Northern Lites Snowshoe Mod

Looks pretty pro. A nice enhancement for the Northern Lites. What type of alu did you use?

Dave,
I found aluminum 1/8" thick. It is 1 inch by 1 inch angle stock at my local hardware store. It is fairly soft material. It cut easily with a hacksaw. It was cheap and not exotic.

very nice! looking for a little more grip for my running snowhoes, that might be just the ticket

Scott –

I was just about to post a new thread asking about experiences with the northern lites quicksilver model vs the backcountry + their regular binding vs the newer QTR binding… and here I see you have what appears to be the Quicksilver QTR.

I am in the market for snowshoes & the NorthernLites get great reviews, here on BPL and elsewhere… now deciding on which ones. How have the QSilver been for you? Curious about your decision for these vs the backcountry… And how are the QTR bindings? I have not been able to find any reviews comparing these to the standards… Northern Lites still offers both so there must be some pros & cons.
FYI – I am 6'3" and weight 225, so at least the 30" model (so maybe the Tundra is even better… ).

thanks-

Peter

drift …

Peter –
You don't post often, but it is always a pleasure to see the trudge up Chilkoot Pass.
Thanks.

… end drift.

I have the 25-inch Elites with QTR bindings and got my first opportunity to use them recently in some pretty steep-n-deep snow. Very impressed with the bindings and surprised by the grip of the decks and crampons, which was much better than I expected.

FYI, the QTR bindings are not available on the Tundras.

yes, amazing image, always surprises me… drift

Bob – thanks for the reply. So any insights into why NLites offers both bindings, ie, pros & cons of one over the other ?
And elsewhere, as I choose between the Quicksilver ( cheaper ) , Backcountry ( that much stronger/ better? ) or the even bigger Tundras (given my size, especially packing) do you mind if I ask about your total weight with those Elites in the deep snow recently?

A bit more information and I'm out of everyone's hair, promise –

The Northern lite snowshoes I have are a few years old and I had not noticed that they had changed what they say offered. I have ended up using my MSRshoes more due to the better traction with the MSR. The Norhern Lites were relegated to trips where they were carried on he pack more than on my feet due to the access road being gated yet plowed for quite a ways. (Spring in the Eastern Sierras when Edison wants to check on their dams). The binding on the MSR is more durable. I just sent these Norhtern Lites back to have the Hypolan part of the binding replaced because it was tearing away from the rivets. They did it at a very low price and it was reasonable wear and tear from use. I'm happy with the binding and shoe overall. I hope with added traction bar I can use them more. Scott

Peter,

I've used only the QTR bindings with NL so I can't comment on the others.

I contacted NL about the QTR on the Tundras and was advised "sorry the QTR is not available for the Tundra. We like the Tru Tak binding on the bigger snowshoe".

Adding up the numbers quickly, my FSO weight (winter gear) is about 215 lb. In my experience the Tubbs 25-inchers were adequate for me even with a slightly heavier total, and I found these adequate as well. Shorter is better for floundering through powdery thickets.

The Catskills recent snow added a total of 8-10 inches of heavy/wet/soft stuff, but on the lee side of the hills it had piled up to 1.5-2 feet in places. A good test for the NLs.

.

Scott- couple of questions if I may- what pop rivet tool are you using? also what are using for hardware in the middle-is that a Chicago screw?

Look at my snowshoes (Atlas Race) I don't think I could squeeze a cleat behind the heel as it has some angled cleats near that location already. There is room behind my second cleat it orientating it like you have (perpendicular to the frame), but I'm also thinking maybe running a pair of cleats parallel to the frame.

I just noticed my cleats are titanium, would be pretty pricey replicating those, but did see that Vargo has some angled ti stakes that might possibly be fashioned into cleat.

Mine climb pretty decently (not as decently as my Lightnings), it's steeper descents on very hard-packed snow that has me wanting more traction

Mine climb pretty decently (not as decently as my Lightnings), it's steeper descents on very hard-packed snow that has me wanting more traction

I'd give stock Northern Lite Tundras the same review.

Thanks all for the replies, much appreciated.

Merry Christmas –