Backcountry Snowshoes

Featured review by Sheila Bergin Goss

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 they have greatly increased my  confidence on tricky terrain,especially when traversing. The extended traction is wonderful,and an improvement from my old Tubbs, which had only toe crampons. The Flex Alps are light, and the binding system holds them securely...I have found no lateral "wiggle". The heel lift is also a feature new to us, and it seems like a nice advantage for some of our steep uphills.

Read more: Tubbs Flex ALP reviews (3)

Featured review by Mike Mineart

The MSR Lightning Ascent snowshoe is a very well designed go-anywhere snowshoe with a new Paragon binding design that lives up to its name. The Lightning Ascent's design has a number of aggressive features that really enable this snowshoe to be used confidently in the most challenging crusty and icy conditions. The new Paragon binding is simple to use and comfortable in use. This really is a great snowshoe option for someone looking for a durable design that can be used in any conditions.

Overview The MSR Lightning Ascents are positioned as MSR’s top of the line snowshoe with a focus on being an ultralight aggressive design that can be used in challenging technical terrain. The latest version of the Lightning Ascent now comes with MSR’s new Paragon binding which MSR claims to offer greater comfort and foot control.  The MSR Lightning Ascent is actually one of three models of the MSR Lightning snowshoe designs and I provide a brief comparison of the three models at the end of this review.

Read more: MSR Lightning Ascent reviews (25)

Featured review by Boo

Indestructible white plastic snowshoes that have good gripping and are easy to put on with mittens and are great for off-trail use.

Easy to put on and take off without taking off your mittens. These are the best snowshoes for off trail use — map and compass stuff — work well in the forest. These MSR EVO ASCENT snowshoes have three binding straps and televators. The trail EVO models have two binding straps and no televators. Great for beginning but not good for large steep hills and mountains. Used these over the years in the White Mountain National Forest (WMNF) in N.H. and once over a blizzard weekend on a winter backpacking trip on the Long Trail in Vermont.

Read more: MSR Evo Ascent reviews (5)

Reviewed by Joe Nathan

Tubbs Flex VRT are Tubbs' flagship snowshoe for exploring the backcountry. The BOA lacing system, aggressive crampon, and televator bar makes them ideal for long icy climbs on snow/ice covered trails.

The Tubbs Flex VRT are excellent snowshoes for exploring snowy and icy backcountry. They have the BOA lacing system for easy donning even with winter gloves. The aggressive crampons and televator bar make them great for climbing icy trails. The smaller decks mean you sink a bit more if you're doing strictly off-trail in excessive powder. I am 250 pounds with equipment and love hiking in these on and off trail in the snow in the 29-inch version. My wife has the 25-inch women's version and loves them because of the easy donning and ability to climb. One friend felt that the lacing system pinched the top of their foot compared to other strap configurations, but we never had this issue. 

Read more: Tubbs Flex VRT review (1)

Featured review by Jack Melito

Northern Lites still offers the Backcountry for $240. I've had mine for years, and agree they are one of the lightest and easiest to use in the backcountry. The only model that's better for bantam weight folks is their Elite (8x25) if and only if you are under 175 lbs with a backpack!

For more aggressive slopes, I'd love a pair of their Predator series, which replaces their aluminum cleats with steel in more places. But the overall Northern Lites build is the same...much lighter frame than other brands, plastic edge clamps that both provide some extra traction and keep the decking material from wearing through where it wraps around the frame. The strap system is sturdy though takes practice if you don't want to take gloves off, but once you're in they track well and are easy to walk in.

Read more: Northern Lites Backcountry reviews (2)

Reviewed by Phil Smith

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. My model is the 830, which is my favorite size even though I'm quite a bit heavier than their recommended load. Mountain Extreme 830.  "Rambus" ratchet bindings. Push the two ears toward the lever to release. The entire mechanism is plastic, hopefully they're durable enough to last long-term.

Read more: GV Snowshoes Mountain Extreme review (1)

Reviewed by LoneStranger

Good all around shoe that excels in backcountry use. Fresh snow and off-trail adventuring benefit from the excellent float. Easy on and off with innovative one-handed binding.

The Gold 10 Backcountry snow shoes are part of a line by Crescent Moon, a Colorado company that has been at it since 1997. They manufacture a really wide variety of snowshoes there and have stayed on top of changing times and markets with the recently Trailspace Review Corps reviewed EVA All Foam shoe. The Gold 10s are a more traditional shoe, but with some unique innovative twists. Specs: Weight 5.43 lbs / pair on my scale Dimensions: About 31" long and 10.5" at the widest point 6063 Aluminum tube with polyurethane deck Bindings: Let’s start here because that is where the snowshoeing starts and ends.

Read more: Crescent Moon Big Sky review (1)

Featured review by Old Guide

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 and always carry a pack. I do believe the crampons could be better on ice or hills, but this has always been a peeve of mine with other shoes also.

Read more: Redfeather Alpine reviews (2)

Reviewed by LoneStranger

The Atlas Spindrift, designed to handle technical terrain, is a great snowshoe for anything varying from flat towards vertical. Good balance of float and agility with a frame that combines old and new styles to create a lot of traction. With three lengths available ranging from 22 to 30 inches the Spindrifts have load ratings ranging from 150 to 235 pounds. Springy suspension and deck let feet do their job digging in on climbs and made long days more comfortable. These are great climbers you'll enjoy using on a golf course trail too.

The Atlas Spindrift line of snowshoes come in three, unisex, sizes: 22, 25, and 30 inches or 56, 64, and 76 cm if you are metrically inclined. I tested the 30"/76cm version, but other than sizing they are all identical. Sizing is mostly a function of expected load and snow conditions. The 22" model has an intended maximum load of 150lbs/68kg. The 25" model allows for loads up to 180lbs/82kg. The 30" model which I tested is rated for up to 235lbs/107kg which I definitely exceeded when carrying a full pack.

Read more: Atlas Spindrift review (1)

Featured review by Johnarthur39

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 very durable and show only the normal dings and scratches after three years of use. One nice feature is that they pack flat so they are easy to strap to a pack. They fit a wide range of boots. They are a great value and a very versatile snowshoe.

Read more: MSR Denali Evo Ascent reviews (5)