Initial Report: Hike Snowshoe

Product Information:

Manufacturer: Redfeather

Model: Hike Snowshoe

Year of Manufacture: 2003

URL: http://www.redfeather.com

MSRP: $119

Listed weight: 3.7 lb (1.4 kg)

Verified Weight: 3.8 lb (1.7 kg)

Size: H30 - "designed for loads up to 220 lb (80 kg)"

Frame Dimensions: Length 30.5 in (77 cm) Width 9.5 in (24 cm)

Front Cleat (crampon) Teeth Length 1.75 in (4.45 cm)

Side Cleat (crampon) Teeth 1.25 in (3.17 cm)

            (The side cleat is actually part of the front cleat.)

Rear Cleat (crampon) Teeth 1 in (2.54 cm)

Inside distance between beginning of front and rear cleats: 5.4 in (13.7 cm)

Outside distance between the ends of the front and rear cleats: 9.5 in (4.31 cm)

Manufacturer listed features:

• "Rounded Western Tail provides maximum flotation"
• "Industry Leader with Live Action Hinge technology -springs back after each step, providing smooth, natural ergonomic motion for any snowshoe challenge."
• "ATB (All Terrain Binding) binding for reliable yet adjustable fit"
• "Stainless steel front and rear crampons offer superior traction in all snow conditions."

            The shoes come in 4 sizes ranging in weight capacity from 150 lb (68 kg) to more than 220 lb (100 kg).  I chose the H30 because I weigh about 165 lb (75 kg) and understand that when I get into overnight winter backpack trips my pack could weigh over 40 lb (18 kg), putting my total weight well over the 175 lb (79 kg) limit of the H25. The H25 might have proven more maneuverable for casual walking, but I believe the H30 will prove to be a good solution for both casual walking and overnight trips. The field report will document the reality of this belief.

            Redfeather claims the "Rounded Western Tail provides maximum flotation". An Ojibwa Indian style of snowshoe with a pointed tail provides greater mobility, so I believe that Redfeather's claim is true of all snowshoes with a rounded tail.

 Description of Bindings:

             Although no snow was present, I wore the snowshoes for a bit to test the fit and function of the ATB bindings. Besides being "hinged" to the rubber decking at a pivot line with two rivets, the bindings consist of three adjustable straps made of a material similar to nylon pack straps.  The front strap simply crosses over the ball of the foot. The mid strap weaves in front of the ankle twice. The rear strap snugs against the heel of the boot, keeping it firmly in the snowshoe. Binding anchor points are secure and the strap locks are high quality. The strap buckles effectively prohibit loosening yet allow the wearer to tighten them with minimal effort.  I feel confident the strap locks will stay locked for many miles or perhaps a day's journey. Redfeather claims the bindings "will always stay secure around your boot so you'll never have to slow down on the trail." I will document the test of that claim in a field report.

            During the initial test, I enjoyed clomping around my snowless yard in the Hike snowshoes. It took only a little extra to get the shoes up and working. Walking in snowshoes requires a motion that seems exaggerated compared to normal walking. I felt more comfortable moving at a jog.

 Packaging:

             The Hike snowshoes arrived bundled together with zip ties. The shipping carton included a packing list. The bundle included a card attached to the outside that provided minimal sales information regarding the features and fit of the snowshoes. The card promised a "free snowshoeing guide inside the package". The guide includes sections labeled the Redfeather story, Snowshoeing 101, Redfeather Product Line and Red Feather Warranty. Snowshoeing 101 appears to do an adequate job of describing snowshoeing technique, safety and where to go.

 Test Plans:

             First and foremost I will test the Hike snowshoes for their advertised use of "recreational hiking and casual walking", i.e. without a backpack. I will also test the snowshoes while carrying a backpack weighing as little as 10 pounds (5 kilograms) and as much as 40 pounds (18 kilograms). I weigh about 165 pounds (75 kilograms). Because combined pack weight and body weight will be over 175 pounds (79 kilograms) I requested and received the H30. I will test the bindings to discover the durability of fit, function and comfort. I will test the Hike snowshoes with different types of footgear: hiking shoes, Gore-Tex hiking boots and plastic winter boots and mention it in the field report.

            I will test the snowshoes with and without the use of a trekking pole. I will test their use on flat frozen, icy ground as well as deep loose snow. I expect the Hike snowshoes to enhance my footing and travel in both conditions.

 
Field information:  

            I plan to use the Hike Snowshoes on many day hikes here in Southwest Michigan.  I will also take the snowshoes up north to test them in deeper snow.

            During Hike snowshoe testing, temperatures are expected to range between 0° F (-18° C) and 50° F (10° C). Altitudes are expected to range no higher than 1500 feet (460 meters) and no lower than 600 feet (180 meters) above sea level, primarily in Michigan.

            Other than the occasional frozen sand dune climb, terrain is expected to consist of frozen or powdered snow covered rolling hills and flat land. Snow drift and pack depths are expected to be not much deeper than 36 inches (about 1 meter) and everything below.

Personal Data:
Paul Schilke, 30, Male, 165 lbs (75 kg)
Berrien Springs, Michigan USA 
 

Paul AT qtm DOT net (primary)
ElTorro AT BackPacker DOT com 

Backpacking Background: 
            I grew up on a farm and have been hiking for 25 years. In the past 11 years, I've been on several multi-night backpack expeditions. In 2002, I spent 7.5 months hiking roughly 2 thousand miles of the Appalachian Trail (AT). In 2003 I hiked 350 miles on the North Country Trail (NCT) through Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Other outdoor activities within the last 20 years have included rock-climbing, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, ice fishing and cycling. Although I have a paralyzed hand which limits my ability to paddle, I've ridden inside a canoe on the Green River through Canyon Lands National Park in Utah.

            My hiking style is lightweight but I carry the gear needed to be comfortable. Currently my base pack weight ranges near 20 lb. (9 kg). On the AT, I carried only a sylnylon poncho tarp that measured 3 x 8 feet (0.91 x 2.44 m). On the North Country Trail I used an 8 x 10 foot (2.44 x 3.05 m) sylnylon tarp, with 1 hiking staff, an alcohol stove and a titanium pot. My synthetic sleeping bag continues to be the heaviest item in my pack. One day I will purchase a down sleeping bag.

Where I recreate: 
            The terrain of Southwest Michigan ranges from the sand dunes of coastal Lake Michigan to inland forests, meadows, marshes and bogs. The highest point in Michigan is Mount Arvon at 1,979 feet (603 meters) above sea level. The average elevation throughout the state is about 900 feet (274 meters), according to Netstate.com.

            Temperatures in Michigan range from an average low of 17° F (-8° C) to an average high of 81° F (27° C) in July. The highest temperature ever recorded was 104° F (40° C) and the lowest temperature ever recorded was -21° F (-29° C), according to the Midwest Regional Climate Center's website. We have quite a few lakes here in Michigan; summers are humid and sticky.