Inflatable Snowshoes for an Emergency
Have you ever left your snowshoes home because they were too bulky to carry, only to regret it mid hike when you were postholing to your thighs in deep snow? Stories of stranded snowmobilers mired in the woods after they ran out of gas inspired Alaskan oil field worker Rick Stafford to create Airlite inflatable snowshoes. Made from the same bladder material used inside inflatable rafts, these puncture proof snowshoes are 36" long and about 16" wide, big enough to support around 200-pounds. In your pack, each deflated shoe rolls up to the size of a tallboy. The shoes inflate with a hand-held bike pump or with a compressed air cartridge via a schraeder valve, the valve used in most bike tubes.
Airlites were developed as a survival tool for sled heads, but they'll work just as well for snowboarders or shoulder season hikers. In January, Airlite will sell an attachable underfoot claw to give these shoes some traction on inclines. For now, they're best for the flats in an emergency. Available now, $168, airlitesnowshoe.com
-Berne Broudy
@berneb
Comments
Yes, I would be concerned about going up or down hills with these. How many mountains do you know that are flat? And that is where most of the snow is. www.backpack-and-gear.com
Flag ThisPlease be aware that the above statements about the Airlite Snowshoe is misleading. The Airlite Snowshoe is not a TOY. It is a serious Life saving device That has been tested to -30 in Alaskas harsh winters since 2004. 1st: The work very well up to 250# and work good to about 280#. We are working on a version that will hold handle more weight because the military is asking to do some testing. 2nd: The material is a 30 mil urethane which is much thicker than that found in a cataraft tube. It is not puncture proof but is very, very, puncture resistant. I use a 16D construction nail to demonstrait this at the outdoor shows. 3rd:Inflation is made by mouth first using the quick inflate deflate valve THEN is topped off with either a Co2 injector or a small tire pump. 8.5 to 9 pounds is all it takes to make these snowshoes very firm. Finally: As far as traction is concerned, these snowshoes have a flexible deck that allows the wearers foot or traction pad with raised buttons, to penetrate the surface of the snow and works very well in most snow conditions and in the hills as well. This snowshoe is primarily an emergency snowshoe that is tough enough to be part of anyone’s recreational gear. An accessory crampon will be available soon.
Flag ThisPlease be aware that the above statements about the Airlite Snowshoe is misleading. The Airlite Snowshoe is not a TOY. It is a serious Life saving device That has been tested to -30 in Alaskas harsh winters since 2004. 1st: The work very well up to 250# and work good to about 280#. We are working on a version that will hold handle more weight because the military is asking to do some testing. 2nd: The material is a 30 mil urethane which is much thicker than that found in a cataraft tube. It is not puncture proof but is very, very, puncture resistant. I use a 16D construction nail to demonstrait this at the outdoor shows. 3rd:Inflation is made by mouth first using the quick inflate deflate valve THEN is topped off with either a Co2 injector or a small tire pump. 8.5 to 9 pounds is all it takes to make these snowshoes very firm. Finally: As far as traction is concerned, these snowshoes have a flexible deck that allows the wearers foot or traction pad with raised buttons, to penetrate the surface of the snow and works very well in most snow conditions and in the hills as well. This snowshoe is primarily an emergency snowshoe that is tough enough to be part of anyone’s recreational gear. An accessory crampon will be available soon.
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