How to Build Snowshoes

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In the right circumstances, knowing how to make snowshoes can be a life-saving skill. These shoes will allow you to walk on top of deep snow by spreading your weight out over a large area. Even if you aren't in immediate danger, making and using your own snowshoes can be a fun way to get around in the winter months. Homemade snowshoes are also much cheaper than retail snowshoes, which can exceed $100 per pair.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

Live branches that bend well Paracord Knife Glue (optional)
Live branches that bend well
Paracord
Knife
Glue (optional)

Step 1

Bend two three-foot branches around until their ends of each branch meet. Glue and tie the ends with paracord to form a tear-drop shape.

Step 2

Lay a branch down on the middle of the snowshoe. Tie the branch where it meets the frame in an "X" pattern, gluing if necessary. Cut off any extraneous wood.

Step 3

Lay three branches down perpendicular to the middle branch, gluing and tying using the "X" cross-over pattern. These branches should be evenly spaced along the length of the snowshoe. Cut off any extraneous wood.

Step 4

Cut a binding from the paracord by placing your foot onto the snowshoe, cutting an appropriate length of cord, and tying it to the wood cross-pieces on either side of your foot for a snug fit.

Resources

Trails.com Snowshoes

Article Written By Jonathan Croswell

Jonathan Croswell has spent more than five years writing and editing for a number of newspapers and online publications, including the "Omaha World-Herald" and "New York Newsday." Croswell received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Nebraska and is currently pursuing a Master's of Health and Exercise Science at Portland State University.

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