What to Bring - Snowshoes

Once the snow depth reaches 8 inches or more most hikers will want to use snowshoes to get around. Snowshoes are mandatory in the Adirondacks in the winter. They are not mandatory in the Catskills but anyone tackling the 3500s will want to have them. The problem is that there are many brands and each brand has different models. It can be very confusing to pick the right snowshoe. This is compounded by the fact that they are not inexpensive.

Many articles have been written about snowshoeing techniques and the best snowshoes to buy. This topic generates numerous comments on social media with many people becoming quite passionate. The best snowshoe is the one that you feel most comfortable with for the type of terrain you are going to hike. I suggest that you try out snowshoes before buying them by borrowing them from a friend or renting them. The best part about snowshoeing is that it expands your ability to hike in almost any weather under almost any conditions.

The list below was compiled by Steve Olesen and gives a nice sampling of some well-known and popular brands as well as some lesser known snowshoes. It also shows that a company may offer different models depending on the type of terrain the user wishes to navigate. Thank you Steve for your hard work and your willingness to share.

	Description	Construction	Heel elevators	Best Uses	Size	Weight (pair)
	MSR Revo Ascents	Frame: Steel Traction Bars Molded Plastic Brake Bars Deck: Composite Molded Plastic Crampon: Steel Binding: Paragon	Yes	Uphill and Backcountry	22" 25"	4lbs 7oz 4lbs 11oz
	MSR Evo Ascents	Frame: Steel Traction Bars and Brake Bars Deck: Unibody Molded Plastic Crampon: Steel Binding: Trifit	Yes	Uphill and Backcountry	22"	3lbs 15oz
	MSR Lightning Ascents (Mens)	Frame: 7075-T6 Aluminum Deck: TPU coated Nylon Crampon: Steel Binding: Paragon System (New), PosiLock (Pre-2019)	Yes	Alpine & Technical Terrain Steep Uphills	22" 25" 30"	4lbs 3oz 4lbs 5oz 4lbs 15oz
	Tubbs Mountaineer	Frame: Tube construction Deck: TPU coated Nylon Crampon: Steel Binding: ActiveFit 2.0	Yes	Backcountry Hiking	30"	5lbs 5oz
	Tubbs Flex VRT	Frame: Steel Side Traction Bars Deck: Composite Plastic Crampon: Steel Binding: Dynafit BOA	Yes	Backcountry Steep Inclines Mountaineering	24" 28"	4lbs 5oz 5lbs
	Tubbs Flex Alp	Frame: Steel Traction Bars Deck: Molded Composite Crampon: Steel Binding: ActiveFit 2.0	Yes	Backcountry Steep Inclines Mountaineering	24" 28"	4lbs 8oz 5lbs
	Northern Lites Timber Wolf	Frame: Aluminum Tube Deck: TPU coated Nylon Crampon: Stainless Steel Binding: TruTrak (Strap) or Speed	No	Mountaineering Search and Rescue Heaviest Loads Extreme Conditions	32"	4lbs 3oz
	Crescent Moon Gold 10	Frame: Aluminum Tube Deck:TPU coated Nylon Crampon: Steel Binding: Strap / Ratchet	No	Backcountry Steep Trails	32"	4lbs 6oz
	Fimbulvetr Hikr	Frame: DuPont Hytrel Deck: DuPont Hytrel Crampon: 316 Stainless Steel Binding: Nylon straps and ladder-lock buckles	Yes	Backcountry Moderate Inclines	24"	4lbs 14oz
	Garneau Everest	Frame: Molded Polymer Deck: Molded Polymer Crampon: Carbon Steel Binding: BOA System	Yes	Backcountry Steep Inclines	22" 27"	4lbs 3oz 4lbs 7oz
	Garneau Victory Summit	Frame: Aluminum Bar Deck: Molded Polymer Crampon: Carbon Steel Binding: BOA System	Yes	Backcountry Steep Inclines	25" 30"	3lbs 14oz 4lbs 2oz
	TSL Symbioz Hyperflex Elite	Frame / Deck: Carbon reinforced molded plastic Crampon: Stainless Steel Binding: Adjustable ratchet strap	Yes	Alpine & Technical Terrain Steep Uphills	20.5" 23.5" 27"	4lbs 2oz 4lbs 5oz 4lbs 13oz
	Atlas Apex-BC	Frame: 6061 Aluminum Deck: Nytex Crampon: Stainless Steel Binding: Pack Flat system	Yes	Alpine & Technical Terrain Steep Uphills	25" 30"	3lbs 12oz 4lbs 3oz

This article has an interesting discussion of some popular snowshoes.

https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/snow-sports/best-snowshoes