Snowshoes requires little to no experience, IMO. Put them on, then walk. If you can walk you know how to snow shoe. Use 'em long enough and you'll get better. That's all there really is to it.

But prior to stuffing them in your car, make sure you know how the binding is supposed to work! Not all bindings are self evident. Sometimes it is amazing how something that simple can be that hard to figure out . . .

I don't have any in my car. We have absolutely no need for them in our every day routine (I live in a city). They would be beneficial in remote areas, but we usually only travel into remote areas to go skiing anyway... Also, any major road is (supposedly) cleared of snow - I would just walk on the road. Much easier.

If you travel in remote areas with lots of snow and no skis, then yes, I would absolutely recommend some snow shoes.

Snowshoes excel at rough country, deeper snow, and winter camping / working situations and are a natural compliment to cross-country or mountaineering skiis which offer faster travel if conditions allow.

I carry snowshoes in my snowmobile kit, and my snowmobile is in the back of my work truck, so I guess I have access to them.

Mike

For me the snowshoes only go along if I expect to be using them.
They are too bulky to leave in a car trunk full time and disappear too easily out of a pickup box.
Skis have the same problems.

Thanks! I won't worry about them for any routine kit, but will probably pick up a pair to have in case I end up doing field work in the snow. I hadn't considered it before because I figured they were difficult to use.

A great site for finding stuff on Craigslist is www.craigshelper.com you put in your zip code, a distance, and a search term. the site then checks every Craigslist within that distance, and returns your items. it's a great time saver.

also, check out REI stores for their returns dept, lots of virtually new stuff cheap. some people abuse REI by buying stuff, using it on one trip, then returning it for a full refund.