A snowshoe primer Snowshoes are thought to have been invented about 6,000 years ago in Central Asia. The perfection of designs and types was developed by North American Indians in forest zones. They preceded the use of the horse and often were used to hunt buffalo. The French used snowshoes to help them battle the English in the French and Indian War in the 1700s. North American explorers used them extensively in the winter for hunting and trapping.
Snowshoes allow the user to walk atop deep snow without sinking far below the surface.
The traditional snowshoes have wood frames with rawhide netting. They are strapped onto regular boots. There are more modern snowshoes on the market made of aluminum frames and synthetic fabric with steel crampons on the bottom for better grip in icy snow.