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Don’t worry if your backpack doesn’t feature the ideal strap for carrying snowshoes for hiking across snow deposits. There are several ways to attach them to your backpack, and this article will guide you through them!
Best Ways to Attach Snowshoes to Backpack
Snowshoes make your hiking journey easy because you can use them against post-holing in deep snow. They can also turn into a hindrance, especially when you have to hike through a patch without lumps of snow. In such instances, you can remove them and attach them to your backpack. After all, it’s convenient. You will have a backpack with you to carry all your snowshoeing gear, so why not use it to secure your snowshoes when needed?
You can carry them in your hand too, but attaching them to a backpack is more hassle-free. There are several ways to do it, and the best ones are listed below with their pros and cons. You can use them according to the size and features of your backpack. However, you have to keep three things in mind:
- You can protect your backpack from scratches if you stack the cleats and snowshoes together.
- If snowshoes and cleats cannot be stacked together, you should attach the cleats so that they face away from the surface of your backpack.
- You can use a short bungee to attach snowshoes if suitable straps are not present on your backpack.
1) Using the Side Buckles
If your backpack features long side compression straps, then you can use them to attach the snowshoes. Fasten one shoe on each side in such a way that the cleats face out. Don’t forget to carry out the whole process carefully because the cleats are sharp and can damage your backpack’s outer covering.
Pros: The method doesn’t require extra gear and is secure.
Cons: The snowshoes can cover the side pockets where water bottles and maps are usually kept.
2) Using the Front Compression Straps
You can attach your snowshoes to the front panel of your backpack if it doesn’t have a shovel or other gear attached to it. Open the panel, place your shoes’ tail in it, and buckle the panel back to the place. Make sure that the cleat of shoes doesn’t touch your bag.
Pros: This method is easy, simple, secure, and quick. Also, no extra gear is needed to carry the snowshoes.
Cons: The tips of the shoes can hurt your head if you’re short or your backpack is small.
3) Using a Bungee Cord
If your backpack has small compression straps, you can use bungee cords to tie the shoes. Stretch one or two bungee cords around the shoes and attach them to the sides of the big backpack. You can use daisy chains and compression straps to hook the ends of bungee cords with them.
Pros: This method is easy to secure your shoes.
Cons: You will not be able to access your backpack if you follow this method.
4) Placing Snowshoes Under Top Lids
If your backpack has an extra compartment, you can make room for snowshoes in it. First, pack everything you want to take with you on your hike and then close the top compartment. Lay the snowshoes under the top lids of the backpack and then strap them. Don’t forget to do it correctly to avoid your shoes slipping down while walking.
Pros: This option is convenient, and you don’t need extra gear to attach your shoes to your backpack.
Cons: The shoes will slide apart if you fail to tie them properly.
5) Use Horizontal Straps
If your backpack is small, and you are worried about attaching shoes to it, relax because you can still fasten snowshoes with horizontal straps. Use compression straps horizontally to tighten the pair of shoes with your small-sized backpack.
Pros: The method is simple and easy to use. No extra gear is required to free your hands and secure your shoes.
Cons: The length of the horizontal straps limits your small backpack’s functioning. They are short, so you can’t handle extra things via the side pockets of your backpack.
