Hybrid German snowshoe can glide downhill

Hive has created a fresh new take on the traditional snowshoe that adds the ability to glide downhill.

Snowshoeing may not enjoy nearly the level of popularity that snow sports such as skiing do, but recently it’s begun to see an upturn in the United States, according to datafrom SnowSports Industries America. Aiming to give the activity an extra boost, German company Hive has created a fresh new take on the traditional snowshoe that adds the ability to glide downhill. Most traditional snowshoes are built so as to distribute the wearer’s weight over a larger area than their foot alone would, allowing them to sink less in deep snow. With spikes or claws at the snowshoe base for safe uphill ascension, however, they’re not designed for gliding. That’s where the Hive snowshoe comes in, with much of that same weight-distribution functionality incorporated into a design that allows the wearer to glide when they’re moving downhill. Hive snowshoes feature a plate at the bottom of the snowshoe with claw spikes that can be left facing down during uphill climbs, but then folded up for a smooth surface to enable gliding when traveling downhill. A sliding binding, meanwhile, accommodates both uphill and downhill motion. The video below demonstrates Hive snowshoes in action:

There’s no word yet on pricing or availability for Hive’s snowshoes, but we’re betting they’ll find an eager audience in outdoor enthusiasts looking to add some extra speed to the traditional snowshoeing experience. Outdoor retailers around the globe: one to add to your own wintertime line? Spotted by: Smith Alan