Login | April 25, 2024
Snowshoeing
PETE GLADDEN
Pete’s World
Published: March 1, 2021
Has this winter weather been a constant impediment to your outdoor running and cycling workouts? Toughing it out through the next four to six weeks won’t be easy. And the indoor alternatives, treadmills, ellipticals, steppers, and stationary bikes, could very well have beaten you down by this point.
Well, have you ever considered throwing yourself a bit of a curveball to get through the rest of this winter…by taking up snowshoeing? That’s right, snowshoeing’s a super aerobic exercise, and it’s the perfect winter fit for all you running and cycling aficionados. What’s more, it allows you to get outside and soak in some of that much needed vitamin D - and it’s a whole lot more mentally stimulating than continuing to work out on all those indoor devices.
As you know, snowshoes are tennis racket-shaped contraptions that enable one to walk on snow by distributing the wearer’s weight over a large surface area. Unfortunately, most people still associate snowshoes with those old 19th century ash and rawhide monsters of yesteryear. But in reality today’s snowshoes have evolved light years when compared to those old relics of the past.
Modern snowshoes are made out of lightweight metals and plastics, and they employ high-tech synthetic bindings that easily buckle over shoes or boots. Not only that, but there’s also been an explosion of new snowshoe designs that make for stronger and more waterproof shoes than the shoes of old - and what’s really cool is that many of these designs allow for maintenance-free snowshoe use.
Now with all that being said, what I love about snowshoeing is the fact that it’s both a low-impact and a highly aerobic activity which can address muscular fitness - legs, low back, and upper body (if you use ski poles) - as well as cardiovascular fitness. And depending on how fast you go and where you do it, snowshoeing can burn anywhere from 400 to 1000 calories/hour - which is a whole lot of bang for your workout buck.
Another cool thing about snowshoeing is the fact that it doesn’t require an inordinate initial investment. Price-wise, it’s a step above what you’d typically invest in a pair of good running shoes. Heck, oftentimes you can actually find places that rent snowshoes by the hour or day, and some retailers have a “try before you buy” policy with certain types of snowshoes.
Now with respect to the types, there’s three different varieties of snowshoes. The first, a running/racing shoe, is smaller and lightweight, and intended for serious running and racing. Second is the mountaineering variety, a larger, heavier shoe that’s appropriate for long hiking and backpacking treks done both on and off trail, and they’re capable of gripping well on steep terrain. The third variety is the recreational shoe that kind of runs in the middle with respect to size and weight. The recreational shoe is good for the average enthusiast who snowshoes on moderate terrain for distances of up to five miles.
Okay, so maybe I’ve got you thinking about this snowshoeing thing. If so then the next logical step is to consider the kind of clothing to wear when shoeing. And it’s my belief that two of the most important clothing items to consider are waterproof gaiters and waterproof shoes.
Snow WILL get in your socks and melt in your shoes if you don’t wear the gaiters, and your feet WILL get wet even if you wear the gaiters but don’t wear waterproof shoes. So don’t skimp in these two areas if you’re going to be doing more than dabbling in snowshoing.
Wear lycra insulated or non-insulated lycra tight for the legs, and layer your upper body with a standard wicking inner layer, a polypro or fleece middle layer, and an outer shell layer. By layering your torso you can add or subtract layers based on your intensity level and/or weather changes.
If you’re interested in giving snowshoes a try, check out the following venues/providers: Boston Store Visitor Center in Cuyahoga Valley National Park offers free use; The Liberty Park Nature Center (9999 Liberty Rd., Twinsburg) offers free use; Geauga Park District offers free use; Appalachian Outfitters in Peninsula offers rentals; Big Met Golf Course in Rocky River Reservation offers rentals; North Chagrin Nature Center offers rentals; Hinckley Lake Boathouse and Store offers rentals.