MSR snowshoes

“Im looking to get some snowshoes (for next year, as the snow is pretty much gone) I would like to get some more reviews by some people. I've heard really good reviews for almost everyone I talk to. I'm just starting snowshoeing and will be in the mountains and want a snowshoe I can use without having to upgrade. I was looking to get the Denali ascent or the Evo ascent or maybe even spend big and go with the Lightnings. Im 6', 260lb with a pack. Thanks, I appreciate it.”

“I have the MSR Snow Shoes (I forget which model) and really like them. One time I did have to put on the tails, which was very diffecult. Equally so to remove them.
The shoes are narrower than the Atlas that I tried so I can walk with a more normal gait. BIG PLUS!
The one downside; they are noisey.
Rent a pair and check them out.”

“I know a lot of people that use the MSR Denalis (which i'm pretty sure is what naviguesser is talking about) they're sturdy and reliable, but yes they are noisy.

I have the MSR Lightening Ascents, which I like a bit better. They have a synthetic decking rather than the hard plastic and I much prefer the binding system of the Lightening over the Denali - much more of a 'step in' binding. But both are fine.

A major feature of both is the side rails that really help out on side hill traverse situations.”

“I also love my MSR Denalis. You can probably find shoes with better flotation, but what MSR has over the competition is their traction. All the models have excellent forward, back and sideways traction. I have never tried the ascent option and I know others who have it and never use it. I routinely do some very steep climbs and never felt the heel block would be any advantage, but YMMV.

A friend who is closer to your weight than I am uses the flotation tails but he says they don't help that much. Very light snows you will post hole regardless of what is on your feet, but the slipping is what saps the energy. The added traction is what makes them worth the extra weight on your feet.”

“I have the Denalis and the Lightnings. The Denalis are bomber, great for early or late in the season. The Lightnings live up to their name compared to the Denali, quicker, lighter, smoother stride. I don't have the Ascent version of either, MSR told me the slopes I'd be on here in Colorado didn't warrant the extra weight. Even so, once I wear out/lose a pair, I may get the Ascent to try out.”

“I have the Denali Ascents. The heal bar is nice to have on steep slopes as you are able to keep even better traction. The only problem is you need to be on a constantly steep slope to get the most benefit.”

“... IMHO and experience (friends) MSR snowshoes are best on trails and not deep snow, especially for someone your size and weight.

I use large Atlases, but, like Tubbs, they are now being made in China - MSR and Redfeather are still made in the US.

Some great snowshoes are made by Faber and GV, both on the same Huron reserve near Quebec City. GV make snowshoes for the Canadian army.

I'll get back to you with links.

Doug”

“I have used MSR Denalis before but own Atlas. Sometimes, depending on conditions, MSRs are great. This is primarily more packed surfaces, when there is crusty layers on the snow and not much sink (like after the snow has had a chance to settle for a couple of weeks). In the powder/fresh I would prefer my Atlas but I really like that idea of a set of the plastic MSRs for times when conditions aren't as favorable to the Atlas, which seem to prefer float. PLus, those MSRs are really light.”

“www.gvsnowshoes.com

www.fabersnowshoes.com

www.mec.ca

God luck,

Doug”

“i was not impressed with the msr lightning ascent showshoes. i returned them and got a pair of atlas and never looked back. for me it's all about two things: the bindings and floatation. if found the atlas to be vastly superior to the msr snowshoes (esp with mittons on) and teh floatation to be almost non-existant with the MSR and like walking in the clouds with the atlas. bottom line: the msr lightning ascents were the wrong snowshoes for my application. i am sure they are good for someone somewhere and something but not for me.”

“well there ya go - two people in different regions with polar opposite experiences.

:)

your mileage may vary”

“Used both and liked both. Ended up buying Atlas 1025s and am really happy with them. See if a gear shop near you rents snowshoes - if so, take a friend along and rent a pair of each and take 'em for a test drive.”

“One other note: I did notice the MSRs were noisier, and I do prefer the Atlas bindings. You can sidehill aggressively and not feel like the shoe is going to rip off your feet. That's not to say the MSR bindings are bad, just that Altas bindings are better (IMO) and that was the deciding factor for me.”

“I have a pair of the Denali Ascent snowshoes. They were a big improvement over my Sherpa snowclaw shoeshoes. Traction is excellent on steeper slopes going up, down or sideways. The heel bar came in handy for me and I liked it. I like that they are compact because many times I'll go out for the day with cross country skis and snowshoes so they fit inside my day pack when I have the skis on. As far as noise, even a bare boot is noisy on crunchy snow so whatever noise there is hasn't bothered me. Nothing is perfect, but they work for me and they were a good deal at an end of the season sale. Now if we'd just get some decent snow so I can use them more.”

“I just returned from a four day snowshoe excursion in the UP.

My buddy used his Denali Evo's and I used my Atlas 1030's.

Day one, it became obvious I had superior flotation over him even though I am a bigger guy. He did not have his tail extensions on but the trail we were on was groomed that day.

Day two, the temperature went from a low of 12 that night to sunny skies and 35 degrees. We reached the steepest part of the route (which was also now ungroomed trail)at the warmest part of the day. My Atlas's were picking clumps of snow making my feet feel an extra five pounds heavier. Combined with the warmth and the fact I was pulling a heavy pulk the uphill section that afternoon was brutal. The MSR's were not picking up the big clumps of snow. Much easier going for my buddy.

Thankfully as we crested the top of the hill and circled around the snow changed consistency due to not getting early/mid morning sun.

On day three we were just day hiking from our Yurt basecamp. Once again the Atlas's proved to have superior flotation on the ungroomed trails. We were unable to do an A/B test with the flotation tails installed on the MSR's because we couldn't get them to lock in. It was in the teens and the snowshoes/tails had been outside for days, they had no give or flexibility. We tried for 15 minutes to click them together and finally gave up.

In summery, both styles have strong points and limitations. The MSR's are definitely noisier and require you to add extensions for flotation. The Atlas's don't seem to have as good of a design for their crampons. I had a little slippage on descents and ascents that my buddy didn't.


last edited: 2/28/08 7:32:32 AM”

“Thank you guys very much. It really brings light to whatever decision I make. The local place rents out the EVOs and EVO ascents, although I'm gonna have to wait for next year as the snow here is near gone and the only good snowshoe areas left are out in avalanche country. I will eventually want to get out into the thick of the Rockies. In winter I don't believe there are too many people out there so I will probably be in deep powder or sun crusted snow and at very differing grades of steepness. I looked into the Atlas' and they don't seem to have as good a crampon as I would like. I would have thought the MSR tails were a great idea, being able to add on length. Snowshoes making noise is not a big deal for me. Bindings that have the ratchet straps are awesome, as they are one my snowboard. I really appreciate all the posts. thanks. btw gremlin, the GVs are some nice looking shoes....i have yet to look at the Fabers.”

“also, there are brands other than msr and atlas.”

“Where do you live, AlbertaGuy?”

“alberta”

“Jumpin in late, and I haven't read the previous posts, BUT...

I have MSR Denali shoes and also a pair of Tubbs conventional shoes.

I LOVE my Denali's... I was on a trip a couple years ago with a number of folks w Tubbs & Atlas shoes who decided at the end of the trip that they were going to migrate over!

The reason they decided this..... we were snowshoeing on some pretty steep slopes in the Northern Sierra, a couple folks had some serious slides down the slopes because of the angle, etc., Because I had my Denali's on with their side-rail gripping, I DIDN'T tumble down the slope! :)

I liked my Denali's before that particular trip, BUT ever since I LOVE them!”

“I have some MSR 4 inch flotation tails on Ebay in case anybody is interested.

Item number: 230230293850

My seller id is feeney3co”

“I have some Atlas shoes - they are about 10 years old. In the Northeast the snow is usually pretty dense and I find them to be a lot clunkier than the MSRs and some other shoes people wear. I also hear some raves about the heel lifters.

I'd be grateful for any thoughts/opinions/reports on MSRs or other shoes that would be great for the typical snow surfaces in the Northeast.”

“I like my Atlas shoes, but when they're done (assuming it will happen before I'm done) I'll get GV (gvsnowshoes.com), or Faber (fabersnowshoes. com) because they're made here and MEC (mec.ca) carries them.

I believe Redfeather snowshoes (redfeather.com) and MSR's are made in the US, if thet might influence your choice.

Good luck,

Doug”

“I'll have to look into GV and Faber.

Thanks - David”

“I have Tubbs, similar to Atlas. I don't know really about the quality, but I do enjoy using them. Got em 50% off two years ago.”

“I saw these for sale: http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showthread.php?t=60336

Some Yukon Charlie's”

“K2 bought both Tubbs (Maine) and Atlas (Cal.) and shipped production to China causing more unemployment in those states.

Please don't get me wrong, some things are better made in terms of price offshore, clothing, et c. Also I would have no problem buying stuff made offshore that proudly carries the name of the producer - Volkswagen, Mitsubishi, et c.; but when a company here (US & CA) closes a shop to sell offshore goods using the reputation the company name earned here, I'm off the boat.”

“I did not know that”