FAQ’s

How can Northern Lites be so light and durable?

The short answer is advanced engineering and materials. We then tested prototypes to failure, modified, and then tested again and again. The long answer is under the heading Snowshoe Design.

Why is Northern Lites the only company focused on lightweight, performance oriented snowshoes?

Sporting goods shop owners know that over 80% of snowshoe customers do not try before they buy, so shelf appeal and name recognition drive the buying decision. Most snowshoe companies know this which is why they focus on features that are noticed inside the store instead of on the snow performance. Many inexperienced snowshoe customers actually think that weight equals durability and will choose the heaviest model!

So it is actually normal business behavior for a snowshoe company to all but ignore weight focusing instead on name recognition and shelf appeal. I knew this when I founded Northern Lites back in 1992. As an engineer and avid snowshoer, it was never about making another market driven product. The technology is available to make a truly high performance snowshoe which has been our focus ever since.

Why don’t more stores carry Northern Lites?

Again it goes to the answer above. It’s much easier to sell brands with well know names and in store features than a little known, high performance brand. Since we put all our resources into the product we have no sales people so retailers need to seek us out. For this reason our retailers are usually owned by avid snowshoer's who know firsthand of our performance advantage. This may slow sales growth but our philosophy of, “build a better snowshoe and they will come”, has worked well for us.

One would think that the lightweight advantage of Northern Lites would be perfect for women. Why don’t you make a women’s model?

Market driven companies learned years ago that women make the majority of shopping decisions and the rush to make women specific snowshoes was on. But instead of focusing on what women really need like reduced weight and proper floatation, they pander to the fairer sex with pastel colors, smaller bindings, and less floatation. These sacrifices may shave off an ounce or two but are nothing more than warmed over versions of their standard products.

Because Northern Lites are already on the cutting edge of lightweight performance, our standard snowshoe is much more advantageous to women than these gender specific models. Just check out the surface area and weight of the women’s specific snowshoes offered by the other companies and compare.

I am looking at snowshoeing as a workout, wouldn’t heavier snowshoes be better?

Anyone who has ever been snowshoeing knows that it is an aerobic sport, even with the lightest equipment. If you prefer to look at snowshoeing as an exercise routine, you can save some money and buy the heaviest snowshoes you can find. Most folks snowshoe for the experience and, as with other outdoor sports, the exercise is a side benefit. I find that when using high performance outdoor equipment I will do it more often and longer because it is fun.

The question you need to ask yourself is, do I want another piece of exercise equipment, or do I want to have fun while I burn calories? Snowshoeing on Northern Lites is as aerobic as you wish to make it. We have never had the complaint that our snowshoes are too light!

I like to try before I buy but cannot find a retailer, what do you suggest?

You can buy directly from this website and we will ship within one business day. Try them for up to 30 days and if not completely satisfied you can ship them back for a full refund.

Why should I buy Northern Lites snowshoes?

The simple answer is that no other snowshoes offer the lightweight performance that you will notice immediately with Northern Lites. Fancy features and artsy shapes or colors do little when you are miles from your destination and your snowshoes feel like a torture device.

If you are new to the sport, do some research so as not to be disappointed. Use your favorite search engine and type in snowshoe reviews, or Northern Lites reviews. You will learn from folks who have used all the brands. You will quickly see out customers are more passionate as snowshoeing on Northern Lites is a whole new sport!

If you have questions not answered here please give us a call at 800-360-LITE (5483). Your call will not only be answered by a real person (during business hours), but by a real snowshoer. Enjoy, stay safe, tread lightly, and please, leave only your tracks behind.

Russ Post
Founder and Designer
Northern Lites Snowshoes