>>2794481
They are for flotation in deep snow. If your snow isn't deep, you don't need them.

>>2794482
does that work even if im really fat?

>>2794483
Yes, if you buy larger ones.

>>2794484
meaning like wider or longer or both?

>>2794485
Both. Snowshoes come in different sizes, if you are fat you should buy the largest size.

Skiis are better in every single situation other than going up steep hills.

>>2794481
>Why do i need snow shoes in winter?
well, you dont, a solid pair of boots is fine

>>2794481
why do i need winter shoes in snow?

>>2794491
Yeah bro just post hole for a few miles you’ll be fine lol

>>2794485
they also make really long, narrow ones

>>2794490
*adds skins to skis*
*adds crampons to skis*
Uphill doesn't stop you anymore.

>>2794481
enjoy dying in a crevasse OP

>>2794490
Can be solved easily by having skins. But I find snowshoes to be better in varied terrain.

>>2794491
Great advice anon, I'll just burn out stomping through the snow

>>2794490
Ski boots suck though

>>2794891
You can get skis that stay on normal boots, norwegian military uses them.

>>2794481
Snowshoes are a versatile tool that everyone should be carrying for winter hikes. They only weight 3 or 4 lb and provide excellent traction second only to proper mountaineering crampons (which usually require specialized rigid boots)
It's also courteous to your fellow hikers, once snowshoe hikers break in a trail, there's usually a point where the snow isn't compacted enough to walk on it bareboot or in microspikes without postholing and doing so will ruin the smooth compacted trail that's been broken.

It absolutely depends on where you hike and the weather that year but the cost of jamming some snowshoes into the compression straps of your bag is pretty low for the payout if you need them. Also heel lifters (pic related) are an absolute godsend for going uphill.

>>2794481
You need them, look up mad trapper of rat river for how useful snow shoes are.

>>2794481
i use a pair of hiking shoes, never get cold, work perfectly even though they weren't "advertised" for snowy conditions.

>>2794481
Why do I need a truck? My donkey and cart seem to do just fine walking through the snow as is.

>>2794481
I just walk barefoot in the snow because I know how to regulate my body temperature fairly well.

>>2794481
>Why do i need snow shoes in winter? My boot seem to do just fine walking through snow as is.
you answered your own question, idiot.

>>2794481
define snow?
>thickness
>softness
>wetness
>temperature?
5cm of dense, wet snow is sandals, 5m of dry fluffy snow is scuba gear.

>>2794481
all you need are trail runners. wtf?

>>2797056
Incorrect. The Romans proved all you need are flip flops.

>>2794481
you're right, there's no utility to snow shoes and everyone else is larping. Your experience definitely ins't limited and you can't intuitively see how show shoes might be different from boots.

>>2794481
You need it for deep snow - powdery uncompacted snow, fresh snow on a high mountain. If you've ever been in snow like that, you would know it, and realise "damn I wish I had snow shoes". It becomes impassable.

If that hasn't happened, then no, you don't need snow shoes. The boundary is when it's far above your knees.

If the snow is firm, wet, not deep, or been compacted and/or had many other people walking on it (e.g. on a trail), then you don't need snow shoes.

Once the snow is up to your thighs it's just really impossible to make any progress. It's not walking any more, it's digging yourself out of a hole only to be in another one. You can't lift your knee up any more because of the weight of the snow, and if you go higher into the deeper snow, you risk falling up to your chest or more. The only option unless you want to die is to go back the way you came. And remember next time to bring snow shoes.

If you are just walking around in some snow of a few inches or feet, then sure, boots are fine. If the snow is deeper than your boots, use gaiters to avoid getting snow in your boots and getting wet frozen feet or frostbitten.

>>2794891
>>2795000
Finnish army also uses skis that stay on boots. Here they get attached to the winter rubber boots. Those are surprisingly comfortable to use actually. I guess the main difference on between "wilderness skis" and sports skis is thay wilderness skis are about double the width and attachable to regural boots.
In Finland many hunters also prefer to use skis, since that makes movement in the snowy forest a lot more effortless than with snow shoes or bare boots.

because they're fun? what the fuck is wrong with you faggots? are you all retards?