Snowshoeing today is largely viewed as an outdoor hobby, and competitive sport, though this was not always the case. Historically snow shoes were a necessity for travel and survival in some of the harshest landscapes on earth.

Snowshoes were used in Central Asia over 6,000 years ago. These original shoes were modified slabs of wood and resembled skis. The idea for the shoes came from observing animals such as the snowshoe hare. Humans realized that longer, wider footwear helped distribute weight evenly allowing for less sinking and quicker travel over snow. The ancestors of the Native Americans used the shoes to migrate across the Bearing Sea land bridge. They began making shoes using a system of twigs and raw hide. They modified and perfected the design which led to the modern snowshoe. Ancient Europeans evolved their snowshoe design into the Nordic ski, used for cross country skiing.

The snowshoe has undergone countless tweaks over the years. These were necessary as the snow conditions, available materials, and types of use differed according to region. The Alaskan is long and narrow with an upturned toe. It is built for speed and the upturned toe was developed to break trail for dog sled teams. The Objiwa is canoe shaped and double-pointed. This design enabled the crossing of a variety of terrain. The Michigan is easily recognizable with its long tail and tennis-racquet look. This design is more cumbersome, but it allowed its people to carry heavier loads such as elk or buffalo. The bear paw design is short, wide, and oval shaped. They are the most versatile and easiest to maneuver.

By the 1880’s snowshoes were no longer viewed as a tool for survival, but a tool of recreation. In the 1970’s manufacturers began using more modern materials such as aluminum and neoprene. Modern snowshoes are lighter and more durable than their wooden predecessors. The art of making snowshoes by hand may be waning, but the influence of early snowshoes will always be seen in the design of newer products and in the culture of those who use them.