Topic: Best Snowshoes of 2023 (Read 44 times)
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The Sno Spin is named for its BOA style bindings. These matched with the set-it-and-forget-it elastic heel straps make these snowshoes easy to put on and take off.
The Sno Spin’s dual deep-bite crampons and aluminum sawtooth frame provide extra traction in versatile conditions. There is also an articulating toe bar connecting your crampon to the frame allowing your foot a large range of motion to adjust to varying terrain. This feature is great for inclines or spotty coverage, but if you have to back up, it can be a hassle because the heel of the shoe will dangle when you lift your foot.
BOA-esque bindings secure your boot by simply spinning a dial. While this is highly convenient and stayed tight during my hike, they do tend to fail more easily. But there’s no quicker and easier way to put on or take off snowshoes.
There is a skinny metal heel lift with a plastic tab attached for steeper trails. The tab is meant to make it easier to pull up the lift, but it is able to slide around on the bar so it is rarely in the dead-center, ideal position for it to actually operate as designed. Regardless, you can lift anywhere on the bar to raise your heel for climbing up steep terrain. The Sno Spins make a satisfying click when your lift is at full height.
These snowshoes can handle crunchy snowpack or provide grip and traction when you sink into fresh powder. The kit also co*es with a carrying bag and trekking poles which must be tightened (preferably with pliers) to obtain a rigid tool. Out of the box, they will easily slide and lower when you put weight on them. —Ashley Thess
The Range BC is a great backcountry snowshoe for users who want to tackle tougher terrain. They’re lightweight for deep treks, and the sawtooth frame provides great traction on steeper slopes.
The Atlas Range BC is a snowshoe for serious backcountry climbers and travelers. Rather than traditional tubing, it features a saw-tooth style frame decked with heavy-duty fabric. It’s not a huge shoe, and it’s designed more for climbing than slogging through deep powder in the flats.
The heel lift gives your calves a break on steep climbs, and the frame provides great traction. These bindings are easy to use with big mountaineering boots. When you’re not using them, the snowshoes nest nicely for easy transportation on your backpack.
The short, uplifted toes aid in climbing, and you don’t have to lift your knees as high. Though the design doesn’t float as well as other shoes, the frame bites on ice and cups the snow underneath for excellent traction.
The lightweight construction and versatile bindings make this snowshoe a great option for running or snowshoe racing. The high toes are designed to cushion impact without tripping you up in deep snow.
If you like traveling light and fast in the backcountry, the Highlander Adjust is a great option. It’s designed for speed without getting tripped up, and the large, upswept toes help cushion impact and keep the toes from getting caught in deep snow or buried branches.
The bindings are easy to size to your boots and simple to get in and out of. On the move, you can use your ski poles to engage and disengage the heel lifts for steep climbs. The side rails and crampons provide good traction, and the smaller heels are less likely to trip you up.
The Snowfoot Olympus co*bines the grip of a mountaineering crampon with a weight-distributing polymer grate frame and gives you much-needed flotation without sacrificing grabbing-power on ultra-steep terrain in the alpine.
The Snowfoot Olympus is unlike any traditional snowshoe and is highly specialized for steep climbs in icy terrain. They feature adjustable binding like what you’ll find on many strap-on mountaineering crampons. In fact, these shoes feature legitimate mountaineering-style crampon teeth on front and back for a superb grip.
The frame of the Snowfoot shoes is a unique latticed grid, which reduces weight and adds stability. It also effectively creates more weight-bearing surface in a small footprint. Each cell individually grips the snow and provides better flotation than a simple flat deck surface.
The Snowfoot’s small footprint allows more natural movement and can help shorten the learning curve for steep climbing. They also excel where tight footwork is required.
The Stoic 30 is a classic, lightweight, and affordable snowshoe built with durable materials that will handle regular use for years.
The Stoic 30 is a no-frills classic snowshoe design that’s great for all-around use on a budget. You’ll want to size your snowshoes according to your weight, but the Stoic 30 provides great flotation in deep snow and works well for both trail walking and breaking/packing.
You can tighten the flexible binding with a simple string, and the rear strap tightens independently. While the front and rear straps aren’t the most efficient, they’re simple and repairable should the strings wear out or break.
The deck uses a durable and flexible fabric that won’t get stiff and crack in extreme cold, and the crampon section at the heel is a serrated scoop-shape and that provides traction when going straight downhill. On the deck, small crampon teeth are attached via small bolts and lock-nuts, but several of the nuts were loose or missing in my package, so make sure to check them before using.
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