Snow Shoe Gear Inquiry

Just a quick question on what SnowShoes people are using and what specifics as Your weight, SnowShoe

I am interested in any review info on the MSR Denali classic w/8" float attachments??

I am 6'3", avg. 215lbs, Looking for some good snowshoes at a reasonable price, Can't spend 250.00 bucks.
Future requirements will be carring climbing/alpine gear and backpacking equipment on occasion but should not exceed 40 lbs.

Thanks a bunch,
Jeff

I'm about your size and have been using the denali's for a few years. They do the job well but in the snow in colorado the lack the flotation needed in the soft snow. I find myself floundering whenever there is a bit of a crust or the snow is just too deep. I've found some good BC skis to work best when the snow is deep enough to accomodate which eliminates the flotation problems for the most part.

For mountaineering, the Denalis can't be beat. As Josh notes, they don't have the best flotation, so tails aren't a bad idea. That said, I'm about your height and weight and have never actually useded/needed my tails here in CO. The disadvantages are that they are quite loud and, with the tails, your foot is awefully far forward on the snowshoe from what might be optimal. Still, these snowshoes out-perform the more traditional frame+deck kind for mountaineering purposes (steep ascents, icy traverses), the binding system is easy and fool-proof, and they are about half the price.

Gentleman, thankyou for the replies. I am glad to know that they will be sufficient in the weight department, still weighing my options but they seem to be the best bet with the tails.

@ Joshua, I was actually told that the Colorado powder is all around poor for any snowshoe so I cannot make that a negative thing.....
Skis are good idea :) Cross country skis are a reasonable price. I will have to look into that option as well.

@ Charles, Glad to Know, appreciate the Noise info as well, Probably sounds like the old plastic sleds crunching the crusty snow in the cold evening used as kids.... Unfortuanatley you made mention of Ascents and the "Televator" for ascending option on the denalis makes them around 200+ dollars so I was not going to get that model. Just the Denali Classics. Hope those are still ok for gradual ascending..

Still debating but these seem like the way to go.
Thanks again,
Jeff

I vote for the MSR Lightening Ascent. Much better traction and the heel wires are great when goin uphill. True they are spendy but they will last forever so look at the cost over time. Also realize if you go big on your snowshoe you lose manueverability. I prefer to sink a little so I have a snowshoe that I can use on steeper slopes....(I go 215 also)

Jeffrey,

The Denalis are the best all-around option, will last forever and are the only snowshoe you can add tails to (besides the Evos). The Lightnings are awesome, but won't last nearly as long. I worked for a gear shop in Estes Park and our Lightning rentals, which of course got majorly abused, all got tears in the fabric decking material where the heel comes down on it. Also, you're stuck with one length and they cost over twice as much.

Another thing about the Denalis...I'd go for the 4-inch tails since, like Charles said, adding tails puts your foot farther forward than is optimal, especially with the 8 inch tails, and the 4 inchers should be fine for most conditions. Also, the Ascents (w/ the "Televator") are really only useful if you'll be going up fairly steep hills for a long ways, like you would if you go backcountry snowboarding. For trails and average terrain where you're going up and down, they're a pain to have to switch back and forth, and unless the hill's pretty steep, you won't need them anyways.

No pair of snowshoes is perfect for all conditions, but the Denalis (Ascents if you think you'll need them) with 4-inch tails are as good as they get, and amazingly, your cheapest option.

Anybody has any thoughts/opinions on the Denali vs the Denali EVO?

this is kinda off subject but has anyone heard anything good or bad about the mad rock alpinist boot?

I've never seen any MSR snowshoes for all that good prices either used or new. The design does look very robust, however, in that you could bend the frame back into shape if you damaged it. Not so with tubular frame snowshoes like Atlas and so forth. I have some Atlas ones I got from Wilderness Exchange new for $99 on closeout. They have been great for what I use them for, which is just Winter hiking with a small pack.

Jeffrey-

I have been using Denalis since they first hit the market, almost 20 yrs ago, and I am still on my original pair. I replaced the bindings once and the new bindings will outlast the originals. There are no alternatives to MSRs in the mountains, to be frank. Nobody makes a true mountain snowshoe except them - nothing else edges on slopes or has the grip, and I have used all major brands in my guiding. MSR is a sponsor, but I would buy them retail - they will last you forever and are the simplest design. The float tails are rarely needed - I've used mine maybe 4 times with heavy loads in crap snow - but you are a little bigger so you might want them. If you can find them used or from a rental shop, buy them - you won't be sorry.
RJF

Jeffrey, I too own a pair of original Denalis with 8" tails. They were a great deal ~$100. I'm a bit shorter and lighter than you. They can take a beating. Still, the binding can pull free from the grommets, but you can repair them with a short bolt/nut/washer. A good pair of pliers and a repair setup might be in order for an extended trip. I agree that the 8" tails do put you fairly far forward. IMO, they work better on traverses than most round edge tube frames. The challenge with skis are that you can't go up really steep terrain, most climbing boots (esp. leathers) don't support that well for average skiers, you have to be a pretty good skier to descend with a decent pack, and skis get really beat up trying to get around boulder fields/talus. My wife has those newer Evos. Their narrower tails make for easier walking with folks who walk with their legs closer together. Finally, you can sometimes find better deals if you're really cost pinching and can wait until the end of the rental season.

I'm the same size, been using the Denali EVO for a couple years and like them. I tried with and without the tail, and it's seems overall annoying with the tail, so I took it off.

Didn't think I floated that well in powder, but went out snowshoeing with a friend in Colorado. He was wearing larger/longer snowshoes and he floundered worse than I did (though he was about 50lb lighter).

Edited: (oops forgot) Two rubber straps broke (was putting them on wrong) and I called MSR and got a couple of the clevis-pin/rings and a couple extra straps to keep in a baggie for longer trips. You could improvise pretty easily if emergency (2mm cord for straps).

Taz wrote:this is kinda off subject but has anyone heard anything good or bad about the mad rock alpinist boot?

I have a pair. I wear them a lot. They're warm enough for most lower-48 uses. I like them pretty good. Rivets on ankle lace-loops are wimpy and I replaced them at a shoe shop for $4 and no problems since. YMMV.