If you can walk, you can snowshoe. Snowshoeing is a great wintertime aerobic exercise, helping you to burn calories and stay in shape through the snowy months. With snowshoes, you can move smoothly over the top of the snow without sinking in. You can snowshoe along hiking trails, cross-country ski trails and your own backyard. Modern snowshoes require little maintenance. Whether you choose traditional style snowshoes with rawhide lacings or modern aluminum frame models, observing a few care tips will keep your snowshoes in top shape, so that they're ready whenever you want to explore.
Traditional Snowshoes
Step 1
Apply a coat of oil-based exterior varnish to rawhide lacings and wooden frames once a year, recommends manufacturer Faber Snowshoes. The varnish helps keep the lacings from stretching and sagging.
Step 2
Bring the snowshoes indoors after every outing. Don't leave the snowshoes in the trunk of a car or an unheated garage where the wet rawhide could freeze.
Step 3
Air dry the snowshoes away from direct heat to avoid warping the frames or the rawhide. Store in a cool, dry place, out of reach of rodents, who like to chew on the rawhide.
Aluminum Framed Snowshoes
Step 1
Wipe the snowshoes after each use with a soft, dry cloth.
Step 2
Run the flame of the lighter over any fraying you may notice along the edges of the nylon decking material. The nylon will melt, stopping the fraying. Be careful to touch the flame only to the fraying edge and not to the body of the nylon. Don't concentrate the frame on one area or you risk burning a hole in the decking.
Step 3
Patch any holes in the decking with duct tape. Thoroughly dry the decking. Cut out a section of duct tape slightly larger than the hole. Press the duct tape over the hole and smooth firmly onto the decking.
Step 4
Store the snowshoes in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight, which can fade or damage the nylon.
Things You'll Need
- Oil-based exterior varnish
- Brush
- Soft cloth
- Lighter
- Duct tape
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