargefaria]

Primal Edge Thank you

[@susaneyre4837]

Brilliant!!!!! need rawhide webbing instruction to fib packrat-eaten webbing

[@Mike_B_724]

Great video. Although, with my luck, I'd lose my balance trying to put my foot in there, fall over, and break my ankle...do you have any videos about making a splint out of a snowshoe? LOL

[@sargefaria]

mbradishable lol...thanks

[@tuesdaysrunner4038]

I should try it. Once I get some snowshoes... What is taking Jesus Christ so long??? I prayed a long time ago...