What To Look For
Snowshoes keep you on top of deep snow instead of buried in it by distributing your weight over a large surface area. As such, the one quality you can't do without in a snowshoe no matter what other features it may have is proper flotation.
Weigh both yourself and a pack, with a load typical to what you plan to carry when using the snowshoes. Then check snowshoe labels, looking for a pair of snowshoes that's rated to carry your weight, plus the weight of your pack. If you're on the upper cusp of a listed weight range, consider shifting up to the next size---especially if you're planning to travel in loose powder.
Common Pitfalls
Most snowshoes are sturdily built. If there's any such thing as a weak point, it's usually the bindings. If the binding doesn't fit your boot snugly and center the ball of your foot over the hinge where binding meets snowshoe, snowshoeing quickly becomes an exercise in frustration. Bring your snowshoeing boots and socks with you to the store and try them on with the snowshoes; this is the only way to be sure the bindings fit and properly position your feet. If the binding doesn't correctly position your foot, you'll be confined to an unnatural, awkward gait. And if the binding is loose enough that your boot can shift around inside it, you'll waste energy with every step you take.
Where To Buy
Shopping at a brick-and-mortar outdoor gear retailer gives you a chance to see first-hand the differences between backcountry snowshoes with sturdy bindings and aggressive crampons, recreational snowshoes with less-aggressive crampons or sometimes no crampons at all, and taper-tailed racing snowshoes. Once you've got a feel for the different types of snowshoes, you can make your purchase. You can buy from the retailer or shop for similar models online. If you're looking for a bargain on used snowshoes, visit university outdoor programs, winter gear swaps and check online ads.
Cost
According to Snowshoe Magazine's First-Timer's Guide, you can expect to spend about $100 for a pair of low-end snowshoes and up to $300 for high-end models. You're not going to wear a pair of quality snowshoes out any time soon, so invest as much as you reasonably can in a pair that will be a pleasure every time you put them on.
Insider Tips
You're going to be snowshoeing in the cold, which means you'll probably be wearing gloves or mittens. Bring these with you to the store and put them on before you try fastening and tightening, then getting yourself back out of the snowshoe bindings. You'll quickly get a feel for which binding fasteners you can handle without having to expose your hands to the cold.
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