snowshoes?

[dipstik]

Me and the 'pa are planning on getting some snowshoes for doing some hiking in the trails/woods around here.

I don't know the first thing about snowshoes, so anybody wanna help me out? What do you look for in a snowshoe? What identifies a good snowshoe? Prices? Any extra gear needed? (like poles ) Is it a big deal to buy them, like ski boots, or is it more like regular shoes where you just go in and get what fits?

[summit]

Atlas Series 10 for most people
Atlas Series 12 if you are using AT/Tele boots or big mountaineering boots
Atlas Series 10 Elektra for the ladies

www.atlassnowshoes.com

What you look at is the binding system and the crampons and general construction. Atlas wins all categories imo.

[bentskis]

I got a pair of Redfeathers this year to screw around on. I've used them twice so far, once on flats, once on hills and rocks. They worked great for me. Granted, I wasn't carrying a loaded winter backpack, just a light day pack, but I had a good time.
Model - Not their top end big boys, but the model one lower. Got them from Sierra Trading Post. Decent cleats/crampons, although I didn't get to test them on hardpack/icy conditions yet.

I used a big pair of Tubbs last year, they were nice - good flotation, etc, but were old, so they had sub-par cleats-crampons.

[CantDog]

MSR makes a nice inexpensive one and its been getting great reviews. You can add 6 and 8 inch extensions for better float also. The crampons on the bottom are quite aggresive also.

[Vinman]

Tubbs snowshoes built right ova theya in Stowe just down the road a piece from heya.

[schuss]

The EMS knockoffs aren't bad either, I think they're made by Tubbs even.

[dipstik]

Cool thanks for the info on all the different brands. I will have to check out each one when I have some more time. One more question: do I need to try them on in a store or can I buy them online? (If I get them from backcountry store dot com I get the 10% maggot discount )

[TomK]

Originally posted by SummitCo 1776
Atlas Series 10 for most people
Atlas Series 12 if you are using AT/Tele boots or big mountaineering boots
Atlas Series 10 Elektra for the ladies

www.atlassnowshoes.com

What you look at is the binding system and the crampons and general construction. Atlas wins all categories imo.

I just spent Saturday trying out various models of Tubbs, Redfeather, MSR, & Atlas snowshoes at a demo day put on by The Mountaineers at Snoqualmie Pass, WA.

Gotta agree with Mr. Summit, the Atlas 10's were the top of the heap. Good snow feel, sideways slip preventing crampons, great binding, light weight.


The solid platform shoe's felt like toys, not tools.

Yes, ski poles are a great help.

[dipstik]

I just found a place where they are doing a "snowshoe hike." It's run by the audobon society, so its more about the hike than about the snowshoes, but nevertheless I will at least have a little experience with snowshoes before going in to buy some.


I checked out those Atlas 10's, they are pretty sweet looking, but they will leave a giant hole in my wallet. I'll still consider 'em though.

[summit]

Aren't the shoes on discount already everywhere? I'll check and see if they are disocunted here.

[TomK]

Sierra trading has the 22 inchers on sale at a great price...
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/pro...1FE1A0E0C3F205

Good up to around 150 pounds.

(No 1030's though. :-( )

[dipstik]

Originally posted by TomK
Sierra trading has the 22 inchers on sale at a great price...
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/pro...1FE1A0E0C3F205

Good up to around 150 pounds.

(No 1030's though. :-( )

Those would be great, but im 165, and they are sold out I couldn't find any other snowshoes on their website though

[TomK]

Sorry I didn't dig deeper. Sierra's like that though as they deal in a lot of excess inventory liquidation.
Mid-winter it's going to be tough to score a decent price on the good gear, but I did find Atlas 1030's for $229 at Bittersweet. (Everyone else want's $259)

http://store.yahoo.com/bittersweetgear/at10sn.html

[dipstik]

What about the Atlas 8's? Brand new pair on ebay for $60? What kind of limits do these have next to the Atlas 10's? I'm not planning on climbing mountains on these, just more along the lines of hiking rolling terrain, and maybe occasianally something steeper with more ice.

[TomK]

The 8's have a different style binding that's a little more fidgity and don't have as many side-slip preventing crampons underfoot.
(My test day was on bad ice crust, so that's why I prefered the 10s)

$60 is a really good price though, basicly 2/3rds off.

Check the length - you want 25 or 30 inchers at 165#. (30 if you deal with lots of light/fluffy, 25 for most snowpack)

Here are links with pictures of top & bottoms:

Eight at http://www.1-snowshoes.com/Atlas-Sno...0-8-Series.asp

Ten at http://www.1-snowshoes.com/Atlas-Sno...s-Snowshoe.asp

[iskibc]

Originally posted by SummitCo 1776
Atlas Series 10 for most people
Atlas Series 12 if you are using AT/Tele boots or big mountaineering boots
Atlas Series 10 Elektra for the ladies

www.atlassnowshoes.com

What you look at is the binding system and the crampons and general construction. Atlas wins all categories imo.

Agreed. If you are carrying a pack with some weight you will want to go with a 10X30 shoe. Their binding system is one of the best on the market right now. Very user friendly and minimal defects.

[dipstik]

These don't look that bad. The price is decent too. Atlas 8: $125

[iskibc]

Originally posted by dipstik
These don't look that bad. The price is decent too. Atlas 8: $125

how much do you weigh again? For NE, they will probably do.

[dipstik]

Originally posted by iskibc
how much do you weigh again? For NE, they will probably do.

I weigh about 165, plus I'll be carrying a light pack.

I'm thinkngi the 25's would be better over the 30's for me because the snow out here is always a little heavy.

[dipstik]

I just bought the 825's off ebay for $125. man that place is great.

I think the 825's will be fine too, theres a million trails around here, but not too many are steep.

Thanks for your help guys

[dipstik]

tried 'em out today...and I was a little dissapointed. I didn't really "float" like I thought I would, I got more of a sinking in result. The traction on those things are great though, I hiked a few short hills and they really kept my foot planted into the snow. The bindings are great too, super user-friendly. I'm thinking I didn't really float because: a. the snow was super light, and there was only 5 inches of it, b. the shoes are too small, or c. I was just expecting too much. I'll try em out when we get some more cover though, maybe they will float better then.