Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2016 7:39:42 GMT -8
A number of years ago, I owned a pair of Red Feather snow shoes. The shoes had the tail lift feature, whre the shoe was lifted to a height and the tail was lifted as well. Also, there were side traction devices to stop sideways sliding.
Anyways, my wife and I will be looking to get a pair of snow shoes and were wondering what new features, if any, are the in thing for snow shoes?
Yea, I'll do my own looking but it is nice to know what works and what are gimmicks.
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Sept 10, 2016 9:32:55 GMT -8
Sorry. I bought my 2nd pair of snowshoes about 20 years ago, and sold them 4 years ago. My info might be dated. Closest thing to what I owned are now Atlas 1030 or 1035. Depending on the snow you are wanting to travel, of course. Larger shoes accommodate powder and a day pack better, naturally. I think most shoes now have some sort of traction device, and a pivoting track to make it easier to use them.
P.S. -- I became a Life Member of Sierra Club in 1990, when I figured out it would cost me less in the long run. Nice to see us old folk still have it together.
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Sept 10, 2016 10:16:51 GMT -8
Traction devices have improved a lot over the years. I use Atlas 1035, but I'm tempted by the lighter MSR plastic shoes. On the whole, I'd much rather XC ski than snowshoe, especially on unpacked snow.
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Post by johntpenca on Sept 10, 2016 11:47:25 GMT -8
Can't answer your question directly as I have not used snowshoes in ages. But I read good reports on MSR and Northern Lights.
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franco
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Post by franco on Sept 10, 2016 15:02:40 GMT -8
Mine are the MSR Lightning Ascent with the heel lift. We often have iced snow in the morning, the MSR have a good grip for that. You can also add tails for extra support on flat(ish) trails. The lift works well on steepish slopes. If only doing trails you don't need such good grip so you could maybe save weight with other types.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2016 15:18:51 GMT -8
I was exposed to snow shoes whiles going on some outtings with the Sierra Club in the Sierras. We'd put on our snow shoes and packs, hike out on trail, make camp, the next day we'd head off, following a bearing, and, eventually, return to camp. My interest is in a snow shoe that will allow us to backpack out with multi-day load, then do some off trail wandering.
And, thanks for the feedback and info.
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Sept 10, 2016 15:57:27 GMT -8
In my opinion, for traction - nothing comes close to MSR. Here is an example of what MSR snowshoes can do.
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almostthere
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putting on my hiking shoes....
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Post by almostthere on Sept 10, 2016 17:26:35 GMT -8
The more teeth, the more traction.
I have a pair of Northern Lites -- they are lighter and have the necessary heel crampon as well as the toe crampon. They are nice.
My other pair, which the unhusband now uses, are an older model of the MSR Lightning Ascents -- three pounds apiece but great traction, and both 6" and 8" tails to go with them on hand.
If the snowshoe has just a crampon on the toe, move on. You can find last year's MSRs on sale somewhere. Or just rent them, if you only intend to go out every great once in a while...
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Post by CompassRds on Sept 11, 2016 4:00:44 GMT -8
Thanks for the info all, and thanks @idahowalker for putting the topic up.
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panatomicx
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Post by panatomicx on Sept 11, 2016 12:30:11 GMT -8
Ditto MSR Lightning Ascents. When I got mine, I bought the previous year's model for a $100 discount. Pay attention to the size, I have the 25", which I find is the best balance, for me, between float and maneuverability-I'm 168lb.
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Post by ukpacker on Sept 17, 2016 14:15:24 GMT -8
I use MSR Lightning ascents , it's great to be able to add extra flotation, in soft snow though nothing is big enough, if you are going to hike off trail i would certainly check that weather conditions have produced a firm enough snow surface. I don't know anyything about snow in the Sierras I have only snowshoed in Scandinavia but walking through soft powder is the most gruellingly hard form of locomotion I have ever had the missfortune to encounter. I would only use the 30 inch models as I find them quite manageable now that I have got used to not crossing over the rear ends!
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