Care & Maintenance
Traditional
Traditional snowshoes are made with natural products, wood and rawhide. With such product, a higher amount of maintenance is needed to make sure the snowshoes remain in good condition throughout the years.
- They must be varnished regularly to prevent the hide from getting wet. If the lacing becomes limp and white after usage, it must be slowly dried far away from a direct heat source and then generously varnished with an exterior oil-based varnish (marine varnish). To ensure good protection, apply at least two coats on the hide and frame.
- Never use linseed oil on the lacing. This will soften the rawhide and make it sag.
- You must avoid letting wet lacing freeze, such as leaving them in the trunk of a car. Snowshoes should be stored in a cool dry space, sheltered from the sun and from rodents.
Hybrid
The hybrid snowshoes require very little mainmtenance.
- When necessary, reapply a coat of exterior oil-based varnish to the frame.
- After each use, the pivot and ratchet systems need to be inspected for accumulated dirt and debris. Clean if necessary.
- They should be stored in a cool dry space, sheltered from the sun.
Aluminum
Aluminum snowshoes are practically maintenance free.
- After each use, the pivot and ratchet systems need to be inspected for accumulated dirt and debris. Clean if necessary.
- They should be stored in a cool dry space, sheltered from the sun.