Snowshoes

“I've decided it's time to purchase a pair of snowshoes. I've been renting quite a bit already this year.

I'm looking at the new MSR lightning ascent. Does anyone own these? What are your thoughts.

If you own a different brand and are an avid snowshoer (10-15 mile treks), please provde feedback.

Thanks
Rob”

“I think the older wood frame & guts wear the best, but the newer metal frame & nagahyde are easier to walk in.

10-15 miles is a VERY long walk in snowshoes. I'd HALF the distance/ elevation climb you boot hike.

Bring ski or trekking poles in the beginning too. You'll catch the toe & go face first.”

“I used a pair of the Denali Ascents (very similar) and was pleased with them. This was on an overnight trip on both a packed trail and untouched powder. With pack I was prolly around 215 - 220 pounds and had the short tails on the shoes. I found the flotation to be pretty good. You'll be pleased with them I'd imagine.”

“report to the "Park Employees should know SOMETHING about parks" thread. im sure a park employee could help u out”

“The discussion on is thread might help you out some.

http://www.thebackpacker.com/trailtalk/thread/34335,-1.php”

“I'm really fond of my Atlas 1030's. I agree with catshiker on the distance. I find the attachment system to be great. I've never had a problem with them loosening over the course of a trek.

”

“I have snowshoes by Yukon Charlie-- We tested them out yesterday and they seemed to work okay.... They are rated for up to 200 lbs.... Of course, I've never snowshoed before, so I cannot make a direct comparison between brands...

The style we have is "Chinook", but I understand that is a 2002 style, so the closet I've found is this one:



Here's the website:
http://www.yukoncharlies.com/index.cfm

We paid about $69 for shoes/poles/carrying bag at Sam's Club--I see that they have some other ones on sale at the Sam's Club website.

I'm guessing that these are not the lightest ones on the market...”

“I recently got a pair of MSR Evo Ascents. Look fantastic. Of course there's no sign of snow anywhere near me at the moment, so the chances of using them anytime soon are pretty remote.”

“y2 - hop a plane and come on out. I'll pick you up Friday night at DIA.”

“There was a long thread here just a short time ago about snowshoes...

http://www.thebackpacker.com/trailtalk/thread/34335,-1.php

And this is a good "general purpose" thing from REI you'll like
http://www.rei.com/online/store/LearnShareDetailArticlesList?categoryId=Snowsports&url=rei/learn/snow/snowshoesf.jsp&vcat=REI_EXPERT_ADVICE_SNOWSPORTS”

“I have a pair of Redfeather Backcountry Snowshoes that I love. Sierra Trading Post often has great deals on snowshoes. My best advice would be to get a pair with ratcheting bindings, rather than the straps. Straps can be impossible to undo with gloves on your hands and fumbling with cold wet straps without gloves is not fun!”

“thanks for the link Wanderer--very informative! :-)”

“Ive got the Yukon Charlies - used them all last year. No problems to report. Probably have about 25 miles or so on them now - never more than 4 miles at once though. Once I break those I'll buy some of those MSR Ascents. They look heavy duty.”

“Now that sounds like a plan Roam!”

“Garfum, that's Cool... We really like ours so far, but we haven't been in a variety of snow. It was about 35 degrees yesterday, (probably warmer when we started out) so the snow packed down pretty well... :-)”

“I've been very happy with my Atlas Shoes (2 1033s for me and a son, 1025s for my wife or other smaller companion).

Here is an interesting thread on MSR's with an informative debate:

http://www.viewsfromthetop.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4667”

“I just love the internet... no matter what you want to hear about any thing or any one, pro or con, you an pretty much find a site dedicated to it.

So it is with snowshoes.

I will begin by saying I own both Tubbs and MSR shoes. They are BOTH good shoes. I would go snowshoeing tomorrow with either pair & be perfectly confident in them.

If you look long & hard enough, you will find people who claim that either MSR, Tubbs or Atlas products caused birth defects in their new-born pups and they're sueing someone. That, unfortunately, is the nature of the internet & our society... NEVER, NEVER accept responsibility for something YOU may have done wrong, QUICK... BLAME someone.... CALL A LAWYER!! That's what that link reminded me of!

Let's face it... MSR, ATlas & Tubbs have ALL sold more snowshoes that any of us can possibly imagine. There is NO WAY ANY of them would be in business today if their products weren't at least "acceptable". SO now it comes down to YOU - DO YOUR HOMEWORK!

Go here, read. http://www.rei.com/online/store/LearnShareDetailArticlesList?categoryId=Snowsports&url=rei/learn/snow/snowshoesf.jsp&vcat=REI_EXPERT_ADVICE_SNOWSPORTS”

“I agree - 15 miles is a good distance to go on snowshoes. Now that we've cleared that up - what was the concern?

I haven't been snowshoeing for long. Hell, I don't even own my own and have done 1 or 2 treks this long. I'm sure there are plenty out there that have done more.

Thanks for all your advice thus far,

Rob”

“I just got the Redfeathers (30 in) today. Thanks Nigal! You Rock.

These are just like the ones I've been renting. I was using 25 inchers with a light daypack and did ok. Talking with the guy at the store, figured 30s would be perfect with an overnight pack. On the last overnight, with a pack, I used MSR Denali Ascents, with the short tails and probably could have used the long tails in the powder.

These should be just right for a full pack and plenty fine on dayhikes.

Most I've done in one day is about 4 miles - don't think I'd want to do more than 6 or 7.”

“The concern in a park is negligible. The concern in the mountains can be injury or death, giving up rescuer's free time & all of our tax dollars.”

“Hmm... I guess I'll stick to jogging around the block then. I'd hate to see my tax dollars go to waste.”

“how have those yukon charlies' held up? i am thinking of buying a pair. any help would be appreciated. :)”

“so noone has any experience with the new MSR lightning ascents???”

“I've looked at them and I'd say they are some of the best technical snowshoes on the market - just a bit pricey for my pocket and needs.”

“I have a pair of Cabela's Alaskan Guide Snowshows 10 X 36 size.
These Cabela's shoes have a solid pivot rod under the ball of the foot which I like.


With my winter pack of 40+ pounds and my 220 pound arse they work well.

If you are a heavy(200+) kinda guy 36" shoes are the way to go.”

“How many moneys?”

“Cabela's® Alaskan Outfitter Snowshoes $99.99 - $129.99

Cabela's® Alaskan Guide Snowshoes Sale: $149.99 - $169.99”

“I bought Yukon Charlies for my first pair. They Worked well and are relatively cheap.”

“They seem worthy of further investigation. Have you used them?”

“Those flight boots/decks look really cool. I have Yukon Charlies too - no problems so far. I also have these http://www.mountaingear.com/pages/product/product.asp/imanf/Karhu+USA/idesc/Meta/Store/MG/item/190782/N/0, and they're a blast.”

“as far as i am concerned the difference is in the bindings. i bought a pair of atlas snowshoes that the bindings are astonishing.

http://shop.jaxoutdoor.com/Store/TabID/145/ItemID/795451030415/Default.aspx

the bindings on these were the best among the many i tested... for me anyway. they worked easy with mittens. i highly recommend going to a store where you can try a few pair on and make sure you are happy with the bindings.”

“I have those too (Atlas 1025's, same model). It's been too long since we've had enoughsnow to use them. I think I like them.

Dhutch, those look sweet! Not too expensive either.”

“I had a pair of $70 new shoes bought on Ebay and got four trip out of them.

They did not have the pivot bar like the Cabela's Alaskan Guide shoes.

The pivot under the ball of the foot was two "eye bolt/rods" that did not extend all the way across.
The crushing weight of me and my winter load caused the thing to fail on the first day of FYAO IV almost giving me cause to give up and bail out.
My weekend was saved by a field repair using parachute cord.”

“I am a huge fan of the Tubbs Katadyn - solid construction, lightweight, cool crampons!”

“Nimbleweenie, I haven't used the Flight boots. Just eyeing them up.

The boots don't look expensive but the snow shoe part is separated. Overall they are a little pricey.

I have Atlas anowshoes- can't remember the model. Love them. So I can't really justify the boots at this point other than for the traction.”

“Last day #&%!$es!: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270040260570”

“Dude 36"??? Those are huge!”

“Light weight!!!”

“bindings... get good bindings.”

“You know what they say - big snowshoes, big _____.”

“Big Snow!!!”

“I was thinking of getting the Atlas 1025s. Anybody else have them? Or does anyone have the 10 series?”

“I've used them as rentals - Diane bought a pair at the end of last years season from REI. They seem to be pretty good - we both like the bindings. For the money, I think they are a pretty good deal.”

“i have the atlas 10 series snowshoes and l-o-v-e love them. the bindings are the best i have ever used. i can answer specific questions about them if you want.”

“Thanks! I'm only 160lbs so I think I'll go with the 1025s. I noticed last years model and this years are the same price. Is last years model any more durable?
last edited: 10/23/06 4:58:37 PM”

“Second the vote on the Atlas snowshoes. Although I did have a problem with the fabric wearing where it wraps around the tubes on the sides. Atlas fixed them under warranty once they said that they would not do it again. I think it was from a Maine trip when the snow was blown off in some areas and deep in some.
I really like the looks of the new MSR with the flat frames, if only you could put Atlas bindings on them.
last edited: 10/23/06 5:15:08 PM”

“Mr A check out this
http://gearx.com/index.php?cPath=86_91

Good prices on Snowshoes”

“Thanks! I have a 15% coupon for Backcountry.com also.”