questions about snow shoes

[timetohike]

I have a pair 10 x 30 tubbs style shoes that have served me well. I weigh about 230 lbs.

Today I saw that EMS has a sale on the MSR Denali Ascents for $100. I was thinking of buying a pair because the 10 x 30's seem like overkill on the hard packed trails in the high peaks area. I realize an 8 x 22 shoe would not be sufficient for my weight in any significant powder, but it seems silly to be "floating" on hard packed snow with my exsting shoes.

However, I also noticed that the specs say "for users 90 to 125 lbs." Is that a weight limit for the strength of the deck and bindings or a guide for floatation? Does anyone over 220 lbs have experience with the MSR Denali Ascents?

I've heard bad things about the performance with the tails attached so I'm not considering using them for powder. But they look like they would be lighter and more manuverable on the typical ADK well traveled trail. I'm also assuming they would be easier to descend with than my existing boats. I would still carry my crampons for ice.

[Hobbitling]

I'm relatively new to winter peak climbing, but on my hikes this winter I'd say at least half of the hikers I've encountered have had MSR Denalis. That fact alone says a lot.

I've been using a pair and they've been great. the traction is excellent, they have a sort of "saw blade" around the perimeter of the shoe, which really digs in on icy sections. and they are fantastic for hard packed trails. but I'm light, around 135-140.

[Justin]

I also have my eye on a pair of smaller snowshoes to use for well traveled trails.
Most times I'll use a marked trail to get to my bushwhack route, and my 36" Tubbs are a bit much for well packed trails, but are great for deep powder, off trail stuff.
No one wants to carry more weight, but I think I'd like to bring the two different shoes for such trips.

[Neil]

In MSR's we trust.

$100 for a pair of Denali Ascents is a steal.

I just got a pair of Lightning Ascents and took them for a test ride up and down a steep icy gully (250 feet of elevation gain-steeper than Algonquin) and they were amazing. Even on glare water ice the crampon underfoot bit and held like velcro.

The televator is worth its weight in gold.

[sky]

Actually, I just got a pair of denali's (used 'em a bunch already too).

From the happy little book that comes with the shoes: they say that on packed conditions, the shoe with no tail is good for anyone, regardless of weight. Add 4" tails if you're over 175# on up to 30" of powder. For over 30" of powder, if you're over 175#, put on the 8" tails.

They never put that on the description page. But, it's true. And it's exactly why I invested in these things. I enjoy the idea of carrying around the tails (which work great as long as you put them on correctly) instead of a second pair of shoes in case conditions change.

[eddogg12]

I'm right around 220 with a full winter pack, and on packed trails the MSR's with no tails do just fine. Alittle noisy in the woods, but other than that their great. You can roll over alot of terrain without switching to crampons it seems too.

[Bill I.]

I've never tried the MSR snowshoes, but I do own multiple pairs of Tubbs for different situations. If you are a frequent winter hiker, you'll find there is no one snowshoe design to fit all snow conditions. I have a 25-inch pair with aggressive crampons for mountains, and a 30-inch pair for cross-country conditions. I also have a beat-up older pair for the crusty snow. After last year's Valentine Day snowstorm I wished I had a 50-inch pair of wooden snowshoes for that four feet of soft snow we had for a few weeks.

A word of advice, though, if you're considering smaller snowshoes:

Bring your winter hiking boots with you when you go. The manufacturer may have decided that smaller snowshoes are for smaller people, and so the bindings may not be wide enough for larger boots. This is the case with my Tubbs. The warm, well-insulated boots I like to wear with my 30-inch pair don't even begin to fit in the 25-inchers.

[BushwhackingFirestar]

Buy them and quick. Are they Ascents(old style) or EVO ascents? Reason is new style only has option for a 6" tail, Old models can use a 4" or 8" but not the 6", vise versa. More options with the old model.



I 've been useing a pair for two seasons now. I've put them through some of the ruffest trail and off trail shoeing I can throw at them.
I only used them for a week without tails. I then got some tails to see if they made a difference,and have never taken a pair of 4" trails off. From powder to the snowmobile trails their
I think MSR dosen't rate them right, seem to carry more weight then rated for in my opinion somtimeskeeping your wait back on the tails makes alot of difference.

Look at the track a denali makes and compare it with the track from a snowmobile, and you will quickly see why they don't slip.


Bushwhacking Firestarter