User Review: MSR Denali Evo

MSR Denali Evo
Above: The current Denali Evo, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed December 21, 2004 by John

Rating:
Price Paid: $285 CDN

I have owned and used the MSR Denali Evo for one season and although it is an easy system to use I did have issues about the integrity of the rubber straps. These issues arose after using the snowshoes in -30 weather along the eastern shoreline of Lake Superior. On an approach to one of the local ice climbs a river crossing was necessary and we crossed at one of the deepest points where there would be no rapids. Well, I broke through the ice with one snowshoe and it was swept off my boot and downstream (under the ice). Suffice it to say that was the last I saw of it.

To the credit of Cascade Designs I got a good deal on a replacement snowshoe after phoning in the problem, but I wished the rubber straps had been more supple during my trip. The snowshoes were intermittently coming off and it wasn't until I really dialed in the straps with the remaining snowshoe that I appreciated how important it was to get a perfect "fit" with the straps.

The shoes are not as easy to use as the Atlas climbers but the ascent bar really helps with climbing approaches and the Evo tails make it really versatile.

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