On Fri, Nov 9, 2012 at 10:15 AM, Bailywolf <bailyw...@gmail.com> wrote:
> That's quite a clever widget. Really pack friendly too. Wonder if you
> could make your own with some washers, screws, and all those now-tainted
> LiveStong bracelets.
> I've had vague notions of trying to replicate the sole of a roman caligae
> - several layers of glued and compressed leather with hobnails for grip.
> Trade some flexibility for traction. But were I being honest, the weather
> around here just doesn't justify it.
> -B
> On Thursday, November 8, 2012 6:17:25 PM UTC-5, wilberfan wrote:
On Fri, Nov 9, 2012 at 10:37 AM, John Kemp <j...@jkemp.net> wrote:
> The ones I have are Tubbs Velocity racing snowshoes - I really like them -
> but I don't see them on the Tubbs site any more - they may not even make
> them since I'm not sure how popular snowshoe racing is these days...
> My whole family has Tubbs snowshoes, and we all like them - very well-made.
> By the way, racing snowshoes are designed to take a lighter weight than
> regular snowshoes, and because you're running you're not on the ground for
> long. But if you don't run in them, then you will sink in the snow if it is
> deep enough. So if you want shoes for walking, choose the wider, longer
> ones.
> JohnK
> On Nov 9, 2012, at 10:08 AM, Denise Skidmore wrote:
> > All the snowshoes I've looked at either have spikes in the binding for
> traction with the sole of the shoe (not comfortable in moccasins), or are
> antique reproductions crafted individually by an artisan ($$$).
> > Any recommendations?
> > On Nov 9, 2012 9:21 AM, "John Kemp" <j...@jkemp.net> wrote:
> > On Nov 9, 2012, at 9:08 AM, Denise Skidmore wrote:
> > > One of these days I'm going to give snow shoes a try. Won't help on
> glare ice, but in patchy bits some part of the shoe should find friction.
> Pretty much a walking only solution, can't run in them.
> > I have a pair of running snow-shoes (made by Tubbs) that I bought many
> years ago and even raced in. I have to say, I loved snowshoe running. But,
> snowshoes are only really necessary for deep snow (at least for me), so
> most winters, even though I do run in the snow, I haven't used the
> snowshoes that much - unless the snow is more than a few inches deep or is
> really crunchy and hard to run through, I don't bother.
> > JohnK
> > > On Nov 9, 2012 8:15 AM, "Lawrence" <alexandert...@videotron.ca> wrote:
> > > The is an 11K dirt round that climbs Mt. Royal here in Montreal that
> is leveled in the winter for cross-country skiers. When the snow is nicely
> packed, it is fabulous for running, but, when it warms up and re-freezes it
> can become an absolute sheet of ice. That's when I put these on my shoes:
> > > Yes, they are a little heavy, but they provide absolute traction on
> the ice, don't slip around, and don't squeeze my feet excessivly. The
> little carbide bits are spring set, so that when you cross a clear
> sidewalk, they are pushed into their containers. With a shoe like the
> Merrell Trail Gloves, with its firm Vibram sole and sock plate, the spikes
> aren't too bothersome, but you certainly feel them (as you would with the
> simple forefoot strap in the OP -- there are most definitely pressure
> points, so you can't run very far). With a more minimal sole, they really
> hurt, unfortunately. When running, one only needs the forefoot spikes, but
> walking on ice, I've often been happy to have the rear spike.
> > > What we need is a minimalist IceBug shoe. I've tried cross-country
> spikes, but, as Tucker points out, they are a disaster on concrete or
> asphalt.
> > > My conclusion is that existing straps don't really work with
> minimalist footwear. If shoes bother you, the pressure points the little
> spikes create will drive you nuts. These things are most useful over
> hard-soled shoes.
> > > On Thursday, November 8, 2012 6:17:25 PM UTC-5, wilberfan wrote:
> > > This would probably even work barefoot!
These are in the traditional style, but made of modern materials. I've read that magnesium snowshoes are quite loud compared to the wooden equivalent.
I don't see much discussion of the differences between the modern styles and traditional ones, but this site looked informative: http://snowshoe.com/index.cfm?pageid=17
I bought my snowshoes specifically for running since I often got caught in deep drifts while on some mountain trail - these larger varieties would be too heavy and cumbersome for my use.
> On Fri, Nov 9, 2012 at 10:37 AM, John Kemp <j...@jkemp.net> wrote:
> The ones I have are Tubbs Velocity racing snowshoes - I really like them - but I don't see them on the Tubbs site any more - they may not even make them since I'm not sure how popular snowshoe racing is these days...
> My whole family has Tubbs snowshoes, and we all like them - very well-made.
> By the way, racing snowshoes are designed to take a lighter weight than regular snowshoes, and because you're running you're not on the ground for long. But if you don't run in them, then you will sink in the snow if it is deep enough. So if you want shoes for walking, choose the wider, longer ones.
> JohnK
> On Nov 9, 2012, at 10:08 AM, Denise Skidmore wrote:
> > All the snowshoes I've looked at either have spikes in the binding for traction with the sole of the shoe (not comfortable in moccasins), or are antique reproductions crafted individually by an artisan ($$$).
> > Any recommendations?
> > On Nov 9, 2012 9:21 AM, "John Kemp" <j...@jkemp.net> wrote:
> > On Nov 9, 2012, at 9:08 AM, Denise Skidmore wrote:
> > > One of these days I'm going to give snow shoes a try. Won't help on glare ice, but in patchy bits some part of the shoe should find friction. Pretty much a walking only solution, can't run in them.
> > I have a pair of running snow-shoes (made by Tubbs) that I bought many years ago and even raced in. I have to say, I loved snowshoe running. But, snowshoes are only really necessary for deep snow (at least for me), so most winters, even though I do run in the snow, I haven't used the snowshoes that much - unless the snow is more than a few inches deep or is really crunchy and hard to run through, I don't bother.
> > JohnK
> > > On Nov 9, 2012 8:15 AM, "Lawrence" <alexandert...@videotron.ca> wrote:
> > > The is an 11K dirt round that climbs Mt. Royal here in Montreal that is leveled in the winter for cross-country skiers. When the snow is nicely packed, it is fabulous for running, but, when it warms up and re-freezes it can become an absolute sheet of ice. That's when I put these on my shoes:
> > > Yes, they are a little heavy, but they provide absolute traction on the ice, don't slip around, and don't squeeze my feet excessivly. The little carbide bits are spring set, so that when you cross a clear sidewalk, they are pushed into their containers. With a shoe like the Merrell Trail Gloves, with its firm Vibram sole and sock plate, the spikes aren't too bothersome, but you certainly feel them (as you would with the simple forefoot strap in the OP -- there are most definitely pressure points, so you can't run very far). With a more minimal sole, they really hurt, unfortunately. When running, one only needs the forefoot spikes, but walking on ice, I've often been happy to have the rear spike.
> > > What we need is a minimalist IceBug shoe. I've tried cross-country spikes, but, as Tucker points out, they are a disaster on concrete or asphalt.
> > > My conclusion is that existing straps don't really work with minimalist footwear. If shoes bother you, the pressure points the little spikes create will drive you nuts. These things are most useful over hard-soled shoes.
> > > On Thursday, November 8, 2012 6:17:25 PM UTC-5, wilberfan wrote:
> > > This would probably even work barefoot!
> On Fri, Nov 9, 2012 at 10:37 AM, John Kemp <j...@jkemp.net> wrote:
>> The ones I have are Tubbs Velocity racing snowshoes - I really like them
>> - but I don't see them on the Tubbs site any more - they may not even make
>> them since I'm not sure how popular snowshoe racing is these days...
>> My whole family has Tubbs snowshoes, and we all like them - very
>> well-made.
>> By the way, racing snowshoes are designed to take a lighter weight than
>> regular snowshoes, and because you're running you're not on the ground for
>> long. But if you don't run in them, then you will sink in the snow if it is
>> deep enough. So if you want shoes for walking, choose the wider, longer
>> ones.
>> JohnK
>> On Nov 9, 2012, at 10:08 AM, Denise Skidmore wrote:
>> > All the snowshoes I've looked at either have spikes in the binding for
>> traction with the sole of the shoe (not comfortable in moccasins), or are
>> antique reproductions crafted individually by an artisan ($$$).
>> > Any recommendations?
>> > On Nov 9, 2012 9:21 AM, "John Kemp" <j...@jkemp.net> wrote:
>> > On Nov 9, 2012, at 9:08 AM, Denise Skidmore wrote:
>> > > One of these days I'm going to give snow shoes a try. Won't help on
>> glare ice, but in patchy bits some part of the shoe should find friction.
>> Pretty much a walking only solution, can't run in them.
>> > I have a pair of running snow-shoes (made by Tubbs) that I bought many
>> years ago and even raced in. I have to say, I loved snowshoe running. But,
>> snowshoes are only really necessary for deep snow (at least for me), so
>> most winters, even though I do run in the snow, I haven't used the
>> snowshoes that much - unless the snow is more than a few inches deep or is
>> really crunchy and hard to run through, I don't bother.
>> > JohnK
>> > > On Nov 9, 2012 8:15 AM, "Lawrence" <alexandert...@videotron.ca>
>> wrote:
>> > > The is an 11K dirt round that climbs Mt. Royal here in Montreal that
>> is leveled in the winter for cross-country skiers. When the snow is nicely
>> packed, it is fabulous for running, but, when it warms up and re-freezes it
>> can become an absolute sheet of ice. That's when I put these on my shoes:
>> > > Yes, they are a little heavy, but they provide absolute traction on
>> the ice, don't slip around, and don't squeeze my feet excessivly. The
>> little carbide bits are spring set, so that when you cross a clear
>> sidewalk, they are pushed into their containers. With a shoe like the
>> Merrell Trail Gloves, with its firm Vibram sole and sock plate, the spikes
>> aren't too bothersome, but you certainly feel them (as you would with the
>> simple forefoot strap in the OP -- there are most definitely pressure
>> points, so you can't run very far). With a more minimal sole, they really
>> hurt, unfortunately. When running, one only needs the forefoot spikes, but
>> walking on ice, I've often been happy to have the rear spike.
>> > > What we need is a minimalist IceBug shoe. I've tried cross-country
>> spikes, but, as Tucker points out, they are a disaster on concrete or
>> asphalt.
>> > > My conclusion is that existing straps don't really work with
>> minimalist footwear. If shoes bother you, the pressure points the little
>> spikes create will drive you nuts. These things are most useful over
>> hard-soled shoes.
>> > > On Thursday, November 8, 2012 6:17:25 PM UTC-5, wilberfan wrote:
>> > > This would probably even work barefoot!
> These are in the traditional style, but made of modern materials. I've
> read that magnesium snowshoes are quite loud compared to the wooden
> equivalent.
> I don't see much discussion of the differences between the modern styles
> and traditional ones, but this site looked informative:
> http://snowshoe.com/index.cfm?pageid=17
> I bought my snowshoes specifically for running since I often got caught in
> deep drifts while on some mountain trail - these larger varieties would be
> too heavy and cumbersome for my use.
> JohnK
> > On Fri, Nov 9, 2012 at 10:37 AM, John Kemp <j...@jkemp.net> wrote:
> > The ones I have are Tubbs Velocity racing snowshoes - I really like them
> - but I don't see them on the Tubbs site any more - they may not even make
> them since I'm not sure how popular snowshoe racing is these days...
> > My whole family has Tubbs snowshoes, and we all like them - very
> well-made.
> > By the way, racing snowshoes are designed to take a lighter weight than
> regular snowshoes, and because you're running you're not on the ground for
> long. But if you don't run in them, then you will sink in the snow if it is
> deep enough. So if you want shoes for walking, choose the wider, longer
> ones.
> > JohnK
> > On Nov 9, 2012, at 10:08 AM, Denise Skidmore wrote:
> > > All the snowshoes I've looked at either have spikes in the binding for
> traction with the sole of the shoe (not comfortable in moccasins), or are
> antique reproductions crafted individually by an artisan ($$$).
> > > Any recommendations?
> > > On Nov 9, 2012 9:21 AM, "John Kemp" <j...@jkemp.net> wrote:
> > > On Nov 9, 2012, at 9:08 AM, Denise Skidmore wrote:
> > > > One of these days I'm going to give snow shoes a try. Won't help on
> glare ice, but in patchy bits some part of the shoe should find friction.
> Pretty much a walking only solution, can't run in them.
> > > I have a pair of running snow-shoes (made by Tubbs) that I bought many
> years ago and even raced in. I have to say, I loved snowshoe running. But,
> snowshoes are only really necessary for deep snow (at least for me), so
> most winters, even though I do run in the snow, I haven't used the
> snowshoes that much - unless the snow is more than a few inches deep or is
> really crunchy and hard to run through, I don't bother.
> > > JohnK
> > > > On Nov 9, 2012 8:15 AM, "Lawrence" <alexandert...@videotron.ca>
> wrote:
> > > > The is an 11K dirt round that climbs Mt. Royal here in Montreal that
> is leveled in the winter for cross-country skiers. When the snow is nicely
> packed, it is fabulous for running, but, when it warms up and re-freezes it
> can become an absolute sheet of ice. That's when I put these on my shoes:
> > > > Yes, they are a little heavy, but they provide absolute traction on
> the ice, don't slip around, and don't squeeze my feet excessivly. The
> little carbide bits are spring set, so that when you cross a clear
> sidewalk, they are pushed into their containers. With a shoe like the
> Merrell Trail Gloves, with its firm Vibram sole and sock plate, the spikes
> aren't too bothersome, but you certainly feel them (as you would with the
> simple forefoot strap in the OP -- there are most definitely pressure
> points, so you can't run very far). With a more minimal sole, they really
> hurt, unfortunately. When running, one only needs the forefoot spikes, but
> walking on ice, I've often been happy to have the rear spike.
> > > > What we need is a minimalist IceBug shoe. I've tried cross-country
> spikes, but, as Tucker points out, they are a disaster on concrete or
> asphalt.
> > > > My conclusion is that existing straps don't really work with
> minimalist footwear. If shoes bother you, the pressure points the little
> spikes create will drive you nuts. These things are most useful over
> hard-soled shoes.
> > > > On Thursday, November 8, 2012 6:17:25 PM UTC-5, wilberfan wrote:
> > > > This would probably even work barefoot!
I'm embarrassed to admit this. After I posted my comments on my Surefoot thing, I realized that the last time I used them was before the Trail Gloves were even released. I had used them with the 1st New Balance MT101's, which had a very rigid rock plate. I put them on my TG's yesterday, and couldn't run a block with them. The spike housings feel like I'm running on pea gravel that always hits the same spots. Feels like shit. Frozen, very hard shit.
On Friday, November 9, 2012 8:15:47 AM UTC-5, Lawrence wrote:
> The is an 11K dirt round that climbs Mt. Royal here in Montreal that is > leveled in the winter for cross-country skiers. When the snow is nicely > packed, it is fabulous for running, but, when it warms up and re-freezes it > can become an absolute sheet of ice. That's when I put these on my shoes:
> Yes, they are a little heavy, but they provide absolute traction on the > ice, don't slip around, and don't squeeze my feet excessivly. The little > carbide bits are spring set, so that when you cross a clear sidewalk, they > are pushed into their containers. With a shoe like the Merrell Trail > Gloves, with its firm Vibram sole and sock plate, the spikes aren't too > bothersome, but you certainly feel them (as you would with the simple > forefoot strap in the OP -- there are most definitely pressure points, so > you can't run very far). With a more minimal sole, they really hurt, > unfortunately. When running, one only needs the forefoot spikes, but > walking on ice, I've often been happy to have the rear spike.
> What we need is a minimalist IceBug shoe. I've tried cross-country spikes, > but, as Tucker points out, they are a disaster on concrete or asphalt.
> My conclusion is that existing straps don't really work with minimalist > footwear. If shoes bother you, the pressure points the little spikes create > will drive you nuts. These things are most useful over hard-soled shoes.
> On Thursday, November 8, 2012 6:17:25 PM UTC-5, wilberfan wrote:
> I'm embarrassed to admit this. After I posted my comments on my Surefoot
> thing, I realized that the last time I used them was before the Trail
> Gloves were even released. I had used them with the 1st New Balance
> MT101's, which had a very rigid rock plate. I put them on my TG's
> yesterday, and couldn't run a block with them. The spike housings feel like
> I'm running on pea gravel that always hits the same spots. Feels like
> shit. Frozen, very hard shit.
> I'm embarrassed to admit this. After I posted my comments on my Surefoot
> thing, I realized that the last time I used them was before the Trail
> Gloves were even released. I had used them with the 1st New Balance
> MT101's, which had a very rigid rock plate. I put them on my TG's
> yesterday, and couldn't run a block with them. The spike housings feel like
> I'm running on pea gravel that always hits the same spots. Feels like
> shit. Frozen, very hard shit.
> On Friday, November 9, 2012 8:15:47 AM UTC-5, Lawrence wrote:
>> The is an 11K dirt round that climbs Mt. Royal here in Montreal that is
>> leveled in the winter for cross-country skiers. When the snow is nicely
>> packed, it is fabulous for running, but, when it warms up and re-freezes
>> it
>> can become an absolute sheet of ice. That's when I put these on my shoes:
>> Yes, they are a little heavy, but they provide absolute traction on the
>> ice, don't slip around, and don't squeeze my feet excessivly. The little
>> carbide bits are spring set, so that when you cross a clear sidewalk, they
>> are pushed into their containers. With a shoe like the Merrell Trail
>> Gloves, with its firm Vibram sole and sock plate, the spikes aren't too
>> bothersome, but you certainly feel them (as you would with the simple
>> forefoot strap in the OP -- there are most definitely pressure points, so
>> you can't run very far). With a more minimal sole, they really hurt,
>> unfortunately. When running, one only needs the forefoot spikes, but
>> walking on ice, I've often been happy to have the rear spike.
>> What we need is a minimalist IceBug shoe. I've tried cross-country spikes,
>> but, as Tucker points out, they are a disaster on concrete or asphalt.
>> My conclusion is that existing straps don't really work with minimalist
>> footwear. If shoes bother you, the pressure points the little spikes
>> create
>> will drive you nuts. These things are most useful over hard-soled shoes.
>> On Thursday, November 8, 2012 6:17:25 PM UTC-5, wilberfan wrote:
I was once running with a couple of friends, descending Mt. Royal on a sheet of ice, and I was bragging that I had never fallen while running on ice, claiming that if you keep your weight forward, even if you slip, you won't wind up on your ass -- you'll kind of surf until you can get your footing back. The words were no sooner out of my mouth when I fell hard. We were turning left across the slope, a runner before me had shifted his line, and I had reacted by moving sideways. I went down hard on my hip, but the pain of embarrassment was worse than the impact.
A couple of years later, running on icy sidewalks, I put one foot on a driveway to go around a car, and I fell and broke a rib (running home with a broken rib in sub-zero temperature was real fun.
Now, if I can avoid running on ice, I do. Maybe I'll resurrect my old NB101's with the slip-on spikes if it gets icy this winter.
On Saturday, November 10, 2012 8:49:28 AM UTC-5, Tuck wrote:
> The cushioning probably helped as well...
> On 11/10/12, Lawrence <alexan...@videotron.ca <javascript:>> wrote: > > I'm embarrassed to admit this. After I posted my comments on my Surefoot > > thing, I realized that the last time I used them was before the Trail > > Gloves were even released. I had used them with the 1st New Balance > > MT101's, which had a very rigid rock plate. I put them on my TG's > > yesterday, and couldn't run a block with them. The spike housings feel > like
> > I'm running on pea gravel that always hits the same spots. Feels like > > shit. Frozen, very hard shit.
> > On Friday, November 9, 2012 8:15:47 AM UTC-5, Lawrence wrote:
> >> The is an 11K dirt round that climbs Mt. Royal here in Montreal that is > >> leveled in the winter for cross-country skiers. When the snow is nicely > >> packed, it is fabulous for running, but, when it warms up and > re-freezes > >> it > >> can become an absolute sheet of ice. That's when I put these on my > shoes:
> >> Yes, they are a little heavy, but they provide absolute traction on the > >> ice, don't slip around, and don't squeeze my feet excessivly. The > little > >> carbide bits are spring set, so that when you cross a clear sidewalk, > they
> >> are pushed into their containers. With a shoe like the Merrell Trail > >> Gloves, with its firm Vibram sole and sock plate, the spikes aren't too > >> bothersome, but you certainly feel them (as you would with the simple > >> forefoot strap in the OP -- there are most definitely pressure points, > so
> >> you can't run very far). With a more minimal sole, they really hurt, > >> unfortunately. When running, one only needs the forefoot spikes, but > >> walking on ice, I've often been happy to have the rear spike.
> >> What we need is a minimalist IceBug shoe. I've tried cross-country > spikes,
> >> but, as Tucker points out, they are a disaster on concrete or asphalt.
> >> My conclusion is that existing straps don't really work with minimalist > >> footwear. If shoes bother you, the pressure points the little spikes > >> create > >> will drive you nuts. These things are most useful over hard-soled > shoes.
> >> On Thursday, November 8, 2012 6:17:25 PM UTC-5, wilberfan wrote:
On Saturday, 10 November 2012 18:48:47 UTC+1, Lawrence wrote:
> I was once running with a couple of friends, descending Mt. Royal on a > sheet of ice, and I was bragging that I had never fallen while running on > ice, claiming that if you keep your weight forward, even if you slip, you > won't wind up on your ass -- you'll kind of surf until you can get your > footing back. The words were no sooner out of my mouth when I fell hard. We > were turning left across the slope, a runner before me had shifted his > line, and I had reacted by moving sideways. I went down hard on my hip, but > the pain of embarrassment was worse than the impact.
> A couple of years later, running on icy sidewalks, I put one foot on a > driveway to go around a car, and I fell and broke a rib (running home with > a broken rib in sub-zero temperature was real fun.
> Now, if I can avoid running on ice, I do. Maybe I'll resurrect my old > NB101's with the slip-on spikes if it gets icy this winter.
