If nimble springiness on packed trails sounds like the perfect snowshoeing experience, look no farther than the Eva Foam. This unique model offers a thick foam rocker-shaped platform that propels each foot forward as you walk. The feeling even inspired us to run! While this shoe isn't the best for flotation or durability, it is a fun design that will appeal to a lot of users.
Performance Comparison
The Eva has a unique feel that takes some getting used to. But once you get the hang of it, you'll be skipping along happily.
Flotation
This isn't the shoe to buy if your primary goal is to float on deep drifts of fresh snow. The thick decking is devoid of the spaces and holes you see on most snowshoes, which are designed to allow snow to clear the top by falling back through. These also have a smaller surface area than many of our other tested models.
While you will still float considerably more than you would without snowshoes, this isn't the model to consider for deep snow excursions. The Eva shines on packed trails, so take your snowshoe goals and locations into consideration.
When out in powder, snow collects on the top of the Eva's decking and is a big culprit in impeding floatation.
Traction
Again the Eva shuns convention and tries something new. Instead of toothy crampons like most modern snowshoes, these puppies sport Icespikes, which are more like the microspikes available for hiking. The underside is also highly ridged and textured. They feel nice and sticky on packed snow and icy terrain, but the spikes don't provide the same level of traction as a burlier, more traditional design. They also get worn down over time, though replacement spikes are available for purchase.
The underside of the Eva is strategically ridged, textured, and spiked and, while we find the traction quite good on groomed trails, it's not the same as the aggressive crampons of more technical models.
Stride Ergonomics
This is an interesting category for the Eva. It is a unisex shoe with a thick foam deck, so, in some ways, we found it straight-up awkward. The height of the platform also makes it possible to roll your foot if you're not paying attention and are prone to pronation or supination.
Mostly though, we just had to get used to the feel, which is very different from the rest of our test suite. We noticed right away on packed snow that each step felt as though it was propelling our foot forward. This springy sensation is really fun and even got us happily doing a bit of trail running. If having a bounce in your step down groomed winter trails sounds like your jam, this is a great option.
The springy nature of the Eva will help you propel down the trail and even want to run!
Ease of Use
It doesn't get much easier than the simple Velcro binding system on this snowshoe. Slide your foot in until it hits the raised toe stopper then cinch down the sandal-like Velcro straps. Done and done. There is no fancy binding attachment on the Eva — instead of the foot pivoting separately from the shoe as on most models, the entirety of the footbed stays connected to the foam platform. While this means the decking collects more snow and can get weighed down, it also means that it's incredibly easy to be nimble and agile. Our testers have tripped and fallen when trying to back up or step over obstacles with traditional full-and-fixed-pivot bindings — not so in the Eva. Movement is reminiscent of wearing sneakers.
The Eva is a very simple and un-intimidating shoe to use, ideal for casual days out on the trail with friends. And just look at all the colors!
Bindings
While we felt secure and comfortable in the Eva, we all know the downfalls of Velcro. It can easily get full of dirt and debris — or ice — and become far less sticky. It's great for many things, but it simply does not have the longevity of more mechanically focused systems. If you choose to purchase this snowshoe, be mindful to take care of the Velcro and keep it clean.
Accommodating to all shapes and sizes of boots, the bindings on the Eva are quite comfortable and easy to adjust.
Value
The cost of these snowshoes is on the lower end of our tested models. They still cost more than other shoes in our review, but not by much. If you need a technical setup for floating out in deep snow and traversing steep icy hills, then they aren't worth it. But if you plan to stay on trails and possibly run? Then yes, we find them worth the price.
The Eva served us well hiking up a trail to do some avalanche snow tests, though we changed to a different pair to explore farther up into deep virgin snow.
If the prospect of snowshoe running is exciting to you,
Crescent Moon has a new model, the
Luna, made for just that.
Conclusion
The Eva Foam is a unique addition to our test suite. While it didn't score very high due, mainly, to its lack of adequate flotation, we had a lot of fun wearing this shoe and think it's great for the right outings. On packed trails where you want to be fast and nimble, these are great and — if you take care of the Velcro bindings — will serve you well.
While the Eva is not the best performer all-around, it's fun and practical for the right kind of outings.
