Winter Sports Calculators
What size snowshoes?
Snowshoe size depends on your total weight, including pack and clothing, and the snow you will walk on. Enter your weight and conditions to get a recommended snowshoe length. Runs in your browser; nothing is sent or stored.
Weight and snow
Result
Fill the form and press Calculate.
Worked example
A hiker who weighs 160 lb and carries about 12 lb of clothing and pack has a total of 172 lb, which falls in the MSR 125 to 175 lb band. On soft snow the chart gives 25 in (64 cm), or 22 in; on packed snow 22 in (56 cm); in soft and deep snow 25 in, or 22 in with tails.
How it works
Total weight, not body weight. MSR says the more you weigh, the more flotation you need, so count your body weight plus clothing and a backpack, and as a starting point add 10 to 15 lb for a simple day on a trail. The calculator adds your gear figure to your weight, finds the MSR weight band (90 to 125, 125 to 175, 175 to 225, or over 225 lb) and returns the recommendation for your snow condition.
MSR recommends a smaller base size for most conditions with tails added for flotation on demand. The chart starts at 90 lb total, so it does not size kids’ snowshoes. Conditions on a given day vary; use this with the snowshoe maker’s own chart for your model.
Sources and basis: MSR (Cascade Designs), “Snowshoe Sizing: How to Pick Your Perfect Length”. Opened 2026-10-08. Planning guide only; deep or avalanche terrain needs separate training and judgment.
Planning guide only, not professional, medical or safety advice. Conditions, equipment and ability change real needs; use your own judgment and local guidance.
FAQ
What size snowshoes do I need?
Most people are served by 22 in or 25 in snowshoes, according to MSR, with tails added for deep snow. The right size depends on total weight with pack and the snow: for a 125 to 175 lb total, MSR gives 22 in for packed snow and 25 in or 22 in for soft snow.
Do I include my pack weight?
Yes. MSR says to include clothing and an estimate of your backpack contents, and to try adding 10 to 15 lb as a starting point for a simple trail day.
What are snowshoe tails?
Tails are add-on extensions that give extra flotation in deeper snow. MSR recommends choosing a smaller base snowshoe and adding tails on demand.
What if my total weight is exactly on a band edge?
The calculator uses the heavier band, which gives you more flotation. Check the maker’s chart for your model.
Can I use this for kids?
No. The chart starts at 90 lb total weight, and kids’ snowshoes are sized by their own charts.