Snowshoe Size Calculator 🎿
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Snowshoe Size Calculator – Know Your Perfect Fit in Minutes
Choosing the right snowshoe size is crucial for an enjoyable experience over the Swiss Alps.
When last time while skiing, I was struggling with my feet digging in and hard to move, I decided right there I would do something so that anyone could easily determine their Snowshoe length and this guide will walk you through the simple journey on that.
Our Snowshoe Size Calculator is a simple tool helping you determine the right snowshoe size calculated with your weight and height.
This tool will quickly suggest the perfect size, whether you are selecting for yourself or for your child, the process is easy to start your adventure.
Our team of industry experts has put in extensive effort in snowshoeing, and outdoor gear, with seamless integration of advanced algorithms to develop the Snowshoe Size Calculator.
Every aspect of the tool has been curated to deliver results with precision based on user inputs such as weight and height.
The tier 1 research and analysis on snowshoe size guidelines, tested the tool rigorously across several conditions and fine-tuned the final calculations to ensure that every recommendation is always the best fit.
How to Use Our Snowshoe Size Calculator?
Using the Snowshoe Size Calculator is quick and easy. We’ve designed it keeping in mind that the user won’t always be an expert, hence we developed an intuitive interface and design so you can get your results hassle-free. Below are simple steps to start calculating your snowshoe sizing;
1. Select Your Category
Start by selecting who you’re calculating for, yourself or a kid. This will ensure that the calculator is recommending snowshoe sizes that are curated to the particular weight range for adults or children.
2. Enter Your Height and Weight
These two key measurements will play a crucial role in determining the right snowshoe size and making sure you get them right.
Why? Because snowshoes’ primary purpose is to support your body weight to keep floating on top of the snow, the length should complement your stride.
3. Get Your Snowshoe Size Recommendation
After you’ve entered your information, now hit the calculate button, and the calculator will instantly show you the recommended snowshoe size, calculated based on your fed readings for weight and height.
No complicated formulas or guesswork and you just get your accurate sizing based on your stats.
That’s it. In three simple steps, you’re now ready to get out there and enjoy your snowshoeing adventure without worrying if your gear will hold up.
Why Does Snowshoe Size Matter?
Many beginners might wonder, “Does snowshoe size really make that big of a difference?” The answer is a big yes, I made that mistake some 10 years ago on my first skiing trip, learn below why it’s important;
- Proper Weight Distribution:- Snowshoes are always designed for uniformly distributing your weight across the snow, preventing you from sinking in deep, or in spots of powdery snow. The wrong size could cause two scenarios mainly, it could either sink too much (if too small) or be overly cumbersome to walk in (if too large).
- Enhanced Mobility:- The length of your snowshoe you are wearing will always affect how easily you can walk. Larger snowshoes, though providing better flotation in deep snow, may hinder your movement if you’re not familiar with them. Smaller snowshoes, on the contrary, are mostly easy and light but would fail to offer the float you need in deeper snow.
- Tailored for Different Terrains:- Different snowshoe sizes are optimized for varying terrains. If you’re hiking in packed snow or trails, you can usually opt for a smaller size. For deep, powdery snow or untracked areas, a larger size is always recommended as it’s ideal.
Snowshoe Size Chart
To provide you with a better idea and real sense of how snowshoe sizes align with weight and height, below is a general guide on the Snowshoe Size Calculator based its results on.
Snowshoe Size Chart (For Adults)
| Weight (lbs) | Recommended Snowshoe Size |
| Up to 80 lbs | 20 inches |
| 81 – 125 lbs | 21 inches |
| 126 – 150 lbs | 22 inches |
| 151 – 175 lbs | 25 inches |
| 176 – 220 lbs | 30 inches |
| Over 220 lbs | 35/36 inches |
Snowshoe Size Chart (For Kids)
| Weight (lbs) | Recommended Snowshoe Size |
| Up to 50 lbs | 16 inches |
| 51 – 75 lbs | 18 inches |
| 76 – 100 lbs | 19 inches |
| Over 100 lbs | 20 inches |
This chart helps you understand the most common sizes recommended based on weight.
Of course, your height also plays a role, but remember that weight is the primary factor that you must consider while snowshoeing and it’s not only you, count in your gear weight also.
Common Errors When Sizing Snowshoes
Extensive testing and rigid usage helped us to determine that our snowshoe size calculator is delivering optimized and foolproof results, it’s still worth noting a few commonly made mistakes when sizing snowshoes;
1. Ignoring Load Weight
If you aren’t considering your gear weight, you would end up with snowshoes that are too small which makes it hard to keep floating over the snow.
2. Choosing Size Based on Height Alone
While height is important, it’s your weight that would primarily determine snowshoe size. If you are considering your height alone, you most likely would end up with snowshoes that aren’t ideal for your conditions.
3. Not Considering Terrain
Some people always assume general conditions when it comes to terrain, and conclude that bigger snowshoes are always better.
In case you’re hiking in compacted snow or on steep trails, smaller snowshoes would always be problematic and could never serve you better.
Common Issues With Snowshoe Sizing And Their Fixes
While our Snowshoe Size Calculator offers accurate recommendations, we have accumulated some common problems people encounter with snowshoe sizing, which we got while researching from platforms like Reddit and Quora.
Below are a few common issues and how you can easily fix them;
1. Sinking into Deep Snow
- Issue: Even with your recommended size, you feel like sinking too much into the snow.
- Fix: If you’re sinking, the snowshoe size is probably not large enough for the snow conditions. Deep powder needs more flotation, so consider upsizing a bit or selecting a model designed specifically for powder. Another fix could be to tighten your bindings, as a loose fit could also reduce the snowshoe’s grip.
2. Difficulty Moving in Tight Spaces
- Issue: Your snowshoes feel too long and heavy which makes it hard to maneuver, especially in wooded or steep areas.
- Fix: This is a common issue if the snowshoes are too large for the type of terrain you’re traversing in. For narrow or technical trails, you could factor in a smaller snowshoe size for better mobility. You can also look for many articles available with a tapered tail, which provides more maneuverability in narrow spaces.
3. Feet Slipping Out of Bindings
- Issue: Your feet keep slipping out of the bindings, causing irritation and you are unconfident.
- Fix: If your bindings aren’t secure, the snowshoe won’t serve the purpose. Check that your boots have a snuggle fit into the snowshoe bindings, and adjust by tightening bindings until they feel tight but not uncomfortable. Check snowshoe models which come with specific binding features that are more suitable for larger boots or specific terrains.
4. Extra Effort When Walking
- Issue: You feel like you’re dragging your feet or need to lift them too high for each step, making your walk exhausting.
- Fix: If snowshoeing feels like too much of a job and effort, your snowshoes most probably are too large for your weight or for the terrain. Downsizing a few inches could help reduce fatigue, specifically if you’re traversing on packed trails or neatly done paths where large snowshoes aren’t necessary.
5. Not Considering Extra Load
- Issue: You didn’t consider the weight of your backpack or gear, and now your snowshoes are too tight or too small.
- Fix: When you have to carry a heavy load, it becomes crucial to include the weight of your gear in your calculations while you select snowshoe length. You would require a larger snowshoe to accommodate the extra weight, offering better flotation and support.
Disclaimer: Please note that the sizes provided by our snowshoe size calculator may not perfectly match the sizing conventions of all clothing stores and brands.
Sizes can vary between manufacturers and collections, so we recommend using this tool as a guide and checking the specific size charts of the store or brand you are purchasing from for the most accurate fit.