|
Frame |
|
The
frame is the skeleton of a snowshoe. Some snowshoes are made of
plastic where the frame and the deck are one piece of plastic.
The frame serves
to suspend the decking material and acts as the seat for both
the binding and the crampons. A strong frame is essential not
only for the durability of the shoe but for its performance. |
| Decking |
|
Decking
is the surface between the frame; effectively making the
wearer's foot surface larger. This large surface gives flotation
on snow. New designs give excellent flotation on snow. Decking can either be solid or webbed and can be made from a wide range
of materials. |
| Carrying
surface |
|
Another
name for deck. See deck. |
| Binding |
|
The
binding attaches the foot to the snowshoe. Bindings come in a
wide range of designs. |
| Harness |
|
With
the binding, the part of the shoe that attaches your foot to the
snowshoe itself. |
| Cleat |
|
Cleats
are short spikes or teeth added to the bottom
surface of snowshoes. Cleats are designed to dig
into icy snow using the body's weight. Cleats allow for better
traction and a more confident stepping. Cleats are an important accessory
and come as either a standard feature or can be purchased and
attached later. |
| Crampon |
|
A Crampon is a device made up of a set
of spikes forming a pattern. Crampons are attached attached to the
bottom of boots. There are a few crampons designed for snowshoes.
See Cleats. |
| Traction |
|
Traction
is the snowshoe's ability to resist slipping on icy surfaces.
Casanova's |
|
Bear
Paws |
|
Snowshoe
frame shape; short and symmetrically oval shaped snowshoe frame. |
|
Beavertails |
|
Snowshoe
frame shape; wide in the center and tapered in the back to a
point, short tail. |
|
Cross-country |
|
Snowshoe
frame shape; long and narrow, with a short tail. Also called
Alaskans. |
| Alaskans |
|
Snowshoe
frame shape; long and narrow, with a short tail. Also called
Cross-country. |
| Floatation |
|
Referred to as snowshoe floatation; the ability to minimize the
depth to which person sinks in snow while wearing snowshoes. |
| Rotation |
|
Refers
to the movement of the foot in relation to the ground and the
snowshoe; the up and down motion of the heel and sole of the
foot. |
| Free
Rotation |
|
This
refers to the motion created when the snowshoer slides the
snowshoe forward and then steps back down onto the deck of the
snowshoe. This action is called free rotation. |
| Fixed
Rotation |
|
This
refers to the lack of motion between the snowshoe and the
wearers foot while walking. The Snowshoer's boot is attached
securely to the deck of the snowshoe. |
