Abstract: An improved snowshoe is provided which is composed of a semi-rigid plastic web base which has a toe area having a downwardly extending flange encompassing a toe hole. The web base has a heel deck which has a raised retaining wall for maintaining the user's heel in the heel deck to reduce left or right sideslipping. A longitudinal slot is disposed between the toe hole flange and the heel deck. The slot relieves stresses along the web base during a walking motion by the wearer. A binding assembly may include a binding unit and tongue member which are connected to form a flexible two-piece hinge which allows both the user's toe to depress into the toe hole and the snowshoe web to fall away from the wearer's heel as the wearer bends his/her foot in a walking or running motion. A one piece, easy-to-use lace fastening mechanism is also provided to hold the binding assembly in tight engagement with the wearer's boot or shoe.