Snowshoeing is an ancient mode of winter transportation which has been practiced in snowy areas for millennia. As of 2010, snowshoeing is one of the fastest-growing winter sports -- it provides excellent, relatively low-impact cardiovascular exercise which burns roughly 600 calories per hour, according to the online Snowshoe Magazine. Snowshoers can use a variety of footwear, ranging from hiking boots of leather or synthetic materials, to running shoes.
Waterproofing
The best boots for snowshoeing are waterproof. If your boots are not waterproof, or if their waterproofing has worn off, use waterproofing spray to treat your boots before going snowshoeing. You can also wear gaiters over your boots during snowshoeing in order keep deep or powdery snow out of your boots. Although hiking boots are a popular style for use with snowshoes, you can also use waterproof running or trail-running shoes which may be lightweight and more comfortable.
Stability
Boots are made in a wide spectrum of relative stability and flexibility levels. According to the website Outdoor Eyes, you should choose a more stable, inflexible boot style for long-distance snowshoeing that involves steep ascents or descents. Shorter-distance snowshoeing, or one which does not involve steep grades, may be more comfortably achieved with a more flexible boot. As a rule of thumb, choose the same boot to hike an area outside of the snowy season as you would choose for snowshoeing the same area.
Size
Boots for snowshoeing should be large enough that you can layer socks inside the boot to keep your feet warm and your blood circulating properly while you are out in the snow. You may need to wear a boot that is a size or two larger than your regular shoes, and perhaps a wider fitting, in order to accommodate layered snowshoeing socks. Wear thin, light socks closest to your feet under thicker sock that fill the remaining space in the boots. Sock layers should not be so tight as to constrict circulation in your feet.
Other Features
Snowshoes attach to your boot with a binding which needs to grab on to the back of your boot. Therefore, the best boots for snowshoeing feature an inbuilt rear notch to receive this binding and hold the snowshoe to your boot as you move. Outdoor Eyes reports that boots which flex at the ball of your foot are the most appropriate and comfortable for use with snowshoes. Snowshoe Magazine notes that snowboarding boots can work well with snowshoes.
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