Backcountry Snowshoes

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Recent Backcountry Snowshoe Reviews

Tubbs Men's Flex ALP

I will review my shoes, the 24 inch model, but my husband has the 28 inch version, and his review is the same as mine...we love these snowshoes! We have found them a nice step-up from our older Tubbs models (Adventure 25 and Eclipse 30), and have been excellent in our uses this year, on varying terrain and snow conditions. We snowshoe on sometimes steep and icy trails, and sometimes trails with unpacked or mushy snow. I have found the design and materials on these snowshoes to be excellent, and… Full review

MSR Men's Lightning Ascent

The MSR Lightning Ascent has the best traction of any snowshoe I've used. The bindings are super secure, easy to use while wearing gloves or mittens, and won't absorb water and freeze. Their narrow width makes walking very easy, and the optional tail extensions increase flotation if you're carrying a heavier pack or are in softer snow. I bought my MSR Lightning Ascent 30s in early March of 2014 as a guarantee that I'd have a pair for a weekend of snowshoeing some friends and I had planned, in case… Full review

Tubbs Men's Mountaineer Series

The Tubbs Moutaineer 36s are lightweight snowshoes that have incredible traction on steep hills and packed snow, while also excelling in softer snow due to their surface area. The bindings are comfortable, secure, and offer quick entry and exit. Last winter when I broke my Tubbs Wilderness 36 snowshoes, I needed to get another pair within a week in order to be ready for a weekend of snowshoeing I'd planned with some friends. I decided on the Tubbs Mountaineer 36s because I wanted to get further… Full review

MSR Men's Lightning Ascent

Solid, adaptable, compact, and good traction. I used a pair of 30" Sherpa tubular frame/neoprene base/lacing shoes for many years. Sherpa had an excellent warranty for lacing replacements, and even gave me a discount on a new pair when my original ones finally gave out. When the lacing/base on those gave in, it was time to try something new. Got the 25" MSR Ascents a couple of years ago on sale. Vertically oriented metal framing to which a nice neoprene base is attached/riveted. No lacing. Aggressive… Full review

MSR Men's Lightning Ascent

Great shoes! Got the 25's and they can handle all conditions. Agree with the below comments. One downside is that the 25's with the tail extensions may keel you forward a little bit in softer, deeper snow (15+ in.) because of the smaller toe. Opting for the 30's is better in this case because the front is proportionally larger. Crampon frame and heel lift = straight up ANY hill. Full review

MSR Men's Lightning Axis

Excellent snowshoe but it's easy to lose a u clip in the binding So, I'm Australian but I have snowshoed here for 20 years. I only do backcountry and steep snowshoeing. When it gets too steep I switch to crampons. These are the best snowshoes ever for this kind of terrain. All the Lightnings are good and light in the backcountry but these are the best. You have to adjust them properly before your first adventure and I do mean properly. You don't want to correct your adjustment mistakes in the backcountry. Full review

MSR Men's Lightning Axis

The two strap binding system is great. It allows me all the security/tightness needed. I have several boots that I wear, and all seem to work well. The 25" works extremely fine. I would highly recommend these for any treks. Securing the straps after lashing and can be challenging with bare hands in freezing temperatures. The  added 5" tails are easily attached for needed flotation  powder. Nevertheless, these shoes are solid and lightweight; they are relatively easy to strap on, even in freezing… Full review

MSR Men's Denali Evo Ascent

Excellent snowshoes. Great traction, descent float for their size, durable, and versatile. Great for above treeline and crusty conditions. I have used these snowshoes for the last three years on many trips in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. They excel in crusty and above treeline conditions. The have decent float for their size, just be sure to match them to the conditions, they are not designed for deep powder. The traction is solid and they are very secure on crusty snow and ice. They are… Full review

MSR Men's Lightning Ascent

Great snowshoe in all conditions. I really like these snowshoes, they have awesome traction and float. I have the 25" ones and used them up Algonquin and Wright Peak the other day in the Adirondacks and experienced everything from hard pack, to ice, to soft but heavy powder. They were great in all conditions.   I can see needing the flotation tails in fluffy fresh powder for additional float, but in the heavier spring stuff they were great. Traction on hard pack and ice is as good as a crampon… Full review