Found snowshoe bindings but not available in the US

These bindings are similar to some I’ve been looking to try, but the two vendors shown won’t ship to the U.S. Anyone know of another source?

The goal is to speed up getting my shoes on at the trailhead, without freezing my digits by fiddling with laces. I’ve tried several bindings and they either aren’t very secure or they are difficult to get tight. These look worth a try, but the Canucks are holding them hostage .

Howe style leather bindings work well except for the wear on the strap that holds the binding onto the snowshoe webbing. I'd also swap out the instep strap with a cam- or friction-lock type strap. The kind used on backpacks and tie-ins. I only found them for sale on Amazon or Etsy, though.

I also used this style of binding with aluminum framed shoes and they do the job and are fairly quick to put on. But I noticed that just about every retailer is sold out.

This is the closest version I found in the US:



He has an Amazon store as well.

Look like solid bindings and I like the way they attach to the webbing. I'd be concerned about the spikes rubbing into the webbing if the spacing isn't ideal for certain snowshoes.

I’m using Super A bindings. Looking to simplify entry. These are some recommended by Hap Wilson, which resemble the design I’ve found

Tryin' said:

This is the closest version I found in the US:

Products

He has an Amazon store as well.

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That link doesn’t work.

Black_Fly said:

That link doesn’t work.

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Weird, it shows on my end.

snowshoe-bindings.com



snowshoe-bindings.com

For many years in Canada, the Faber work binding was the preferred one for people who used traditional snowshoes for work, such as line cutters, prospectors, etc. https://www.canadianoutdoorequipmen...71eoAJw8DF3zmT8Nkw0Pz65GqG08dCihoCN2QQAvD_BwE

Seems like faber isn't making them anymore, and the new price is fairly hefty. All of my traditional snowshoes have this binding, and it is superior. Once you set the lace for your boot size, you don't really have to touch it again if you are the only person using the snowshoe.

I put a pair of these bindings on my snowshoes this winter and am very happy with the quality. From Vermont leather worker...
Dan

You should try these bindings. They take a little experimentation to get the fit exactly right but once set up you can slip your feet in and out without using your hands. They were originally designed by trappers who needed to be able to kick off their shoes in case they fell through the ice. You could probably make you own from heavyweight inner tubes.

memaquay said:

For many years in Canada, the Faber work binding was the preferred one for people who used traditional snowshoes for work, such as line cutters, prospectors, etc. https://www.canadianoutdoorequipmen...71eoAJw8DF3zmT8Nkw0Pz65GqG08dCihoCN2QQAvD_BwE

Seems like faber isn't making them anymore, and the new price is fairly hefty. All of my traditional snowshoes have this binding, and it is superior. Once you set the lace for your boot size, you don't really have to touch it again if you are the only person using the snowshoe.

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those look interesting. Pricey, but if they stay adjusted…. I swore off leather bindings because of stretch, but those have nylon webbing, and bison leather should be more stable. Thanks, something to ponder.

memaquay said:

For many years in Canada, the Faber work binding was the preferred one for people who used traditional snowshoes for work, such as line cutters, prospectors, etc. https://www.canadianoutdoorequipmen...71eoAJw8DF3zmT8Nkw0Pz65GqG08dCihoCN2QQAvD_BwE

Seems like faber isn't making them anymore, and the new price is fairly hefty. All of my traditional snowshoes have this binding, and it is superior. Once you set the lace for your boot size, you don't really have to touch it again if you are the only person using the snowshoe.

Click to expand...

it's sad to hear of Faber dropping the work bindings, they've been my favourite since I was a kid, they never seemed to wear out (although) mine did need restitching every several years). One pair I have are probably more than 30 years old and have been restitched twice, the heel loops also tend to eventually get brittle and crack, again after several years' use (I suspect from salt exposure coupled with friction) and maintenance was easy- a scrub with saddle soap and an application of neatsfoot oil every spring for storage, and a good scrubbing with neatsfoot oil in the fall. My wife's were treated the same but with Sno-Seal instead of the oil (she hated the smell) and have been equally durable. At least the Esker one has a bit of a pedigree as Esker has been producing outdoor gear for years, and at first glance the bindings look fairly similar to the old faber ones and sound as durable, it's almost as if they knew of the change at Faber and worked to replace them with an updated version.

With warm weather accosting the opaque water region I’m certain there won’t be additional snow traipsing opportunities this year. Hopefully, I’ll get to Ontario on a paddling trip and can arrange to pick up some decent bindings that don’t use finger freezing lacing or leather that stretches excessively. I’ll have to take my snow boots with me, I’ll reckon. The Eskers max out at my boot size (12), but are they generous enough to cover a big toed boot? Then, I’m afraid the thugs at the border would want me to pay whatever the punitive tax is at the time. I wonder if the border patrol dogs can smell maple syrup? I always bring back gallons of that stuff.