Snowshoe Recommendations

[Hammondville]

Anybody have any snowshoe recommendations. I don't wish to spend very much. LLBean had a few fairly inexpensive models. What size should i get? I am 5'10'' and 225. Suggestions?

[Neil]

The answer to this questions starts the same as almost any other. It depends. If you will do 90% of your hiking on packed steep trails (peakbagging) go for the MSR's and don't bother with the extenders. If you'll be bushwhacking through soft fluffy snow on the flats then get inexpensive 30 inchers (maybe even 36ers) and don't spend $ on Tubbs.
Warning! You might end up wanting better ones later on and regretting this move.

A good all round shoe for some of everything would either be Tubbs30's or Atlas 10-30's.

Go to VFTT and do a search for snowshoes. It'll keep you in reading material until May!

[RiseAboveHiker]

A good rule of thumb with all things is you get what you pay for...

The heavier you are or your load will dictate the size of the shoe (or extender). Thus if you plan to do multi-day backpacking with a lot of gear and food weight you will want larger shoes than if you just dayhike.

I started on a pair of Tubbs years ago, but just bought a pair of Denali Ascents this winter and have been much impressed with the difference. I agree with Neil don't worry about the extenders.

If you're not sure what type to buy right away rent a few different brands and styles and see what you like best.

[johnstp]

I bought a pair of Tubbs Elevations this year and couldn't be happier. They're a little much for groomed or packed trails, but better to be overequipped than under.

[Kevin]

I use MSR Denalis. Great traction/grip on steep sections and ice, cheap, light weight and compact (can walk like I normally do without any thigh/gate issues). I have the extenders and only needed them twice (both times when breaking trail). Like Neil says, you can get away with 24" shoes on well packed trails, the extenders and longer shoes provide more loft for less packed or unconsolidated snow.

My prior pair, which I still have as backups, are some cheap Yakima 30". Heavy but have awesome builtin crampons. Issue with them is their width, causing me to step a little wide and I always experienced some inner thigh pain after a long hike.

I've heard of and seen too many pairs of Tubbs fail on the trails to ever buy them myself or recommend them to others. And not always the same thing failing. With other brands of comparable quality available I don't see any reason to take a chance on a questionable pair of shoes.

[Skyclimber]

I bought a pair of Tubbs Elevations this year and couldn't be happier.

Tubbs are known to break on many occasions. I baught a pair about 8 years ago and have sent them back a good 4 times for repair. Not only has this happened to me but also to everyone I know who has a pair of Tubbs.

I swear by my Sherpas as I have had those for 13 years and have only sent them back 1 time for repair and that was just because they unlaced.

[PeterM]

Good value snowshoes

I got Yukon Charlie 930s in December for $75 and they've been just great! They're stocked by Wal-Mart in NH - presumably VT & ME in winter. (but you won't find them on wal-mart.com)

As far as I'm concerned I got my $$ worth the first trip out, right after Christmas. I then got a set of nice Atlas 1030's new - on sale for $120 at Decathlon (reg $260) in early January, so I could go trekking with a friend.

The Yukons are a bit heavier; otherwise a great choice. They're easy to find on e-bay but you're likely to do better at Wal-Mart next season.

Just spoke to my buddy who got a pair of Yukon's for $59 at Wal-Mart 10 days ago, up in Tilton NH.

Good Luck-

[redhawk]

Tubbs are known to break on many occasions. I baught a pair about 8 years ago and have sent them back a good 4 times for repair. Not only has this happened to me but also to everyone I know who has a pair of Tubbs.

I swear by my Sherpas as I have had those for 13 years and have only sent them back 1 time for repair and that was just because they unlaced.

I'm going to disagree with you on this Marta.

I have Tubbs 30" (I'm 6'0". 205 pounds and carry as much as a 50 pound pack).

I am exrtremely happy with them and have had them for two years. I also know several people here in Wells who have had and use Tubbs much longer then I have.

I hear the peakbaggers mostly having difficulties with the Tubbs and I have come to the conclusion that they are best suited for perposes other then steep ascents and descents.

I know that mine are a little on the wide side which would also lead me to believe that they are not suited for the peaks, but are exceptionally floatable and durable under all other conditions.

[redhawk]

Tubbs are known to break on many occasions. I baught a pair about 8 years ago and have sent them back a good 4 times for repair. Not only has this happened to me but also to everyone I know who has a pair of Tubbs.

I swear by my Sherpas as I have had those for 13 years and have only sent them back 1 time for repair and that was just because they unlaced.

I'm going to disagree with you on this Marta. (Sort of)

I have Tubbs 30" (I'm 6'0". 205 pounds and carry as much as a 50 pound pack).

I am exrtremely happy with them and have had them for two years. I also know several people here in Wells who have had and use Tubbs much longer then I have.

I hear the peakbaggers mostly having difficulties with the Tubbs and I have come to the conclusion that they are best suited for perposes other then steep ascents and descents.

I know that mine are a little on the wide side which would also lead me to believe that they are not suited for the peaks, but are exceptionally floatable and durable under all other conditions.

[ken999]

Hawk - you can say that again...

I picked up a pair of Northern Lights for my wife...wow are they light. She has not used them yet, so I can't give any insight on their performance yet, but are they light.

[Hakuna Matada]

We have Tubbs, discovery series I believe, and we have had to repair the bindings quite often. In fact we used them last Sat and they are sitting here beside me waiting for repair. It's the rivits holding the binding to the shoe. They are big shoes (not sure of the length) but they are great in deep snow. They were really more than what we needed in the HP area with hard packed trails. I noticed a lot of MSRs on Sat. without the extenders.

[Skyclimber]

I'm going to disagree with you on this Marta. (Sort of)
I am exrtremely happy with them and have had them for two years. I also know several people here in Wells who have had and use Tubbs much longer then I have.
I hear the peakbaggers mostly having difficulties with the Tubbs

I'm glad that you had better experiences with the Tubbs than we have. Don't get me wrong. I do love the way they fit, traction, etc. I love their bindings verses Sherpa, because one click their on, verses Sherpa having to lace them up.
But we have had experiences with the Tubbs, where the lacing has undone, the frames break, the claws snap off of the snowshoes, the plastic strips around the frames wear off, the clips of the bindings snap. The foot pads cracking.
Everyone, which would be 5 that were regulars in our group always sent theirs back every year.
For 4 straight years in a row, I sent mine back for repair. They are a Super Company to do business with, never giving any trouble repairing them. They faithfully stand by their words, "Lifetime Guarantee." In the Winter 2001, at the end of that season, each pair of my Snowshoes went back to the Company. But they did such a super job repairing them, that they both were totally rebuilt. Everything but the frames were replaced with new parts.
Guess they got sick of my complaining.

[Sparky]

Check out the Havlick's, super tough, light weight and prices under $150. I took a gamble and bought a pair and have been really happy with them, being a local to NY State company.

Here's a link: Havlick Snowshoe Co

Good luck!

[Wildernessphoto]

I bought a pair of Tubbs Elevations this year and couldn't be happier. They're a little much for groomed or packed trails, but better to be overequipped than under.

I agree John,
I've got the 10x36 Elevation series and love them. I'm 230lbs with a 40lb pack. and I'm floating with these.

http://www.orssnowshoesdirect.com/tubbs_elevation_snowshoes.htm

[Wildernessphoto]

Check out the Havlick's, super tough, light weight and prices under $150. I took a gamble and bought a pair and have been really happy with them, being a local to NY State company.

Here's a link: Havlick Snowshoe Co

Good luck!

I've got a pair of 10x56 Havlick's which work great for floating on top, but don't climb well (no cleats). Great for breaking trail!