But in the calm of tiny Shingleton, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, the largest U.S. maker of wooden snowshoes is prospering. Everybody's trying to improve something that's been around for centuries. But here in the UP, where snowshoes are a necessity for some of us, we're not just running around in Spandex. They're sold at Raupp Campfitters in Royal Oak and Lansing, the Benchmark in Farmington and Michigan Snowshoe Center in Roscommon. Veterans invariably use them, but few joggers or children do.
Many beginners say they make snowshoeing easier and safer.
All telescope into compact units as short as a foot. Some have built-in springs to absorb the shock to wrists of planting the pole as the user walks. Typically, you'd use a lightweight, waterproof hiking boot. For beginners, Tubbs sells a Discovery Starter Kit. It has a pair of Discovery snowshoes, a pair of poles and a CD about getting started.