Traditional snowshoes consist of wooden frames with leather lacing to support the weight of your foot. The lacing distribute your weight over a larger area and allow you to walk on top of the snow. Wood and leather snowshoes can degrade with use and time, increasing the possibility that they will break. To help your snowshoes last as long as possible, take care to correctly maintain the lacing as well as the leather bindings.
Types of Snowshoe Leather
Snowshoes made before 1950 are generally wooden with rawhide lacing and bindings. After 1950, manufacturers began using metal and plastic to improve durability. Some manufacturers continued to use wooden frames and leather bindings, but replaced the rawhide lacing with neoprene. Leather lacing can spoil, making them the weakest part of the snowshoe. Today, you're not likely to find many leather-laced snowshoes that can still support the weight of your foot, unless they've been re-laced. However, you may still find leather bindings.
Cleaning
Directly after you use your snowshoes, you should clean the laces and bindings. Richard Thomas at Trails.com recommends using a damp rag and saddle soap. Rub the soap into the leather, then wipe it away with another damp rag. Once the leather is clean, leave your snowshoes in a warm place and let them dry completely. This will stop them from rotting, which would reduce their integrity and increase your risk of a broken shoe the next time you go trekking.
Oiling
Once your snowshoes have dried completely, Thomas writes, set out a drop cloth or a thick layer of papers to protect your work area. Rub mink oil into the leather laces and bindings. Remember that they are thicker than boot laces and shoe leather, and will need a generous amount of oil. Let the oil soak in for about an hour, then wipe it away with a dry rag. Let your laces dry completely before using them again.
Varnishing
Chichester, Inc., a manufacturer of traditional ash and leather snowshoes, recommends varnishing your snowshoe laces on a regular basis. If your laces become limp, let them dry completely and then varnish them generously with an exterior oil-based varnish. Chichester's supplier uses boat varnish, which they claim can be bought at most hardware stores. Planet Green recommends using an eco-friendly varnish, which won't pollute the groundwater after you walk through the snow.
Storage
Surprisingly, snowshoes should not be allowed to freeze solid, because freezing can ruin the leather. Chichester, Inc. recommends keeping your shoes in a cool, dry place, and never leaving them in the trunk of your car or another spot where they are subject to temperature fluctuations. Store them away from the sun, and from rodents who may like to gnaw on rawhide.
Mending
The older and more well-used your snowshoes are, the more likely it becomes that you'll need to replace leather laces and bindings. Planet Green says that you can find replacement laces for under $5. If you plan to travel far, carry a spare set of laces with you at all times.
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