SnowShoes - What do I need to know?

[ADKParrotHead]

Mavs00 touched on the snowshoe topic in my thread regarding the summer/winter hiking question.....but I thought I'd drag that thought over here.

I've resolved that I will get snowshoes this winter. Now what to get? I was googling on snowshoes last night and learned a bit about them by looking at different types and reading the write ups and in some case reviews. I searched this site and didn't find a thead discussing snowshoe equipment selection and recommendations. So that's were I'd like this thread to go. I've not snowshoed at all. My Brother-in-law has a pair and clomped around 13th lake. He says it's pretty hard work....but I'll add (using the terms I've learned from this forum ) that he wasn't following any specific trail and was busting his own.....that seems like more work as I've read.

As Mav suggested, don't skimp on stuff that your life could depend on. That make sense to me.... So now to the questions...

• Plastic or metal ? I see MSR has a plastic set with lifetime warranty.

• Heal elevator? (maybe not the right term) Is this feature worth it? Is it sturdy enough? The write up's indicate that this little bar that flips up under your heal and ease the stress on the calf muscles on a steep grade. Interesting....but then is there a reverse feature for a descent?

• Size? It would seems size matters (we're talking about snowshoes here). However looking at some sites, they didn't have size choice. Some sites did and size seemed based on weight.... crap, I'm 230 lbs right now (going down, but I probably need to consider worst case... I don't lose any more) and add a properly filled winter pack at say 20lbs.....it now looks like I'll be needing the big boys. Right?

• Tails? This got confusing.....I understand tails extend off the back. Are they intended to give a bigger pad area for more weight when you have a bigger pack/load or more for front/back balance?

• Bindings? What's good, which should I avoid?

That's about all I can think of now....I'm sure everyone will add points I missed.

[chip]

I'm no expert but I think if you are going to buy 1 pair then you have to decide what their primary purpose is. Hiking packed trails in the Dacks to satisfy the snowshoe/skis requirement you can go smaller, like MSR's. Day hikes with no weight ? smaller, tear-drop shape. Multi-day with full pack or breaking trail after 2 feet of snow ? Bigger with more floatation, oval.

I'm psyched about fall and winter, can't wait.

[TFR]

My winter Mantra is "In MSRs we trust". I've done many winter hikes with MSRs, and although I carry 12-pt crampons, I almost never need to put them on, because the MSRs grip so well. I am speaking specifically of the 'Denali Ascent' model. I also own the 8" tail and I bring it and use it when the snow is deep. The short tail seems too short to be useful, IMHO.

The heal lifter seems to work like magic! (And they are part of the guarantee, they will replace them if need be)

Mind you I have never tried anything else....

[Joe H.]

Yes, Rik gives great advice. I'll add that I really like the Atlas snowshoes I use. I have a recursor to what is now the 10 series (they do not have the siderails). I follow the weight recommendations for shoe length. I am 160 w/o the pack, and travel both on and off trail.

[Kevin Rooney]

Snowshoes made by the major manufacturers such as MSR, Tubbs, Atlas, etc which are labeled as "Backcountry" or "Expedition" are all good shoes for winter hiking and will perform well. Avoid those which are listed as "Recreational" - they won't perform quite as well on the steeps, have as aggressive a crampon, or be built quite as ruggedly as a 'Backcountry' model.

I personally prefer Tubbs but that's just me. As for sizing - 9x25 works great for the dense snows of the Northeast. FWIW - Tubbs and Atlas are owned by the same company now.

Also - very important to carry an emergency kit for snowshoe repairs. Usually about a dozen or so 18" nylon wire ties are sufficient, along with a jacknife/multitool to snip them off. Also try to carry about 4-6' of 1/2" or 3/4" nylon webbing as well. Have had to use this stuff a few times on my gear as well as my buds. All snowshoes need repairs if you hike alot.

[AlpineSummit]

I haven't read others remarks, actually busy today! - But I have MSR's & like 'em. I bought the tails - waste of money IMHO. They throw the shoes off-balance, the tails just drag and it's a weird feeling. I'd sell 'em for $1.

The ascender bars are very sweet for steep uphill, takes lotsa strain off the legs

The MSR Denali's, or their newer model, have outstanding grip on ice and hardpack snow.

Only real complaint is that they sound like cheap plastic junk when ya walk on hard pack with 'em. And, they ARE cheap too. Very reasonable.

[hawk]

I have a pair of Tubbs 30" snowshoes I have had for four years which have served me well. They have built in Crampons which have handled anything I have had to traverse. I am extremely happy with them and would not hesitate to buy another set once if they have to be replaced.

Just as a note, I don't do peaks. I have had to do some ascents in the process of backpacking, but have not had to traverse slides or rock.

Hawk

[spaddock]

I'm 6'5" 240lbs right now and for peakbagging i absolutely love my MSR Evo Ascents. I do own the tails and I do put them on when there is more powder in the area, at my weight I will sink more without them.

I've hiked about 16 true winter peaks and probably 5 or 6 more in winter conditions and except for one trip to the Santanoni's and one trip up Lyon Mt. I've never had to break trail. Flotation is rarerly an issue since they are so packed out, at least that's been my experience.

Before I bought my Evo's I rented Atlas 10 series or whatever the mountaineering series is and liked them too.

I guess the bottom line is, you use different snowshoes based on the conditions, and of course keeping in mind that conditions can change while on trail. But if you only buy one pair, I wouldn't hesitate in recommending the Evo's.


-Shayne

[adkdremn]

Another vote for MSR's here. I own a pair of the Denali Ascent's with the heel lifter thingy. I tried it once going up Alqonquin, but it seemed like more of a pain to me. Maybe I didn't give it enough of a chance, I don't know.

My hiking partner last year bought a pair of Tubbs and he struggled going up areas I had no problems with. His are more of the recreational type though. I'm sure if you get the right ones they'll work just fine, as others have said.

Keep an eye out for EMS sales. Every once in a while they have some great deals, when I got mine last year I paid under $100 for them! That's a steal, they were actually cheaper than the regular Denali's! I think it was a President's Day sale, but they have similar sales on Black Friday or right after Christmas. I also had a coupon that helped too. You can sign up for their email list and they will occasionally send coupons.

[knuckledragger]

I luv my Tubb Mountain 30's the crampons are sweet and Iget plenty of float. With a full pack i figure I go 220 to 230 So you might want to go with a 36" long.THe mountains also have the wratchet bindings so very good conection. When I bought my first pair of red feathers I made the mistake of getting the *
' wide pair NFG get a 10" wide pair. after post holeing up a back country trail that was packed out buy 3 people in front of me. the 8" was not enough to keep me up. The only problem I have had would be bad for any snoeshoe and that is in spring rotten snow conditions.

[spaddock]

The ascender bar is FANTASTIC, you feel it big time when the going get steep. However, be sure to pop it down when you descend or you'll be jamming your toes up against your boots!

-Shayne

[Eric]

I personally like both MSR and Tubbs, I have both. The Tubbs 30 I have did fail me one time 3years ago while hiking I beleive Gothics. The bear claw style staps broke half way into the hike, I had to have my snow shoe duct taped and strapped down to complete the day. Tubbs gladly fixed my snoe shoes within a week with a different style of straps. The Tubbs 30 are great for breaking trail and for skiing down a packed trail. They are just big and goofy.

I do like my MSR's. They took more time getting used to. The heel lift is something I do not like to use on ascents. Kinda like high heels, not that I ever wore high heels but if I had to guess that is what they must be like.

Tubbs longer style, great for breaking trail and skiing and great for balance.
MSR, great snow shoe. Once you get used to them you feel like you are just glidding along a trail. 1 other thing with the MSR's, I don't wear high tops due to a left foot problem. With Tubbs I have to wear high topps, MSR's I do not have to. Can't ski very well coming down a packed trail. Also the binddings on the MSR's seem to brake down quicker and may need to be replaced regularly. At least my experience. MSR and Tubbs come with a great campon style. I have crampons and used them once for about 20 minutes and switched back to snoe (w) shoe.
Good luck Parrot Head with your pick.

[Shewolf]

Chiming in with a different snowshoe...

I bought a pair of Northernlites about three years ago on the recommendation of a friend and after getting used to the strange bindings, I haven't looked back. I absolutely love them. The bindings look like they won't hold but they are awesome and are easy to adjust with gloves on.

Check them out here... http://www.northernlites.com/

Call them up and they are extremely helpful and full of information!

[Mavs00]

I'm gonna muddy the water and go another route.

I've never been real crazy about the MSR's. Too noisy for me. I know that sounds silly but the soft "cruch" of winter is a big attraction and that "fake" twang is annoying.

Don't have Tubbs, so I can't comment on them. I now use Atlas 1030's and really enjoy them for both on and off trail use. I'm about 197 +20 (pack weight) and I find the floatation very good and traction is GREAT. Binding are nice as well, although I had an issue during a b-whack in medium snow last year, but overall very nice.

I like em..

Avoid the cheaper 800 series though, unless you're light, I found for my frame the crampons gave to easily in High Peak terrain (they are fine on gentle rollers though and I still have them for that).

[ADKParrotHead]

Sounds like I'd want to consider MSR's, but that noise thing.... I'd have to really consider that. Maybe my thought should be that I don't need the very best shoe right now because I'm probably not going to hike very aggresive peaks to start, so maybe a set of Atlas would be fine.

EMS & Coupons....my wife Loves coupons....Thanks for that tip!

One other question.....I saw somewhere "winter gators" advertised. Hype or is there a difference between winter & summer or maybe 3 season gators? Maybe a fleece lining?

[chip]

I've never used MSR's. People love them or they don't. Some people use them instead of a crampon. If the conditions don't require snowshoes, I'd rather wear crampons. I did see some MSR shaped post-holes last winter, but you could add the tail if more floatation is required. I got a pair of Crescent Moon Gold 9's a few years ago new on ebay for about $100. They have been perfect for me for breaking trail carrying little or no weight and for carrying weight on packed trails. I'm about 170lbs so I'd need something bigger if I was carrying weight and breaking trail. Snowshoes are like packs, it's difficult to chose just one.

[Daniel Eagan]

The MSR's are noisy but cheap. Best for following packed trails. I'd get MSR Lightning Ascents in a minute if they were cheaper. Tubbs work well, in my opinion sturdier and easier to use than Atlas. But as the EMS salesman in Lake Placid said, it's hard to justify buying them when they are no longer made in the US. When the company was sold a lot of Vermonters lost their jobs.

Havlicks (http://www.havlicksnowshoe.com/) were mentioned on another forum, and while I haven't used them I am attracted to the idea of buying local.

[Joe H.]

I agree with what Mavs said about the Atlas 800 series. That is the shoe we use for our quiver at school because we get them pretty cheap when they are on sale at REI. They seem to last about three trips with us (about 15 days total) before we start having problems and have to jury-rig repairs in the field.

[spaddock]

Another thing I love about my MSR's is i can run really easily in them. They're my winter running shoes. I love emptying out the tank on a shorter hike and sprinting to the car.


-Shayne

[AlpineSummit]

If I'm not mistaken, don't some models of Atlas S.Shoes have the annoying distinction of tossing little snowballs onto the head of the snowshoer as he walks along?

I'm sure many can do this in different conditions, but I thought that the Atlas were especially adept at it.