Properly Fit Your Snowshoes (Beginner’s Guide for Rocky Mountain National Park Adventures)

Expert Tips from Local Guides in Estes Park

Snowshoeing may be one of the simplest winter sports to learn, but there’s one detail that makes or breaks the entire experience: proper snowshoe fit. If your bindings are loose, your heel is slipping, your size is wrong, or the traction underfoot isn’t aligned, every step becomes harder than it should be. That leads to fatigue, discomfort, and sometimes even injury.

As professional winter guides in Rocky Mountain National Park, we see the same thing every season: people are excited, dressed warmly, ready to explore—only to spend the first 45 minutes wrestling with straps, cold fingers, slipping snowshoes, or equipment that isn’t the right size for their weight or boot style.

That’s why we created this guide—to help you understand how snowshoes should fit, how to size them correctly, and how to adjust your bindings the right way for safe and enjoyable winter travel.

Whether you’re joining one of our guided snowshoe tours or heading out on your own, these tips will help you move efficiently and confidently on snow—so you can focus on the scenery instead of your gear.

Why Snowshoe Fit Actually Matters

Unlike skis or crampons, snowshoes don’t require technical training to use. But they do require proper sizing and adjustment. A poorly fitted snowshoe creates problems such as:

• Heel slipping out of the binding

• Toes lifting out when stepping uphill

• Bindings loosening over time

• Tripping or stepping on your own snowshoe tails

• Excess energy spent just keeping the shoe on

• Stress on knees and ankles

• Difficulty staying balanced

When snowshoes are sized and adjusted properly, they almost disappear on your feet—they work with your natural walking gait instead of against it.

Step 1: Choosing the Correct Snowshoe Size

Snowshoes are not sized by shoe size alone. Weight is the most important factor. Your weight + your gear + winter layers determines the flotation needed for the snowpack.

General sizing guidelines:

• Small: Under 150 lbs

• Medium: 150–200 lbs

• Large: 200+ lbs or heavy pack

For deep powder, larger snowshoes offer more flotation. For packed trails (like Bear Lake in RMNP), a smaller snowshoe is easier to maneuver and totally appropriate.

Pro tip: If you’re renting or borrowing snowshoes, always tell the shop your weight with winter clothing and gear, not just your shoe size.

For kids, the same rule applies. Children need the right weight rating—not just a “small” cheaper kids model.

Step 2: Wearing the Right Boots

Snowshoes attach to your boots—so if the boots aren’t appropriate, the snowshoes won’t work properly either. Ideal snowshoe boots should be:

• Waterproof and insulated

• Mid to high ankle support

• Compatible with a strap or ratchet binding

• Not too soft or collapsible (like fashion boots or lightweight sneakers)

The best choice: waterproof insulated winter boots or sturdy hiking boots with wool socks.

Avoid:

• Running shoes

• Moon boots

• Open-toe anything

• Soft fabric boots that collapse under binding tension

Step 3: How to Strap In (The Right Way)

Here’s how we train every guest on our guided tours to step into their snowshoes correctly:

1. Lay the snowshoe flat and centered beneath your boot.

2. Place the ball of your foot over the hinge or pivot point—not your toes.

3. Slide your boot forward until your toe is just behind the front cradle.

4. Secure the toe strap first (this prevents shifting).

5. Tighten the instep straps one at a time.

6. Tighten heel strap last until snug but not crushing.

7. Lift your heel and shake your foot—if it moves a lot, tighten again.

Your foot should feel locked in, but not pinched. You should be able to wiggle your toes but not slide backward or forward.

Step 4: Proper Alignment Matters

A common beginner mistake is stepping too close together or letting the snowshoes drift inward or outward while walking. That’s usually a sign of poor alignment during fitting.

When your snowshoe is fitted properly:

• The binding will sit centered over the frame

• Your foot will point straight down the length of the snowshoe

• The heel strap will sit directly behind your heel—not angled

• The pivot system will move freely without twisting

Step 5: Test Them Before You Commit

Once strapped in, walk around flat ground before hitting the trail. Stomp, twist, and take a few exaggerated steps. If something feels loose, uncomfortable, or crooked, fix it now—not on the side of a windy trail at 9,500 feet.

A good snowshoe fit feels:

• Secure but not painful

• Natural through your walking gait

• Stable during side-to-side movement

• Balanced while moving uphill or downhill

Common Snowshoe Fitting Mistakes

We see these every winter. Avoid them if you want a better experience:

• Wearing the wrong size boots for the binding

• Leaving ankle straps loose because they "feel more comfortable"

• Adjusting the wrong strap first

• Letting toe box sit too far forward

• Wearing cotton socks that get wet and cold

• Over-tightening straps until feet go numb

• Not testing the fit before hiking uphill

What We Do on Guided Snowshoe Tours

When you book with Estes Park Tour Guides, we make snowshoe fitting easy:

• We size every snowshoe based on your weight

• We provide the snowshoes and poles

• We help fit and adjust every binding

• We check fit again once on-trail

• We carry tools and backup gear if adjustments are needed

The result: you move efficiently, stay safe, and enjoy the trail instead of fighting equipment.

Bonus Tips for Families and New Snowshoers

• Kids often need help readjusting bindings—check them periodically

• Bring gloves that allow you to adjust straps without freezing your hands

• Take shorter steps than normal—wide strides waste energy

• Keep weight centered and walk with a slightly wider stance

• If a strap loosens, stop immediately and fix it—small problems become big problems fast

• Plan for more time than you’d need for a summer hike—the snow slows everything down

Ready to Try It?

Snowshoeing is one of the easiest and safest winter adventures for families in Rocky Mountain National Park—when your equipment is fitted correctly. With the right snowshoe size, properly adjusted bindings, and warm winter layers, you’ll be able to explore quiet forests, frozen lakes, and breathtaking overlooks that most visitors never see.

If you want a stress-free, fully supported winter experience, join us for a guided snowshoe trip in RMNP. We provide the equipment, expertise, and local knowledge—so you can enjoy the winter landscape without the guesswork.

Book your winter adventure or learn more at:
www.estesparktourguides.com