Adapted from Snowshoeing by Larry Olmsted

The second and more important factor to consider is the type of snow on which you will be snowshoeing. In different parts of the country, the water content of snow varies greatly. The wetter the snow, the denser and heavier it is, and the more weight it will support. Conversely, light, dry snow supports much less weight. I know of one popular snowshoe model that is rated for 190 pounds in packed snow, but only up to about 145 pounds in dry powder—a significant difference.

The dryer the snow, the bigger the bigger the snowshoe you will need. In truly dry, fresh, deep powder—the finest which is found in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah—no shoe will support you well, and you will have to concede to sinking and, thus, losing some speed.

You cannot buy one pair of shoes that is perfect for every snow condition you may encounter. Even if you could, snow conditions can change by the day or by the hour. Sizing snowshoes is an inexact science, so"close enough" is okay. The best rule to follow, is to buy snowshoes based on the type of snow that is most common in the area in which you plan to snowshoe. The three main types of snow are:

Dry Powder: Also called western snow, dry powder is generally found throughout the Rocky Mountain states—especially Utah—and requires the biggest shoe.

Wet Snow: Common in the Northeast, and in coastal regions such as California and the Pacific Northwest, as well as the Sierra Nevada, this type of snow has much more water content and requires a smaller shoe.

Groomed or Packed Snow: Trails are often groomed for snowshoe running races, enabling competitors to wear tiny shoes. Snow can pack down by itself, under a variety of natural conditions. As with wet snow, a smaller snowshoe can be used on packed snow.

Move on to Snow Has a Mind of Its Own

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Snowshoeing by Larry Olsted Click here to order!