[sdways01]

What snowshoes do others here use for winter hiking and how do you like them? Using mine on Monday, I came to realize that they are a little long(36 in.) for trails where you have to switch directions side to side and between objects on some trails and they don't have good traction when coming downhill. They are not really geared towards being used for hiking even though they do work pretty good going uphill.

[squeakytrees]

Interested to see people's recs, as I'm looking into getting some snowshoes myself & would be using them hiking!

[RichNH]

We have a number of different types. I originally started with military surplus magnesium snowshoes that look like this http://www.armysurpl...m?mediaID=4863. They work OK on flat ground but have no traction at all once you get to steep slopes or if you run ice. Now I use a set of Borderline snowshoes which were given to me and are a typical oval design with claws that give you traction on steep portions of the trail.

I was thinking that if I get a new pair I'd get a set of MSR Denali Evo Ascent with the beaver tails. I've heard that it has great traction and with the beaver tail add on the floatation would be there too.

Here's a link: Snow Shoe reviews

Rich

[Mewalkinwoods]

This is my second season snowshoeing on my MSR Denali Evo Snowshoes http://www.ems.com/p...450601.4450618.

Going up and down hill, they work great.

My wife and I own both the short and long extension tail http://www.ems.com/p...clickid=prod_cs, but we have yet to see a great improvement in fresh power.

The 3 section poles that came with the shoes are not the best. One of mine never stays tight on the bottom section. I needs to stop and mess with it a lot.

[mike48]

I use the Tubbs Wilderness 25s. I weigh about 185, and always carry more gear than I will ever need. I realize the sizing charts would recommend a longer shoe for me, but I have always found the 25s to be sufficient.

There are two negatives with this shoe that I would consider if shopping for another pair. The binding is quick and easy to set up due to a single tab connection point. Although it is easy to get in and out of, there have been a few occasions where I have inadvertently released the binding and come out of the shoe during hikes by bumping the quick release tab. Also, I would look for a shoe with a lift that can be used during climbing. I have not had major problems without the lift, but it might be a nice feature to have.