Exploring snowy landscapes on foot brings you right into the heart of winter wonderlands. But which is harder — snowshoeing or hiking? Both require you to get your body moving, but when there’s a lot of snow on the ground, things get a bit more challenging.
Is Snowshoeing Harder than Hiking?
Snowshoeing is hands down more challenging than a leisurely summer hike. First, there’s the snow which makes things like staying warm and navigating along a trail more difficult.
Second, swinging snowshoes around on your feet certainly feels different than regular hiking. Although you typically float above the snow, the added weight makes moving more challenging.
What About Hiking in Winter?
Winter hiking shares a lot of the difficulties of snowshoeing. You’ll still need to figure out how to regulate your body temperature. Too many layers make you sweat and be too hot. This means, when you stop, you’ll cool too quickly and risk hypothermia. While not enough layers can leave you feeling numb and in need of more coverage. Plan to wear less while you’re moving and bundle up while you’re resting to regulate your temperature.
Navigation is still difficult too. Snow covers trails, meaning you can’t see the path. Just because someone put footprints in front of you, doesn’t mean it’s the correct path. You’ll have this issue with snowshoeing too, so you’ll need to know how to navigate.
Where winter hiking can be substantially more difficult than snowshoeing is when you’re hiking, but you really need snowshoes. This happens when the snow is too deep to float over with your feet, and you sink. Called “post-holing” this dreaded way to hike is quickly tiresome since you’ll put in double or triple the effort lifting your feet higher.
Ice is another obstacle for winter hiking. Typically, simply wearing a strap-on traction device will quickly give you grip. But if you don’t have these, then your winter hike could be a real challenge.
With all of that being said, if you’re hiking in chilly weather on relatively snow-free trails, then snowshoeing is much harder. But if you’re out hiking on snowy, icy terrain without the proper equipment, you’ll find winter hiking to be far more challenging than snowshoeing.

What Makes Snowshoeing More Difficult?
The biggest factor that makes snowshoeing a big challenge are the snowshoes. You’ll have a wide, long, flat object strapped to your feet, which can take a little getting used to.
For starters, it’s added weight to your feet, so you’ll have to carry more around. Walking in snowshoes isn’t too challenging, simply walk as you normally would. But going long distances can feel much more tiresome than simply walking with boots on.
Don’t forget that you’ll still sink a little too. As a result, you’ll be lifting your feet higher to take each step. You may not immediately notice the difference but, over time, you’ll start to feel more tired. Plan for a lower-mileage snowshoe hike for your first few outings.
The second challenge to snowshoes is that you can’t walk backward. This doesn’t sound bad at first — you never walk backwards down a trail — but making tight maneuvers or stopping to turn around and talk to a friend can feel a little clumsy. To combat this, remember to walk in a circle when you want to turn around.
Lastly, you’ll want to consider your balance. Walking on snow takes a bit of practice, especially with clunkier footwear. Hiking poles with snow baskets make quick work of balancing yourself. Otherwise, you might find it difficult to move around and it’s much more work to get up if you fall.
Do I Need Snowshoes?
Needing snowshoes depends on trail conditions. Local trails may require snowshoes during certain times of the year. The best way to know if you need snowshoes is to look at recent trail reports for the area you’re looking to hike in.
Snowshoes can be quite an investment. If you’re new to snowshoeing, it might be better to rent them first to see if you like snowshoeing. That way you’ll know if you enjoy the sport, then you can choose the best snowshoes to fit your hiking style.

Top Gear for Snowshoeing
When it comes to hiking in winter, it pays to be prepared with the right gear for snowshoeing. Here is a list of snowshoeing essentials you’ll need for your wintery hike:
- Waterproof, insulated hiking boots
- Warm hat
- Non-cotton hiking pants and shirt
- Warm fleece layer
- Warm puffy jacket
- Waterproof shell
- Non-cotton thick socks
- Waterproof gloves with glove liners
- Hiking poles with snow baskets
- Snowshoes
- 30 to 40L hiking bag
- GPS navigation device with a map as a backup
- First Aid Kit
- Water (do not use a water bladder with a tube as the tube freezes)
- Warm thermos filled with your favorite drink or hot soup for the car
- Matches or a lighter for an emergency fire
- Headlamp with extra batteries
- Tasty snacks that are high in easy energy such as sugar and carbs
- Spare pair of wooly socks (in case your feet get wet)
- Sunscreen – put it under your nose and chin since snow reflects sunrays
- Sunglasses or snow goggles to prevent snow blindness
- Buff or neck scarf
Although snowshoeing is a bit more challenging than hiking, that shouldn’t stop you from getting outside and making the most of the snowy season. Choose a mellow trail and try snowshoeing in your favorite winter landscapes.
Article written by Meg Atteberry
Meg Atteberry wants to empower you to have the ultimate outdoor adventure. She loves to use her writing work to help people level up their outdoor skills. You can find her climbing, camping, and hiking across her home in Colorado and the American Southwest. When she’s not out exploring, she’s at home cooking up delicious meals from around the globe and curling up with a good Sci-Fi book. You can follow Meg’s adventures at Fox in the Forest.