Hiking Snowshoes

Recent Hiking Snowshoe Reviews

MSR Evo Ascent

Design flawed. Not durable or reliable, but comfortable, until the straps break. ALL of them. Apparently MSR are aware straps degrade and break over time and they are all right with that. Not me. Buy a more reliable set of snowshoes. Do not waste your money on these. It’s dangerous to have a strap break in the backcountry. During the third season of use (about 15 days total use) ALL plastic straps on both snowshoes broke. Stretchy rubbery straps degrade over a couple years into brittle hard plastic… Full review

MSR Denali

Great all-purpose snowshoe with decent traction. In colder conditions the plastic straps can become more rigid. Plastic fabric (straps) fray over time. We have had these over five years. We did not initially purchase flotation extension tails. The tails are useful if hiking with additional weight-load or in variable snow conditions. Full review

MSR Evo Ascent

Pretty lightweight, good floatation, Televators are worth the upgrade. The bottom of the plastic deck does wear down easily. Overall might be the best snowshoe for the price, just a little concerned about the wearing down of the plastic though.  Full review

Atlas Access Series

The Atlas Access Series snowshoes are great for all-day use, as well as for light hiking on and off trail in rolling terrain. They are very versatile and easy to use, with a moderate amount of traction, while still being light and very comfortable to wear for extended periods. Would highly recommend for use in the backcountry of Eastern Canada and United States, as well as for day-to-day use. The Access Series, part of Atlas's Day Hiking line, are an excellent choice for those looking to get… Full review

MSR Men's Lightning Explore

I'm a 200lb man. These snowshoes give terrific, secure grip on steep forested pitches. I love them, save for the caveat mentioned in the cons. Whether along the fall line or perpendicular to it they float beautifully in deep snow above lurking forest floor debris. Nice to enter, adjust, and exit them. I've used them in deep open field and deep snowed in open forest. Really nice. As far as durability, terrific overall except the lateral adjustment on one of the snowshoes. It doesn't really throw… Full review

MSR Men's Revo Explore

This snowshoe seems to be a budget-minded option compared to MSR's more technical offerings, which are more complicated to use and also pricier. It's a modern snowshoe designed for trail use due to the size offered (22 and 25 inches, which is small), although flotation tails are offered (more on that later). I bought these because they were on clearance and I needed a trail snowshoe that could handle packed conditions (i.e. narrow trenches left by previous hikers), ice and crust. I have multiple… Full review

Atlas 12 Series

Bindings fell apart after only about 10 uses. Bindings fell apart after only about 10 uses. Atlas will not honor warranty as I did not save my original receipt. Hey... sorry Atlas... people do not hang onto the receipt for every little thing they buy in life. I am sure that you use this as a "gate" to deny warranty claims. Paid a premium price for Atlas rather than buy some Atlas knockoffs at a fraction of the price of Atlas. Never again. I am down on Atlas. Buy some knockoffs for $49 and if they… Full review

MSR Denali

While no longer being sold, these are great snowshoes that can be used in just about any snow conditions and have great traction features for climbing steeper slopes and crossing side slopes. I have owned a pair of the MSR Denali snowshoes since the mid 1990's and have been regularly been using them each winter since that time. I have always liked the design of these snowshoes and they have worked well in the heavy wet/icy/crusty snow we get up here in Washington State. I am about 190 lbs and even… Full review

MSR Men's Lightning Trail

Rugged snowshoes that you'll forget you're even wearing due to their light weight. Three-strap bindings keep them securely on your feet, and the 360 Degree Traction frame and toothed crossbars keep you securely on the ground. Even the most hardcore people—which I certainly am not!—take it easier sometimes, and that's what MSR Lightning Trail snowshoes are for. When you're not doing prolonged ascents in the mountains the extra weight of heel lifters and a more beefy frame is just that—extra… Full review