REASONS TO BUY
Comfortable and secure binding
Wide weight range
Natural stride
Large crampons
Heel crampon for descending
REASONS TO AVOID
Traction suffers on ice
A little expensive
Tubbs Mountaineer - Women's Review
A snowshoe with a comfortable binding that cinches evenly and easily around the foot, with great traction in deep or packed snow
There are better options for icy terrain but the Mountaineer will take you from rolling hills to steel ascents without a hitch.
Credit: Matthew Blake
RELATED: Best Snowshoes for Women of 2023
Our Verdict
The Tubbs Mountaineer is a high-traction snowshoe, great for the backcountry. It comes in three sizes and can accommodate a wide range of body and load weights, from 80 to 250 pounds. The Soft-Tec decking and a hollow Pro-Step frame offer decent float on deep snow. The large toe and heel crampons provide great traction on deep and packed snow, although they get in the way when hiking on hard ice. The shape allows for a natural stride, while the pivot inhibitor keeps the toe from smacking your shins. If you're looking for a snowshoe to take on the backcountry with, the Mountaineer will surely get you off the beaten path.
Editor's Note: We updated this review on December 23, 2022, after testing the most recent version of the Mountaineer.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Tubbs Mountaineer - Women's | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  |  | | |
| Price | $259.95 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $350 List $349.95 at Amazon | $320 List $319.95 at REI | $149.96 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $150 List $121.01 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Comfortable and secure binding, wide weight range, natural stride, large crampons, heel crampon for descending | Stellar traction, heel lifts for steep terrain, easy to use, add-on flotation tail compatible | Great for varied terrain, comfortable bindings, super easy to use, good floatation, large crampon and traction rails, pivot limiter for a natural stride, well-rounded | Comfortable and simple binding system, carbon steel crampons, uniquely placed heel crampons, quiet | Affordable, stellar traction, wide fit bindings |
| Cons | Traction suffers on ice, a little expensive | Expensive, front of binding difficult to navigate with thick gloves on, side and back stepping are laborious | Traction suffers a little while descending, expensive | Extra rotation causes shin impact, mediocre flotation on fresh snow | Loud on packed snow, duck waddle for those with a narrower gait, straps can flow around a little |
| Bottom Line | A snowshoe with a comfortable binding that cinches evenly and easily around the foot, with great traction in deep or packed snow | This is a serious snowshoe for people that want superior traction and versatility while out in steep and variable backcountry terrain | A high-performing, all-terrain snowshoe with a comfortable and easy-to-adjust binding system and excellent traction | With its outstandingly comfortable binding system, decent floatation, and stellar traction, this snowshoe is perfect for casual use | This affordable shoe is equipped with stellar traction and versatile bindings, making it a wonderful pick for varied terrain levels and snow types |
| Rating Categories | Tubbs Mountaineer -... | MSR Lightning Ascent | Atlas Range-MTN - W... | Tubbs Wilderness -... | MSR Evo Trail Snows... |
| Flotation (30%) | |||||
| Traction (25%) | |||||
| Stride Ergonomics (15%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (15%) | |||||
| Bindings (15%) | |||||
| Specs | Tubbs Mountaineer -... | MSR Lightning Ascent | Atlas Range-MTN - W... | Tubbs Wilderness -... | MSR Evo Trail Snows... |
| Uses | Mountain terrain | All terrain | Mountain terrain | Day hiking | Flat and variable rolling terrain |
| Optimum Weight Load (per size) | 21": 80-150 lbs 25" 120-200 lbs 30": 170-250 lbs |
22": up to 180 lbs 25": 120-210 lbs |
22": 75-150 lbs 26": 120-200+ lbs |
21": 80-150 lbs 25": 120-200 lbs 30": 170-250 lbs |
180 lbs |
| Weight (per pair) | 4.7 lbs | 3.8 lbs | 4 lbs | 4.1 lbs | 4.0 lbs |
| Binding Mount | Full | Full | Full | Full | Full |
| Binding System | Active Fit 2.0 | Paragon Binding | Wrapp MTN, Boa Fit | Quick-Fit Binding | Paraglide |
| Crampon | Anaconda toe crampon Python heel crampon |
DTX Crampon | X-Trac toe crampon | Cobra Toe Crampon Tubbs Heel Crampon |
Steel traction rails |
| Frame Material | Aluminum | Aluminum | Aluminum | Aluminum | Martensitic steel |
| Deck Material | Nytex nylon | Nylon | Nytex nylon | Nylon | Polypropylene |
| Surface Area (for tested size) | 164.6 in² | 179.2 in² | 266.4 in² | 228.0 in² | 174.5 in² without tails, 220 in² with |
| Dimensions | 25" x 8.25" | 7.25" x 25" | 26" x 7.5" | 9" x 30" | 8" x 22" |
| Flotation Tails Available? | No | Yes, 5" | No | No | Yes, 6" |
| Load with Tails (per size) | N/A | 22": up to 240 lbs 25": up to 270 lbs |
N/A | N/A | Up to 250 lbs |
| Men's and Women's Versions? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Unisex |
| Sizes Available | 21", 25", 30" | 22", 25" | 22", 26" | 21", 25", 30" | 22" |
| Size Tested | 25" | 25" | 26" | 25" | 22" plus 6" add-on tails |
Show full specification detailsHide full specification details
Our Analysis and Test Results
This snowshoe is offered in a few different sizes, and we tested the 25-inch version. It is roughly 8.25 inches wide and weighs a hefty 4.7 pounds. It is made of an aluminum rail, Nytex Nylon Decking, and carbon steel toe and heel crampons. This durable snowshoe is sure to last. Read on to see why it's such a great option for the backcountry.
Performance Comparison
The Mountaineer is super comfortable and works wonders on most mountain terrain.
Credit: Matthew Blake
Flotation
The Mountaineer is composed of Soft-Tec decking and a hollow Pro-Step frame. The frame is oriented slightly below the decking for improved flotation. It is offered in three lengths, accommodating a load of 80 to 250 pounds, which is slightly more than the average snowshoe. The curved nose and tail bend help pack snow through your entire stride, while the smooth Soft-Tec decking sheds snow with every step.
The Mountaineer offers great float on most terrain.
Credit: Matthew Blake
Traction
The hefty carbon steel Anaconda toe crampon has eight sharp teeth. — two of these face forward, two face backward, and four run parallel to the foot. They are really big and aggressively angled, which is great for packed and deep snow. The heel crampon offers great traction when walking downhill, as your weight is in the back of your feet. It is composed of six teeth that also run parallel to the foot. Unfortunately, those massive crampons pose an issue on hard icy terrain. Because they are so big, they don't slice into thick ice like smaller sharper crampons and side rails do.
These massive crampons work wonders on packed and deep snow but they get in the way on sheer ice.
Credit: Matthew Blake
Stride Ergonomics
The R2 rotation limiter articulation system absorbs shock and helps keep the toe from bumping into your shin as you walk. However, the rotation is still wide enough that snow is shed from the shoe quickly, offering a natural heel-to-toe stride.
The pivot limiter works wonders on steep terrain, ensuring a comfortable and natural stride.
Credit: Matthew Blake
The widest part of the Mountaineer is 8.25 inches, which is one of the wider options in our test suite. That being said, our testers don't need to adjust their gait as it tapers nicely at the heel and toe.
The shape of the Mountaineer ensures that the average person will not need to adjust their natural gait while walking.
Credit: Matthew Blake
Ease of Use
The Mountaineer offers a 19-degree lift to reduce calf fatigue on steep ascents, while the three sizes help accommodate a wide range of bodies and pack loads.
19 degrees of lift makes hike up steep hills a breeze.
Credit: Matthew Blake
The Active Fit 2.0 binding is tightened easily. While it requires two hands to apply even tension across the front of the foot, it can be loosened with one hand. The EZ Heel Buckle can also be operated one-handed, making the entire binding system very easy to adjust. Overall the Mountaineer is very easy to put on and take off, but it's not as easy to adjust on the fly as some of the other options in our test suite that have the BOA Fit System.
Removing the bindings of the Mountaineer is made simple with a singe pull loop.
Credit: Matthew Blake
Bindings
The ActiveFit 2.0 is tightened by pulling two TPU cinch straps simultaneously, which provides an even distribution of tension across the entire front of your foot. The EZ Heel Buckle has some stretch, reducing friction and enhancing stability. The straps all tuck away neatly, reducing ice build-up and general floppiness.
The Mountaineer straps tuck away neatly and ensuring no dangly bits getting in the way.
Credit: Matthew Blake
Should You Buy the Tubbs Mountaineer?
If you're looking for a comfortable, well-rounded snowshoe, the Tubbs Mountaineer is a great option. The soft decking absorbs shock while you walk, and the bindings are comfortable and secure. It's a little on the heavier side, but that doesn't seem to negatively affect the float. The toe and heel crampons offer stellar traction on deep and packed snow, but their performance suffers a little on ice. Still, if you're looking for a good backcountry snowshoe and don't mind spending a bit of money, the Mountaineer is a great option.
The Mountaineer offers a natural stride and a comfortable binding to help you take on steep ascents and varied snow conditions.
Credit: Matthew Blake
What Other Snowshoes Should You Consider?
If you tend to find yourself in icy conditions, the TSL Symbioz Hyperflex Elite is a better fit, though it will cost you more. If you are simply looking for the best bang for your buck, the MSR Evo Trail is a great snowshoe for the price. Maybe money is no object, and you want the cream of the crop. If that sounds more like your style, the MSR Lightning Ascent is an all-time favorite. Lastly, if you want a snowshoe that performs equally across all terrain, the Atlas Range-MTN will easily take you from icy slopes to deep fresh powder.
—
Hayley Thomas
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