You don’t need much to start snowshoeing, and that’s the appeal — no lessons, no lift ticket, just a walk in the snow. A budget kit gets a first-timer out the door; a premium pair opens up steep, icy mountain terrain. Here’s a spread across price points, plus how to choose.
Our snowshoe picks at a glance
Budget to premium, side by side:
Budget — the easy all-in-one start
Complete kits (snowshoes, poles, bag) that get you out for less.
Odoland snowshoe kit — the budget all-in-one
The most complete cheap start: snowshoes, adjustable trekking poles, leg gaiters, and a carry bag in one buy, in sizes for different weights. An aluminum frame and ratchet bindings handle packed Colorado trails — a lot of kit for the money.
- ⛄🎁The Ultimate Snowshoes For Women and Men: Odoland snowshoes made of lightweight high quality materials to guarantee ease of use and equipped with handy bag, this set is ideal for your snow shoes with poles adventures and outdoor activities. 21'' for 80-120lbs / 28-54kg, 25'' for 120-160lbs / 54-72kg, 30'' for 160-250lbs / 72-114kg.
- ⛄🎁Lightweight & Easy-to-Put Snowshoes: The women & men snow shoes made of lightweight and strong aluminum frame, the snowshoes feature an ergonomic design to ensure comfortable and easy walk.
- ⛄🎁Great Flotation & Hard Grip Sawtooth: Large flat surface area of aluminum frame, the shoes provides you with maximum flotation. Each shoe has two sets of reinforced, heavy duty saw tooth for strong traction on icy, hard surfaces.
- ⛄🎁Adjustable Treeking Poles: Easily changing the height of these telescoping poles from 25.5 to 54 inches is a breeze even when you're wearing gloves or trekking in wet conditions.
- ⛄🎁Waterproof Leg Gaiters: Made of pongee fabric, provides excellent water and tear & puncture resistance. The perfect Christmas gift, share Odoland snowshoes with families, friends, and freely explore the snowy natural world.
Value — a step up in quality
Better-finished recreational snowshoes for regular trail use.
Retrospec Drifter snowshoe & pole bundle — the step-up value pick
A cleaner, better-finished complete kit: lightweight aluminum snowshoes, adjustable poles, and a bag, with glove-friendly ratchet bindings and toothed traction. A great buy for a recreational snowshoer who wants quality without going premium.
- ADVENTURE READY: Hit the trails with snowshoes for men and women built for all terrains. The full-floating pivot system tackles steep climbs while reducing leg strain for easier exploration
- QUICK-LOCK COMFORT: Secure double-ratchet bindings let you strap in and out effortlessly, even with gloved hands. No more fumbling with complicated straps when you're ready to start snowshoeing
- STABILITY & CONTROL: Lightweight trekking poles for snow with terrain-specific attachments keep you balanced on any surface. Adjustable heights ensure a custom fit for your adventures
- BUILT FOR ENDURANCE: Aircraft-grade alloy frames paired with rugged polyethylene decks keep you floating above deep snow. These snowshoes for men and women handle whatever winter brings
- GRAB & GO READY: Your complete winter trekking accessories arrive trail-ready in a carrying case. Includes a pair of snowshoes and adjustable poles - everything needed for snowy exploration
Premium — for real backcountry
Technical snowshoes that grip steep, icy terrain and climb with a heel lift — worth it if you go beyond flat trails.
MSR Lightning Ascent — the premium backcountry snowshoe
The gold standard for serious terrain: a 360-degree Total-Traction frame that bites on steep, icy Colorado slopes, a heel lift for climbs, and MSR’s Paragon bindings. Overkill for flat trails, worth every penny if you head into real mountains.
- Ultralight (4.18 lbs) technical snowshoes with superior traction for mountaineering, aggressive backcountry pursuits, and rugged terrain
- 360-degree Traction Frames deliver edge-to-edge grip, especially on traverses, while durable steel DTX crampons provide serious bite on alpine steeps
- Paragon bindings feature a one-piece contouring strap that wraps securely around boots, for a glove-like feel that eliminates rigid pressure points, and provides easy alignment and foot control
- Ergo Televator heel lift bar flips up to increase uphill efficiency, provide help on steep ascents, and reduce fatigue
- Snowshoes measure 8 x 22 inches, weigh 4.18 pounds/pair, and can carry up to a 180-pound load; bindings fit men’s shoes sizes 4.5-15; made in the USA
How to choose snowshoes
- Size by weight (with gear). Bigger snowshoes float better in deep snow; smaller are more nimble on packed trails. Heavier people and deeper powder call for bigger shoes — a ~25-inch shoe suits most average adults on typical Colorado trails.
- Bindings. Look for simple ratchet or BOA-style bindings you can cinch with gloves on — fiddling with straps in the cold gets old fast.
- Traction. Colorado snow is often wind-packed and icy, so aggressive crampons and side rails matter more here than deep-powder float. Premium frames (like MSR’s) grip best on steep, hard snow.
- Flat vs. backcountry. Budget and value kits are made for flat and rolling trails; premium mountaineering snowshoes with heel lifts are for climbing real slopes.
- Add poles. Poles add balance and take load off your legs on hills — the budget/value kits include a pair; see our poles guide.
FAQ
Is snowshoeing hard for beginners?
Not at all — if you can walk, you can snowshoe. There’s no technique to learn and no lift or lesson required. Start on a flat or rolling trail, take it easy for the altitude, and you’ll have it in minutes.
What size snowshoes do I need?
Size to your body weight plus your gear, and to the snow: bigger shoes float better in deep powder, smaller are nimbler on packed trails. A roughly 25-inch shoe suits most average-weight adults on typical Colorado trails; larger folks or deep-snow trips size up.
How much should I spend on snowshoes?
For flat and rolling trails a budget or value complete kit is plenty. If you’ll head into steep, icy backcountry, a premium pair like the MSR Lightning Ascent grips far better and climbs with a heel lift — buy to match the terrain you’ll actually cover.
Do I need poles for snowshoeing?
They help a lot — poles add balance and take strain off your legs on climbs and uneven snow. The budget and value kits here include a pair; see our hiking poles guide for standalone options.
Where can I go snowshoeing in Summit County?
Nordic centers, summer hiking trails, and quiet forest roads all work in winter — many summer trails around Breckenridge, Frisco, and Keystone double as snowshoe routes. Always check avalanche conditions before entering steeper terrain.
Should I buy or rent snowshoes?
If you’ll go more than once or twice, buying a complete kit quickly pays for itself. For a one-time try, rentals are widely available at gear shops and Nordic centers.
Written by
Melissa
Melissa splits her year between Texas and Summit County, Colorado, where she has spent countless summers and winters hiking, skiing, fishing, and exploring the high country. She started Breckenmendations to help visitors make the most of Colorado's mountains with the gear, tips, and local know-how she wishes she'd had on her first trip up I-70.
Breckenmendations is written by locals who actually hike, ski, and explore Colorado — see how we pick what we recommend.