Best Mountaineering Snowshoes

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best mountaineering snowshoes

A mountaineering snowshoe needs to perform well on a steep hike. They need to be able to carry you through the sloped terrain and other challenging treks. One thing to remember, sometimes the price cannot justify the performance. Some affordable snowshoes happen to perform well on a hike. If you are a beginner who wants to try mountaineering, or looking for another pair to add to your collection for mountaineering, we have you covered. We have compiled seven mountaineering snowshoes that will be perfect for your next hike.

Mountaineering SnowshoesRecommended LoadPrice
MSR Lightning Ascent220 pound max$$
Winterial Onyx Mountain Snowshoes190 pound max$
G2 GO2GETHER Snowshoe250 pounds max$$
ENKEEO All-Terrain Snowshoes210 pounds max$$
Wildhorn Outfitters Sawtooth Snowshoes235 pounds max$
Tubbs Men Panoramic Snowshoe250 pounds max$$$
Atlas Snowshoes Montane200 pound max$$

MSR Lightning Ascent

MSR Lightning Ascent

In a Nutshell
  • Size: 8 x 25 inches
  • Recommended load: 220 pound max
  • Weight: 4.2 pound per pair
  • Fit shoe size: 4.5 – 15 men’s size

MSR listens to its customers and goes an extra mile for them. The latest model on their best-selling Lightning Ascent has the update you all been waiting for. A much improved binding system. With the latest model, you can even adjust your binding with gloves on. This new Posilock binding is very secure and will keep your feet in place. It’s also freeze-resistant, so any footwear you have won’t be a problem. This surely puts MSR Lightning Ascent on the best snowshoe list.

The traction frame in MSR Lightning Ascent is designed so you can walk with ease even when the trek is challenging, like a steep slope. No more awkward walk or digging your heels deep into the snow, all thanks to the single-metal crampon. The deck is very lightweight regardless of how it looks. The improved Ergo Televator heel lift brings you the perfect flotation that is also easy on your joints when you go uphill.

Key features

  • 360 degrees traction frame
  • Ultra-lightweight
  • Good flotation

Cons

  • Somewhat cheap-looking
  • Not many size options
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Winterial Onyx Mountain Snowshoes

Winterial Onyx Mountain Snowshoes

In a Nutshell
  • Size: 8″ x 25″ inches
  • Recommended load: 190 pound max
  • Weight: 5.2 pounds per pair
  • Fit shoe size:

Mountaineering can be a challenge in itself due to its irregular tracks. The terrain is not groomed or well-beaten like many other snowshoeing treks. In that case, you will need Winterial Onyx Mountain Snowshoes as they can help you cover all terrain in any condition. From the first glance, the look on this snowshoe is already a sturdy one. And that impression is justified since Winterial Onyx is made from carbon steel. The same material that made the crampon teeth that will keep your footing even on the icy surface.

However, the best feature Winterial Onyx Snowshoe has is its quick fit binding with side adjuster. This system helps you not only when you put on or take off the snowshoes, but also when you need to adjust your binding to reposition your foot to match the terrain. You have everything under control with just a single pull of a strap. Unfortunately, this snowshoe only comes in a 25-inch size.

Key features

  • Large load capacity
  • Quick fit binding
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • Only come in 1 size
  • A little expensive
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G2 GO2GETHER Snowshoe

In a Nutshell
  • Size: 8 X 25 inches
  • Recommended load: 250 pounds max
  • Weight:
  • Fit shoe size:

In case you just started snowshoeing, but already set your sights on a steep path instead of the regular treks, then a pair of G2 GO2GETHER snowshoe will come in handy. They are affordable, easy to assemble and come in three different sizes. Their largest size is 30 that can hold up to 250lbs total weight. You can move naturally in these snowshoes thanks to the flexing pivot band that complements the heel lift system for the floatation. On a more challenging trek, you can rely on the manganese crampon that gives great traction.

G2 GO2GETHER Snowshoes has a double ratchet binding with foam padding, keeping your snow boots firmly in place. However, if your snow boots are larger than size 15, the binding will restrain your boots too much and make you feel uncomfortable. This binding can resist up to -40F so you can take this to an extreme trek with thick snow. Each kit comes with trekking poles and a carrier bag.

Key features

  • Can resist up to -40F
  • Very affordable
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • Look cheap
  • Binding can get too tight
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ENKEEO All-Terrain Snowshoes

ENKEEO All-Terrain Snowshoes

In a Nutshell
  • Size: 18″/21″/25″/30″
  • Recommended load: 210 pounds max
  • Weight:
  • Fit shoe size:

ENKEOO All-Terrain snowshoe is perfect for all expertise levels and as the name implied it’s great in all-terrain. The wide oval design will help you hold your ground on the snow. No leaning in one direction. You will stand, and walk, as natural as if you are on a regular road. These not only work on flat terrain; they also work on slopes with help from their crampons that assist in gripping the surface.

If you intend to introduce your children to snowshoeing, ENKEOO All-Terrain is a good choice to have. The snowshoe is available at 18-inches that can hold 40-80 lbs and their largest size is 30-inches that can hold up to 210lbs.  This is the perfect snowshoe to have for all family members. Your kids won’t have any problem putting the snowshoe on. They just need to fasten the buckle on the ratchet binding as the flexible heel strap will keep their boots in place.

Key features

  • Lightweight
  • Affordable
  • Have many sizing options

Cons

  • Sometimes there are issues with the heel strap
  • The plastic can look cheap
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Wildhorn Outfitters Sawtooth Snowshoes

Wildhorn Outfitters Sawtooth Snowshoes

In a Nutshell
  • Size: 21″/27″
  • Recommended load: 235 pounds max
  • Weight:
  • Fit shoe size:

As one of the contenders for an affordable snowshoe, Sawtooth from Wildhorn Outfitter stands out with its sleek design. This snowshoe hides nothing and will make you see it for what it’s worth. The strong yet lightweight aluminum frame is visible on the short oval top. Combined with the high grade durable plastic deck, this may be one of the simplest snowshoe designs you encounter. Anyhow, don’t let the simplicity distract you from what they are worth. The Sawtooth has an incline heel lift that will lay flat when you don’t need it. This improved system is perfect for when you start climbing the hills, as it grips on the surface and the crampon uses your weight to reinforce its strength.

Wildhorn Outfitter is not only improved the incline heel lift but also reinforced the double ratchet binding and improved the auto-lock on the heel strap. To take off, you just need to click the clip and it will unlock the binding. Yes, it’s as easy as that. Anyway, Sawtooth is only available in two different sizes, 21 and 27 inches. The 21-inches snowshoe can hold between 80-160lbs while the 27-inches one means to carry 165-235lbs total weight.

Key features

  • High durability crampon
  • Lightweight
  • Improved heel lift rises

Cons

  • The ratchet is made from plastic
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Tubbs Men Panoramic Snowshoe

Tubbs Men Panoramic Snowshoe

In a Nutshell
  • Size: 18 x 25 inches
  • Recommended load: 6.31 pound per pair
  • Weight:
  • Fit shoe size:

Tubbs may come across as pricey, but their quality is one of the best. As shown by how often Tubbs snowshoes included in the best snowshoe list in any category. First of all, Tubbs has the largest snowshoe size available. A size 36 snowshoe can be hard to find, but Tubbs have it across their lines. Their latest Panoramic line boasted the improved Fit-Step frame. This frame is one of the reasons why Tubbs snowshoes are one of the best. It has a slightly upturned tip so you can walk naturally on the snow.

The Tubbs Panoramic has a crampon located right underneath the balls of your feet. So you can give the right emphasizes, based on your natural movement, on when the snowshoe needs to grip the surface harder. Complemented with the time tested active heel lift system, hiking will feel like another walk in the park. Now, when it comes to binding, Tubbs Panoramic is giving you what your money is worth. The revolutionary boa dial is all you need to fasten, adjust, and unlock the binding.

Key features

  • Fit step frame 2.0
  • Easy binding and adjustment
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • Very expensive
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Atlas Snowshoes Montane

Atlas Snowshoes Montane

In a Nutshell
  • Size: 25″/30″/35″
  • Recommended load:
  • Weight:
  • Fit shoe size:

Atlas is known as one of the brands that is committed to making your snowshoeing experience as seamless as possible. And their Montane line of snowshoes are made specifically for those who are into mountaineering. As you know, the terrain can be varied even though you are covering a small area. You can suddenly be facing a slope right after walking through thick powdery snow. It is essential to have a pair of snowshoe that can tackle them all. And this is where Atlas Montane comes.

The snowshoe has a unique floating deck called SLS, Spring-Loaded Suspension that will suspend your heels a little. This is intended to maximize the impact absorbed as well as allowing you to move naturally when you walk through the thick snow. Complemented with the unique all-trac toe crampon, your footing will be solid even when you go downhill on a slope. Another great thing about Atlas Montane is how easy it is to change the binding intensity. All it takes is a flick of a button and you can adjust how tight your snowshoe will be to match the terrain.

Key features

  • Swift and easy binding
  • Spring-suspended design
  • Heel lift bar

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Binding can take a while to get used to.
Shop now at Amazon.com

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