Atlas Montane - Women's Review

Fun, functional, and easy to use — that's the Montane. This is an all-around great snowshoe with a fantastic binding system (one of our favorites), sticky traction, and enough flotation for more casual terrain and packed snow.

Performance Comparison

Flotation

We tested the Montane in the 27" length, the largest of three sizes available. This is about average for our tested models, but the curves of this teardrop-shaped snowshoe make the footprint a little smaller. This is great for stride ergonomics but hinders the float on particularly deep snow, rendering the Montane a better option for well-packed trails and less ideal for the backcountry.

Traction

Feeling secure on technical terrain is no problem in the Montane. The toe crampon is multi-directional with wide teeth, and two traction rails run parallel down the footbed to help provide solid footing on steep slopes and icy patches. A few options in our review feel grippier and are better suited to advanced terrain, but the Montane is more than adequate for most situations.

Stride Ergonomics

The Montane is ever-so-slightly wider across the ball of the foot than most snowshoes, and, believe it or not, we could feel that while walking. Every once in a while, our testers would knock one foot into the other if they weren't paying attention. While this is something to keep in mind when deciding on your purchase, every body is shaped differently — you may not need to adjust your gait whatsoever. Our adjustments were minor, though noticeable, compared to other models in this review.

The Montane also has a fixed binding system, which means the tail of the shoe closely follows the natural movement of the foot when walking. This can cause the snowshoe to feel marginally heavier for some users due to the back flipping up. It also tends to throw a lot of snow up onto the back of the legs.

Ease of Use

A big aspect of a pleasant-to-use snowshoe is a good binding system, and that's one area where the Montane has no problem shining brightly. The "positive toe locator" makes it easy to place the foot correctly, and the straps tighten up and release with a simple pull of a loop. The back heel belt straps everything down securely with an easy pull; no funny body angles or awkward yanking required. The fixed binding system has a different feel when walking then a full rotation one, but the learning curve is fast and straightforward.

Bindings

The binding on the Montane feels highly secure and robust. It has strong webbing, a toe cage on the front, and a well-functioning pull strap system around the heel with a retainer clip that effectively houses the excess strap length. This is a highly comfortable binding system. There's arch support, and the straps cinch down evenly and uniformly with no pinch points.

Should You Buy the Atlas Montane?

The Montane rings up at a very fair price. It has a stellar binding system, impressive traction, okay float, and heel lifts for steep climbing. Fit for technical hiking and variable mountainous terrain, the Montane is a solid choice if you want to get technical without completely breaking the bank.

What Other Snowshoes Should You Consider?

If you like the spring-loaded suspension of the Atlas Montane, you'll love the Atlas Run. That being said, the Run is strictly for running and won't do much on steep slopes or deep drifts. If you want solid float, the MSR Lightning Ascent or the Atlas Range-MTN will be more up your alley. Finally, if you're looking for a snowshoe that is super easy to walk in, the exaggerated teardrop shape of the Crescent Moon Leadville 29 is sure to have you walking naturally.