User Review: MSR Denali

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

Reviewed March 24, 2009 by Franc

Rating:
Price Paid: don't remember

I've used them for about 4 years now in all conditions, from deep Rocky Mountain powder to Quebec's frozen swamps. I also had the chance to try around 10 different kinds of snowshoes on daytrips since.

The Denali are a hiking snowshoe, that's it. Not meant to go backcountry or use in deep snow because of the small size. I've sunk to my knees with them with just my clothes on, and I'm only 170 lbs.

Perhaps the most annoying thing are the bindings: They don't work below -25c (-13F) because the rubber becomes too stiff. They become almost impossible to put on and it's very frustrating. And I haven't talked about the noise they make...

Bottom line: if you want snowshoes to use in a place where you don't really need snowshoes (i.e. a beaten trail )than these are the one. They're really strong too. But if you need to do any kind of serious travel they are not worth it.

I now use a pair of 10 point crampons instead of the MSR Denali and I'm enjoying myself more.

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