Claremont Cycle Depot: bicycles & sporting goods

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Snowshoes at Claremont Cycle Depot

Claremont Cycle Depot is now selling snowshoes by Crescent Moon for your winter fitness fun. Crescent Moon continues to lead the industry with its latest innovations to the ‘foot-glove’ binding. The new design features an injection-molded stirrup and ‘single-pull’; adjustment strap to make your snowshoes fit and perform in complete harmony with the movement of your foot.

Crescent Moon has the only three-claw crampon traction system on the market, so you can really get a grip. As you walk, you use your whole foot, shifting your weight for balance and traction with each step.

Gold Series

The Gold series features a molded polyurethane stirrup that captures your foot with a single pull of the loop strap. To close the binding, a polycarbonate buckle ratchets your heel snugly into place for a secure and comfortable fit.

Models in the Gold series feature a TIG welded tear drop shape frame which makes snowshoeing easier and more natural than traditionally shaped snowshoes. All models in the Gold series also have brilliant colored highly protective powder coated frames and a clear Surlyn™ front deck that distinguishes them from every other brand. Except for the Gold 12 (running) all the other Gold models have stainless steel crampons.

There are five different Gold-Series models, suitable for recreational hiking or running to backcountry travel or expeditions. There is also a special women’s model.

Silver Series

The Silver series is designed with an ultra durable fabric version of the SPL binding and uses a cam locking buckle in the place of the ratcheting heel mechanism. Both are the best you will ever find.

Standard on all Silver series models is the Silver SPL binding which is an integrated footplate, stirrup and toe piece harness which adjusts with a single pull. The heel adjusts with a simple cam locking heel buckle by pulling the strap into place. All of the Silver series shoes have teardrop shaped polished aluminum frames and aluminum three-claw traction system which has been redesigned to minimize ice and snow buildup; the rear decking is the same as that used on the Gold series of shoes, ultra durable TGS and lightweight TGS front decks.

There are also five different models in the Silver Series.

Snowshoe basics

Taking a walk on snowshoes is an excellent way to get out of the house and get some fresh air during the long winter months here in New Hampshire. And it’s good low-impact aerobic exercise too! (Uphill snowshoe workouts work many of the muscles used in cycling.) For the most part, you can just strap them on and go, but there are a few things you should know.

Choosing your snowshoe

Just like your choice of bike, your snowshoe choice depends on your body (gender, size and, to some extent, age), what you intend to do on them (fitness walking to back country hiking) and the surface you want to walk on (packed snow to loose powder, on the flats or in the mountains). Our experienced sales staff can help you choose the correct snowshoe. We’ve also got a few “demos” that you can try out.

Dress properly

Just like any outdoor winter activity, it’s essential to dress properly. Dress in layers, preferably with a wicking layer next to your skin. Remember, you will be exercising and are going to put out some heat once you get going. You might even want to dress so that you’re a little cool when you start out; you’ll quickly warm up. Wearing a pair of gaiters will help keep your legs dry. Tubbs snowshoes allow the use of almost any kind of boot (including snowboarding boots), but we recommend waterproof hiking boots. Gloves or mittens and a hat are givens. Sunglasses can be helpful in reducing glare off the snow.

Be prepared

Remember, it’s winter, and the weather can quickly change. (Check the weather forecast before you set out.) If you’re planning on anything more than a short hike around town, plan for the worst. Take some food and a water bottle—dry winter air can dehydrate you quickly. Take a map and compass if you’re going somewhere unfamiliar. Take a camera to show your friends how amazing things can look in midwinter, or that deer that you came across. Take some matches, just in case. And be sure to tell someone where you’re going.

Snowshoe accessories

Unlike skiing, you don’t really need lots of equipment to enjoy snowshoeing. Besides snowshoes, and possibly gaiters, about the only thing you might want is a pair of snowshoe poles. Unlike most ski poles, these are adjustable, one size fits all. Using poles will help you get a total body workout. They’re also useful (sometimes even essential) on steep or icy terrain.