snowshoes
by nanako & jedelyn
history
how snowshoes are made
- For the best snowshoes, the wood is carefully split by hand. However, most people rely on wood cutting at a sawmill, for reasons of cost. The person checks the wood for poor grain and large knots, and removes any wood that is not the right quality. Then the wood is steamed, to make it bendable. When the wood is soft enough, the person bends the wood into the shape of the snowshoe frame. The frames are then dried, usually in a hot room. This takes two to seven days.
- 2 After the frames have dried completely, the person sands them. Holes are drilled for the lacing, and two wooden cross pieces are inserted.
- 3 Lacing is usually done by professional workers. Lacing with rawhide is usually done in the snowshoe factory, since the rawhide can go bad it has to be kept under certain conditions. Neoprene does not spoil, and many people hire workers to do neoprene lacing in their homes. A professional lacer can finish up to ten pairs of snowshoes in one day. The laces are laced in a specific pattern and pulled tightly through the holes in the rim of the frame. A heavier lacing is usually used for the center portion of the shoe, directly under the foot.
- 4 The worker who laces the snowshoe usually also do the binding, which is the arrangement of straps that holds the foot to the snowshoe. Then, the snowshoes are returned to the factory and checked. They do another period of drying. Next, they are boxed and shipped to stores.
difference from now and then
snowshoes then
snow shoes now
comparing now and then
who uses it
how snowshoes are used
different types of snowshoes
the bear paw
Bear paw snowshoes are oval and copy the rounded, solid paw of a bear. This type of snowshoe works well in dense forests, where you need to move around without the added burden of a snowshoe tail. They are also useful for carrying heavy loads or for use by heavier people. They do, however, make moving around slower than other types of snowshoes and are not the best for very deep snow.
the beaver tail
Beaver tail snowshoes mimic a tennis racket, that includes a rounded foot bed with a tail attached to the back. The tail, gives advantages in dense woods or other tight spaces. This reduces the effort required. The tail also helps keep the snowshoe in a straight line to make walking easier. Beaver-tail snowshoes work best in open areas and are not very good in very deep or light, powdery snow.
the michigan or maine snowshoe
green mountain
alaskan snowshoe
ojibwa snowshoe
Ojibwa snowshoes include a very pointed toe area and tail, making them great for deep snow. The pointed ends remove snow quickly and easily without pulling you down. This aspect also makes them an ideal snowshoe for beginners who are just learning how to traipse across the snow. Their design, however, is not conducive to maneuvering in tight areas or dense woods.