Winter has arrived, and although the trees are frozen, you shouldn’t be. Stalling your activities is only going to make you miss out on all the fun that winter has to offer. No matter our age, we all have fond memories of playing in the snow as children. Throw a few snowballs, build a snowman, and enjoy the beauty of freshly fallen flakes.
To find the
Whether you’re looking for a shoe to go hiking or running in, or just want one that’s versatile enough for both activities, we’ve got you covered.
Our Overall Pick Of The Best Snowshoes this Winter
Atlas Helium MTN Snowshoes
Overview
The Atlas Helium MTN has some excellent features, such as a lightweight design, aggressive traction, and a secure binding system in deep snow. It also boasts being lower in price than its competitors with similar features. The deck is made of the company’s proprietary Helium slatted louver design to help shed snow and reduce weight even further.
Key Features
Bottomline
The 19-degree heel lift on the snowshoes allows you to take Weight off your legs on steep climbs and easily click it in place again for flat or downhill terrain. The Wrapp-MTN bindings, which are only available with this product, include a heel strap as well as Boa closures so that you can get a secure and comfortable fit and distribute evenly across your foot.
Retrospec Drifter Snowshoes
Overview
The Retrospec Drift Snowshoes are our top pick for those who want to explore during winter on a budget. The double-ratchet bindings can be tightened with one hand, making it easy to take them off or make adjustments while you’re on the trail. The Drifter Snowshoes have an aluminum alloy frame and polyethylene deck–which makes them both durable and lightweight.
Key Features
Bottomline
With a full-floating pivot system and rugged toe crampons for traction and stability, these snowshoes are perfect for any terrain. The built-in heel lifters help reduce strain on the leg muscles while tackling steeper terrain. Plus, they come with a mesh carry bag for easy transport!
L.L.Bean Winter Walker Snowshoes
Overview
Allow your children to have fun in the snow with L.L.Bean Kids’ Winter Walker Snowshoes! Forget about poor-quality kid-sized gear—the Winter Walker delivers quality materials and performance that rivals any adult product, also available in men’s and women’s sizes.
Key Features
Bottomline
The aluminum frame improves durability while the toe and heel crampons offer traction on sloped terrain. The ratchet binding system offers a secure fit that is easy for kids to adjust by pulling if needed.
Tubbs Xplore Snowshoe
Overview
The Tubbs Xplore Snowshoes are perfect for those just getting into the sport. They’re easy to put on and adjust, which is a lifesaver when you’re at the trailhead in freezing temperatures. The QuickPull binding cinches for a snug fit and releases with the push of the buckle. Integrated Control Wings on the bindings keep your feet aligned and in place while you’re still learning proper technique on groomed trails.
Key Features
Bottomline
The Fit-step frame is designed to be lightweight and upturned with a tail and rotating cord system to maintain a fluid stride while cutting through snow, therefore limiting impact on the joints. The Xplore is fitted with carbon steel crampons in both the heel and toe for more grip when climbing uphill or descending milder terrain.
MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoes
Overview
The MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoes will help you get ready for your next backcountry adventure. The Paragon bindings have freeze-resistant mesh straps that fit snugly and reduce pressure points. They also come with Ergo Televators, a heel lift system that makes it easier to walk on longer, more technical terrain.
Key Features
Bottomline
The Lightning Ascent’s modular flotation tail attachment allows you to tailor the size and shape of your skis for improved performance in deep snow. Other features include 360-degree traction frames and steel crampons on the toe and heel for added grip.
Faber Mountain Quest
Overview
The Faber Mountain Quest’s biggest size can carry up to 350 pounds, making it an excellent choice for larger snowshoers or those carrying lots of gear. All four sizes are between 30 and 40 inches wide, which helps keep you stable on top of the snow.
Key Features
Bottomline
The aluminum crampons on the heel and toe offer a fair grip for walking up hills and slopes. The Mountain Quest’s plastic and elastomer alloy deck are strong against bitter cold weather and harsh conditions. It also has thicker aluminum tubing to make it more reliable overall.
Tubbs Backcountry Snowshoes
Overview
The Tubbs Mountaineer Snowshoes are the perfect mix of comfort and performance features to take on deep snow. The large deck and tubular aluminum frame create a moderate weight with great flotation.
Key Features
Bottomline
The bindings consist of a buckled heel strap and two forefoot straps, which easily provide you with a comfy and secure fit. The hybrid binding system is designed to offer both shock absorption and precision by combining a strap and hinge attachment. In addition, sizes for women are available as well.
MSR Revo Explore Snowshoe
Overview
If you want to stay safe while walking across dangerous mountain slopes, you need a pair of MSR Revo Explore Snowshoes. They come with two steel crampon rails running the length of the deck and a steel traction bar underfoot, so you’ll have maximum stopping power no matter where you’re going.
Key Features
Bottomline
The heel lift is included to reduce tiredness and improve grip on uphill walks. You can activate the heel lift while you’re walking with a click of your climbing pole. The ratchet binding system is very versatile due to macro adjustment straps that fit many different shoe sizes.
TSL Outdoors Symbioz Hyperflex Racing Snowshoe
Overview
Runners, don’t let the snow stop you from working out! The TSL Outdoors Symbioz Hyperflex Racing Snowshoe has got you covered. These limber frames provide a more natural foot-strike and support power transfer so that you can keep up your running stride, even in snowy conditions.
Key Features
Bottomline
The Symbioz Hyperflex has an ergonomic strap system with pre-set adjustments for the length, toe, and heel rather than traditional bindings. Four studs and an adjustable traction bar under the heel offer solid grip in place of conventional crampons.
EVVO Snowshoe 1
Overview
Evvo Snowshoe 1 is a game-changer in the snowshoe industry. Its design consists of two rubber straps– one on the heel and another across the top of your foot, which allows for a natural stride compared to conventional snowshoes.The sole was created with Michelin, resulting in high-quality tire treads that enhance grip and stability.
Key Features
Bottomline
The specific choice of rubber used also aids in noise reduction while walking, an essential component when snowshoeing with others. Additionally, adding ice spikes—seven to be precise—to the Evvo improves the traction of its grippy rubber sole. Furthermore, the uppermost portion of the snowshoe repels water and provides support for your ankles. It’s important to note that Evvo sources 90 percent of their rubbersole material from bio-sourced components, making winter excursions more sustainable overall.
Chinook Trekker
Overview
The Chinook Trekker Snowshoe appears on various Best Of and expert snowshoe lists because they’re more affordable than most models. They’re commonly sold at Costco and Amazon, in addition to other stores. Even though customer reviews claim they aren’t very durable, many users still recommend them for family fun–not so much hiking on traction rails.
Key Features
Bottomline
Even though the Chinook Trekker’s prices were cheaper than our Overall Winner, ATLAS Helium, we believe that the latter will last much longer. If your main goal is to save money, we think you should consider renting skis instead of buying them. For example, REI has rental programs from their stores located in multiple states and they intend to continue offering rentals for next winter season (2022/2023).
Conclusion
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced snowshoer, there are dozens of
Depending on your budget and intended use, our best picks include the Symbioz Hyperflex and EVVO Snowshoe 1 for a lightweight and natural walking experience, while the Atlas Helium is best suited if you’re looking for a heavier snowshoe. We also included the more affordable Chinook Trekker in our list; however, we believe that renting skis from REI is best if you want to save money. Ultimately, snowshoeing is a fun activity that can help you explore the outdoors this winter season (2022/2023).
We hope our best picks can help you find the