Any one into snow shoes here?

[Clay]

A couple of years back I got a pair of Atlas snow shoes for Christmas and I been using them a bunch ever since. Last year I went out quite a bit, and this year I have already gone out several times, even though it just started snowing pretty recently.

Any one else like to hike with tennis rackets on their feet?

[upcruiser]

Yep, you gotta be into sports to live in this region. I have a set of Tubbs (can't think of the paticular model off the top of my head). I got them a bit bigger specifically for flotation when I'm carrying a pack for winter camping. Unfortunately I'm so busy with work in the winter I don't get to go out as often as I would like. This winter has been the worst on record so far in regards to snow fall. Up untill today we've been brown since mid December. Freaky weather. I hiked up at the McCormick Tract wilderness area a few days ago and there was a decent amount of snow there right around a foot but that's up 1,000ft higher elevation then town here. Its been snowing all day here today, but usually by now we've gotten quite a bit already.

[bigreen505]

I enjoy the winter application of tennis rackets. I need to get a pair. I bought a nice set of the women's design Tubbs for my wife and I think I want to get a set for me with a bit more floatation for carrying camera gear.

[dieck]

I'm working on hitting all 50 state highpoints. In three months I'm going to try Wheeler Peak in New Mexico which is just over 13,000 ft. It will be snowy so I'll need some snow shoes. I've never used them before, what do you recommend?

[Clay]

There is a pretty good review in the current issue of backpacker magazine on snow shoes, I think it was MSR was the brand they liked the best, but I don't know. I have had my atlas snow shoes for a couple of years with no complaints what-so-ever.

Snow conditions very so much from place to place, so I would recommend going to the nearest store that carries them and asking them what they sell the most of, that will tell you a lot. Plus make sure you weigh yourself with all the gear and clothes you would wear so you know what your actual weight will be when you are on them. This will make a big difference in how well they float.

[devinsixtyseven]

great thread...in the future i plan on a set of "modern" shoes that i can wear while i pack up the snowboard.

at the moment, i have a real set of tennis rackets :D. theyre a bear paw design, wood, gut and leather, and they work great. bear paws arent good for breaking trail tho, the tips arent raised or anything, so steps are longer and higher. just had them out a couple days ago in a couple feet of power...i imagine the newer shoes float better with less width due to continuous sheets of material vs gut strings. also these do not have cleats, tho i could probably retrofit a set of tubbs cleats to them.

-sean

[Hltoppr]

I have several sets...by far the best are the MSR Denali shoes....easy fitting, and they don't come off or wiggle loose. Bombproof and you can vary the size by adding or subtracting floatation heels.

-H-

[bigreen505]

I have several sets...by far the best are the MSR Denali shoes....


Compared to what? I'm in need of some new shoes since I have just been using the women's Tubbs Altitudes that I bought my wife a few years ago. Right now Tubbs and the MSR's are coming to the top of my list. I like the 25 Tubbs because they seem to be pretty generically capable, though not great at anything. Readfeathers are out because of the weight range, though I guess a pair of 30s could make a decent all around shoe.

I generally use snowshoes for going on nice walks in the winter to take pictures or just go out with the dogs, but occasionally I will use them for shooting ski racing when I think they will be easier than skis, but the snow is not water injected (i.e. intentionally turned into a skating rink) when crampons are the only way to go.

[Hltoppr]

I have a set of the Tubbs altitudes as well as some redfeather shoes for my wife.

Generally, they're not too bad (the Tubbs)...for recreational...let's not have our lives on the line shoes; however, the simple, solid design of the MSR binding system makes it easy to work with gloves and a heavy pack on. The fact that the MSRs base doesn't have an outer edge with a flexible inner piece means that branches, etc. don't get stuck between them. The long side "crampons" are excellent for side hills, and the toe/instep crampons work very well for going up and down steep slopes.

Just to let you know...I use the MSRs exclusively for Mountain Rescue. I can't afford to have a binding system break or come off, or not be able to be worked with heavy mountaineering gloves on....issues I experienced with the Tubbs. We also are very hard on equipment. It has to go above and beyond what the normal user will do to it.

I won't recommend any other shoe for anyone who is going to do anything serious.

-H-

[bigreen505]

Thanks, that's exactly the information I need! I hear you about the Tubbs bindings. I was just complaining about them with a friend this morning. We have both come out accidentally and they are very difficult to get back on. Not to mention we are both concerned about breaking them.

[Hltoppr]

Bad bindings = Frostbitten fingers and hands!

-H-

[devinsixtyseven]

What about if you planned to hike in, then descend on something and strap the shoes to the pack? What would you recommend? This would be mostly powder, I wouldn't be climbing anything to descend ice or bumps, and no technical ascents either.

[Hltoppr]

I've used the MSRs to ascend ski hills before (no skins), and just strapped 'em to a pack for the descent....works great.

I still think the design makes these the best all around shoes...and they're relatively inexpensive...

-H-

[Hltoppr]

But then again a Split Decision Snowboard or Randonne (French for "can't tele") skis or Telemark gear with climbing skins works very well too....

-H-

[Bergger]

My wife and I still use the wooden ones I made about 20 years ago! They take a little while to put on but work just fine. My 8 year old just got a pair so she can start to join us.

[DaveInDenver]

Telemark gear with climbing skins works very well too.
That's my chosen method of b/c travel. We bought snowshoes (I have Atlas ones, pretty big) that I used about 3 times before I concluded that there had to be a better way. I picked up some used freeheel gear at a swap years ago, hacked away at learning the telemark turn and haven't looked back since. Never tire of that randonnée joke, either.

[Sloan]

Check with your local REI, they usually have clinics this time of year where you can try out all of the brands they sell.

[Flounder]

I have a couple sets of Sherpa snowshoes. I really and truly don't think there is a finer set of snowshoes made, but the company has gone MIA. When I managed a mountaineering shop, all of us had access to all brands and Sherpa shoes were so far above the rest it was nuts. Second on our list was Redfeather.

I agree with the other poster about conditions and usage being a factor. I have a pair of MSRs I keep around as loaners for friends (they can't use my $400 sherpas!!). The one thing I dislike about the MSR shoes is the fact they feel like walking on trash can lids in some conditions. And they're a little floppy.

One of the reasons the Sherpa shoes rule is the fact they have a slight bit of resistance in the pivot of the binding. If you're in powder it only takes a tiny bit of snow collected on the tail of the shoe to force it to drag slightly. That keeps the shoe from flipping snow up your backside and it means you don't have to LIFT that snow. When on harder surfaces, the tail is able to lift. Dragging tails can be a PITA in some conditions.

Fun stuff. If you can locate some Sherpas and you don't buy them....tell me...I'll buy them. They're the Defender 110 of the snow shoe world.

And Dave is correct about tele gear being the best of the backcountry travel modes. Skins, pins and grins!!!!!!!!!!

[big sky trapper]

RED FEATHERS all the way for me.

[DaveInDenver]

RED FEATHERS all the way for me.
Not to mention that Red Feather snowshoes are made in La Crosse, WI, USA.

[KMR]

I used the Atlas and Tubbs pretty extesivly for backcountry hiking, hike up to snow line, strap on the shoes and go from there.

These are the best snowshoes I have ever used.
Hands down, these blow them all out of the water.
JMHO
MSR Lightning Ascent

[teotwaki]

MSR Denali Evo Ascents ROCK! They have the heel lift bail that makes all the difference in steep terrain. They are agile and grippy as well as fitting well.

http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/7291/baldy5fb9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Jim's Lass]

My wife and I still use the wooden ones I made about 20 years ago! They take a little while to put on but work just fine. My 8 year old just got a pair so she can start to join us.

I was just reading through old threads and just had to add.
Kids can be a lot of fun to watch learning to walk in snow shoes. I remember watching one of our daughters (six or seven years old at the time) get tired of using the ski poles while trying to walk. Then she stopped and just dropped the poles and leaned forward and kept trudging along. They were some old LL Bean kid snow shoes.

Happy New Years,
Marilynn

[DenCo40]

I used the Atlas and Tubbs pretty extesivly for backcountry hiking, hike up to snow line, strap on the shoes and go from there.

These are the best snowshoes I have ever used.
Hands down, these blow them all out of the water.
JMHO
MSR Lightning Ascent


I agree. both my wife and I have these. they are the best yet!!

[Clay]

I'm still using my Atlas shoes from about 4 years back now, they are pretty good, no complaints, but the MSR shoes sure do look nice!!

We are expecting a storm that will bring up to 10 FEET of snow this weekend, so I would say that snow shoeing season is officially ON! I'm ready to get my 4 year old daughter into it this year, but the snow shoes that look like monster feet just seem a little too weird! Any thoughts on kids shoes?

[dieselcruiserhead]

That's my chosen method of b/c travel. We bought snowshoes (I have Atlas ones, pretty big) that I used about 3 times before I concluded that there had to be a better way. I picked up some used freeheel gear at a swap years ago, hacked away at learning the telemark turn and haven't looked back since. Never tire of that randonnée joke, either.

Same here.. With snowshoes really depends on your terrrain. If steep and knarly snowshoes go a long way. Better up steeps but slower on the flats than skins. I was a snowbaorder through the 90's before I switched to Tele also (can't believe I've been on them almost 10 years now) so I used snowshoes extensively in the backcountry.. The absolute best snowshoes I've ever had are Sherpas. They are like tubbs or Atlas but super heavy duty, and rubber roping like a traditional snow shoe aka traction up hil.. Combined with the crampons, on a full pivot, they are badass. But over $200 new, maybe even $300 these days. But these are "for life" type snowshoes. The Atlas and Redfeather and most Tubbs are all plastic, aka like skis as far as traction. Good for flats and recreational use... For mountaineering they work but are not the same...

I just bought Carrie some Red Feathers for christmas. On sale and inexpensive, wondering how they will turn out but they are recreational. A little big for her but we have a lot of deep snow currently... Here is the link:

[OK they are all sold out at REI. I got them for about $100 shipped: Redfeather Hike 30" 2006 closeout)

[Overland Hadley]

I have both on old pair of Redfeathers (rubber deck) and the MSR's. Both are really nice, but the MSR's are the best IMO.

[Sharkman]

I was just reading through old threads and just had to add.
Kids can be a lot of fun to watch learning to walk in snow shoes


My son and I went Snowshoe/camping last weekend. He has the kids version MSR (good up to 90lbs). The bindings are the same basic design as the adult MSRs and work very well.

Steve

[Clay]

My son and I went Snowshoe/camping last weekend. He has the kids version MSR (good up to 90lbs). The bindings are the same basic design as the adult MSRs and work very well.

Steve

Would these be the ones your son has?

http://www.msrcorp.com/snow/tyker.asp

[Sharkman]

Would these be the ones your son has?

http://www.msrcorp.com/snow/tyker.asp


Clay,

Yes; those are the ones he has. He is 10 and wieghs approx 75lbs.

Steve

[JJackson]

I have an older pair of bear paws (wood & rawhide) that belonged to my father, I brought them back from Canada with me last year. Ecellent floatation but the keep you legs spaced apart. One of the old leather bindings broke, now I have to repair it or buy new ones. Because mine are down I used a pair of red feathers that work had available, the worked alright, but where to small for my weight. If I use my old ones enough this year I may invest in a modern pair later this year.