Atlas Montane Review
Compare prices at 2 resellers Pros: Good traction, and an easy-to-use, comfortable binding
Cons: Mediocre flotation for the length, strapped deck/binding attachment
Manufacturer: Atlas Snowshoes
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Atlas Montane | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  | ||||
| Price | Check Price at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | Check Price at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | Check Price at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $249.95 at Amazon | Check Price at REI Compare at 2 sellers |
Overall Score  |
|||||
| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Good traction, and an easy-to-use, comfortable binding | Fully featured for steep and technical use | Inexpensive, simple, reliable | Easy on/off, versatile | Excellent binding security, good traction, decent flotation |
| Cons | Mediocre flotation for the length, strapped deck/binding attachment | Loud decking and bulky harness | Loud decking on crusty snow | Can fall off when paired with bigger boots and feet, pricey | Binding straps can be a little fiddly or uncomfortable with soft footwear |
| Bottom Line | This is a great traditional snowshoe that's outshone in a few areas by newer designs | This contender provides excellent traction, heel lifts, a comfortable binding, and moderate weight | This molded snowshoe is reliable, inexpensive, and offers widespread appeal | A well-rounded snowshoe for most winter hikers | This a good all around snowshoe |
| Rating Categories | Atlas Montane | Tubbs Flex VRT | MSR Evo | Tubbs Panoramic | MSR Revo Trail |
| Flotation (25%) | |||||
| Traction (25%) | |||||
| Stride Ergonomics (20%) | |||||
| Binding Comfort (10%) | |||||
| Ease Of Use (10%) | |||||
| Binding Security (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Atlas Montane | Tubbs Flex VRT | MSR Evo | Tubbs Panoramic | MSR Revo Trail |
| Uses | Spring snow and moderate terrain | Spring snow and steep terrain | Spring snow and moderate terrain | Spring snow and moderate terrain | Spring snow and moderate terrain |
| Optimum weight load per tested size (per manufacturer) | 25: 120-200 lbs, 30: 150-250 lbs, 35: 180-300+ lbs | up to 190 lbs | up to 180 lbs | 25: 120-200 lbs, 30: 170-250 lbs, 36: 220-300 lbs | 120-220 lbs |
| Weight (per pair) | 4 lbs 7 oz | 4 lbs 9 oz | 3 lbs 9 oz | 4 lbs 8 oz | 3 lbs 13 oz |
| Surface Area | 176 in² | 179 in² | 173 in² | 200 in² | 194 in² |
| Dimensions | 25 x 8" | 24 x 8" | 25 x 8" | 25 x 8" | |
| Crampon/Traction aids | Steel crampon augmented with traction rails | Steel crampon augmented with traction rails | Steel crampon augmented with traction rails | Steel crampon augmented with traction rails | Steel crampon augmented with rail and frame teeth |
| Frame material | Aluminum | Steel traction rails | Steel traction rails | Fit-Step | Steel |
| Deck material | Nytex fabric | Molded plastic | Molded plastic | Fabric and molded plastic | Molded plastic |
| Heel Lift | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Binding/Deck Connection | Strapped | Hinged | Hinged | Hybrid Hinged and Strapped | Hinged |
| Binding system | Nylon straps with cam buckles, rubber strap with plastic buckle | Boa | Rubber Straps with pin-in-hole | Boa with rubber strap | Rubber straps with pin-in-hole |
| Flotation tails sold separately? | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Men's and Women's versions? | Yes | Yes | Unisex | Yes | Yes |
| Sizes Available | 25, 30, 35 | 24, 28 | One Size | 25, 30, 36 | 22, 25 |
| Tested Size | 25 | 24 | One Size | 25 | 25 |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Atlas Montane is a great snowshoe. There are a few performance differences between it and our top models. The major one is the deck-to-binding attachment. On the Montane, this attachment is strapped while it's hinged on the Lightning Ascent. While our testing team generally prefers the more rigid hinged attachment, the strapped attachment has benefits that some users might prefer.
Performance Comparison
Floatation
The Montane registers about 176 square inches of floatation. This is a little on the low side for a snowshoe of its length, and a reflection of the tapered shape that helps its stride ergonomics. Other 25-inch long models feature more surface area.
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.
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. Our testers also find the strapped connection allows us to walk with a slightly more natural gait. However, as the terrain becomes more technical and challenging, we tend to prefer a hinged attachment.
Binding Comfort
This snowshoe is among the more comfortable models in our test. 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.
Ease of Use
Our testers think 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.
Binding Security
The Montane's binding is more than secure enough for almost all snowshoeing. While the rubber strap binding system found on some 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.
Value
While this offering from Atlas does well in some ways, our testers aren't convinced that it is a lot better than osme 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 almost never 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 directions this seemingly boring product is heading.
— Ian McEleney