help with snowshoes

I have some 9 year old Atlas 1025's that are doing great, if you are looking at quality.
Duane

I use MSR lightning Ascents (the most aggressive ones available by MSR) but my girlfriend has the flextreks, which I actually like better, and borrow when she doesn't need them.

Pros:
Affordable
Aggressive traction, very very comparable to my lightning ascents
Flextail is less stressful on legs when terrain is wonky
Binding system is very very easy to work with, especially with gloves
Comes with the heel lift which makes a large difference IMO

Cons:
Plastic decking doesn't appear as strong as MSR plastic decking (e.g., denali model) and shows gouging already with few miles
The heel lift is smooth on the way up, but difficult to put back down, meaning you can't lower them with a trekking pole (like I do with my MSRs)
I'm not sure what the customer support is like, but MSR/Cascade design warranty is bullet proof, so not necessarily a con, but something to investigate.

Consider getting the women's version regardless of what you end up with…the narrower profile on the women's snowshoes provide for a more natural gait when you walk. I can wear women's snowshoes even when I wear my clunky double layer plastic mountaineering boots (size 10)

I've been vewry happy with my TSL "Take the High Road" snowshoes, and they're on sale at ORS for about $150 right now, I think.

They don't ahve a hell lift, but have been good to me on some pretty long climbs; They float well and aren't overly heavy (right around 5# FOR 35"); the bindings are easy in, easy out, and secure; and the "crampons" hold well on all kinds of slopes (especially cool is having two extras on the front, for kicking in step[s on the uphill).

if it matters to you (it does to me!), they're made right here in Vermont…

My preferences from both eastern and western experience:

>30" length minimum

>MSR lightning Ascent (Might as well get the best once and not have to "upgrade" later.)

>For very cold weather use NEOS overboots with a good feltpack liner, CC foam pad under liner & good moulded insole inside the liner. AND… always use a VBL sock to keep the felt liner dry and warm.)

But if you don't want to spend the money for a Lightning Ascent I'd go with the Atlas 'shoes. I have some and like their durability.

If you don’t plan on doing much vertical there is no reason to get Ascents (or any other brand’s version of a lifted heel) if you have to pay extra for it as you won’t need it and even for people that see a lot of gain, if it is not long straight climbs it is just a hassle and can be a fall problem.

WV gets pretty icy snow right? Look for good traction then. The Lightning is a great snowshoe. I am using the 28” Flex Alp right now which has even better traction. (But less flotation.)

Personally I hate any traditional style snowshoes unless I know I am going to be on dead flat terrain.

My boyfriend has the Tubbs Flex, finds them very comfortable and easy to use. I have the MSR Lightning Ascents, and find the bindings very, very fiddly. I have just gotten the EVO Tour, and I'm taking them out this week-end. They have more of a "set-it and forget-it" binding set-up.

If I like the EVO's better, I'll have a set of Lightning Ascents to put on sale in Gear Swap!

Look to buy them used. Lots (ok, maybe not lots) of people buy them, use them once or twice and then they gather dust until they put them up on ebay at a significant discount. there’s not a lot to break on a snowshoe or if it does break isn't easy to repair. i know a number of people that have picked up various models of msr snowshoes without any problem.

Well it looks like I have a little more shopping around to do. I do have the money to pick up the MSRs, but I'm afraid I won't use them enough to justify the cost. Looks like used is going to be my best bet.

Having owned both MSR and Tubbs Flex, I would recommend against the MSRs unless you get them used or on a pretty steep discount. The tubbs flex are great.

Also, I didn't mention it in my first post, but the lightning ascents are notorious for breaking (metal breaks right by the front crampon), just search online for a good amount of testimonials.

I'm really leaning toward the Tubbs Flex. But they list a maximum weight rating of 190 lbs, and I weigh 200 lbs not counting 15-20 lbs of pack weight. Will this factor into my ability to walk in a few feet of powder? Granted snow here is generally on the the wet and sometime icy side.