What's best? Snowshoe bag or strap them on??

[pocahontas]

Being fairly new to winter hiking I was wondering what most winter hikers do w/ snowshoes when you know you may need them but not at the lower elevations

What is the most efficient way to carry?

Do most strap them on your pack in a snowshoe bag or just strap them on directly?
Is it worth it to buy a bag?

 

[MadRiver]

I go bagless on snowshoes. I do not see the advantage to a bag.

 

[Jay H]

I have a few daypacks I use in winter, one is my regular summer pack and I simply stick the tails of my snowshoes in the side pockets and use a bungee to lash the tips together and biner the binding to my top strap. But there are many winter daypacks that have a snowboard vertical carrier which I find adapt well to carrying snowsnoes... with a biner to back it up so it can't slide out. Some of the winter packs will also have back access so you can grab things inside your pack with the snowshoes on the front...

So, you can see if you can adapt your pack or spend some $$ and buy a winter specific pack. As far as a bag, I don't use one but some do. I would keep a storage bag of some sort in the car for post trip, lest you want a small puddle of water in your car on the drive away.

Jay

 

[Chip]

I strap 'em on, bottoms facing each other to prevent cleat damage to pack and/or straps.

 

[marty]

Strap 'em on, for sure. No use carrying additional weight and bulk around.

Marty

 

[NewHampshire]

I bought a new winter pack (LL Bean Mountain Guide) that has the perfect set-uo for strapping snowshoes on. Thats 50% of the reason I bought it (the other 50% being I needed more volume than my Kelty Redwing 3200).

Brian

 

[dug]

Strap 'em on. Bag seems like a waste of money.

 

[timmus]

I had my Cold Cold World pack customized so I can strap my snowshoes on it. I use to strap my crampons too, but now I put them in a bag (in the pack).

 

[DougPaul]

Strap. It also gives them a chance to dry off.

Doug

 

[SAR-EMT40]

I strap 'em on, bottoms facing each other to prevent cleat damage to pack and/or straps.

Yep!

Keith

 

[nazdarovye]

Use the bag in the car, strap the snowshoes onto the pack.

 

[Tim Seaver]

A loop of elastic across the back of a pack (the thicker variety, but not bungee-grade) is a quick way to access snowshoes without diddling around with straps.

 

[pocahontas]

Thanks to all who replied I appreciate all the responses
everyone had some really great suggestions!

Looks like the best way to go is to continue to strap/lash them on!

Thanks again everyone!