Snowshoes
- Thread starter jmh33
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GAGL
Kenny’s Alt Account
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- Jan 1, 2016
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i suggest you pay a little more and get the MSR lightning explore instead of the Revos. they are lighter and more robust.i've used my MSRs for over 12 years now and they are worth every penny.
jmh33
Gold Member
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- Mar 16, 2003
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- 7,293
Will check them out!! 
The question is... what are you going to do with them? I am asking because there are lots of models out there from different manufacturers but basically two categories.
One category is meant for flat terrain, fluffly powdery deeeeeeeeep snow and have soft decks, strap-on bindings suitable for any kind of boot, smooth underside to prevent catching and help sliding forward and don't have any calf relief blocks under the heel (not needed for flat terrain).
Example:
The other category is meant for steep terrain, hard/crust snow, not-so-deep powder and are usually meant fo mountaneering boots (they used to have automatic or semi-automatic bindings with toe bail and heel lever lock, now everything seems strap on). They have short spikes at the bottom, hard decks and heel support to prevent calf strain when going uphill. They are also smaller in size than flat terrain snowshoes.
Example (TSL brand has several models):
And of course, there are also hibrid models that are somwhere in between.
I have a pair of TSL 225 like the ones picture above (yellow ones) with automatic binding that I turned into semi-automatic to be able to use them with not so rigid boots (but steel require heel notch for the lever). I have had them for years and been using them in the Pirinees, Picos de Europa and Alps. They are suuuuuper handy for the aproaches to ice climbs when there is fresh snow. We either go uphill or downhill, so we are not talking leisure walking... And they perform. You can also lock them at the heel so they do not pivot under your toes and you can then use them to kick steps and go up in deep snow steep sections. They are also small enough to strap them to my backpack if I am not coming straight down (otherwise they stay at the bottom of the route).
Now back to you... What are you going to do with your snowshoes???
Mikel
One category is meant for flat terrain, fluffly powdery deeeeeeeeep snow and have soft decks, strap-on bindings suitable for any kind of boot, smooth underside to prevent catching and help sliding forward and don't have any calf relief blocks under the heel (not needed for flat terrain).
Example:
The other category is meant for steep terrain, hard/crust snow, not-so-deep powder and are usually meant fo mountaneering boots (they used to have automatic or semi-automatic bindings with toe bail and heel lever lock, now everything seems strap on). They have short spikes at the bottom, hard decks and heel support to prevent calf strain when going uphill. They are also smaller in size than flat terrain snowshoes.
Example (TSL brand has several models):
And of course, there are also hibrid models that are somwhere in between.
I have a pair of TSL 225 like the ones picture above (yellow ones) with automatic binding that I turned into semi-automatic to be able to use them with not so rigid boots (but steel require heel notch for the lever). I have had them for years and been using them in the Pirinees, Picos de Europa and Alps. They are suuuuuper handy for the aproaches to ice climbs when there is fresh snow. We either go uphill or downhill, so we are not talking leisure walking... And they perform. You can also lock them at the heel so they do not pivot under your toes and you can then use them to kick steps and go up in deep snow steep sections. They are also small enough to strap them to my backpack if I am not coming straight down (otherwise they stay at the bottom of the route).
Now back to you... What are you going to do with your snowshoes???
Mikel
jmh33
Gold Member
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2003
- Messages
- 7,293
Just general hiking.. Nothing to extreme.. Maybe 2-6in of snow as a general idea..The question is... what are you going to do with them? I am asking because there are lots of models out there from different manufacturers but basically two categories.
One category is meant for flat terrain, fluffly powdery deeeeeeeeep snow and have soft decks, strap-on bindings suitable for any kind of boot, smooth underside to prevent catching and help sliding forward and don't have any calf relief blocks under the heel (not needed for flat terrain).
Example:
The other category is meant for steep terrain, hard/crust snow, not-so-deep powder and are usually meant fo mountaneering boots (they used to have automatic or semi-automatic bindings with toe bail and heel lever lock, now everything seems strap on). They have short spikes at the bottom, hard decks and heel support to prevent calf strain when going uphill. They are also smaller in size than flat terrain snowshoes.
Example (TSL brand has several models):
And of course, there are also hibrid models that are somwhere in between.
I have a pair of TSL 225 like the ones picture above (yellow ones) with automatic binding that I turned into semi-automatic to be able to use them with not so rigid boots (but steel require heel notch for the lever). I have had them for years and been using them in the Pirinees, Picos de Europa and Alps. They are suuuuuper handy for the aproaches to ice climbs when there is fresh snow. We either go uphill or downhill, so we are not talking leisure walking... And they perform. You can also lock them at the heel so they do not pivot under your toes and you can then use them to kick steps and go up in deep snow steep sections. They are also small enough to strap them to my backpack if I am not coming straight down (otherwise they stay at the bottom of the route).
Now back to you... What are you going to do with your snowshoes???
Mikel
Thanks for taking time to post and your wisdom..
John