This is how you fasten and old pair of running shoes to your snowshoes. If you do this, your snowshoes will never come off during a race!
These are my snowshoes. Made by Atlas, not sure of the model. Note how my old runners are bolted into the cleat, not strapped into the snowshoes like most you will see.
These are the bolts I used to fasten my old runners to the snowshoes.
Hardware. The components were very difficult to find. I eventually found them at Home Depot. The most important pieces are the #10-32 X 3/4" bolt and the #10-32 nut jobbie that digs into the sole of your shoe. (It was really tough to explain to the nice man what exactly a "nut jobbie" was.) I also have some #10 washers in the photo, but I didn't use them. Make sure you get stainless materials as you don't want them to rust.
Shoes. I started with an old pair of trail shoes. I picked this particular model because they had Goretex uppers.
I've bolted regular runners and trail shoes on my snowshoes. The trail shoes are 10X the pain in the ass to install because the soles are way thicker, but I believe the trail shoes work better. Up to you. Be sure to take the insoles out before you drill! Note to Tom: I use barrel locks to fasten my shoelaces. The blue thingamabob on the shoe that is standing flat is a barrel lock. They are available for $0.50 in most running stores.
Drill. You will need a drill and a 3/4" drill bit to drill through the soles of your shoes. This makes a mess on the living room carpet, so be forewarned if you choose to do this while watching TV.
Position your shoes properly on the snowshoes. Drill the holes. Fasten the bolts very tight as you don't want them poking up into your feet. (Believe me. I had to change shoes one time because the bolts poked through.) Put your insoles back in. Voila. These suckers now won't fall off unless your feet do!
Many thanks to Dave Cressman for the coaching on how to do this and where to get the bolts.
Comments
Where to run?
Ean,
I wondered if you had any thoughts about good running destinations close to Vancouver. Last year, I tried using my snowshoes on the POCO trail with mixed success. Fresh snow is good fun for this type of activity but i found any amount of foot traffic or snow mobile tracks quickly reduced the effectiveness of snowshoes.
Snowshoeing in Vancouver Area
I don't quite get this - more explanation needed
OK, I hope I'm not the only one not quite clear on how everything got put together. I'm assuming that the head of the bolt is recessed into the inside of your shoe and the nut jobbie (does the package have a more formal name?) is on the other end of the bolt sandwiching the snowshoe deck and bottom of the shoe? Is this correct?
Now, my next question is why? Have you found that the straps just don't hold together very well? I don't have much experience with snowshoe running but certainly don't want to have to deal with two sets of laces that loosen on me - is this a common problem?
Thanks,
Tom
Fixing your shoe to your snowshoe
Hey Tom,
No clue as to what the real name for the "jobbie" is. The package has a bar code on it. Let me know if you find out, as I'm sure others are wondering the same thing!
Whatever it is, I don't recommend you install it with the business end pointing up into your foot. It is threaded so the bolt you put through the snowshoe pulls the jobbie into the sole of your shoe.
Snowshoe straps work for many people, but many of the straps come undone. This is aggravating under most circumstance, but really bad if you are snowshoe racing. You can address the issue of your shoelaces coming undone by installing barrel locks, as you will see on the old montrails I bolted to my snowshoes (see photo.)
Good luck with it!
And in addition ..
And in addition ..