Best snowshoes

[sivart]

What do you recommend

 

[Holmes]

My opinion? Snowshoes are slow heavy torture devices. Every hunter that I've ever let use my skis has given up on snowshoes.

 

[mmac]

For the most part agree with Holmes. However, if never skied and or steeper country, might be easiest to use shoes.

 

[Holmes]

steeper country

one of the reasons I prefer skis is the ability to sidehill across very steep terrain, can't do that on snowshoes.

 

[Justin Crossley]

What do you recommend

I went with the MRS Lightning Ascent snowshoes. I ordered them for me, my wife, and my kids, and they have worked great. I'm sure skis would be great in a lot of scenarios as well but I've never tried them myself.

 

[go4thegusto]

My opinion? Snowshoes are slow heavy torture devices. Every hunter that I've ever let use my skis has given up on snowshoes.

Depends on application. Steeping over logs, trees, fences etc snowshoes hands down. Skis are good for a trek to camp but don't want poles when I have my bow in hand. Just got dumped on here so will be snowshoeing in to bowhunt rest of year.
I use the Scheels BOA version. Pro tip.....get one size bigger than they say. I use 36's and am 170 lbs

 

[Holmes]

Depends on application. Steeping over logs, trees, fences etc snowshoes hands down. Skis are good for a trek to camp but don't want poles when I have my bow in hand. Just got dumped on here so will be snowshoeing in to bowhunt rest of year.
I use the Scheels BOA version. Pro tip.....get one size bigger than they say. I use 36's and am 170 lbs

I don’t use poles, I have a shotgun in my hand at all times.
Ive used snowshoes and skis to do all of the things you mention I’ll choose skis every time.
A big point of the article I wrote is that most people have experience with the wrong kind of skis. I propose a solution that works better than what is available standard from any store. So, unless you’ve built a setup like I describe, I’d guess your using skis not designed to do what you’re doing.

 

[go4thegusto]

I don’t use poles, I have a shotgun in my hand at all times.
Ive used snowshoes and skis to do all of the things you mention I’ll choose skis every time.
A big point of the article I wrote is that most people have experience with the wrong kind of skis. I propose a solution that works better than what is available standard from any store. So, unless you’ve built a setup like I describe, I’d guess your using skis not designed to do what you’re doing.

Nope, I've had HUKS and other short fabric bottom trekking skis. Can't really wear pack boots for a 4 hour bow stand sit with skis. Still voting for snowshoes.....

 

[BBob]

@Holmes the link to the BD universal bindings in your article is broken and it looks like BD doesn't offer them anymore. Ideas for a substitute?

"Scott still uses the universal strap binding from his Glidelite skin-skis. "

 

[thinhorn_AK]

MSR Lightning ascent or Atlas Montagne.

 

[Holmes]

Nope, I've had HUKS and other short fabric bottom trekking skis. Can't really wear pack boots for a 4 hour bow stand sit with skis. Still voting for snowshoes.....

I specifically address those skis in my article too

 

[Holmes]

@Holmes the link to the BD universal bindings in your article is broken and it looks like BD doesn't offer them anymore. Ideas for a substitute?

"Scott still uses the universal strap binding from his Glidelite skin-skis. "

There’s a Norwegian company that makes them for BD, name escapes me right now.
Also, Altai makes a good strap binding

 

[nickstone]

I have msr revo ascents with tails and have been happy with them

 

[Ross]

MSR offers some great snowshoes and super durable…all depends on the conditions, location, downfall and steep factor….some places skis would not be an option.

 

[sargent]

My opinion? Snowshoes are slow heavy torture devices

I kind of agree, but I think the chance of a broken leg, for me, is greater on skis. I just embrace the fact that winter hiking, climbing, camping, etc. will be slow and heavy.

I've been happy with an older version of these Tubbs Alps Flex snowshoes.

Flex ALP Men's Snowshoes

Uneven and sidehill terrain are no match for the Flex ALP’s new Torsion Deck™ technology that allows torsional articulation throughout the body of the snowshoe to enhance traction and preserve yourundefined

tubbssnowshoes.com

The binding system is nice, they have heel lifts, and aggressive crampons and side rails. For off-trail, I'd go with the biggest size no matter what you weigh.

 

[coloradoan]

One advantage of snowshoes over skis is traction, so don't skimp on that. The MSR snowshoes have traction in spades. I have some old Evo Ascents that are great but the Lightnings are even better. If MSR doesn't float your boat check out the Tubbs Mountaineer, which is also good but is heavy.

 

[Huntin Fool]

I’ve had good luck with the white army surplus ones

 

[Marbles]

Madshus T55 with tech toe bindings. If you need traction, add skins and ski crampons.

But, if you insist on the short slowshoes, MSR Lightening Accents are probably the best unless all you want to do is travel in deep powder on flat land.

 

[coloradoan]

we get it, skiing is great.... this is almost as bad as hammock guys when someone asks about sleeping pads

 

[Marbles]

we get it, skiing is great.... this is almost as bad as hammock guys when someone asks about sleeping pads

Yes, but the snowshoe topic has been asked multiple times on Rokslide. Using the search function will find more than one other thread from this year alone, so no excuse about most up to date information. The OP only containing one sentence also invites other ideas.

At the point skis don't work, snowshoes usually do not as well. In country where you can use snowshoes without poles one can also use skis without poles. There are better alternatives to pack boots. Snowshoes excel for avalanche probe lines, being carried on a pack more than being used, and if you must move over ground that is steeper than you want to ski on. The last scenario begs the question of avalanche safety, which if some must ask about snow shoe recommendations and does not ski probably means they have no business there.