Backcountry Snowshoes

Recent Backcountry Snowshoe Reviews

MSR Men's Lightning Ascent

This is a very durable and versatile piece of equipment. I’ve had a lot of fun and exploration on this reliable snowshoe. I’m the guy that uses and abuses equipment. My MSR Lightning Ascents have been subjected to all kinds of terrain, situations, and temperatures. I’ve jumped off ledges into deep snow, crossed riverbeds on fallen trees, taken great pleasure walking over drifted in vehicles, fences, and the occasional bungalow...any opportunity for adventure suffices. Strolling along packed… Full review

Atlas Spindrift

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… Full review

Garneau Men's Blizzard II

Great shoes. Excellent pair of 10x36 snowshoes that can handle deep snow with heavy weight. I haven't added more to this quickie of a review because Phil covered it all I believe. Full review

Faber Mountain Master

Both snowshoes' decking failed within five weeks. For a “top end” model they sure do leave quality to be desired. Company failed within two emails of asking for help. Poor product, worse customer service. I sourced out a Canadian company to support business in my country. First mistake. I should have gone to a reputable company with fantastic service. MSR, Tubbs, Atlas, etc. Purchased Faber's “Top end” snowshoe as I will be using it in Alberta, Canada. Purchased in January 2019 I used the… Full review

Tubbs Men's Mountaineer Series

Consulting foresters in New England. Paid $250 for these shoes at EMS. Wore these one winter season (Jan 2018 - March 2018) and then four days in November 2018. Then the binding had a catastrophic failure in the the field a result of plain hard wear and tear—not a specific trauma. Poor design. Glad I was not mountaineering. What more information do you need?  Back to MSR's. At least we can repair those. Full review

Crescent Moon Gold Series 10

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… Full review

Garneau Men's White Everest

I call these the Subaru of Snowshoes. They are light, great traction, flotation, and ease of use because of the Boa system. We have been snowshoeing for 20 years using various ones ranging from cheapos to Redfeathers to Atlas. We have three other pairs of older hypalon/aluminum tech. We have had these now for like four years when I saw them first advertised and found a deal on Amazon. She has the White and I have the Black. The white and black ones are identical except for color. I see they now… Full review

Northern Lites Backcountry

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… Full review

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