Testing snowshoes is a tough job, but someoner has to do it! (Tim Jones photo)
After my recent story on choosing snowshoes, so many of you wrote asking for the results of the EasternSlopes.com snowshoe tests that we’re sharing them with everyone before the test is complete.
We aren’t writing about every snowshoe on the market. Not even close! That’s because we haven’t actually tried all the snowshoes on the market, and we won’t write about anything we haven’t actually used.
We have put in a lot of miles on some of these snowshoes. These are real miles, on packed trails, icy crust, and untracked powder on flats, steeps and sidehills, with packs on and without.
We deliberately try to break snowshoes. So far, we’ve (mostly) failed . . .
Here’s a look specific snowshoe models we’ve actually used. In some cases, the tests are still incomplete and we’ll be adding info and opinions as the winter progresses. We also hope to be testing additional shoes this winter. So stay tuned! If you agree or disagree with any of our assessments, please feel free to post a comment, we’d love to hear about your experiences.
Tubbs Couloir 30 ($200-250), 5.5 lbs/pair; 9×32 inches
Tubbs Couloir 30 (Tim Jones photo)
My everyday go-to snowshoe is the Tubbs Couloir 30. I used my first pair so often the plastic decking began cracking where it wrapped around the frame. Tubbs replaced them without questions and I’ve had no issues since. The Couloir is wider (9 inches) than some other snowshoes which provides more flotation, though some people might find it too wide.
The binding on this shoe is as good as I’ve ever tried–very easy to get into and out of even with mittens on—just be careful to keep the flip-up catch that secures the heel strap clear of ice. The binding pivots easily so the tail of the shoe drags as it should and any snow on it slides off as you lift. The binding also flexes slightly side-to-side which may help the shoe stay flatter on the snow for better traction when sidehilling. An easy-to-use flip-up wire heel riser makes long climbs less tiring on your calves. Nice touch. The aggressive steel claws stay sharp and traction is excellent in all conditions.
For several years now, My sweetheart, Marilyn, has used the Tubbs Odyssey 25 (9×25 inches) Women’s which has since been replaced by the upgraded Women’s Couloir model. She simply loves the shoes, has no trouble at all handling the bindings with mittens on. She’s happy, I’m happy.
TSL Over The Top 30 ($220) 6 lbs/pair; 8×31 inches
TSL Over The Top 30 (Tim Jones photo)
These aluminum-frame snowshoes are made in Vermont. They are slightly heavier than some other snowshoes, but bombproof–you couldn’t break them if you tried, and I’ve tried. The 8-inch width makes for more natural walking but a little less flotation.
The bindings are solid, very positive, comfortable but take some tinkering to fit. Once set up they are easy to use even with mittens. The heel lift is awkward to engage and disengage without removing mittens, but there when you need it. The steel traction cleats are long, sharp and aggressive. These are my favorite snowshoes for hard crusted snow.
TSL 227 Escape ($150) 4.8 lbs/pair; 9×29 inches
TSL 227 Escape (David Shedd photo)
These lightweight composite snowshoes look like they’ll break instantly. Three seasons later and many miles with heavy packs in tough conditions, they’re still going strong. The plate-style bindings are easy to use once set to your boot, comfortable, supportive and have a flip-up heel lift. The ribbed composite deck grips well on softer snow while six stainless-steel spikes and a traction claw grip on hard snow. A little “keel” hanging off the back end helps the shoes to track straight. David’s sweetheart Susan loves these shoes.
LL Bean/Tubbs Pathfinder (159) 4.6 lbs/pair, 9 x 31 inches
LL Bean/Tubbs Pathfinder 30 (David Shedd photo)
I haven’t given these a full test, but they cost much less than the top-of the line Tubbs and even less that the (nearly?) identical Ventures. With a lighter, less expensive shoe you give up some features such as the heel lift. The binding allows a little more random foot movement and the heel strap is harder to tighten, but it works with mittens on. If you only occasionally head up steeper mountains with a pack on, it appears these will do just fine and you’ll appreciate the lighter weight on the easier trails.
Yukon Charlie’s Guide 825 ($125) 4.8 lbs/pair, 8×27 inches
Yukon Charlie's Guide 25 (Tim Jones photo)
Yukon Charlie’s shoes have been redesigned since I got these but the basics remain the same. For inexpensive snowshoes, the quality is surprisingly good, though they are relatively heavy overall,. The bindings are solid and easy to use with two ratcheting buckles over the boot and a simple heel strap adjustable for length. The traction claws are aluminum and dull easily but work fine on crusted snow. Worth a look if you are walking on easy terrain and don’t want to pop for bells and whistles you don’t need.
LL Bean Winter Walker 30 ($119) 5.25 lbs/pair, 9 x 30 inches
LL Bean Wilderness 30 (David Shedd photo)
Impressive in early testing, these look to be a genuine a bargain for a recreationalsnowshoe. Lighter than some other inexpensive shoes. Bindings are fairly simple to use with some practice. We lent them to novice snowshoer Matt Marean and he had some difficulty figuring out the bindings initially, but no trouble once he’d used them a bit. We’ll have a lot more later when they’ve seen more miles on varying snow conditions.
Kahtoola Flight Deck TS24 ($274), 4 lbs/pair, 9×24 inches
Kahtoola TS 24 (David Shedd photo)
Unique, dual-purpose snowshoes. A separate cleat system straps to your boot, serves as an aggressive traction creeper when you don’t need the flotation of the snowshoe. Cleats snap onto the aluminum-frame snowshoe deck (three sizes available). Neat, simple, works extremely well when the deck is on a firm surface, harder in deep snow. A pull tab releases binding easily. The decks are low profile, easy to carry on a pack. The ONLY flaw is the tight toe cords which don’t allow the deck to pivot freely. You pick up weight of the entire snowshoe and any snow on it with each step and it flips snow onto your legs and back. . . Annoying.
LL Bean Trailblazer 30 ($220 includes special winter boots with step-in binding), 3.2 lbs/pair, 8 x 30 inches
LL Bean Trailblazer Step-In (David Shedd photo)
Another intriguing step-in snowshoe binding concept, this one free-pivoting so decks shed snow. Spring-loaded steel pins snap into metal detents built into very comfortable winter boots that you could wear anytime you are out in snow. The connection point looks flimsy, but neither David nor I have been able to break or twist out of them—not even wearing a 50-pound pack! The step-in feature works easiest on a firm surface—more difficult in deep snow. Simply push with the tip of a ski pole to release. Much more testing needed this winter!
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