What Are These Snowshoes of Which You Sp eak?

“I saw the Yukon Charlie's ones at Sam's club for about $70 is that a fair price?”

“I'm really happy with Atlas 10 series. I had a couple pairs destroyed in a fire and will replace them with Atlas 10s (insurance will cover them if I replace them within 2 years).

Bacpacker had a review of a few different snowshoes a few years back. The models may have changed a little, but it gives some clues as to the different strengths of the shoes:

http://www.backpacker.com/article/1,2646,1889__2_2,00.html
last edited: 12/13/04 8:08:40 PM”

“I pawed an MSR pair in REI in an attempt to get the message across that I'd like them for Chrissymas.”

“I'm an expert at skis (XC and downhill) and skates, but I don't know jack about snowshoes. Any observations would be helpful. Thanks.”

“I think a 200 lb rated shoe should be fine for a 185 pound person. Even loaded up, you wouldn't be too much heavier. For real light powder, you might want to be more conservative - or if you are backpacking on a trail that hasn't been traveled for many months.”

“After looking further, I think the Yukon Jack's are from 2003...(an older style) They don't have that one online at their website any more...

Can anyone tell me if a shoe for 200 lbs max would be fine if we are just day hiking? The ones designed for 275 lbs looked to be about 6 inches longer an a lot heavier! I don't anticipate doing much winter camping, maybe just day snow shoeing around the local metro parks....”

“Thanks Ped-- that's what I thought-- It seemed like the 275 lb ones would be over-kill and so much more work to use....”

“Ok, thanks to an REI gift voucher I'm looking at a pair of these. Anyone tried em?
http://www.rei.com/product/47669831.htm?”

“I have MSR's and Tubbs (almost identical to Atlas shoes), I prefer the MSR's because of traction. They have a side "rail" that I have found very beneficial in extreme cases. Just last weekend at the Donner Pass trip I found myself scrambling on a pretty steep slope on snow which had an icy crust (Read: very slippery!), I was able to "kick" my MSR's in to get traction, I would not have felt as comfortable with conventional shoes on that slope.

Wannabp & Landscaper also use MSR shoes, as do quite a few others I's "shoed" with over the years. They were BP Mag "Editor's Choice" a couple years ago, I still think they're the best shoe available.

HOWEVER, if you're mostly in powder on relatively flat terrain, the increased traction might not be as big a deal for you. Also, they are a "noisier" shoe in crusty snow because of the hard plastic platform. Doesn't bother me... does some I guess.
last edited: 12/27/04 11:06:21 AM”

“I have the Denali Classics - a step down from those. I have yet to use them in a situation where they are necessity rather than toy, but I do like them. The tails let you leave weight at home for dayhikes or add floatation capability for gear-intensive trips. It took me a few tries to figure out the binding, but now its easy for me.”

“That explains why you were able to stride confindently down the steep icy slope while I slid down on my butt!!. My Atlas shoes didn't give me much confidence but I also didn't have them adjusted right at that point. If I was going to spend much time snowshoing I would probably get some like Wanderer's and the others but for a day trip or two per season doesn't justify the cost.”

“Hi Pepper, Happy Holidays to you and the girls. Did they get any good toys or treats?”

“The girls say Happy Holidays backatcha, wanderer! Their cousin Jackie (100# husky/shephard cross creampuff) was visiting over night and Ticha insisted that Jackie understand who is boss of this household. Jackie doesn't recognize that she is about 4 times as big as Ticha - a good thing...”

“Which MSRs do you have? Do you have the Denali EVO or the Denali EVO Ascent?”

“I have Denali Classics, they're probably about 4 years old now, they were the only model out at the time. I think the major diff between them and the newer MSR shoes is that the newer ones are somewhat tapered, the front of the shoe is wider, becomes narrower toward the tail.”

“Thanks!

The reason why I ask is I was looking at the Denali EVOs and noticed that they also offered a heavier duty model (the Ascent) (these have beafed-up crampons, etc for added traction in steep, icy conditions) and I wondered which would be better for the conditions in which I would be using them--a steep terrain with alternating powder and ice, possibly on other occasions in wet snow. I see from MSR's descriptions of the Denali EVOs and the Denali Classics that it's as you've said and they're basically the same snowshoe with some tapering. And it looks to me from your description that the conditions you use them in would be pretty similar to the conditions I'd be using them in, so I'm thinking the Ascents would be overkill and the Denali EVOs would do just fine. Thanks again!

Another question for wanderer and/or anybody else that has these. The weight range listed is 90-275 lbs. So what's the realistic weight range before you add the tails? I assume the upper limit (275) is with tails added? I understand that it's really dependant on snow type but a guesstimate would be helpful. I'm probably going to rent first and try them out before I buy but it would be good to know whether the tails are going to be necessary for the rental, or just an added PIA.”

“Good decision Skullcap. I can't see where one would need more traction in a snowshoe than these offer. If conditions are THAT icy I'd probably switch to crampons... at that point I wouldn't be snowshoeing, I'd be climbing ICE!

I think their upper limit is pushing it. I weigh 160, my winter pack is somewhere around 35-38 pounds & I will still posthole (although not seriously) a little depending upon the snow conditions. I have the 8 " tails attached, I just leave them on all the time. Putting these shoes (with the tails) next to my Tubbs I have almost EXACTLY the same surface area.”

“... at that point I wouldn't be snowshoeing, I'd be climbing ICE!


Yeah, that's exactly what I was thinking after reading both your comments and pepperdog's

Thanks again!”

“I have a set of 30" red feathers I'll let go fro $45. Only used once.”

“Do you accept REI vouchers Nigal? ;o)”

“No. Check or Paypal...pal.”

“Nigal, you have mail dude!”

“Hang on a sec. I'll run down to the basement and see what modle they are.”

“Does anyone know what the main difference between the Denali Evo, Denali Evo Ascent and the older Denali Classics, Denali Ascents? I have the 2002 model of the Ascents and from what I can tell the traction system is the same as the newer Evo’s. I would have to ask, is the tapered body and a couple of ounces worth the extra $40? Please note that my reaction is bases solely on only looking at pictures of the Evos.”

“The only flaw I see in the MSRs is the fact that the tabs that the straps hook on tend to bend back..

I'm wondering if the metal they use now is stronger.

I bought my pair the first year they came out. Was that 1996?”

“ok, I ordered the Evos and Tails :o) Happy happy days.”

“did you get lost in your basement?”

“Sunny beach! I'd forget my head if it wasn't up my ass! The shoes don't have any modle name or anything on them. It just said Red Feather Snowshoe on them. They are blue if that helps any. I can take a picture and put them for you tomorrow.”

“I have to admit I think those MSR shoes have a very optomistic weight rating,, with that small a surface area, they can't possibly work at the high end(except maybe on pavement?). They'd probably be okay up to about 150 lbs. or so, but after that seems like pushing it.”

“lmao @ Nigal.

Is the decking material soft and flexible or stiff and plasticky? If its not the plasticky stuff, I'll take them.”

“Damn, I don\'t know why I am having so much trouble keeping up on this thread. They are aluminum tubing with a type of stiff rubber webbing. They aren\'t hard plastic and they are flexible. Don\'t know if I\'d call them soft.

They look like this only blue. They aren\'t the top of the line ones but they are nice. I just don\'t get enough of a chance to use them. If ya like I can send them to ya and you can even try them out. Don\'t like them; just ship them back.”

“you've got mail again Nigal.”