About Iverson Outdoors

The History & Tradition

At Iverson’s we’ve been handcrafting the finest traditional wood snowshoes for over 60 years. They’re made in the USA, right here in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula–and trust us when we say, we know snow.

It started back in 1954 when Clarence Iverson began building his snowshoes for the State of Michigan. His premise was simple: reduce expended energy by walking on top of the snow, not through it. His designs provided maximum weight distribution for optimum flotation. News soon spread of the Iverson snowshoe, and demand expanded the company into the consumer market.

Clarence was very picky. He only used the finest materials–premium Michigan White Ash, full grain rawhides, and pure copper hardware. These components are expensive, but well worth the cost when you find yourself in extreme conditions, or when it’s time to pass your Iversons on to the next generation.

We handcraft 17 models of snowshoes in different sizes, and all are available laced with traditional rawhide or neoprene.

Our four binding options include our new “Iverson AA” and other traditional models.

We take great pride in our craft and the ability to match the proper snowshoe to the user. We look forward to breaking a trail with you soon.

Wood vs. Aluminum

Aluminum snowshoes entered the market in the 1980s and the vast majority are imported.  We could build them too, but we choose not to. Our team of craftsmen and artisans continue to handcraft the finest snowshoes in our shop in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula based on our designs that were perfected through years of hard use in demanding conditions. We have updated our products over the years to include a mix of tradition & technology, but we have always stayed true to our cause – beautiful products that are both tools and heirlooms. What we hear from our customers:

  • Iverson wood snowshoes provide superior traction with no “sled” effect. Metal snowshoes & ice are not good friends.
  • Our wood snowshoes provide nearly twice the flotation of metal shoes of the same weight.
  • Our open lacing doesn’t accumulate snow or ice like the solid decks of the metal shoes.
  • Wood frames are very rugged and flexible; they don’t freeze, become brittle, or bend when bridged.
  • Our wood snowshoes are very quiet, and are used by many top outfitters and outdoor enthusiasts for this reason alone.

Iverson Snowshoe Facts

  • Quality - At times we need to re-lace our shoes that have been used hard for decades but we hear from many of our customers who have had our shoes for 30 years and more.
  • You’ll wear out before they do, then it’s time to pass them down to the next generation.  As we say, when you buy from Iverson you are getting both a tool and an heirloom.
  • Iverson snowshoes are beautiful to display when not being used.
  • We make our snowshoes in the USA–please support American workers.

Here’s a test: try a pair of Iversons. Not a 2-minute stroll on packed snow–go break a trail in deep snow, take some pictures of the critters that you haven’t spooked by the clanking of metal, then you’ll start to get it. True purists–those who work and play in the wilderness–continue to choose Iverson, and you should too.

Iverson Innovation

  • Iverson expanded on the use of neoprene laced snowshoes. This lightweight, non-stretch, non-stick material is unaffected by severe winter conditions and minimizes snowshoe maintenance.
  • Iverson developed the “Standard A” snowshoe harness, the reference standard of the industry.
  • Iverson developed their proprietary “No-Sno” poly-lacquer coating along with a multi-step dipping process that significantly reduces buildup in wet and sticky snow conditions.
  • In 2008, Iverson began using military grade ballistic Kevlar-impregnated neoprene–incredibly tough, durable, abrasion resistant and 30% lighter.
  • The 2009/2010 season also saw the release of the new “Iverson AA” harness. This much-improved version of the traditional “Iverson A” is built for the new larger pack boots in use today.