www.crescentmoonsnowshoes.com
“The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep.” The poems of Robert Frost evoke snow-blanked meadows and intriguing thickets—but sometimes it’s difficult to figure out how to access them. If your promises include getting out and exercising more frequently, then snowshoes might be the answer. While skiing and snowboarding can be gear-intensive, expensive, and intimidating, snowshoeing is the opposite. The sport is inexpensive (once you buy the shoes, you are good for years of fun), with a very brief learning curve. We love the Crescent Moon Gold 13 snowshoes for many reasons (let us count the ways….). The tapered teardrop shape accommodates most women’s stride, with none of the pesky rubbing or catching that often accompanies bigger, more unwieldy models. The binding system is easy to figure out (it took one directions-challenged tester 1.5 minutes) and fits shoes from about size 5 to 11. We tried them with running shoes (on a warm spring day with packed show) and big, insulated winter boots—both fit securely with minimal adjustment fuss. The lightweight frame (made from 6063 aircraft-grade aluminum) and PVC-free polyurethane decking make for a highly maneuverable package. Add the trio of crampons (teeth that provide traction on slick surfaces) underneath, and the Gold 13’s are ideal for a quick fitness hike, a long slog into a back-country yurt, or tromping across a local park with your dog. The shoes are designed for women up to 165 pounds (and are great for kids from about 65 pounds up), and with their no-nonsense, non-girly red hue, there’s really no reason that men in that weight range couldn’t use them as well. Try these snowshoes—we guarantee that you’ll be poetry in motion.
New colors include Teton Teal and Surreptitious Sapphire.