Although skiing and snowboarding are the most popular winter sports, there are several more snow sports to choose from. If you've only enjoyed skiing and snowboarding, get ready for sledding, snowshoeing and ice skating. Let our winter sports buying guide give you helpful tips on how to buy snowshoes, sleds and ice skates.
Knowing how to buy winter sports gear isn't as difficult as you may think. Here are good things to know when preparing for snow sports.
Snowshoes spread your weight evenly across a large, flat surface area, which helps keep you "above" the snow; however, you will sink in soft snow, even with snowshoes on. They won't make you float magically above the snow, but they will help out in deep powder. Snowshoes will make a big difference in just how far you do sink: up to your calves versus sinking up to your waist or even armpits.
Types of snowshoes
While figuring out how to buy snowshoes, considering the snowshoe size, bindings and design will help you decide on which snowshoes will suit you best based on their intended use.
Traction
A traction device or crampon is another feature of good snowshoe bindings. A crampon is a spiked iron plate worn on snowshoes for gripping into ice and snow and to aid in climbing. Traditional wooden snowshoes had rawhide lacing that provided some traction but newer, modern snowshoes use a metal claw (with smooth decking) attached to the binding. These are usually found under the heel and are used to bite or grip into hard snow and ice. You'll notice as soon as you move away from the flats just how important traction is.
Recreational snowshoes have moderate traction, usually at the forefoot. Mountaineering snowshoes have aggressive traction at both forefoot and heel, and the aerobic snowshoes have extra cleats at the toes for traction when pushing off the snow.
Size
Snowshoe sizes are stated as width x length in inches, like 8 x 25. There are no tried and true formulas to determining which size of snowshoe would be best, but here are some things to consider:
If you plan to wear a pack and the combined weight of you with the pack is about 170 lbs or more, go for a snowshoe that is about 9 x 30 or so for loose powder snow. If your weight alone is about 170 lbs you may decide on a smaller snowshoe, especially if you are going to be using them on firmer snow, already broken trails or steeper slopes. If you are a lighter-weight person or plan to use snowshoes for casual or fitness use, in firm or packed snow, go for a smaller snowshoe, about an 8 x 25. Smaller snowshoes are better for climbing or crossing steeper slopes and terrain, and they are much easier to maneuver than larger snowshoes. With these things in mind, the following chart may help you determine your snowshoe size based on weight:
| Weight | Snowshoe length |
|---|---|
Bindings
Bindings are just as important as size when selecting the right snowshoes. The binding does more than just hold your foot onto the snowshoe. It has a big effect on how the snowshoe performs. Good bindings should be easy to secure in the snow while wearing gloves. Snowshoe bindings should have a secure point of attachment and keep the foot from sliding forward while controlling the side-to-side motions and providing enough traction without stretching.
There are two main types of binding attachments for snowshoes: free rotation and fixed rotation.
Free rotation
Free rotation bindings pivot freely on a rigid crossbar. This allows the tail to drop and dump the snow that falls on top. With free rotation snowshoe bindings the tail drags in the snow but loose snow isn't kicked up from the tails like many fixed cord bindings. Free rotation snowshoe bindings can be less maneuverable, however, since attempting to take a backwards step sends the tails driving into the snow.
Fixed rotation
Usually, fixed rotation offers versatility, convenience and a pretty stable binding system. Fixed rotation bindings use a "spring" rubber binding which allows the snowshoe to lift or pop out of the snow with each step. This gives better clearance, especially while in deep snow. Unlike free rotation bindings, though, fixed rotation will sometimes cause snow to be kicked against the back of your legs with each step.
Some snowshoes allow you to adjust the bindings into either a fixed or free rotation.
Design
When choosing your snowshoes, select the snowshoes with the best design characteristics for your needs.
Snowshoes include the following:
Snow sleds range from simple and inexpensive to fancy and pricey, but most hills are free, and what kid or adult doesn't enjoy an evening of sledding? Winter sports for the whole family are a great way to include your kids in the winter fun. Learn how to buy snow sleds that you and your kids can enjoy.
Age recommendations
Every sled and toboggan comes with an age recommendation. Following these recommendations will help you select the perfect sled for your child. Complicated sleds are best left for older children or adults, while a simple kid-safe sled will work for younger children. Since most injuries happen to 10-14 year old boys and 5-9 year old girls, make sure the sled you buy for them is classified for the right age group.
Weight capacity
Next on your list are the weight capabilities of the sled. Weight is especially important with toboggans, but if you've loaded too many people on a disc sled there will be problems. If you opt for a toboggan, look for metal or wooden toboggans that have high weight capacity and easy steering if you plan to sled as a family. If you have many kids that will all want to climb on whichever sled you buy, remember that the more weight on a sled, the faster that sled will go. If you have multiple kids, purchase multiple sleds.
Material
Snow sleds can be made from many different materials. The materials used most are vinyl, plastic, wood, metal and foam. Saucers and other fast, light sleds are usually made from plastic or foam, and lighter-weight sleds are less likely to cause injury.
Wood and metal are often used in larger snow sleds and toboggans. Metal and wood offer durable construction and increased stability. Tubes and sleds that are inflatable are usually made from vinyl, which is inexpensive but not as safe, especially on hills or areas where there are rocks that might rip the sled or bumps and jumps which will cause the sled rider to bounce off, usually painfully.
Safety
Since sledding is mainly a children's sport, it is important to buy for safety. This means following age recommendations and weight capacities, as well as paying attention to sled types and materials. Select a sled or toboggan that is appropriate for the child's age and size. You want them to have a safe winter season of sledding.
Types of sleds
Although sledding sounds like a simple sport, there are many different kinds of snow sleds to choose from. Your choice of sled affects speed, control, weight and safety. Your sledding experience will be impacted by this choice. Remember that heavier sleds are a pain to drag uphill, but they offer more control. Lighter snow sleds may be easier to carry but have little to no control, and the ride down the hill can become quite wild. (But this is why we sled.)
Ice skating is a classic winter sport that brings to mind images of young girls twirling in fur-trimmed skirts and warm scarves. These are great images, but you can't forget hockey. Ice hockey skates are also popular, due to the extreme popularity of ice hockey. Roaring down the ice, hitting the puck into the goal and winning the game is another image that may come to mind when thinking about ice skates. And don't forget the popular winter sport of speed skating. Which ever winter sport you choose, knowing how to buy ice skates will help in choosing the right ice skate for you.
Figure skates
Figure skates should fit snuggly on your foot and must be the correct skate for your skill level. This is rather critical to your performance on the ice.
Sizing
Many manufacturers of figure skates now have figure skates in sizes that relate to shoe sizes. This makes finding the properly sized figure skate much easier.
Remember these few things when determining the size of your figure skates:
Ability level
For advanced and intermediate figure skaters, boots and blades for figure skates are often sold separately. This gives the figure skates a more tailored look and fit. The stiffness of boots and the length of blades vary as well, depending on your ice skating skills.
For beginners, it is good to look for combination sets that include boot and blade while learning skating skills and techniques. Beginners will want to use a moderately stiff boot because it will give the feet and ankles great support while still being flexible enough to break-in quickly. You want your ice skates to feel comfortable, and it does take time to break-in new figure skates. Beginners will also want to look at the boot's tongue. Figure skates should have tongues that are stiff and padded to protect legs and feet from injury.
Hockey skates
Hockey is a fast-paced sport, and hockey skates shouldn't slow a player down. When looking for hockey skates, hockey players need to consider their ice skates as an extension of their feet. Like shoes, it should be natural to wear them, because hockey skates are the most important piece of equipment you will buy. Because of their importance, it is critical to find the correct hockey skate for your style of play and that they are sized correctly.
Know about individual components of hockey skates, the boot and the blade, when selecting a pair.
Boot
The majority of hockey skates are made with a combination of leather and synthetic materials to increase durability, performance and comfort. The exact mixture of the components, such as Kevlar and graphite, will determine the quality of the skate and the cost. For better protection against pucks and hockey sticks, as well as more support for your ankles, try hard plastic boots.
Goalie skates, the hockey skates worn by goalies, are similar in construction to regular hockey skates; however, they are designed with a wider blade and lower boot for more ankle and foot protection.
Blade
Hockey skate blades are made out of steel and have a hollowed out, or concave, shape. The blade radius is the amount of blade that is in actual contact with the ice, and it is an important factor in a hockey skate's performance. The radius is measured by placing both blades together, bottom to bottom, and holding the blades up to the light. Where the blade edges touch is the blade radius.
For beginners, you will want a blade radius of about 5 inches, which increases your ability to propel yourself forward or backwards along the ice while giving stability. For help in cutting and turning, look for a blade radius of 3-4 inches, and if you are a forward, you'll want a shorter blade radius to aid with maneuverability. Defensemen will want to look for a longer blade radius for extra stability. Goalies use a larger blade radius and have a less hollow grind. Players can grind their hockey skate blades (sharpen the edges) which creates a double edge for added contact with the ice; the deeper the grind, the more maneuverable.
Sizing
Choosing the right size of hockey skates is a bit different than choosing sizes for figure skates. Hockey skates need to be tighter for more stability and less chafing. You'll also be wearing thicker hockey socks with your hockey skates. Parents: don't purchase larger hockey skates for your kids to "grow into" because this will stand in the way of their ability to learn, and it could also hurt their feet and ankles. Because the sizes for hockey skates depends on the brand of skate you choose, it is difficult to provide exact measurements for hockey skates. A helpful hint is to know your athletic shoe size. Also, most hockey skate sizes aren't measured in U.S. sizes but are typically measured in Canadian sizes, which are pretty close. Different brands may also have special cuts or unique styles that could affect sizing as well.
Why do my ice skates need blade sharpening?
A sharp ice skate blade grips onto the ice better than a dull blade. You should sharpen your blades when they begin to slide uncomfortably when you land. A helpful tip is to record the number of skating hours in-between sharpening and then you'll have an idea of how long you can go between sharpening. This will keep you from any unwanted surprises on your ice skates.
How many people should ride on a sled?
There are sleds that are specifically designed to hold one, two or three riders. You need to remember that the more weight on a sled, especially the plastic saucer types, the faster the sled will go when it picks up speed. The sleds designed for many riders are made for that. Other sleds, like snow tubes and saucers, are not safe with many people piled on. You'll want to read the manufacturer's instructions when you receive your sled to check for weight limits and maximum capacity.
What are the differences between figure skates and hockey skates?
The difference between figure skates and hockey skates may not be obvious right away, however once you know what to look for, they'll be easy to recognize. Figure skates are usually made from leather and are more expensive than hockey skates, but hockey skates are more comfortable than figure skates.
The biggest difference between the two types of skates is their blades. Figure skate blades have toe picks at the top and are usually longer and heavier than hockey skate blades. Also, most figure skate blades are mounted onto a figure skate boot while hockey skate blades are usually soldered directly onto the base of the hockey boot. Toe picks make it possible to jump and spin in figure skates, while the shorter, lighter blades on hockey skates help players make quick stops and speed.
Bundle up
The key element of any winter sport is snow. As you're sledding down a hill, with snow flying in your face, you'll wonder why you didn't stop by our winter clothing department and pick up the warmest winter gear you'll find at the best prices. Men's ski apparel, as well as women's ski apparel, snow pants and gloves will keep you warm while having fun in the snow. Our clothing accessories will also have the scarves and hats you'll need to protect your face and head from the chilly elements. We have children's scarves, hats and kid's clothing accessories as well, all in the clothing store.
Exercise all year round
With a pair of snowshoes you won't find yourself confined to your home during the winter months. Don't give up your outdoor exercise routine because of the weather. Enjoy brisk walks, hikes and fun with snowshoes from Overstock.com. Bring along a camera and capture the beauty of the pure snow-covered trails and scenery you'll find while using your new pair of quality discount snowshoes. If snowshoes are a little too tame, try cross-country skiing or snowboarding. Cross-country skiing is one of the best exercises you can do to burn calories and loose weight. Ice speed skates are also an option to consider.