MSR Evo Trail Snowshoes Review

The Evo Trail by MSR has a widely popular track record for versatility, ease of use, and durability. At a wallet-happy price, this shoe ends up at the top of our list for its ability to perform well in varied terrain of all levels. Between its spectacular traction, simplistic binding design, and outstanding flotation with added tails, this snowshoe offers high performance for any experience level.

Performance Comparison

Flotation

The Evo Trail snowshoes offer decent floatation for individuals who fall within the recommended weight range, even without using the supplementary tails. However, the optional add-on flotation tails can significantly improve performance for those who are a bit heavier or plan on carrying a winter pack into the backcountry.

Flotation is the “sink or swim” criteria for overall snowshoe performance. The Evo held its own, flotation-wise, on all kinds of snow, from packed to loose powder. The plastic unibody decking is relatively lightweight, and the rigidity of its frame is conducive to maximizing the float capacity of its surface area. The snowshoes are roughly 22 inches, but with six inches of additional tails, you can adjust them on the go without taking off your snowshoes to extend them to 28 inches in length.

Our testers scored the Evo based on performance without the tails as they do not come with the snowshoes and are an additional expense. Longer tails equal heavier loads. Sans tails, the Evo Trail can accommodate 180 lbs, but if you augment your length with an additional six inches, the recommended weight-bearing capacity increases to 250 lbs. If you purchase these shoes, we highly recommend pairing them with their tails, especially for winter backpacking.

Traction

After flotation, traction is the second most crucial factor when choosing a snowshoe because winter terrain is icy and slippery. Our first impression of the Evo Trail was a pleasant surprise when we took our first few strides up and down a steep hill and did not slide at all. The Evo can take on most terrains with its hefty crampons, side rails, and textured underside. Only mountaineers might want more bite underfoot because the Evo Trail can handle icy snow and steep inclines.

The Evo Trail features powder-coated steel crampon teeth under the toe that bite and grip glazed snow. You'll feel safe and secure cruising steep and icy intermediate hills, and the hinged binding gives an excellent range of motion for precise steps. Lateral crampons run almost the entire length of the shoe's underside, giving excellent grip sidehilling or switchbacking up a climb. MSR molded brakes into the plastic decking, giving excellent traction on downhills on icy slopes or packed trails. You'll feel safe and secure cruising steep and icy intermediate hills. The one technical feature we miss when hiking in this snowshoe is heel lifts, so your calves become exhausted during long stretches of steep climbing. Still, you'll be comfortable on moderately rolling terrain.

Walkability

Walkability describes the experience of stride ergonomics, whether you can walk with happy hips or must widen your gait to avoid the shoes clicking together. The Evo is a unisex model whose decking is eight inches at its widest point and a shorter frame, creating a comfortable walking experience for most people, regardless of gender.

The Evo Trail is a snowshoe our testers found easy to move around on trails due to its lightweight and shorter frame. However, some women with petite frames had to adopt a slight duck-footed waddle. The snowshoe's plastic decking can be loud against hard-packed snow, which can impact the serenity of your hike. Additionally, the snowshoe's composite frame is stiff and lacks flexibility and shock absorption. The inflexible decking can cause leg fatigue on a longer hike, especially when walking on hard-packed snow.

Bindings

We love a simplistic binding system. Why overcomplicate things with unnecessary straps and buckles? MSR does a great job of keeping the Evo Trail binding easy to operate and secure once fastened tightly. The stretchy webbing evenly distributes tension across the forefoot, making them comfortable for the entire hike.

When strapping into the Evo Trail, carefully consider how each foot is placed on the deck before you clamp down the straps. When you first put on the snowshoe, ensure the crampon is under the ball of your foot. The area to place your foot is large and has a rigid, supportive footplate. Once the foot is in place, they are one of the most straightforward shoes to secure; pull the two straps, and the bindings auto lock. The ends of the straps on the front are hexagonal rubber tabs. You have to squeeze them into a rubber strap keeper to strap them down, which can be challenging to do with thicker gloves on. Slipping off the shoe is no hassle, and you can leave the front binding set if you wear the snowshoes again. Pull the red tab to loosen the back strap and step out.

The straps on the Evo Trail are stretchy, making them super secure when fastened correctly. The heel strap tucks into a strap keeper; position it at the end of the strap before tightening, or you'll end up with an excess tail. The bindings are not bulky, so these shoes are one of the easiest to travel with or strap onto your winter backpack. Since the Evo Trail is unisex, it accommodates a gamut of shoe sizes from Cinderella-to-Bigfoot-sized feet.

Should You Buy the MSR Evo Trail?

The Evo Trail snowshoe is a versatile choice for any terrain, except for the steepest mountains, thanks to its simple design, adaptable bindings, superb traction, and versatile flotation. This high-quality snowshoe offers excellent security and grippy traction, making it ultra-durable and dependable for deeper trips into the winter wilderness. The bindings are comfortable, though they may take a minute to fasten. Additionally, the add-on flotation tails are an excellent accessory if your “weight carried” varies from hike to hike. If heel lifts or noisy plastic decking aren't a deal breaker for you, then the Evo Trail is a well-built snowshoe that can take you on almost anywhere and last you for seasons to come.

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