Snowshoe advice

[Catalyst81]

I read through the REI advice guide and searched the forums a bit but I was hoping some of you veterans could give me snowshoe advice. What do you use? I've found some sales on the following models: MSR Evo Tour, MSR Evo Ascent, and MSR Lightning Ascent, but most of them are 22". Would that be sufficient? I'm fairly light at 150 lbs. Thanks.

[neverwashasbeen]

Catalyst81, what type of uses are you planning on? Are you going to go light or carry a heavy load? Will you be on steep icy terrain or on the flats? Larger snowshoes are needed if you plan on heavy loads, but can be a disadvantage in rugged terrain. Crampon type attachments are important for steep icy areas, but contribute to snow balling up on bottom of the snowshoe and add weight. You should find some charts by the manufactures regarding size/load ratios. Crampon styles should be based on how aggressive you plan on being. Hope this helps.

[Sally]

Hi Catalyst81, I LOVE my MSR Lightning Ascents. They are very grippy on all kinds of snow, they don't ball, and the ascenders really come in handy when going up steep grades. The first time I snowshoed I rented Tubbs and the balling was awful, so be sure to get anti-balling 'shoes. I got conflicting information when I was checking out size/load ratios and was worried that I may have purchased too short a snowshoe. It has turned out to be perfect after all. I have yet to use them while carrying an overnight-sized load, but I suppose if they turn out to be insufficient for that I can always get a 2nd longer pair.

[Catalyst81]

They'll almost always be used for day hikes in the local mountains - Baldy, San Jacinto, San Gorgornio. Pack weight will be under 20 lbs. It would be nice to have the flexibility to use them for overnighters as well though. Rough estimate of pack weight for those trips would be 30-35 lbs, however 95% of the time they'll be used for day hikes. Amazon has a killer deal on the lightning ascents, but its only for the 22" model. It'd be nice if I could get away with 22" model. I couldn't find weight recommendation specs on MSR's website, so thought I'd post here.

[KathyW]

Keep in mind that you'll sink deeper and work harder with the 22's than you will with the 25's.

Here's the sizing on the MSR Lightning Ascents:

http://www.orssnowshoesdirect.com/msr-l ... shoes.html

[hvydrt]

If you get MSR Lightning, or EVO , get the shortest ones. You can add 4", or 6", or 8" flotation tails to the EVO, or 5" tails to the 2011 lightning ascents (your deal on Amazon may be on an older pair not compatible with tails). That way you don't have to carry the extra weight of the 25's or 30's when conditions are good, but you can add the tails on days when the snow is really soft and deep, or you are carrying a heavy load.

http://www.google.com/search?q=MSR+Shnowshoes+tails&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&tbo=u&tbs=shop:1&source=og&sa=N&tab=if&biw=1280&bih=842#sclient=psy&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US%3Aofficial&biw=1280&bih=842&tbs=shop:1&q=MSR+Snowshoe+tails&aq=&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=&pbx=1&fp=a9f29339130ebba7

[Catalyst81]

I like the idea of adding the tails. Unfortunately I can't tell what year they are from the site.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003EF ... d_i=507846

(Only the 22" black are on sale)

I read the description more carefully - "Now available with Modular Flotation tails to allow you the maneuverability of a smaller, primary snowshoe with the added, on-demand flotation of optional, 5-inch (13-cm) tails."

So it looks like they're the 2011 version.

[phydeux]

Try renting snowshoes first to see what works for you. See if anyone in your area rents the MSRs and/or any other models. If you're going with someone else, each person can try to rent a different type, they switch 'em up during the day to see what works best for you.

I'll throw a wild card out here: Tubbs 'Atlas' snowshoes, easily 15 years old and still going strong. They're a simple aluminum tubing frame with a vinyl deck material held in place with vinyl webbing. The boot attachment fixture has a metal bottom plate with good-size teeth for biting into hard snow and softer ice. Not the most cutting edge design, but they've been great on most all types of terrain. Mine are the 32" long model which works great for over 200 lbs of 'me', clothing and gear.

[zippetydude]

I got the Lightning Ascents because a guy recommended them to me as he passed me going up San Gorgonio. His shoes were gripping perfectly, while I had poor traction with a more traditional design Atlas snowshoe. I got the Ascents, and I love them. Phydeux's advice is good if you have the time, but the snowshoe season will be over in about 6-8 weeks...

z

[Catalyst81]

I got the Lightning Ascents because a guy recommended them to me as he passed me going up San Gorgonio. His shoes were gripping perfectly, while I had poor traction with a more traditional design Atlas snowshoe. I got the Ascents, and I love them. Phydeux's advice is good if you have the time, but the snowshoe season will be over in about 6-8 weeks...

z

Yeah, renting is a good idea and is what I was originally planning on doing until I stumbled upon the deal. I figured I may not find such a great deal again so I've been trying to decide whether to jump on it or not. I think I'll just end up renting/borrowing for this year to get a better feel for what I want. Thanks for all the advice.