Backcountry Snowshoes

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Recent Backcountry Snowshoe Reviews

Tubbs Women's Mountaineer Series

I received these snowshoes this season as part of my involvement as a member of the TUBBS Snowshoe Ambassador Team. I requested this model, to test it out on our variable backcountry terrain here in Vermont. I have previously reviewed my TUBBS Flex Alps on this site (purchased from before my involvement with TUBBS), and if you check, you can see that I really like the Flex Alps. The Mountaineers are a framed snowshoe, and I was extremely happy with their performance this past season! This review… Full review

Louis Garneau Women's Versant

Bindings disappointing, didn't fit around boot and heel moved. I did a lot of research before I bought these to replace my 20-year-old super reliable Tubbs. Unfortunately, I will be returning them and looking for something else. The binding system, which was why I chose these, didn't fit properly around my boot, no matter how I adjusted them (and I'm a gear junkie, I tried lots of variations of foot position and tension). There were gaps at the front part of the wrap around the boot and as I walked,… Full review

GV Snowshoes Mountain Extreme

The GV Mountain Extremes are lightweight backcountry snowshoes suitable for the steepest terrain. The traction frame design and crossbars help you stick on ascents, descents, and traverses. Ratchet bindings allow for quick and easy donning and doffing. GV Snowshoes is a Canadian manufacturer of traditional and modern snowshoes, established in 1959. Their snowshoes are made in Canada. The Mountain Extreme is a backcountry snowshoe, especially at home on steep terrain with crusty, hard packed snow. Full review

Redfeather Guide Series

The Redfeather Guide snowshoes are great for packing in huge loads in moderate terrain. They are good for pulling sleds long distances through powder. I use these snowshoes only rarely. 36 inch Redfeather guide snowshoe with NEOS and Merrell boots inside 30-inch 2013 modelGeneral Deep snow big load transport snowshoes, great for hauling big loads to base camp Description I think Redfeather is discontinuing these, at least as of October 2016. They are not listed on the company website. I found one… Full review

MSR Women's Lightning Ascent

I love these snowshoes! Lightweight with great traction! Will go through anything! These snowshoes were a great buy! Got them on Amazon before Christmas when there were awesome sales going on. Paid $199; I think they retail for $279? I'm very happy with them. Very durable with great fit and traction, will go through any winter terrain, and great for climbing in the snow. Full review

Louis Garneau Men's Blizzard II

The Louis Garneau Blizzard II snowshoe has excellent flotation and traction. Its BOA binding system is easy to use with gloves and cushions the whole front of your foot, with none of the pressure points common to straps. Even though we have next to no snow on the ground right now, I decided I was going to buy another pair of snowshoes (actually two pairs, I got a deal on the second pair that I couldn't pass up) and put my faith in the fact that it HAS to snow more this winter. I received them last… Full review

Redfeather Alpine 180

These shoes hold up to heavy use with max weight on them, but do have their problems. I have used these hard for two seasons [not this one, the last two]. I've used them on crust, crossing streams, deep snow, on hills, in the woods, in heavy brush and in rocky terrain in the Adirondacks. I like them. They are easily put on and adjusted, but the widest boot may just not fit in the front straps. I wear a 13w and do have boots that won't fit. They float well and that's saying a lot since I weigh 240… Full review

Louis Garneau Men's Blizzard

Fine snowshoes. I wish I could truly review mine, but in the middle of the most snowless winter I probably have lived through I cannot. We have no snow and haven't had more than two inches of same this season. I can say I have a brand new pair of 10x36's bought late last spring and they look great and they appear to be tough as bullhide, but I do not know. They do measure almost an inch over 36. I did pay $94 for mine on a Sierra Trading Post closeout. And I look forward to trying the BOA system. Full review

MSR Men's Lightning Ascent

I've owned these snowshoes for five years and the binding (made of very hard but brittle material) has now cracked in multiple places on both bindings making my $280 pair of snowshoes worthless. Bindings will break at the rivet points after ~100 - 150 miles. You'll need to get new snowshoes since MSR does not respond to communications. I'd suggest Faber Mountain Masters, a much superior design and binding system. Full review