Atlas Montane Review

The Atlas Montane is a great snowshoe, but there are a few performance differences between it and our top models. The major one is the strapped deck-to-binding attachment. While our testing team generally prefers the more rigid hinged attachment, the strapped attachment does have benefits that some users might prefer.

Performance Comparison

The Montane in action breaking trail.

Photo: Ian McEleney

Floatation

The 25" Montane registers about 176 square inches of floatation. This is a little on the low side for a snowshoe of this length and a reflection of the tapered shape that helps its stride ergonomics. Other similarly-sized models feature more surface area.

The heel riser helps keep your foot level on the uphills, which makes them easier to climb.

Photo: Ian McEleney

Traction

The Montane has the most traction of all the standard tubular frame snowshoes in our review. Our reviewers rarely noticed slipping or sliding while in the mountains. Prominent steel teeth under the binding are augmented with toothed steel rails under the heel.

These traction rails are highly effective.

Photo: Ian McEleney

Stride Ergonomics

This is one of the key areas of difference between top performers and the Montane. With the Montane, the deck is attached to the binding with a beefy strap. This provides some cushioning on hard snow or groomed trails and can allow you to walk with a slightly more natural gait. However, as the terrain becomes more technical and challenging, we prefer a hinged attachment.

The rubber strap linking binding and deck. It provides some shock absorption on groomed trails, but at the cost of precision on technical ground.

Photo: Ian McEleney

Ease of Use

The Montane is very easy to put on. Only two actions are required when donning this snowshoe. First, pull the yellow nylon strap tight across the forefoot. Second, pull the rubber strap tight around the heel. That's it. The buckles on both straps do the rest of the work. For faster removal, the front two straps are linked by a bit of webbing that allows the hiker to open both at once.

The two buckles that control the forefoot strap are linked. Simply pull the yellow webbing to tighten, and the black webbing to loosen.

Photo: Ian McEleney

Bindings

The bindings on the Montane are more than secure enough for wherever you want to go snowshoeing. While the rubber strap binding system found on other models lets hikers crank the binding down as tight as a tourniquet, we think that's usually overkill. The Montane binding, when properly tensioned, will keep this snowshoe on your foot.

The "wrapping" design distributes the pressure of the binding, making this a very comfortable snowshoe, even with thin boots.

Photo: Ian McEleney

Thankfully, that security does not come at the expense of comfort. The nylon binding strap is woven through several wide plastic parts, which effectively distribute the load and minimize pressure points. Additionally, two small pieces of foam padding add to the cush.

Thin foam padding inside the binding adds to the comfort.

Photo: Ian McEleney

Value

While this offering from Atlas does well in some ways, our testers aren't convinced that it is a lot better than some cheaper models. That is unless you know you want the strapped deck-to-binding connection.

Conclusion

The Atlas Montane represents the pinnacle of the tubular frame snowshoe design. As such, it is a very capable snowshoe that should keep all but the most demanding users happy. Our testers rarely worried about traction with these snowshoes. While we would like a little more floatation for the length, it is reasonably comfortable to hike with these strapped to your feet. Speaking of strapping them to your feet, that process is easy and secure. Every model that outscores the Montane has some other frame or deck arrangement, which represents the innovative direction these products are heading.

The Montane was the easiest and fastest snowshoe to take off.

Photo: Ian McEleney