JustBeginning
Beginner's guide

So you're getting into snowshoeing

Snowshoeing is one of the most forgiving ways to spend time outdoors in winter. If you can walk, you can snowshoe — the technique takes about ten minutes to learn. The real questions are which snowshoes match your weight and terrain, and whether your boots are warm enough. Here's what to buy, in the order that matters.

By Colin B. · Published May 24, 2026 · Last reviewed May 24, 2026
person in black jacket and black pants walking on snow covered bridge during daytime

Photo by Ali Kazal on Unsplash

The 60-second version

If you only buy 3 things to start:

  1. MSR Evo Trail Snowshoe 22-inch — MSR Evo Trail — the flat-terrain beginner standard. Aluminum frame, universal binding, fits most hikers to 180 lbs.
  2. Black Diamond Trail Cork Trekking Poles — Black Diamond Trail Back Cork poles — snow baskets included, cork grip stays comfortable for long outings.
  3. Columbia Bugaboot Plus IV Omni-Heat — Columbia Bugaboot Plus — warm to -25°F, genuinely waterproof, doubles as an everyday winter boot.
Budget total
$150
Typical total
$350
Snowshoes are the main cost ($100-200). If you already own warm waterproof boots, your total kit comes in well under $250. Poles are optional on flat terrain.
At a glance

Our top pick in each category

The fastest path through this guide — each best-starter pick by category. Scroll for the budget and upgrade alternatives.

CategoryTop pickPriceWhere to buy
SnowshoesMSRMSR Evo Trail Snowshoe 22-inch$$ See on Amazon →
Trekking PolesBlack DiamondBlack Diamond Trail Cork Trekking Poles$$ See on Amazon →
BootsColumbiaColumbia Bugaboot Plus IV Omni-Heat$$ See on Amazon →
GaitersOutdoor ResearchOutdoor Research Rocky Mountain High Gaiters$$ See on Amazon →
Thermal Base LayersSmartwoolSmartwool Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer Top$$ See on Amazon →
Before you buy anything

A few things worth knowing first

Snowshoe sizing is about your body weight plus pack weight, not your shoe size. Every manufacturer publishes a weight chart and you should follow it. The right-sized snowshoe keeps you on top of soft snow; the wrong size has you punching through on every step.

Your current winter boots might already work. Any waterproof boot rated below 0°F that fits a standard snowshoe binding is fine for day hiking. Save the boot budget unless your current winter footwear is inadequate.

Trekking poles are optional on flat groomed trails but become essentially mandatory once you're on hills or uneven terrain. They save your knees on descents and keep you upright on icy side-slopes. Buy cheap collapsible ones before your first outing — you'll use them every time.

The gear

What you actually need

Snowshoes

The most important decision in snowshoeing is matching snowshoe size to your body weight — this is called float rating, and every manufacturer publishes a weight chart you should actually follow. Heavier hikers need more surface area to stay on top of soft snow; lighter hikers can use shorter, more maneuverable frames. For flat groomed trails, go smaller. For backcountry powder, go bigger. Frame material matters too: aluminum is lighter and more durable than plastic decks but costs more. Bindings should cinch over any boot without fiddling — look for a step-in or ratchet design, not buckle straps that take two hands to tighten in the cold.

Snowshoes — what's the difference?

A few common shapes, each making a different trade.

Recreational (20-22 inch)

Packed trails and groomed snow. The right starting size for most beginners.

Frame size
20-22 inches
Weight capacity
Up to 180 lbs with pack
Best terrain
Groomed, packed trails

Best for Day hikers, beginners, groomed nature center trails

Tradeoff Sinks in deep unconsolidated powder; less float

↓ See our pick
Backcountry (25 inch+)

Deeper powder and variable terrain. More float when conditions demand it.

Frame size
25-30 inches
Weight capacity
200+ lbs with pack
Best terrain
Off-trail, variable snow

Best for Heavier hikers, off-trail exploration, deep powder

Tradeoff Bulkier and heavier than recreational frames on packed trails

↓ See our pick
Running (8-12 inch)

Ultralight speed shoe for snow running and racing. Not for hiking.

Frame size
8-12 inches
Weight capacity
Up to 150 lbs
Best terrain
Hard-packed snow, groomed trails

Best for Trail runners transitioning to snow running

Tradeoff Minimal float — useless in soft snow; single-purpose tool

Best starter
MSR

MSR Evo Trail Snowshoe 22-inch

$$

MSR's entry-level aluminum frame is the most-recommended beginner snowshoe for good reason. Steel crampons grip real ice, the Universal Binding wraps any boot without tools, and the 22-inch size handles most day-hikers up to 180 pounds on packed trails. It runs narrow enough to prevent the wide-gait shuffle that tires beginners out. Aluminum survives first-year abuse without cracking or warping.

What we like

  • Aluminum frame and steel crampons outlast plastic decks by years
  • Universal Binding fits any boot without tools or sizing adjustments
  • Narrow frame prevents the wide-gait shuffle that tires beginners out

What to know

  • One size only — hikers over 180 lbs need the 25-inch model
  • No heel lift bar — sustained climbs get tiring without one
See on Amazon →
Budget pick
Yukon Charlie's

Yukon Charlie's PRO II Snowshoe

$

If you're not certain snowshoeing will stick, Yukon Charlie's lets you try it for under $80. Injection-molded frames are heavier than aluminum and can get brittle in extreme cold, but they do the job on groomed trails and gentle terrain. A sensible way to figure out if you want to invest in a proper pair before spending $150.

What we like

  • Under $60 — the right price for figuring out if you'll stick with it
  • Wide design provides decent float on groomed soft snow

What to know

  • Plastic decks add weight and crack in extreme cold unlike aluminum
  • Binding adjustments take longer than premium step-in designs
See on Amazon →
Upgrade pick
MSR

MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoe

$$$

When you're ready to venture off-trail or into serious winter terrain, this is what guides and backcountry regulars carry. Modular tails extend surface area for deeper powder, aggressive crampons handle steep icy terrain, and the heel lift bar meaningfully reduces calf fatigue on sustained climbs. Heavy investment for day hiking, but the right call if you're heading into the mountains.

What we like

  • Modular tails extend surface area for deeper powder conditions
  • Aggressive toe and heel crampons handle steep icy terrain confidently
  • Heel lift bar dramatically reduces calf fatigue on sustained climbs

What to know

  • Over $200 — significant investment for occasional day hikers
  • Heavier than recreational frames; overkill on groomed trails
See on Amazon →
black and brown walking stick on snow covered ground during daytime

Photo by Taylor Murphy on Unsplash

Trekking Poles

Trekking poles make a bigger difference in snowshoeing than on dry trails. They help with balance on uneven snow, reduce knee strain on descents, and give you a way to arrest a slip on a steep icy section. The key spec is adjustability: shorten them for uphill, lengthen for descent. For snow, you also want large snow baskets installed — a standard rubber hiking tip will sink through powder instead of giving you a clean plant. Look for baskets at least 70mm across, which should come standard on winter-configured poles.

Budget pick
Cascade Mountain Tech

Cascade Mountain Tech Adjustable Trekking Poles

$

The poles most first-time snowshoers should buy. Adjustable aluminum construction, foam grip that stays workable in cold gloves, and they collapse to pack inside a car bag. Under $40 for a pair. Nothing fancy — but poles don't need to be fancy. They need to keep you upright when you post-hole through a snow crust at mile three.

What we like

  • Under $40 for a pair — the lowest justifiable entry point for poles
  • Adjustable 24 to 54 inches — works for any height, any terrain

What to know

  • Foam grips get cold on sub-zero days; cork handles better in real cold
  • Tips dull faster than carbide; plan to replace them after a season
See on Amazon →
Best starter
Black Diamond

Black Diamond Trail Cork Trekking Poles

$$

Cork grip, tungsten carbide tips that bite through ice, and oversized snow baskets included — the pieces that matter for snowshoeing. Cork absorbs sweat and stays comfortable through a three-hour outing without the frozen-rubber feel of budget foam. The aluminum shaft won't break when you plant them hard on a steep descent. A thoughtful step up from budget aluminum without carbon's fragility.

What we like

  • Cork grip wicks sweat and stays comfortable for 3-4 hour outings
  • Snow baskets included — no hardware sourcing before your first outing
  • Tungsten carbide tips grip ice that rubber tips slide on

What to know

  • Heavier than carbon poles — worth considering once you're doing long days
  • More expensive than budget aluminum with less separation from carbon
See on Amazon →

Boots

Your boots need to do two things for snowshoeing: keep your feet warm and fit the snowshoe binding. Almost every binding fits boots from size 6 to 13 — check compatibility only if you're outside that range. Insulation rating matters more than most beginners expect: snowshoeing generates heat while moving but you stop frequently in cold air. Look for at least -20°F rating for anything below freezing, and -40°F if you're heading out in genuine winter. Waterproofing is non-negotiable — a soaked boot at mile two is a medical problem, not a discomfort.

Budget pick
Kamik

Kamik Nationplus Winter Boot

$

Under $90 and genuinely functional for casual snowshoeing days. Kamik has been making winter boots since 1898 — they understand cold in a way that fashion boot brands don't. The removable liner dries overnight instead of staying damp for days, and the waterproof upper does what it says. Not a serious mountaineering boot, which is fine, because you're not doing serious mountaineering yet.

What we like

  • Under $80 and genuinely warm for most winter day conditions
  • Removable liner dries overnight instead of staying damp for days

What to know

  • Heavy sole adds noticeable weight over miles of uneven trail
  • Less ankle support than purpose-built hiking boots on uneven snow
See on Amazon →
Best starter
Columbia

Columbia Bugaboot Plus IV Omni-Heat

$$

200g of Omni-Heat Reflective insulation keeps feet warm to -25°F, the grip outsole bites snow and ice without pretending to be a mountaineering boot, and every snowshoe binding on the market fits it without modification. It's also a legitimate everyday winter boot — you're not buying a single-use item. The kind of purchase that pays for itself the second winter.

What we like

  • Rated to -25°F — actually warm enough for real winter, not just cool weather
  • Omni-Heat Reflective lining noticeably warmer than plain insulation
  • Fits every snowshoe binding on the market without modification

What to know

  • Runs narrow in the toe box — worth trying on before ordering
  • Not stiff enough for technical mountaineering crampons
See on Amazon →
Upgrade pick
Sorel

Sorel Caribou Boot

$$$

The winter boot serious snowshoers and cold-climate residents reach for when conditions get real. A vulcanized rubber shell that's genuinely waterproof, not just water-resistant, and a removable 9mm felt plus 1.5mm recycled rubber liner warm enough for sustained outdoor days in serious cold. Expensive, but the Caribou lasts a decade — a one-time investment in your cold-weather life.

What we like

  • Vulcanized rubber shell is genuinely waterproof, not water-resistant
  • 9mm felt liner provides warmth for sustained cold-weather days
  • Built to last 10+ years with minimal care

What to know

  • Heavy — significant weight penalty on long distances in rough terrain
  • Bulky profile; doesn't pack down for travel
See on Amazon →

Gaiters

Gaiters seal the gap between your boot top and your pants leg — exactly where snow infiltrates and then melts into your sock. Without them, packed snow wicks into your boot whenever you step off-trail or the surface breaks underfoot. The good news: gaiters are cheap and simple. An ankle gaiter handles groomed trails. A knee-height gaiter is what you want for anything involving fresh snow, off-trail travel, or post-holing. You won't regret owning both.

Budget pick
Outdoor Research

Outdoor Research Surge Running Gaiters

$

Ankle-height gaiters that solve the main problem — snow sneaking into your boot cuff — without the cost or bulk of a full gaiter. For groomed trails and packed snow where you're not breaking trail, these handle 80% of snowshoeing conditions. The low profile also slips over snowshoe bindings in under a minute.

What we like

  • Ankle-height design puts on in 30 seconds — no fighting with closures
  • Solves boot infiltration on packed trails for under $30

What to know

  • No coverage above the ankle — useless in deep unconsolidated snow
  • Velcro closure wears out after a season of heavy use
See on Amazon →
Best starter
Outdoor Research

Outdoor Research Rocky Mountain High Gaiters

$$

Knee-height coverage that handles the worst post-holing without snow reaching your calf. The instep strap stays secure over snowshoe bindings all day, and the nylon shell sheds surface snow and light wet. If you're only buying one pair of gaiters for real snowshoeing conditions, buy these.

What we like

  • Knee-height coverage stops snow infiltration even when post-holing
  • Instep strap stays secure over snowshoe bindings all day

What to know

  • Takes 2-3 minutes to put on — a nuisance at the trailhead at first
  • Full-height coverage is overkill on groomed trails; ankle gaiters suffice there
See on Amazon →

Thermal Base Layers

Snowshoeing creates more body heat than most people expect — you'll be warm while moving and cold the moment you stop. The solution is a moisture-wicking base layer that moves sweat away from your skin, keeping you dry during effort and preventing the clammy chill when you pause. Merino wool is the gold standard: it regulates temperature across a wide range, doesn't smell after a day of use, and is comfortable enough to wear without a mid layer on warmer days. Cotton holds moisture and gets cold fast — leave it at home.

Budget pick
Minus33

Minus33 Midweight Merino Wool Crew

$

Real merino wool at 20-30% less than Smartwool, with slightly less next-to-skin softness. For most snowshoers, the performance difference is academic. Minus33 is family-owned, ethically sourced, and actually performs in cold weather — this isn't a price cut on inferior fiber.

What we like

  • Real merino wool at 20-30% less than the big brands — same fiber
  • Family-owned brand; ethical sourcing is verifiable

What to know

  • Slightly scratchier against sensitive skin than Smartwool's softer blends
  • Runs large — order a size down for a properly fitted base layer
See on Amazon →
Best starter
Smartwool

Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer Top

$$

Merino wool regulates temperature better than synthetics when you're alternating hard effort with cold rest stops — exactly the snowshoeing pattern. It also doesn't smell after a day of use, which matters on long outings. Smartwool's thermal weight is the right call for most winter activity: warm enough to stand still in, breathable enough to hike hard in.

What we like

  • Regulates temperature well across hard effort and cold rest stops
  • Merino doesn't smell after a day of use — critical for long outings
  • Machine washable unlike some performance fabrics

What to know

  • More expensive than synthetic base layers with similar warmth ratings
  • Delicate fiber — avoid snagging on rough pack straps or velcro
See on Amazon →
Going deeper

Your first season of snowshoeing

Snowshoeing takes about ten minutes to learn and opens every snow-covered trail that closes in winter. Here's how your first season actually goes.

Read the guide →
Save your money

What you don't need yet

Beginners get pressured to buy a lot of stuff that doesn't help them play better. Here's what we'd skip on day one.

  • Avalanche safety kit (beacon, probe, shovel) — Essential for serious backcountry in avalanche terrain. Unnecessary for groomed trails, marked nature paths, or day hikes at established parks.
  • Microspikes or crampons — A different tool for a different problem — walking on ice without snowshoes. You'll know when you need them. Don't confuse them with snowshoes.
  • A snowshoe-specific daypack — Any daypack with a hip belt works. A snowshoe-specific pack is a convenience upgrade, not a necessity.
  • Chemical hand warmers — Nice in extreme cold, but good waterproof gloves or mittens solve the problem better and indefinitely. Buy quality handwear first.
  • GPS beacon or personal locator — For remote backcountry trips, yes. For your first dozen outings on marked trails near a trailhead, your phone and leaving a trip plan with someone is plenty.
First week

Your first seven days

A short, real plan to get from gear-on-doorstep to actually playing.

  1. Find a snowshoe trail or nature center near you — many state and county parks groom snowshoe loops in winter. · Action
  2. Order snowshoes sized to your body weight plus pack weight — check the manufacturer's weight chart before clicking buy. · Buy
  3. Verify your winter boots are waterproof and rated below 0°F. If not, this is the moment to upgrade — wet feet at mile two is a miserable experience. · Action
  4. Get a pair of gaiters before your first outing. Snow infiltrating your boot cuff is annoying for the first five minutes and dangerous for the next two hours. · Buy
  5. Dress in layers. A moisture-wicking base, an insulating mid layer, and a waterproof shell outperform any single heavy jacket when your effort level varies. · Learn
  6. Tell someone your trailhead, your route, and your expected return time before you go. This is basic winter safety, not paranoia. · Action
FAQ

Common questions

What size snowshoes do I need?

Size is determined by your body weight plus pack weight, not your shoe size. Most manufacturers provide a weight chart: typically 20-22 inch frames for people under 150 lbs, 25-inch frames for 150-200 lbs, and 30-inch frames for 200+ lbs or deep-powder conditions. When in doubt, go bigger — more float is better than too little.

Do I need trekking poles for snowshoeing?

Not on flat groomed trails, but yes on anything with hills. Poles dramatically reduce knee strain on descents, help you stay upright on icy side-slopes, and give you something to lean on when you punch through a snow crust unexpectedly. Buy cheap aluminum poles before your first hilly outing and you'll use them every time.

Can I use regular hiking boots for snowshoeing?

Only if they're waterproof and warm enough for the conditions. A three-season hiking boot in below-freezing temps will leave your feet cold and wet within the first mile. You need a boot rated for real cold — at minimum -20°F. If your hiking boots meet that standard, you're fine. If not, buy dedicated winter boots.

How hard is snowshoeing physically?

Harder than walking on dry ground, easier than cross-country skiing. Expect to work about 50% harder for the same distance and elevation gain as summer hiking — the added weight of the snowshoes and the resistance of snow add up. Start with shorter outings than your summer hiking distance and add more once you know how your body responds.

What's the difference between recreational and backcountry snowshoes?

Recreational snowshoes are lighter and narrower, designed for groomed trails and moderate packed-snow terrain. Backcountry snowshoes have longer frames for float in soft powder, more aggressive crampons for steep terrain, and often a heel lift bar for climbs. Start with recreational. Buy backcountry when you've earned the need.

How much should I expect to spend to get started?

Budget around $150-200 for a solid pair of beginner snowshoes, $30-80 for poles, and $80-150 for boots if you don't already own suitable ones. Add $25-50 for gaiters. Total first-kit spend runs $285-430 fully equipped; significantly less if your winter boots already work.

Going further

Where to next

Related hobbies

Browse by category

Authoritative sources

  • REI Expert Advice: Snowshoeing — REI's comprehensive beginner guide covers sizing, technique, safety, and trail finding. A reliable starting point before your first outing.
  • MSR Snowshoe Selection Guide — MSR's sizing guide walks through float rating, terrain type, and binding selection in specific terms. Useful even if you don't buy MSR.
  • AllTrails Snowshoeing — Filter trails by 'snowshoe' activity type. Includes difficulty ratings, reviews, and photos from people who've hiked the route recently.
  • American Hiking Society — Winter trail safety, Leave No Trace principles, and trail advocacy. A good complement to AllTrails for understanding trail etiquette.
  • r/snowshoeing — Small but active community. Good for gear questions, trail recommendations by region, and first-timer questions answered without judgment.

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