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Snowshoes can allow you to explore further in the winter, opening up beautiful and pristine locations. Whether you're looking to go on casual snowy day hikes or multi-day winter backpacking adventures, we've tested a shoe that will fit your needs. Our expert gear testers spend months prancing around in all different snow conditions, paying close attention to flotation, traction, bindings, and more. We make sure to test these snowshoes on multiple people of varying heights, weights, and shoe sizes to bring you an accurate, in-depth review to help you get hiking in the snow.
We also recommend a satellite beacon if you're planning to push your limits into new or uncharted terrain. It's also ideal to have the proper layers — we've tested women's base layers and the top-rated women's winter boots for staying toasty. A good ski pole can also vastly improve your snowshoeing experience.
Editor's Note: We revised our women's snowshoe article on November 13, 2024, to share updated recommendations in our award section and to ensure our lineup is available for purchase.
Impressive 360-degree traction, secure and comfortable bindings, solid and lightweight, Packable, natural stride, flotation tail available
Comfortable and secure binding, wide weight range, natural stride, large crampons, heel crampon for descending
Traction technology grips any terrain, natural-feeling stride, Easy and comfortable BOA bindings large crampon and traction rails, pivot limiter for a natural stride, ergonomic elliptical shape, 19-degree heel lift
Affordable, stellar traction, simple to use, wide fit bindings
Hyperlight, flexible, sleek ergonomics for quick movement
Lightweight, springy, easy to use bindings, appropriate for running
Cons
Expensive, front of binding difficult to navigate with thick gloves on
Traction suffers on ice, a little expensive
Mediocre flotation in deep snow, expensive, toe crampon can be aggressive on packed trails
Loud on packed snow, duck waddle for petite frames
Poor floatation, difficult to walk backward and side-step, bindings take a moment to get used to
Mediocre float on unpacked snow, only supports 200 pounds, slippery traction on downhills and steep terrain, bulky and detached heel lift
Traction suffers in traversing and steep descents, Wide frame is bulky for some
Do no accommodate oversized boots, traction not suitable for steep or technical terrain, no heel lift
Loud, subpar traction for descending, wide, pricey
Heel strap difficult to use, toe straps don't fit larger boots, no heel lift
Tail flips up a lot of snow, toe shape feels a little wide, flotation in deep snow is not great
Poor flotation in deep powder, kicks up snow on your backside
Not intended for deep snow, minimalist traction, bindings are tedious to set up
Does not float or shed snow well, folds in deep snow, heavy awkward to walk in, minimal traction, ice doesn't mix with velcro bindings
Bottom Line
Trust this snowshoe for technical or long-range travel in any terrain with its combination of simplicity and high-quality features that ensure top performance even in challenging conditions
A popular choice for winter backpacking, these snowshoes provide exceptional flotation and weight capacity for deep or packed snow, and will keep you afloat in the fluffiest powder
A high-performing, all-terrain and mountaineering snowshoe that features a comfortable and secure BOA binding system, traction control for extreme conditions, and an elliptical shape for natural stride ergonomics
This affordable and ultra-durable snowshoe is equipped with stellar traction and versatile bindings, making it a quality pick for anyone for varied terrain levels and snow types
A flexible and comfortable snowshoe with incredible traction, perfect for icy packed conditions
A snowshoe with an extreme teardrop shape and three hefty crampons for a natural stride and extra traction
With its comfortable bindings, user-friendly design, and great flotation, this snowshoe is perfect for casual hiking at a reasonable price
Excellent choice for casual trail walkers, they feature an easy-to-use one-handed BOA binding and a lightweight frame that can handle heavy loads
This lightweight snowshoe offers full coverage decking, one metal toe crampon, and a simple binding system for casual rolling hill hiking
These snowshoes are great for beginners with an intuitive binding system, stable fit, and comfortable walking on trails
A well-rounded traditional snowshoe suitable for all-terrain that boasts better traction than most tubular snowshoes
Designed for running on packed snow and ice, this lightweight snowshoe features a minimalist design, adjustable spring-loaded suspension, and quiet decking
Speed enthusiasts will love this ultralight snowshoe with a futuristic design that allows for quick and natural movements, from walking to racing on packed trails
While this isn't the shoe for floating on deep snow drifts, if you want to run and skip your way down the trail it's a blast
The MSR Lightning Ascent is a versatile snowshoe built for all-terrain adventures. With ultra-grippy 360° traction, sleek ergonomics for a natural stride, and excellent bindings — not to mention the option for added flotation tails — this product is our favorite overall snowshoe. Whether you are ascending steep obstacle-ridden terrain down an icy hill or across a flat and well-traveled path, slippage is minimal, and the fit is comfy. The binding rotates almost 90 degrees from the deck, allowing for a natural stride when walking forward. We especially love the binding net, which offers the right amount of stretch for a very snug fit without any uncomfortable pinching or poking.
We have a minor issue with the initial setup of the front bindings, which can be difficult to fasten with thick gloves. That said, if you wear the same boots, you won't need to readjust the straps. We think this is an exceptional snowshoe suitable for all forms of snowshoeing, but it's pricier than other high-performing options we tested. If funds are a limiting factor, consider the Tubbs Xplore. The Xplores have great beginner-friendly performance at a wallet-happy price. Despite the challenging initial setup and the high price, we are confident in our decision to award the Lightning Ascent top honors. It's perfect for casual day-trippers and week-long expeditions in the backcountry or peak bagging winter 14ers.
It does well on mountains for a beginner-friendly shoe
REASONS TO AVOID
Smaller-framed folks have to widen their gait
Plastic decking is loud
The simplistic design of the MSR Evo Trail proved in our tests to be reliable and highly versatile. The Paraglide bindings fit a wide range of shoes and boots, so they're a good fit for almost any activity, from a family hike to packing up your snowboard for the next run. It has aggressive and stabilizing traction suitable for every terrain but technical mountaineering — for that, check out the Tubbs Mountaineer. MSR made the enduringly popular Evo Trail with an ultra-durable single-piece plastic decking. According to our testers, even the prototypes of this MSR version from the 90s are still in excellent condition. The Evo Trail has the option to add flotation tails, which are easy to install when you want to float in deep powder. With the addition of these tails, the float improves significantly. This lightweight snowshoe is a reliable and comfortable choice to get you from point A to point B without any issues.
The Evo Trail is a unisex option that most of our testers found very comfortable and easy to walk in. That said, those with a narrow gait may need to widen their stride. We like the binding system, but it can take a moment to find the right fit in the large footpads when you first put them on. Pay attention to foot placement on the deck before tightening the straps to optimize performance and comfort. During field testing, we noticed the decking material can produce loud noise, especially on packed and crusty snow. Downsides aside, if you want a simple, versatile, and long-lasting shoe, finding this quality at a better price will take a lot of effort. If you're looking for a quick shoe to throw on for the groomed trails, check out the Crescent Moon Eva Foam. These ultralight foam snowshoes aren't great in the deep powder but are handy if you plan on running in the snow.
Carbon steel toe crampons and trail-appropriate traction
Budget model with heel lifters
Quiet
REASONS TO AVOID
Wide frame may feel bulky
No perimeter teeth
Are you looking for a snowshoe that offers excellent balance, comfort, and user-friendly features for day hiking? The Tubbs Wilderness snowshoe is perfect for casual hikers, offering decent flotation, beginner-friendly bindings, and functional accessories like heel lifters. At a bargain price, its bindings have everything you need in a user-friendly snowshoe: they are ultra-comfortable, non-slip, and easy to put on and take off, even with bulky gloves or mittens. The Quick-Fit binding provides easy entry and exit and evenly tensioned support for all-hike-long comfort. The hollow aluminum Fit-Step 2.0 Frame is lightweight, durable, and tractioned enough for most terrains.
The traction of the Tubbs Wilderness is suitable for gentle terrain or powder, but for more technical mountaineering, the Tubbs Mountaineer is a better choice. The tubular frame and mid-range-traction crampons are slippery on steep slopes. Many models feature jagged teeth that run the length of the shoe, and when wearing the Wilderness in steep terrain during testing, we miss the side-stepping and descent security perimeter teeth afford. Nevertheless, the Wilderness is one of the only budget and beginner models with heel lifters, reducing calf fatigue when hiking uphill. It is a well-rounded and featured option for those looking for comfort and easy use on a budget.
Aggressive traction and mobility for steep terrain
Large crampon and traction rails
Pivot limiter for a natural stride
REASONS TO AVOID
Mediocre flotation
Expensive
The Atlas Range-MTN is a lightweight and precise snowshoe, excellent for women with smaller hips who love to play in all-terrain or enjoy winter peak bagging. It features an easy-to-use BOA binding system and a smooth Nytex Infinity Decking that sheds snow with every step. The snowshoe's design is optimized for energy conservation and step precision, making it ideal for challenging alpine environments. The flexible decking and tapered aluminum frame provide decent flotation, but the Range-MTN performs best in step precision on crusty, slick snow at steep angles. The snowshoe's tapered shape promotes an organic stride, making it an excellent option for people with narrow hips. The pivot limiter, maneuverable frame, and top-of-the-market traction make it suitable for all-terrain, but it is popular among our testers for exploring wild and steep mountains.
The Range-MTN is a premium option with an equally premium price. If you are not willing or able to invest, we suggest checking out some of our more budget-friendly award winners like the MSR Evo Trail. A disadvantage of the frame's mobility is that it sacrifices floatation. We found in our testing that it provides mediocre float, particularly in deep powder. Without flotation tail add-ons, there are better options for carrying heavy loads or winter backcountry trips in more bottomless powder, like the Tubbs Wayfinder. This snowshoe is a fantastic choice if you want a 'catch-all' snowshoe that can take you from heavily trafficked trails to steep mountainsides, especially if you plan on technical winter climbs.
Between its aggressive teardrop shape and unique three-crampon traction system, the Crescent Moon Leadville 29 makes walking easy on most terrain. The tapering of this model helps keep you from stepping on your feet. Although it is one of the heavier options we tested, it has one of the most significant surface areas, making it one of the best balances of flotation and walkability in different snow conditions. This snowshoe is a great pick if you want a casual commuter for walking as close to your normal gait as possible through packed terrain or deep snow, but for adventurous peak baggers, the Atlas Range-MTN is better. For those who value local production, Crescent Moon is a garage-grown, three-generation family company from snowy Colorado. The website says this model is “Designed by a woman, for women, who hike like women.” Our testers agreed that our hips loved the easy stride of the Leadville 29.
Many snowshoes offer sizes or clip-on tails to support the extra weight you often have to carry in the winter, but the Leadville 29 recommended capacity caps out at 200 pounds, so be sure to factor in clothing and gear. Though the weight capacity isn't a strict cap, the float will suffer if exceeded. Another disadvantage we encountered during testing was its heel lift. Most snowshoes have a small bar that is simple and easy to deploy, but this shoe has a bulky, removable plastic lift that is easy to lose. If you want to get moving a bit quicker, the TSL Symbioz Hyperflex Racing are ultralight and allow for quick movements. But if you value excellent walkability in all snow conditions, the Leadville 29 is a great choice.
Deep powder? One of our top snowshoes for flotation, the Tubbs Mountaineer, is a hardy snowshoe ready to pioneer trails in virgin backcountry powder. Capable of hefting more weight than most snowshoes, it is ideal for carrying a loaded winter pack ranging from 80 to 250 pounds. The Soft-Tec decking covers a wide surface area in its aluminum Pro-Step frame, forming a small dome with each step that ensures excellent flotation in varied snow conditions. The aggressive toe and heel crampons provide suitable traction on deep, although they could use more lateral traction for technical terrain. The Mountaineer's design allows for a natural stride, with decking and hinges that efficiently shed snow as you walk. The Mountaineer is an excellent choice if you're planning a winter wonderland camping trip and want a snowshoe that can get you off the beaten path.
Our tests proved the Mountaineer excels in flotation, but the traditional tubular frame is slippier than we prefer on technical terrain and descents. Even though it is our top pick for backcountry travel, we suggest a more techy shoe if you plan on alpine mountaineering. It is also heavy, which can contribute to fatigue or cost you some grams if you are a hyperlight fast packer. For quick trekkers, the lightweight, spring-loaded Atlas Race is better. Despite these critiques, few snowshoes will give you durability, well-rounded performance, and above-average float you can trust in the wilderness.
If you love hiking on packed trails during winter, know that not all snowshoes are designed for backcountry trekking through deep snow. The TSL Symbioz Hyperflex Elite is an ideal shoe for packed or groomed trails where deep, powdery snow is no issue. Thanks to the Elite's highly textured underside, which features eight curved stainless steel teeth and a large metal toe crampon, it provides premium traction. Its unique binding system is also adjustable and comfortable for various styles of winter footwear. The highly flexible decking gives an ergonomic spring to your footfall, and the frame's curves match those of your feet, making it unmatched stride ergonomics. In the snowshoe world, this shoe redefines a comfortable walking stride.
The Symbioz Elite is an excellent choice for icy or packed terrain. However, their unmatched walkability suffers in flotation. These snowshoes lack the decking to provide adequate floatation in deep powder, and they are heavy for their smaller profile. Their mid-range flotation performance shouldn't stop you from trying one of the most walker-friendly snowshoes on the market if you mainly plan to use them on recreational trails, such as the Atlas Range-MTN. Overall, the Symbioz Elite is a terrific choice for the adventurer who'd rather stay on the path than off it.
It's easy to get moving with the TSL Symbioz Hyperflex Elite's flexible build.
Credit: Kate Pitts
Weight Loads
The weight loads mentioned here are for the particular size we tested. Most of these snowshoes offer multiple sizes or even unisex versions that accommodate weights anywhere from 80 to 300 pounds.
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We feel joy walking on pure snow where nobody else but a quiet snowshoe hare has left footprints.
Credit: Kate Pitts
How We Test Snowshoes
We've been testing snowshoes for a decade, with 14 top contenders in this review. We strive to test all our snowshoes objectively by pushing each to their limits. To begin our process, we research the best contenders on the market and select only the creme-de-la-creme. After the research period, we hike through varied snow terrains, from icy and groomed to steep or fluffy and deep, evaluating key metrics along the way. After thoroughly investigating the bindings and traction systems, we strapped the snowshoes on for in-field tests. We hiked over hardpack, powder, steep slopes, and rolling hills. Through this, we measured how deep we sunk in and noted how each stride felt. We compile our findings from objective observations, measurements, and personal experiences to provide a comprehensive and in-depth review. Our unbiased approach means purchasing every piece of gear at full retail before testing it to the max in real-world scenarios. We hope that our recommendations will assist you in finding the perfect fit.
We divide our snowshoe testing into four rating metrics:
Flotation (30% of overall score weighting)
Traction (30% weighting)
Walkability (20% weighting)
Bindings (20% weighting)
During our tests, we hiked around, assessing comfort and measuring the depth at which our snowshoes sunk.
Credit: Kate Pitts
Why Trust GearLab
This review is brought to you by Outdoor Gear Lab Review Author Kate Pitts. For a decade, Kate worked as an educator, search and rescue professional, and backcountry ranger for the National Park Service. She first fell in love with snowshoeing on a ranger-led snowshoe program in Rocky Mountain National Park, which inspired her to gear up for the winter ascents of multiple Colorado 14ers. In her former role as a Park Ranger naturalist for Bryce Canyon National Park, Kate led guided snowshoe hikes to people visiting from all over the world. She loved helping beginners feel comfortable and sharing winter ecology. Her biggest pro tip is to check for guided Park Ranger snowshoe programs whenever you visit the National Park's winter wonderlands. Joining Kate is Senior Review Editor Hayley Thomas. Hayley has been living in Colorado for almost 15 years, and in that time, her love of the outdoors has grown exponentially. Her favorite sport is climbing, but it doesn't stop there. You can find her on the slopes in the winter and on her bike in the summer. When she's not spending time in the mountains, she is probably taking acro yoga photos in the city or skating around the park with her dogs. Hayley brings a wealth of experience to this review, providing comparisons and identifying key features along the way.
Our test involves miles of hiking in various winter conditions.
We tested our snowshoes in the snows of different ranges in the Rocky Mountains.
With days in the snowfields, we have a good grip on which snowshoes will stick around because of high performance. The Montane has better traction than most tubular snowshoes.
We roamed the snow-covered landscapes of the Rocky Mountains to discover the best snowshoes on the market.
Analysis and Test Results
We know that many outdoorsy folks trade their hiking boots in for ski boots during the winter. If you want to continue venturing out on foot during the snowy months, you've come to the right place to learn about snowshoes. Are you curious about snowshoeing but don't know where to start? Are you wondering about the best options for women? Well, we're here to help. The right pair of snowshoes can give you access to a whole new world of snowy adventures that would otherwise be inaccessible during winter.
What's the Best Value?
The models we tested range in price from not-too-bad to wallet-emptying, making it hard to tell the sweet spot of performance and cost. Comparing the overall score from our tests to the retail price is a great place to start.
For excellent performance without breaking the bank, check out the MSR Evo, which offers a unibody deck and frame made of a single plastic piece and has stellar traction for all terrains except the most technical slopes. The Tubbs Wilderness is also a reasonably priced model with excellent all-around performance and outstanding binding. It is a budget model with a heel lifter that can save your calves during uphill hiking. If you have more money to spend or a more serious objective, the MSR Lightning Ascentand Atlas Range-MTN outperform other options in our test suite in almost all our testing criteria. They are well-rounded snowshoes that can take you from icy rolling hills to steep technical terrain — a worthy purchase at a fair price for what you get.
Stacked up to competitors, the MSR Evo Trail offers a balance of grip, ease of use, take-you-anywhere traction, and versatility at a hard-to-find price.
Credit: Kate Pitts
Flotation
The term flotation conjures up images of hovering above the snow like walking on water. While hover-shoes might be the snow tech of the future, flotation is the most critical metric for today's snowshoes because it measures their ability to keep you lifted above the snow table. The better the float, the less you posthole. To appreciate how snowshoes open up new terrain, you can experimentally remove your snowshoe and see how far your leg sinks. You could easily find yourself sinking to your knees, thighs, or even farther in loose powder. Flotation is an ancient snowshoe technology that mimics a snowshoe hare's oversized feet ambling across winter's shifting ocean of frozen water. The superpower of float allows you to hike into terrain that would otherwise be impassable, which is why we weigh this metric more heavily than any other testing point.
Various factors affect efficient flotation, including snowshoes' surface area, shape, design, and weight. Different types of snow require different flotation capabilities. Light, fluffy, unpacked snow will make you sink deeper than dense, wet, or packed snow. The longer and broader the shoe, the more it will help you float. However, snowshoes with a larger surface area can also be heavier or more difficult to walk in. If you hike in varied terrain and need to float through deep snowdrifts while being agile on a packed trail, you should look for snowshoes with optional add-on flotation tails.
We test the tracks of each snowshoe side by side to see what sinks and what swims.
Credit: Kate Pitts
When selecting a snowshoe, it is crucial to consider the different sizes available. To ensure you choose the correct size, you should calculate your weight and any gear you carry. Calculating “weight carried” will make a significant difference in achieving optimal flotation, especially if you are pioneering trails for overnights in the snow. Luckily, the Tubbs Mountaineer has one of the highest load capacities and offers some of the best flotation in our lineup, making it our top pick for hauling a heavy pack into the backcountry.
The Mountaineer is super comfortable and keeps you afloat in the deepest snowpack.
Credit: Kate Pitts
With its long frame, the Leadville 29 has the most expansive surface area in our lineup and one of the easiest strides through powder fluff.
With the widest surface area of any snowshoe, the Leadville 29 easily traverses between groomed trails and powder pits.
Credit: Kate Pitts
The Tubbs Xplore and Tubbs Wayfinder are also high performers for flotation. The SoftTec decking mounted on the tubular frames is durable and lightweight.
The decking of the Tubbs Xplore forms a slight convex dome that packs snow underfoot and boosts flotation..
Traditional tubular frames like the Tubbs Wayfinder often have good flotation because of their larger surface area and hinged bindings engineered to dump snow as you walk.
The SoftTec decking works with the hinges to shed snow.
We love the innovative Rotating Toe Cord on the Tubbs Wilderness, which allows the tail of the snowshoe to drop when you take a step, shedding snow with ease. The hinged binding improves flotation but also will enable you to conserve energy.
The rotating toe cord of the Wilderness prevents snow from snapping up.
Credit: Kate Pitts
The MSR Revo Explore and MSR Evo are decent on their own, but with the addition of tails, you can add 5 inches of length to optimize performance if powder or add weight to your pack. MSR sells flotation tails for all of our MSR models separately, but it's an efficient float booster if you want to navigate all different types of snow.
We were pleasantly surprised at the improvement in flotation once we added the optional tails!
Credit: Hayley Thomas
Both the Lightning Ascent and the Evo Trail offer the mobility of a trim frame and the versatility of on-demand-float with flotation tails you can easily attach during your hike.
The MSR Evo Trail floats in powdery snow, and additional tails can be purchased for less sinking.
Credit: Kate Pitts
The Lightning Ascent is one of our favorites for flotation in deep snow, and what we appreciate most is how comfortable and confident we felt in both deep and packed snow. Sometimes, a snowshoe will have excellent float or traction, but the tradeoff is that their crampons can feel overly sticky in groomed areas. Despite the narrow decking on the Lightning (which allows for an organic stride), it retains its ability to stay high on fresh snow.
The Lighting Ascent showing off its stellar floatation.
Credit: Hayley Thomas
Traction
It is essential to have reliable traction regardless of the terrain you are on; you need to know that you can trust your feet. To test the traction, we assess each snowshoe's ability to climb and descend steep slopes, go over long rolling hills, and cross icy flatlands.
Determining the stick of a snowshoe depends on various factors, such as the presence of side rails or traction bars, the general tread on the underside of the shoe, and the crampons. It can be challenging to decide which model is the best fit just by looking at it because there is a lot of variation among the available options. Shoes designed for steeper climbing usually have more aggressive crampons, particularly at the toe, and also have lateral traction bars. Heel lifts are common for any model intended for steep hills. Although most shoes in our test suite offer excellent traction, some stand out from the rest.
Top award winners like the Lightning Ascent offer 360-degree traction control, which you can see if the frame has spikes along most of the perimeter and is reinforced with traction bars or spikes that run across the foot of the frame.
Credit: Kate Pitts
The Range-MTN has serrated aluminum traction rails around the perimeter and an aggressive X-Trac Toe Crampon, which grips packed snow and ice and is one of your most secure options for technical mountaineering.
The 360-degree grip and aggressive crampons on the Range-MTN keep you placed exactly where you step.
Credit: Kate Pitts
The Hyperflex Elite looks like a gladiator weapon due to the eight fang-shaped stainless steel crampons and massive toe crampons, which provide a high level of confidence regardless of how slick and icy the terrain is. Additionally, the decking is very flexible, allowing it to have more contact with the ground and nail in its spikes with the pressure of your step. The composite decking reinforces the initial bite of the spikes with cleats, teeth, and tiny grooves around the perimeter, ensuring maximum traction on any terrain.
The large crampon spikes on the Hyperflex Elite keep you from sliding around on slick terrain.
Credit: Kate Pitts
The patented 360 degree traction frame of the Lightning Ascent provides an edge-to-edge grip that noticeably improves your ability to traverse slopes and hills while the sharp teeth dig into packed snow and ice with ease. With this technology, you can easily navigate terrain with fallen trees, exposed rock, or black ice without any issues. Additionally, the massive crampon allows for an easy, slip-free descent.
Formidable traction on the Lightning Ascent comes from toe crampons, lateral traction rails, and the serrated frame itself.
Credit: Kate Pitts
Our tests revealed the Mountaineer offers incredible traction, especially in deep snow or when using the carbon steel Cobra Toe Crampon to kick steps. The Cobra features jagged teeth under the toes that point forward and backward, ensuring constant contact with the ground. It also has two rails with teeth angled backward that run parallel to the foot. Like most tubular frames, though, it might slip on descents or side-hilling because of its slick nature and lack of lateral traction. We suggest putting weight into your forefoot to take advantage of the toe crampon for better downhill traction.
The Cobra Toe crampon provides excellent grip on crusty snow, but be careful on groomed trails as the oversized spikes may cause tripping hazards.
Credit: Kate Pitts
A few more honorable mentions here are the Atlas Montane, Revo Explore, and Evo Trail. We love the perimeter teeth on the Revo's ExoTract Deck, which are effective on angled traverses or steep ascents. The Montane's All-Trac toe crampon and serrated traction rails help you stomp through snow, ice, and other slippery obstacles.
We love the perimeter traction on the Revo for security on slopes or black ice.
Credit: Kate Pitts
Generally, the models with the best overall scores in our review have no slippage traction and impressive float. For example, the EvoTrail is known as a beginner-friendly and beginner model, yet it has burly side rails and traction bars. Even though it is not a mountaineering shoe, many testers found it suitable for steeper terrain.
Though the Evo Trail is a beginner model, it has excellent traction due to the jagged side rails.
Credit: Matthew Blake
Walkability
It's typical for traditional snowshoes to force the user to walk with a waddle similar to a duck's, pronate, or suffer shoes clicking together. This is because the focus is on creating a large surface area to improve floatation. Though floatation is essential, using your natural stride for comfort and efficiency makes you feel less sore at the end of a long day of snow play. While modern designs prioritize ease of walking, some women or petite individuals may still need to widen their gait to avoid tripping on their own feet. Certain companies have intentionally designed frames for a better balance of float and walkability, so we took careful note of our stride while testing.
We see a wide range of performances in this category, but our top scorers end up there because they are easy and pleasant to walk in. The Symbioz Elite snowshoes are designed to offer exceptional walkability and set new standards for premium stride ergonomics in snowy terrains. The composite frame's curves match those of your foot and, combined with its smaller profile, make it one of the easiest to walk in on a packed trail. What we love most is how the flexible decking adapts to the terrain; it is reinforced with carbon fiber inserts that provide a spring-like bounce to your step, propelling you forward with each stride.
With a slim and lightweight profile, the Hyperflex Elite feels natural to walk around in.
Credit: Kate Pitts
The Atlas Race is incredibly fun to run in and out of our two racing models and offers more traction and comfortable binding straps. The Range-MTN offers a spring-loaded suspension to help propel you forward and keep up your speed, and its thin tapered frame is ideal for steep and icy terrain.
With the Range- MTN's, we found it easy to move freely as we jogged around on the Continental Divide.
Credit: Kate Pitts
Speed demons should consider the TSL Symbioz Hyperflex Racing, which, at 1 lb 8 oz measured for the pair, is by far the lightest in our review and felt so ultralight, so you hardly feel them on your feet. It is good to see hyperlight technology coming into the snowshoe world, and our market research found they are a favorite of winter runners and triathletes.
The TSL Symbioz Hyperflex Racing stays tight against the foot like a trail runner, making it easy to fly in on groomed trails, although not the best option for powder.
Credit: Kate Pitts
The Leadville 29 is a specialized shoe designed to cater to a narrower female stride. The unique teardrop shape of the shoe is specially crafted to mimic the curves of your foot, enabling you to walk without worrying about stepping on your toes. The shoe is well-balanced with ample float, making it an excellent choice for maintaining happy hips on groomed trails and deep snow.
The large surface area of the Leadville 29 glides through powder but also walks easily on groomed trails.
Credit: Kate Pitts
The Tubbs Wilderness and Mountaineer are also worth mentioning here. The Fit-Step 2.0 Frame has an upturned tail and some nice curves to help encourage you to walk normally. Our market research found that the Wilderness is popular among heavier users and supports one of the broadest weight ranges. The Rotating Toe Cord with Rotation Limiter lets the shoe fall from the ball of your foot, dumping snow, providing shock absorption, and helping you save energy when you are miles away from coffee or hot cocoa.
The binding features a Rotating Toe Cord which causes the tail of the snowshoe to drop and dump snow as you move. Let the shoe lighten your step!
Credit: Kate Pitts
The Evo Trail is a unisex snowshoe but its smaller frame is highly mobile. Petite women may have to widen their gait slightly. The biggest impact on walking experience is snowshoes with a plastic decking can be louder on the trail.
Being a unisex model, the Evo feels great for most strides, but petite women may have to widen their gate slightly.
Credit: Matthew Blake
The Lightning Ascent is lightweight and has narrow decking, allowing for a normal stride for even the most petite users. Its smaller frame allows for precise steps in technical terrain. Keep in mind that a narrower deck means less surface area, which can affect flotation — we found this to be an issue with the Symbioz Elite, but not with the impressive Lightning Ascent.
The Lightning Ascent is a highly versatile shoe, ready to tackle the groomed runs or peaks.
Credit: Kate Pitts
Bindings
Flotation and traction are essential for snowshoes, but it's equally important to feel secure and comfortable while wearing them. Snowshoe bindings come in various designs, ranging from malleable, stretchy rubber to stiff snowboard binding-style straps. A good binding system should inspire confidence, be durable, and feel comfortable. Doubts about the security and comfort of binding systems can ruin an enjoyable outing and even require repairs in remote areas.
The BOA Fit System has been in existence since 2001. However, it appears that the snowshoe industry has only recently embraced it, which is a fantastic development. This system allows for even tightening of the binding across the front of the foot using a simple twist of a knob. To loosen the binding, all you have to do is pop the knob out and pull your binding up. The Atlas Range-MTN offers one of our test suite's most comfortable, easy-to-use, and easy-to-adjust snowshoes.
The BOA Fit System is hard to beat when it comes to ease of use, allowing you to tighten the bindings with a simple twist of a knob.
Credit: Kate Pitts
The Tubbs Mountaineer snowshoe features a unique and comfortable binding system called Active 2.0. Tightening it requires two hands, while loosening it requires just one. The system has two tabs that distribute tension evenly across the front of the foot and a locking heel strap that provides excellent security.
No need to take off your gloves with the Tubbs Mountaineer. The bindings release with a quick pull mechanism.
Credit: Kate Pitts
The Tubbs Wilderness features one of the most accessible bindings for beginners to take on and off efficiently. The straps are easy to adjust, even with gloves, and the control wings and padded forefoot straps offer great support and comfort. The Symbioz Elite is the most customized and “true-to-fit” binding setup, and it's all about dialing in your “pre-set” perfect fit. The initial setup can take time, so we recommend doing it at home with the instruction manual before your first hike. The toe and ankle ratchet straps quickly tightened and loosened, but the sole of the binding is also adjustable, like many ski fittings, for the precise length of your boot. The secure binding works with the flexibility of the decking and crampons to provide a unique sense of feeling the terrain underfoot. The unique feature is that the heel lifter comes down from your heel instead of being flipped up from the decking, winning the gold medal for the easiest heel lifter to engage with a trekking pole. Honestly, we had so much fun in this futuristic fit.
The TSL Symbioz Hyperflex Elite has a customizable fit that helps keep these snowshoes secure.
Credit: Kate Pitts
The Lightning bindings take on a slightly more retro approach, but the mesh web gives all-day comfort when appropriately tightened. The front toe bucket is still a little challenging to adjust with thick mittens, but we didn't need to adjust the toe box after the initial fitting. This leaves just the back strap to fasten each time you slip on Lightnings, which is manageable with gloves. The straps are stretchy and do not stiffen in the cold winter air, which allows the user to get their boots strapped in tightly without any pinching or poking. The front toe bucket is form-fitting and keeps the foot from sliding around while both ascending and descending. We felt secure trekking around in the Lightning, even on steep descents.
The MSR Lightning has a toe basket that helps keep your foot secure.
Credit: Kate Pitts
The Tubbs Wayfinder is an excellent beginner snowshoe that rocks the easy-to-use BOA binding. You step in, make adjustments to the heel if necessary, and twist the knob to adjust the whole fitting. The only downside is they are too tight to accommodate oversized boots.
Step, twist, and go! The Tubbs Wayfinder is a comfortable and beginner-friendly snowshoe.
Credit: Kate Pitts
We love how the Atlas Montane is very comfortable and fits the boot snugly from all sides, although the straps can feel a little sloppy. This model also has a ratcheting back heel strap that is easy to tension perfectly.
Though the straps don't tuck away nicely, the Montane's roller buckles allow for easy entry.
Credit: Kate Pitts
The Evo Trail binding system is both versatile and secure, but it is important to ensure it is fastened correctly. Its long straps make it easy to pair with a wide range of footwear. The Paraglide binding system may require more effort to tighten compared to other modern fastening systems like the BOA. However, it distributes tension evenly across the forefoot, ensuring security and comfort regardless of the type of footwear used. The rubber toe net commonly used on modern MSR models is one of the most comfortable systems for covering long distances and enduring tough conditions.
The MSR Evo Trail bindings are straightforward to use, and the keeper straps keep them secure and tidy.
Credit: Kate Pitts
The Leadville 29 offers an easy single-loop pull system for the forefoot and mitten-friendly ratchet heel strap. It is one of the most accommodating for oversized boots, making it an excellent choice for snowboarders hiking up to a run.
The toe cage is comfortable and flexible.
Credit: Matthew Blake
The Crescent Moon Eva Foam is one of the most unintimidating strap systems because of its Velcro bindings. However, we question the material's durability and stick in wintery conditions as we noticed the Velcro can get clogged in the snow.
Easy peasy Velcro straps, just keep them clear of snow before strapping.
Credit: Kate Pitts
The Lightning and the Leadville 29 bindings are not bulky and allow you to pack and carry the snowshoes easily while you shred the slope or hike on patches of dry trail.
The bindings lay reasonably flat on the shoe, so we found it easy to strap onto a day pack while snowboarding despite its length.
The bindings lay flat against the shoe, making it one of the easiest snowshoes to strap on your pack and carry.
If you think you will be carrying your snowshoes a lot, consider a pair with bindings that lay flat on the shoe.
How to Pick the Best Snowshoes
Before you make a decision on a pair of snowshoes, you'll want first to take in a few key considerations. Location, location, location. Where your outdoor dreams take you will need to match what your shoes can do. Read on to find out how to choose the best snowshoes for your plans.
Consider Where You'll Be Snowshoeing
Ultimately, when it comes to buying snowshoes, you'll want to consider where you plan on trekking. While some options are great for the entire mountain, others will be best suited for specific snow conditions. For groomed trails, you can get away with a less-technical option with non-aggressive crampons. These lightweight options will be your best bet if you plan on picking up the pace, though they won't float in deep powder. For fluffy snow that you'd otherwise sink into, choose a snowshoe that scores high in our floatation tests. These often have wider decks that can handle more weight.
Lightweight options, like the Moon Eva, are great for running on hard snowpack.
Credit: Kate Pitts
Anytime ice is involved, say crossing a frozen lake, you'll want to be equipped with sharp crampons that keep you from sliding. Otherwise, you'll need to doff and don microspikes, which isn't ideal with chilly hands. If your path is leading you towards icy trails, keep the crampons in mind. Those with larger and more jagged edges will help keep you from sliding around.
If hiking on steep slopes is in your itinerary, consider a shoe with a heel lift. This small piece of metal or plastic raises up to keep your feet adjacent to the slope, reducing strain on your calves. This can greatly impact your day out, but not all snowshoes have them. If any sort of steep slope is involved, you'll be thanking yourself that you chose an option with a heel lift.
The TSL Symbioz Hyperflex Elites have more aggressive crampons that can handle icy surfaces.
Heel lifts, like on the Atlas Range-MTN, can help keep your calves refreshed for the entire hike.
Aggressive crampons help keep you secure in icy conditions, where heel lifts can save your calves on steep climbs.
Why Are Bindings Important?
Bindings keep your feet securely fastened to the snowshoes. You want your feet to be as secure as possible, too. It is important to consider what type of winter shoe you wear. Is it a particularly large boot or one with a wide toe box? You'll want an option that can accommodate that, and the same goes for smaller boots. Not all bindings are created equal, and you never want to be caught with a broken strap. While different systems, like BOA, exist, the most important thing to ask yourself is, “Is my foot secure?” Swimming inside of your binding can cause a widened gait and strain on your body. Beyond this, some bindings are easy to get into and don't require you to remove your gloves to get strapped on, saving your hands from being exposed.
Bindings keep your feet securely in place so you can travel further in the snow.
Credit: Kate Pitts
How Are Women's Snowshoes Different?
While many snowshoes are unisex, plenty of female models exist. So, how are they so different? The bindings are designed to fit a smaller foot, while the frame is less wide and more tapered. This is done to accommodate a narrower gait. Is this all that important? Really, it comes down to your body and preferences. Different shoes have different weight limits, and the unisex options are often more generous. Keep in mind these weight capacities include your backpack too. If you don't have a narrow gait, you might opt for a non-woman-specific model. Though, if you have narrow hips or small feet, you might want to stick to one of these.
Snowshoes allow you to venture further into the wilderness where you'd otherwise posthole or slip around.
Credit: Kate Pitts
Conclusion
The appropriate pair of snowshoes can grant hiking enthusiasts access to the most stunning locations throughout winter. There's nothing like breaking a trail across a field of fresh snow or through a serene forest. Finding a good pair of snowshoes can enhance your winter hiking adventures, whether you're looking to explore your backyard trails or venture deeper into the mountains for winter backpacking or alpine climbing missions. Our insights can help you consider the right size and shape for your individual trekking goals, and we hope that a pair from this lineup gives a satisfactory float to your winter season.
