Tubbs v/s Atlas snowshoes?

Question

Pretty aggressive hiking, NY high peaks. Or any other brands? Looking for advice on what to buy! Definitely want aggressive crampons. Thanks!

Answer 1

MSR Denali Ascents will give you the most agressive crampon. This is what I've used for the past 6 years in VT and the ADKs. It is a radical design. All hard plastic, no vinyl decking, but in addition to the toe crampon, there are additional saw-blade-style crampons that run the length of the snowshoe on either side of the foot. You can also buy extension tails in the event you run into some deep stuff. I also like the binding. While very simple, it will allow you to wear anything from Snow Clogs to Ski Boots. Like I said, this is what I use, however, a lot of people want a vinyl deck and the Denali is just to radical.

In that event I would suggest the MSR Lightning Ascent. Like the Denali, it has edges around the frame as well as the toe crampons, but it has a vinyl deck. They tend to be a bit lighter and more quiet than the Denali, but they do not allow for the use of tail extensions.

If the MSR stuff doesn't appeal to you, then I would go with anything from the Atlas "12" series. I think the women's are Elektra1223. Very good snowshoes. Stailnless steel crampon and a binding that will fit any shoe easily. I prefer Atlas over Tubbs because the higher end Tubbs shoes have a full pivot on the binding. The Atlas shoes use a strap.

The pros with the Atlas shoes are that you have a hard time ever coming down on the tails. The full pivot used by Tubbs can allow you to trip on the tails when lifting the shoes over an obstacle. The cons with the Atlas shoes are on long treks you might get more tired because the strap doesn't allow the tail to drag as much...so you are SOMETIMES lifting the whole snowshoe every step. The Tubbs' tails will drag and give you less fatigue. However, I've found that the tails with the Atlas shoes almost are always on the ground too....unless you are running.

Tubbs and Atlas shoes are both produced by the same company (in the same factory)..and I'm pretty sure it's in China, so don't buy into that slick Tubbs marketing. While they were US made for years, only the marketing department is still based in Stowe VT.

Those are the top three companies as far as Mountaineering Snowshoes go. You can always pick up something less expensive.

I'm pretty sure you'll find all of these styles at The Mountaineer in Keene Valley or EMS in Lake Placid. There's a few more gear stores on the main drag in Lake Placid, but I don't know their stock as well as I do those two stores.

Answer 2

Atlas 12 Series Snowshoes

Answer 3

Tubbs Mountaineer

Answer 4

I use yukon charlies Im 6 3 285 I found them to be easy for me the price is nice also the thing is how hard are you useing them
I found with these I didnt have to replace the straps as often as the others check them out be for you spend any money
think snow

Answer 5

I would go with the MSR snow shoes. I do quite a bit of snow shoeing in the Rocky Mountains, and find the MSRs with their traction bars that run the length of the shoe (front to back) help especially when traversing steep terrain.