How to Carry Snowshoes When Hiking

This doesn’t mean, though, that you shouldn’t bring your snowshoes at all. After all, you can’t exactly know what the condition of the snow will be as you go further down the trail.

The best solution, then, would be to bring your snowshoes with you and then carry them when they’re not in use.

Snowshoes will usually weigh around four pounds, so carrying them with your hands or arms will tire you out after a short period. Instead, what you’ll want to do is attach your snowshoes to your bag.

Here are some ways you can carry your snowshoes on your backpack:

In this guide, we discuss several ways you can carry your snowshoes on your backpack.

Let’s do it!

Ways to Carry Your Snowshoes on Your Backpack

Attaching your snowshoes to your backpack is ideal for carrying them when going on a snowshoeing or hiking trip. There are several ways you can do so, but it will all depend on what features your backpack has to offer. Based on these backpack features, you can secure your snowshoes at the front, sides, or on top of your knapsack.

At the Front

Front compression straps

To attach your snowshoes to the front of your backpack, check if any compression straps are available. If there are, check if the straps are adjustable or are long enough so they can wrap around your snowshoes.

Then, stack your snowshoes with the cleats together if possible. Otherwise, make sure that the cleats are facing outward of the backpack to avoid potential damage to the pack’s fabric. Finally, secure the snowshoes to the bag.

Front strap + Front gear pocket

There are also backpacks with compression straps at the front, along with a gear pocket. If wide and deep enough, it is possible to insert your snowshoes into the gear pocket. If your pack has such a feature, you can place your snowshoes in it. Then, strap the shoes with the front compression strap to completely secure them.

Stack the snowshoes together, or make sure the cleats are facing away from the bag.

Bungee-cord system or Front panel

Some backpacks don’t come with front straps or gear pockets. Instead, they use either crisscrossing bungee cords attached to the front or a front panel to secure snowshoeing or hiking gear. Since bungee cords are elastic, it should be possible to fit your snowshoes through them. Front panels also usually have adjustable straps so you can slide your snowshoes through them as well.

As with the previously mentioned methods, stack the snowshoes together, or make sure the cleats face away from the pack.

At the Sides

Side compression straps

There are usually two compression straps on both sides of a backpack, one at the top and the bottom. Check if these straps have enough length or are adjustable so they can fit the width of your snowshoes. Then attach the snowshoes at the top and bottom so that they don’t sway or drop. Also, make sure that the cleats face outward.

Side strap + Large, deep side pocket

If your backpack has pockets at the sides, in addition to a compression strap, you can also put your snowshoes in them. Then secure the upper half with the strap. Check first that the pocket is broad and deep enough for the snowshoes to fit.

A downside to attaching snowshoes to the sides of a backpack is that the shoes can get in the way of the pack’s zipper. So when you want to get something from your knapsack, for example, you’ll have to detach your snowshoes, then reattach them after. As such, it would help a lot if your backpack had other points of access to the main compartment, like a front or back access panel. These features will also be helpful when you want to get something that is at the very bottom of your pack.

On Top

Top or Floating lids

If both the front and side attachment points are in use or are not available, attaching your snowshoes to the top of your backpack is also possible. If your pack has a top or floating lid, you can use it to secure your snowshoes over your pack’s main compartment.

First, loosen the webbing straps of the floating lid. Then, place your snowshoes under the lid and over the bag’s main compartment. Finally, tighten the lid’s straps so that your snowshoes don’t wiggle out and fall off.

Roll-top closure + Y-strap

You can also use backpacks with roll-type closures to secure your snowshoes to the top of the pack. Roll-top knapsacks usually have Y-straps that you can use to secure gear, such as snowshoes, between the top and the main compartment. Make sure to tighten the strap so your snowshoes don’t fall out.

A downside to securing your snowshoes to the top of your pack is that they can also get in the way of your pack’s zipper. You’ll have to detach and reattach your snowshoes if you want to get something from the main compartment. In this case, backpacks with other access points, such as front, back, or side access panels, would be beneficial in avoiding such a problem.

With bungee cords

Usually, knapsacks have compression straps either on the sides or at the front. Still, typically they’re not made to carry more oversized items. So it may be the case the straps of your backpack may end up being too short for securing your snow.

In such cases, you can still latch your snowshoes on your pack by using bungee cords. Loop the cords around the existing straps and tie your snowshoes to the bag. Because bungee cords are elastic, they can easily accommodate various snowshoe types.

FAQs

Is snowshoeing easier than hiking?

Snowshoeing can be a bit more challenging than hiking, mainly because of the presence of snow. Lifting your feet to get through snow can tire you out much more quickly than simply hiking over solid ground. You would require more energy and effort to move through snow, especially when deep.

Do I need trekking poles?

Trekking poles can be a big help when you go out hiking. They can help you keep your balance, absorb shock to your joints, and act as probes for potential hazards, especially when hiking in snowy or icy terrain.

Conclusion

There are several ways to carry your snowshoes when they’re not in use. The easiest way to do this is to attach them to your backpack. Of course, the available features of your pack will determine whether you can latch your snowshoes to the front, the sides, or the top. In any case, what matters most is that you are able to bring your snowshoes with you with the least amount of effort possible.