Arctic Trekker Snowshoes *Under Construction*
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Our Story. . . In the beginning of the aluminum style snowshoe evolution many manufacturers made high quality, tough, snowshoes, including the once famous Sherpa snowshoe.. These snowshoes needed little maintenance and very few repairs, making them the choice snowshoe for work and/or serious play. Unfortunately, as with most things, quality has taken a back seat to making more money. We don’t buy into that view! We believe, a quality snowshoe creates a loyal customer. The snowshoe should be known for its durability & reliability. Cutting corners doesn’t create a quality product; it just shortens the trip to extinction. For over 40 years we have been selling snowshoes. We started in the hey days, when wood was the only way to go and Chestnut was a well-known name in the industry. Over the years we have watched the different brands come and go – materials were tested and either succeeded or failed. We’ve seen technical advancements become overshadowed by a decline in quality of top brand manufacturers. Because of this we have decided to take the plunge into re-inventing the high quality durable Arctic Trekker Snowshoe. We have been involved with snowshoes for a long, long time, and our knowledge of materials and snowshoe design will result in complete customer satisfaction. We have tested what works and what doesn’t in other brands We have looked at what materials wear out prematurely and aren’t tough as nails. We have sourced the best quality parts from manufacturers all over Canada and the US. We have sourced manufacturers who also, have a desire to make quality products. And now, we are proud to introduce our new line of Arctic Trekker Snowshoes. Ruggedly tough, aggressive snowshoes! Because YOU depend on them! |
Snowshoe Sizes
Snowshoe weight ratings are over rated. At IRL, with our customer’s feedback and our own experience with snowshoes, we know that one size does not necessarily suit a particular weight range or terrain type. For example a 200lb man may only need a 930 snowshoe if they spend most of their time in dense forests where a hard crust is be quite common, however that same person will likely require a 1037 if they are spending a lot of time in open country with powder snow.
The user’s weight is important but it is relative to the type of conditions. Our recommendation is to buy the shoe that suits the most variety of conditions that you might encounter. If you tend to be in the trees most of the time then a 930 for a lighter weight person or a 934 for someone a little heavier will suffice. If you spend a fair bit of time in a variety of terranes and snow conditions then the 934 (our biggest seller) might work best. Open country and powder snow is challenging at the best of times, but a lighter weight person should be able to use a 934 and a heavier person a 1037.
| Model | Dimensions | Approximate Weight recommendation | Snow conditions & Terrain |
| 930 | 9″ x 30″ | up to 185lbs | Designed for harder packed snow, heavier bush areas or semi open terrain for lighter weight users |
| 934 | 9″ x 34″ | 190 to 225lbs | Used for a mixed variety of snow conditions and terraines |
| 1037 | 10″ x 37″ | Over 225lbs
Keep in mind that weight would be your weight plus the field gear you are carrying. |
Open country and or powder snow conditions.
In the words of one of our customers who is an avid outdoorsman and wildlife photographer; “It doesn’t matter what you use in powder snow, you are going to sink and it takes a lot of work to break trail!” |
Rough size recommendations
| (Please read all recommendation notes to ensure you get the snowshoe you need) | Weight under 185lbs | 190lbs to 225lbs | Over 225lbs |
| Bushy areas / Hard packed snow | 930 | 930/934 | 934 |
| Softer snow, forested areas and occasional open country | 930 | 934 | 934/1037 |
| Open country, powder snow | 934 | 934/1037 | 1037 |
Harnesses
| Model | Type | ||
| Alpen | Our Alpen harness is our most popular harness. With it’s 1″ long serrated style tooth design you can be assured to get good traction in most snow conditions and terranes. | ||
| Ice | The Ice claw is a more specialized harness designed for conditions that are steep and icy or when there is a hard crust on the snow. This crampon style claw has 6 – 1.5″ long teeth to ensure a firm bite into ice and steep slopes. | ||
Snowshoe Features
At IRL we do not manufacture the cheapest snowshoe by any means, we do believe we manufacture the best though. We source the best parts and materials from across North America and assemble every single shoe right here in our store, these are proudly made Canadian snowshoes! Here are some features that set us apart from the rest of the pack
Laced Design
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From the beginning of when snowshoes were made this was the style and for traction it is the best way to go. Our extremely high quality lacing is designed to bite into the snow to help with traction at virtually any snowshoeing angle. |
High Quality Frames
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We have our frames formed by a professional, high end custom tube bending shop from specially ordered aluminum stock. Our frames are heat treated, bent and then sent for a gold anodizing bath. We have our frames heat treated before bending them to ensure they bend as they should and not crack or weaken the frame. If you have a snowshoe made by someone else that has a hairline crack (usually along the bend) it was likely bent without heat treating first. |
Hand Made |
From start to finish our snowshoes are made by hand with attention paid to each step in the process. The lacing is hand stretched to ensure proper tension is applied, hinge rod straps are attached by hand to ensure their proper position. |
Guaranteed tough decking |
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Heavily coated Inge Rod Straps |
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