Snowshoes for Black Friday

TSL, the plastic snowshoe since 1981

TSL was born in 1981 in Thônes, in the heart of the Aravis mountains in Haute-Savoie. Its first snowshoes, the JCB, replaced the wood and leather of traditional models with moulded plastic, which is lighter, water-resistant and requires no maintenance. In the 1990s, the brand launched its first technical snowshoes with articulated bindings, which follow the foot's movement with each step instead of constraining it. This design, still at the core of its ranges, has significantly contributed to popularising snowshoeing, from forest paths to snowy ridges. The Black Friday falls just before the first outings on the snow.

Other winter sports offers

The Black Friday winter sports deals also include:

• Ski.
• Snowboard.
• Shoes, après-ski and snow boots.
• Textiles, jackets, trousers and underwear.
• Helmets.
• Glasses, ski masks.

All offers are gathered on the winter sports page.

What size snowshoe according to weight

The size of a snowshoe is chosen based on the total weight of the walker, including clothing and bag. The Original and Initial ranges from TSL come in three sizes: the most compact for lighter builds and packed snow, and the widest for heavier or loaded hikers. The larger the surface area, the less you sink into the powder, but the more you have to spread your legs while walking. On groomed trails or hard snow, a compact snowshoe is more agile; in deep snow, off-marked trails, the larger size helps prevent exhaustion with every step.

Up and Down: crampons and heel lift for slopes

The Up and Down from TSL are aimed at hikers looking for elevation change. Their eight crampons, distributed under the binding and around the edges of the snowshoe, grip hard snow, the morning's frozen snow, and traverses. The heel lift raises under the heel on slopes: it reduces the ankle angle, spares the Achilles tendon, and saves a lot of energy on long ascents. On descents, it is lowered and weight is kept slightly back, allowing the rear crampons to work. These models are complemented by poles with wide baskets.

Children's snowshoes: Kidoo and junior models

A child cannot walk with adult snowshoes as they are too wide for their legs: they would tire out in just a few hundred meters. The Kidoo from TSL is designed for younger kids, with a binding that quickly adjusts to the child's shoe size. The junior models, like the Troll, take over when the child grows, allowing them to keep up with adults on longer trails. For a first family outing, choose a short, gentle route with regular breaks, and check before leaving that the binding fits the child's snow shoes properly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What shoes should I wear with snowshoes?

Sturdy, waterproof hiking shoes with rigid soles hold well in the bindings and keep feet dry. Too soft après-ski shoes or trainers can twist under the straps and let snow wet the socks.

Do you need poles to walk in snowshoes?

Yes, poles with large snow baskets help maintain balance, push off going uphill, and relieve the knees on descents. They should be adjusted slightly shorter for uphill and longer for downhill.

How do you walk with snowshoes?

You slightly spread the legs to prevent the snowshoes from overlapping, keeping a natural step without dragging your feet. On steep ascents, plant the front of the snowshoe to grip with the crampons, and on sloped ground, lean on the uphill edge.

Can you snowshoe without avalanche risk?

On marked and groomed trails in ski resorts and Nordic areas, the risk is managed. Outside these routes, check the avalanche risk assessment bulletin and carry a beacon, shovel and probe, knowing how to use them.

How do you maintain snowshoes?

After each outing, rinse them with clear water to remove ice and grit, then let them air dry before storing. Regularly check the condition of the straps and the tightening of the crampons.