Snowshoeing

Hike Club has always been about taking advantage of nice weather to get outside, exercise, and take advantage of the beautiful state we live in. At this time of year that means dealing with snow. Then we take the next logical step and Hike club goes Snowshoeing. I've learned that the biggest hurdle to Snowshoeing is the gear. Karen and I are succeeding in living on a budget recently so i can't just go buy the things we will need.
I believe in REI, they are a great store for this kind of gear. What is really good about REI is they will let you return anything if its not exactly what you wanted, the reason they can do this is they will then sell you something more expensive. its a vicious cycle, that makes them a ton of money. Very smart REI, you wonderful bastard. If you've got the cash and really want the exact right thing for you go to REI. However, we can take advantage of the other side of this extra generous return policy by going to the "REI Garage sales" This is where REI sells that returned merchandise at deep discounts. Karen and I have gotten most of our really nice gear at these garage sales. Karen has a North Face goose-down Parka that she absolutely loves, easily a $300 coat we got for $80. I bought some boots for 2/3rds off retail, Karen got a nice insulation layer whose zipper pull was missing, $120 jacket for $11, she sewed a new zipper into it. Evan and I have gotten a ton of good stuff at these sales: hiking poles, camp stoves, snow gaiters, back packs. The selection is random, and at the flagship store there is a lottery to control the lines early on but if you need gear and have the cash there can be some great deals. Find a Garage sale here.
Also there are a bunch of websites that sell discounted gear like The Clymb (hit me up if you want to join because i get coupons if you join off my invite). Left Lane Sports is similar but i've not used them yet. Like the REI garage sales the selection and sizes are limited, but the discounts are good, and it's free to sign up.
Then there is Amazon. Columbia has some decent gear at good prices. I've got some compression shorts and a non-cotton base layer from Colombian that are fine. I got some Coldpruf cheap long underwear, we haven't tried out yet.
The point is you can spend a ton of cash getting ready to go play in the snow but you don't have to.

REI has a snowshoeing gear check list But like i've said before we need to understand the risks we face considering our location. I'm planning specifically to keep us away from avalanche areas; and trips short enough to be sure we can make it back to the car rather than be out in the wild overnight. For these reasons most of the list linked above is unnecessary in my eyes. I will be bringing all the navigational necessities. What we really need is to keep you warm and dry, the best way to do that is layers. Again i cite a nice REI page.
Now that we understand Layering we look at the gear.

Base Layers - pants and tops:
The best is Merino wool. Excellent wicking, low odor after activity, warm when wet. Really expensive, like $100 for a pair of pants. I like The Clymb. Evan decided to help us out with some gear for Christmas, we Love you Evan! He bought us merino wool undies, i think $56 for Merino long underwear for Karen and I. as i said i also bought us some cheap Coldpruf pants as well, I'll let you know how they compare once tested in the Man Lab (James May reference, 10 points).

Insulation layer - pants and tops:
Most likely you've already got this just because you live in Colorado. But if you're out for good gear, go for fleece, or a Soft Shell ( lightly waterproof, good for day to day warmer-winter-days coat. A simple hoodie can work but most likely it's cotton. You may have heard the saying "Cotton Kills." If not, what it means is Cotton is one of the most prevalent clothing materials, but when wet it looses all insinuative properties. So you get wet you get cold, and if you can't find/ get to external warmth it will take warmth away from you r body, which can lead to hypothermia and possibly death. Anyone who got caught in a rain storm or played in the snow in jeans knows what i'm talking about.
I'll say again, The plan for Hike Club is to do hikes where we will not get caught in situations bad enough that wearing Cotton will actually kill you. I'm sure you know you sweat while active, all that moisture gets caught in your clothes, unless you invest in wicking/breathable clothes. Wicking means that it moves moisture away from you skin as you sweat. Breathablilty is important in your outer layer because it lets that moisture (sweat) out of your Shell layer.

Shell Layer - outer waterproof coat:
The Breathablility of  fabrics is measured in two numbers. mm (millimeters) of water in a column that the fabric can keep out / Grams of water vapor that can move through a square meter of the fabric per hour. Yeah i know its complicated and you don't know why you care, check this out. Lots of good info on that page but the real take away is higher numbers mean more water proof-ness and more sweat leaving your body. However, i've heard garments made with the best fabrics still can have problems at zippers and seams. Bottom line breathability is good, Wicking is good, but unless you know for sure your hard earned dollars will be well spent, just go for waterproof and arm-pit zips ( opening at your arm pit to allow moisture out mechanically).  Additionally depending on conditions you can take off your coat. You just need a coat that will not let melting snow soak in.
Gaiters - lower leg coverings that attach to your boots and go over your pants up to the Calf.
Snow gaiters are great, and many snow pants have gaiters built in (if you get snow pants that have them built in, no need for additional gaiters). Gaiters will protect you from snow up to just below your knee. So with Gaiters the pants you wear can be less than waterproof, as long as you plan on not falling down. again, cotton kills to no wearing Gaiters and Jeans, but Gaiters and non-cotton hiking pant can be an option.
Karen and I went another way.  Since we've been camping there has been a need for rain pants. Rain pants are simply un-insulated waterproof pants. No built in gaiters and but can be breathable too. Again Amazon and The Clymb are good sources, as well as Ross or other overstock outlets. We got Karen a pair of polyester running pants that we are waterproofing with TechWash. It's a laundry additive that will help restore the waterproofness of your gear. It will also add waterproofness of materials with a tight weave like some athletic pants.

Your Feet:
Waterproof Boot are really important. Plan on walking/snowshoeing in snow that is at least ankle deep. The Merril's that i got at the Army/Navy surplus for $100 were waterproof when i bought them, after a year of heavy use they are no longer waterproof.
Wool socks are the greatest thing since sliced bread, probably before. Smart Wool is good but generics are good too. Just like Undies, Wool socks keep warm when wet.  FYI your feet sweat too.

Gloves/Mittens
Again, The Clymb.
Head and Neck insulation:
70% of your body heat goes out through your head. Wear a hat. Again Cotton Kills. I've got a Polar fleece hat the Mother-in-Law made many years ago that is awesome. Then there is the Buff, Like on Survivor, it's a tube of fabric that can be worn in any number of ways from a hat to a ski mask or just on the neck. I got us some for summer use on Amazon. They also come in Merino wool. I'd say invaluable, Snowshoeing or not.

Snowshoes
This may seem like the most important part, but i'm planning on letting the experts help. There are a ton of snowshoes options. But another plug for REI, who rents snowshoes and poles. if your a member you can gt a three day rental for $18 each person. Three day rentals means pick them up the night before, go play in the mountains, go home and drink, then return the shoes the next day. They will help you get the right shoes for you and your activity. We will be slowly hiking over rolling terrain that should answer all their questions except your weight.

So get some gear and lets go play in the snow, pics to follow.