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TSL Snowshoes Symbioz Elite Snowshoes Review

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On the flip side, the Big Sky 32 is not tops for traction. We think this is reasonable for a model that's obviously designed for wild and deep &mdash; not so much steep &mdash; ground. While this snowshoe comes with a removable plastic heel lifter, we generally prefer the wire-type standard found on other models. But if your biggest concern is staying on top of deep powdery snow, this is the model for you!
Read more: Crescent Moon Big Sky 32 review

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The lightweight Atlas Helium Trail has easy-to-adjust bindings and effortlessly grips medium to heavily packed snow and ice alike. The tempered steel toe crampon and pair of vertical traction rails work together seamlessly to keep your feet from slipping, no matter the terrain. The flexible decking helps encourage a natural heel-to-toe stride, while the heel lift helps tackle steep hills with minimal effort. The popular single loop binding strap is easy to adjust on the go with gloves on, and the Wrapp Trail binding is comfortable for most. The louver design helps to shed snow with each step, keeping these snowshoes lightweight and improving traction. 
The Helium Trail offers a pretty standard amount of surface area; however, the rectangular shape of the shoe causes most to have to widen their gait a bit. It doesn't force a full duck waddle, but you may find it difficult to walk naturally if you have narrow hips or shorter legs. It also does not offer stellar float on deep, unpacked snow, so it is best to stick to the trail. While the binding system is easy to use, it is important to note that the straps flop around a little bit, which can be irritating to some. Lastly, the composite decking is more of a hard plastic than a fabric or webbing like some of the other options in our test suite. It is perfectly flexible but can be very loud on crusty snow. Still, if you are looking for a budget-friendly snowshoe with great traction for beginner terrain, this is a solid choice. 
Read more: Atlas Helium Trail review

Atlas Helium Trail Snowshoes Review

Finally, somebody else is making a one-piece plastic snowshoe. The Atlas Helium Trail is a new take on a snowshoe design concept &mdash; frame and deck as a single piece of plastic &mdash; that most companies were pretending wasn't happening. Like other plastic snowshoes, they're light and have great traction, and flotation is good. The Helium also sports a quick and easy binding that's secure and comfortable with almost any footwear.
When it comes to stride ergonomics, this snowshoe rides the fence without committing to either side. We like that the deck to binding attachment is hinged, but it may have been more appropriate for a "trail" model to be strapped. That said, the hinged attachment adds to the versatility of this model, which, coupled with its low price, makes for a great value product.
Read more: Atlas Helium Trail review

The simplistic design of the MSR Evo Trail proves itself reliable and highly versatile. The bindings fit an array of shoes, even snowboard boots! If you are into hiking the backcountry in search of the perfect line to ride back down, these shoes just might be the ideal choice for you. The shoe itself is relatively small, which negatively affects its ability to float on unpacked snow. That being said, it has the option to add flotation tails, which, like the rest of the shoe, are uncomplicated and easy to install as needed. With the addition of these tails, the float improves significantly, and we find that having the option to minimize the shoe is quite useful. This lightweight option will get you from A to B without a hitch. 
The Evo is a unisex shoe, so people with smaller framed bodies may have to widen their gait, potentially causing their stride to be less organic. While we like the binding system as a whole, the straps stiffen as they get cold, causing the tails to pull out of their designated clips while walking. This does not loosen the shoe by any means, but it does mean that the straps aren't always neatly tucked away. Lastly, the material the decking is made of is noisy compared to other shoes in our review, especially on packed and crusty snow. But if you want to keep it simple, versatile, and shareable with the taller folks in your life, this is a great snowshoe to consider. 
Read more: MSR Evo Trail Snowshoe review

Switchback Travel | MSR Evo Trail Snowshoe Review

MSR Evo Ascent Snowshoes Review

The Best Snowshoes

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The stout MSR Lightning Ascent continues to dominate the field of contenders. Throughout our testing period, it performed well. Versatile across an array of snow conditions? Check. Reliable traction on snow, ice, and slush? Check. Capable in steep stuff? Check. We'll stop there, but this model simply performed well in any situation we threw at it. The rubber webbing provides easy fine-fitting and secures the foot in place without question. The rigid hinge linking the deck to the binding facilitates good range of motion and precision when necessary. This is our reigning champ for a reason.
Our beef with this model is the straps that control the rubber webbing on the front of the snowshoe. The strap's tail is pretty short, making adjustment irritating and limiting the size range of compatible boots. This is notable for folks with big feet or bulky mountaineering boots. The short strap is especially hard to use with gloves on or when the rubber is cold and stiff. Nonetheless, this is our favorite model and has been for many years. We like all the models we tested for one feature or another, but the Lightning Ascent brings it all together. And the icing on the cake? If you have plans for fresh powder and want to increase surface area or accommodate a heavier load, the Ascent has supplemental add-on tails available for purchase. 
Read more: MSR Lightning Ascent review

The MSR Lightning Ascent is a versatile snowshoe built for all types of terrain and adventuring. With its 360° traction, ability to provide a natural stride, and excellent bindings &mdash; not to mention the option for added flotation tails &mdash; this product is our favorite overall snowshoe. Whether you are walking up steep obstacle-ridden terrain, down an icy hill, or across a flat and well-traveled path, slippage is minimal, and comfort is a non-issue. The binding rotates almost 90° from the deck, allowing for a natural stride when walking forward. The material provides just the right amount of stretch for a very snug fit without any uncomfortable pinching or poking.
Due to the nature of the binding, walking backward and sidestepping can be quite laborious. The bindings are also challenging to put on with thick gloves, though after the first fitting, it gets much easier, provided you wear the same boots. Despite the price, difficult first fitting, and the propensity to fall head over heels when backstepping, we are confident in awarding the Lightning Ascent top honors. From casual day-trippers to week-long expeditions, this shoe put smiles on the faces of all those who slipped it on.
Read more: MSR Lightning Ascent - Women's review

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