Faber Bear Paw - Heavy Duty Lacing

A wonderful snowshoe for powder and (especially) wet snow conditions.

The Faber Bear Paws, Heavy Duty Lacing come in a 14x30 inch version and a 16x30 inch version. Mine are the 16" wide version.

The first thing to know about traditional snowshoes is that they require maintenance. They should get at least one coat of spar varnish prior to their first use and between seasons. They should be brought in to dry between uses. Store them in an airy place out of direct sunlight and keep them off the floor or critters will snack on the babiche.

These snowshoes really excel under the following conditions:

• in the bush, where blowdown and secondary growth would hang up a set of snowshoes with a tail
• in wet snow — the surface area makes for great flotation, and the widely spaced lacing allows clumps of snow to fall through; snow does not stick to the wood frame as with aluminum tubing
• on flat or rolling terrain — I have climbed with them, but I find that narrower snowshoes work better for steeper pitches
• while photographing or hunting animals and birds — these snowshoes are so much quieter than aluminum frame or injected plastic models
• for survey and other forestry work — the short space between the front crossbar and the nose lets the wearer get up close

Look elsewhere if:

• you are a purely recreational user who is unlikely to give these snowshoes the TLC they deserve
• you expect to be spending a lot of time on crusty snow or ice
• you are going to spending time on a lot up in the hills; trads can work great in powder and wet snow in the mountains, but I advise going with the Elongated Bear Paw model for what are sure to be some narrow trails with switchbacks
• your time is going to be spent on open terrain — a model with an unturned nose (which is less likely to dig into drifts and send you faceplanting) and a tail (to help keep you and your snowshoes tracking straight out in the wind) will probably serve you better