Snowshoes Industry Defines Snowshoe Bindings

The Snowshoes Industry has issued a press release that explains the state of current snowshoe bindings. Bindings are necessary to keep snowshoes firmly fixed to the footwear, and they should be easy to operate even when wearing mittens. The type of bindings a snowshoe has affects the way it works. Many snowshoers pay more attention to larger, more obvious parts of the snowshoe and give little consideration to the two main binding types, fixed and pivoting.

Fixed bindings, also called spring-loaded bindings, have a spring that lifts the snowshoe's tail up away from the snow with every step. This makes backing up possible, but it also throws snow from the decking against the back of the legs, so users are advised to wear high gaiters with fixed bindings. Fixed bindings are best on packed trails and in brushy areas where their good maneuverability is an asset. Pivoting-hinge bindings, also called freely-rotating bindings, allow the boot to rotate freely around a pivot, and they allow the tail of the snowshoe to drop to the ground when the snowshoe is raised to take a step. This sheds snow that has accumulated on the decking. This type of binding does not allow the user to back up, because the snowshoe's tails will dig into the snow. It is the strongest type of binding, and it is best when doing a lot of climbing.

Snowshoers must be able to walk up, down, and across hills. High-tech snowshoes provide traction with toothed cleats called crampons. These are usually found on the toe or under the ball of the foot and also near the heel, and they grip the ground on ascents and descents. Additional crampons which run parallel to the snowshoe's sides are found on heavy-duty climbing snowshoes and provide additional lateral stability for traversing slopes.