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Looking for Snowshoes

Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2010 11:22 pm
by mike
After wearing out my current snowshoes, I have been looking at some new snowshoes. I have serious considered a number of different snowshoes.

MSR lightning ascents were my first choice. But, they keep breaking the cramp-ons and the company doesn't seem to care about fixing the problem. I like the lightness of them, but they are too thin and break. In the long term they will break and I will be disappointed. I could have the binding replaced with evo bindings, but they have broken too. My final conclusion is that they are not sturdy enough.

I then looked at the Tubbs Couloir. First I was looking at the 30" model, but everyone said that this would be a mistake. They said to ignore the mfg sizing chart. Get the 25" They are sturdy, and will last longer then me. They have awesome crimp-ons. They are heavy at 4.9 lbs. Heavy, but sturdy and reliable.

I also looked at the tubbs Flex Alps. Like them, but they are not as sturdy as the couloirs. I don't think that they will hold up as well as the couloirs. They weigh 4.4 lbs. 1/2 less then the couloirs. Not sure that I will be happy in the long run.

MSR are $200; Tubbs Couloir is $175; Flex Alps are $219.

Re: Looking for Snowshoes

Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2010 8:58 pm
by mtnclimber
A lot of people like the MSR's, but if they keep breaking, they are not worth it. It sounds like the company doesn't care either. The negative image of MSR just keeps growing.

Re: Looking for Snowshoes

Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2010 9:55 pm
by dave
I will be interested in what you think about the Tubbs Couloirs. I agree, MSR just do not hold up.

Re: Looking for Snowshoes

Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2010 10:47 pm
by mike
I purchased the Tubbs Couloir 25". Nice cramp-ons. I don't like the bindings. The rear strap is like a large rubber band. I find that the snowshoe drops off because of the design of the rubber band. I would have preferred a different nylon strap. I also find that the front straps come lose also. I found that climbing uphill on hardpack was very good. But, loose snow didn't work as good as it should. Both uphill and downhill.

Re: Looking for Snowshoes

Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 6:32 pm
by dave
I have heard that the Tubbs are better then the MSR. Some say that the Tubbs is better for climbing uphill, and the MSR are better downhill. Mike, can you confirm this?

Re: Looking for Snowshoes

Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 9:31 pm
by mike
Hiking with other people with MSR's they seem to hold better going downhill. But, not uphill. I just don't think that the unreliability of the MSR makes them worth it. MSR management seems to have tunnel vision on making them as light as possible with no regard to reliability. From what I have heard, 2011 models will not be any better. MSR management still has their heads in the sand on the binding breakage problem. My recommendation is to avoid them like the plague.

Re: Looking for Snowshoes

Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2010 11:13 pm
by mike
Hiking downhill with the Tubbs on hardpacked snow was excellent. No slippage at all. But, with deep powder, the MSR's might be better. I am concerned how well the plastic bedding will hold up. One of them is starting to rip. I will let you know soon if the problem gets worse. Very impressed with the aggressive cramp-ons on hardpack snow. They didn't bend when I walked on rocks.

Re: Looking for Snowshoes

Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2010 8:04 pm
by dave
Maybe we can get a Review of the snowshoes from you in the future?

Re: Looking for Snowshoes

Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 2:26 pm
by mike
I plan on writing a review of them in the near future. I am also doing a rechargeable battery review.

Re: Looking for Snowshoes

Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 8:51 pm
by dave
Sounds great Mike! Batteries are an important subject.