Comments on All About Snowshoe Running: Snowshoe review : Trying out different running sno...

I tried my biking booties and they were to tight a...

2011-01-16T18:12:33.593-08:00

I tried my biking booties and they were to tight and to warm; made my feet sweat. I think goretex running shoes and gaiters is the way to go. Check out my shoe and gator review I did.

Does everyone wear gaiters or biking booties to co...

2011-01-16T17:58:24.191-08:00

Does everyone wear gaiters or biking booties to cover their feet when snowshoe running? Anything you can recommend? Thanks.

Do you have an opinion on the Crescent Moon 12'...

2010-02-15T04:40:44.386-08:00

Do you have an opinion on the Crescent Moon 12's? I was testing them out really like the binding but find that then kick up a lot of snow.

Well said Steve. I agree that it is great that Bob...

2010-01-22T06:39:03.270-08:00

Well said Steve. I agree that it is great that Bob is right there standing behind his shoes and offering good customer service. I also think his shoes are pretty bomber. With Atlas it is a nightmare trying to get stuff fixed or even a repair question answered. The typical response you get from Atlas is "bring it to your nearest dealer" and when you bring something into the dealer there is a typical 1 month turnaround till you see your shoes again. (this is what a few local dealers told me).
I think it is great Bob Dion is making his shoes and I am sure he will continue to improve on them.
Most importantly, (like you said) regardless of if you wear: Doins, Atlas or tennis racquets on your feet snowshoe running is a great sport for all!

On the east coast we are 'blessed' with al...

2010-01-22T06:09:13.659-08:00

On the east coast we are 'blessed' with all sorts of racing conditions: powder, ice, slush, wet snow, rocks, etc. In my limited snowshoe racing my shoes have taken a physical beating. Dion's have been the only shoe I've owned so far. For argument sake let's assume everything you said is true about the Dion's (like you said, they're your opinions). I am ABSOLUTELY convinced you can't beat the customer service with Dion shoes. For starters Bob Dion is at most of the Northeast races. Racing with us, renting his shoes for newbies and repairing broken shoes. In addition, anytime anything has happened to my shoes I could contact Bob personally, get a response the same day and in most cases get a replacement part the same week (usually free of charge).
My opinion is he really wants the best shoe out there and is willing to make changes (and does) if something just doesn't work. My guess is he gets a tremendous amount of feedback and my guess is he takes this feedback seriously and will continue to improve his product.
Being a bit 'less tall' and 'lighter' may also make a difference. Enjoyed your post. Love the sport of snowshoe racing no matter what you decide to wear on your feet!

Hi Gretchen! You should really try out the Dion sh...

2010-01-12T22:30:36.792-08:00

Hi Gretchen! You should really try out the Dion shoes along with others. They might work great for you (I think you are lighter than me!!)? You are welcome to try mine out. I like the Atlas Runs for an all-around shoe and if I were lighter then I would use the Atlas Race shoes full time.
I was using "Salomon XA Pro 3D Ultra GTX" (see my review of them in 12/8/09) My feet never got cold and they felt great. however, I have been having some foot problems so I am trying the Nface Ultra 104's and I just got a pair of La Sportiva Wildcat GTX's. The Salomons are really nice shoes. Buy them at REI, use them and if you do not like them they will give a full refund! same with the Backcountry.com.
hope this helps. email me if you wanto try my Dions.
Dan

Hmm, interesting. I've been looking at the Dio...

2010-01-12T22:14:36.800-08:00

Hmm, interesting. I've been looking at the Dions, but I'm not much for groomers, so it sounds like I should pass. Maybe Peter could hook me up with a pair of those Vapors? ;) I guess I don't do enough snowshoe running to justify having many pairs.

I am wondering though, what shoes do you wear with your snowshoes? I seem to have no good winter trail shoes that will keep my feet dry, and I may be shopping around. My Montrail Hardrock GTX's used to be good for this kind of thing, but the goretex is shot now. Maybe a subject for a future post?

they're still too wide for a guy with narrow h...

2010-01-09T13:31:47.548-08:00

they're still too wide for a guy with narrow hips so I do clip my ankle, esp on some of the ski tracks I have to run in. length isn't a problem but width is for a guy who wears B width running shoes.
hope your day was great. it was REALLY cold here today.

J, I am super glad it is getting better for you! l...

2010-01-09T10:50:47.452-08:00

J, I am super glad it is getting better for you! looking at those shoes it look like "clipping ankles" would not be a problem since the tails have that asymetrical shape. You have the "R" shoe on your right foot right!? No fresh snow here either, just a bit of rain and a lot of melting :(

Dan, had to let you know. Second run today and I ...

2010-01-09T09:52:19.141-08:00

Dan, had to let you know. Second run today and I liked them much better. I didn't crank down the bindings as much and seemed to have a better experience with less sliding on the shoe. I keep clipping one ankle or the other with the tail though and that hurts!
No fresh snow here again yet and I ran through dozens of little skiers but I had a great time. After my wife, you were the first person I wanted to tell.

Jody, I think most all snowshoes (maybe not Cresce...

2010-01-08T07:17:46.536-08:00

Jody,
I think most all snowshoes (maybe not Crescent Moons) have the problem of the foot sliding forward to some degree, even the "Runs". Maybe try tightening the straps or/and putting some type of grip tape on the platform.(I used a snowboard stomp pad) Did you get the 25" (smallest)ones?. Any snowshoe is going to feel to big/awkward on really hard pack stuff where you probably do not need to be wearing snowshoes anyway. Try making your own trail maybe? I am sure you will get use to them and enjoy them. I hope you get some snow real soon!
Dan

Dan, I'm posting to this article again cause y...

2010-01-08T05:46:41.341-08:00

Dan, I'm posting to this article again cause you reviewed shoes in this article, but frankly it spoiled me for how they ought to be. The binding on these Cat Trails are two ratcheting straps with one like the Run in back. I can't tell where to put my foot exactly so I'm still experimenting with that, but the design isn't going to stop my feet from sliding forward.
They're also too long, which makes the running motion a little strange and awkward. I really wanted a pair of Runs, even more after your article, but I'll fight it out for a winter on these. It hasn't snowed in a few days here either, so things are pretty frozen and running on groomed trails felt a little like concrete.
Thanks for listening to my rant.

Happy winter!
Jody

Cool Jdawg! They look like some solid snowshoes f...

2010-01-06T19:20:08.049-08:00

Cool Jdawg! They look like some solid snowshoes for sure. I definetly want to try those out when I can.

thanks for the post. i just got the Cat Trails fr...

2010-01-06T11:18:48.347-08:00

thanks for the post. i just got the Cat Trails from GV today and look forward to trying them out tomorrow. i'll let you know how they do.
no one seems to run in them here. i look forward to being the trendsetter.