Top Best Snowshoes for Winter Hiking

If you love to hike, you wouldn’t want to let snow stop you from enjoying your favorite activity, right? If so, you should get a high-quality pair of snowshoes. That way, you can enjoy as many winter trails as you want—though always considering your skill level and the technical difficulty of the route, of course.

Hundreds of models are on the market, and it’s not always easy to make a decision. Everything will depend on the characteristics of the trail you want to hike. A flat groomed trail? A multi-day circuit? A demanding trail through steep terrain?

You should look at the types of frames, decking, crampons, bindings, materials, and other important features that I am going to explain in this article. In addition, I’ll review the best models of the year so that you can find the one that best suits your needs.

Take a look at other articles to find the best ski gloves, backpacks, bags, boot bags, cameras, beanies, and poles.

THE BEST SNOWSHOES

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MSR LIGHTNING ASCENT

The MSR Lightning Ascent stands out for its excellent comfort, flotation, and traction. It’s available in three sizes. The 22-inch model works great on easier trails, while the 25- and 30-inch models are perfect for demanding expeditions. The 360-degree traction frame provides astonishing traction and stability on rugged terrain, while the Televator heel lift bar helps reduce fatigue on steep ascents. In addition, it features Parangon one-piece bindings that wrap securely around your boot.

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MSR LIGHTNING TRAIL

The MSR Lightning Trail is like a basic version of the previous model, as it’s not designed for rugged terrain. Instead, it’s better for flat trails and moderate hills. Its main advantage is that thanks to its aluminum structure and simpler crampon system, this model is considerably lighter. Also, it doesn’t include heel lift bars, which helps reduce the final weight. The binding system is not too sophisticated, but overall this is one of the year’s best snowshoes for moderate trails.

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TUBBS FLEX RDG

The Tubbs Flex has been designed mainly for demanding routes. You’ll love its aggressive crampons that perform well in mountainous terrain. The BOA binding creates a secure fit, ensuring that your boot stays in place throughout the hike. Its efficient decking provides good flex, agility, and flotation, even on the 24-inch model. Overall, it’s an excellent choice for winter mountaineering.

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MSR EVO TRAIL

The MSR EVO Trail is one of the most popular snowshoes on the market because it provides great traction, flotation, and comfort, all at a very reasonable price (considering that it’s a medium- to high-range product).

The traction rails are built into the plastic deck and, along with efficient steel crampons, provide excellent grip. The DuoFit bindings are compatible with most types of footwear and can be easily operated while one is wearing gloves. Also, although this model is designed mainly for flat and moderate routes, it’s compatible with a flotation module that increases performance in deep snow. The flotation module is sold separately.

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ATLAS SERRATE

The Atlas Serrate will allow you to combine flat trails with mountainous terrain. Due to its teardrop frame, this model provides fantastic flotation and agility. In addition, it stands out for its great traction, which allows you to venture into icy areas. Finally, its binding system wraps around the boot, creating a secure fit, and it’s easily operated simply by pulling a strap.

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MSR REVO EXPLORE

The MSR REVO Explore features Hyperlink bindings that make donning and doffing incredibly quick and simple, “edge-to-edge” crampon rails so you can hike on icy snow, and heel lifts for steep terrain. This model should be used along with hard hiking boots for greater comfort. It’s compatible with a flotation module to accommodate higher loads or get into deep snow.

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TSL SYMBIOZ ELITE

The TSL Symbioz Elite has a totally different design, featuring a highly flexible composite decking that efficiently absorbs shock and adapts to changes in the terrain. Along with its aggressive crampons, it allows you to hike technical, demanding routes. At the same time, it performs really well on flat terrain. Depending on your weight and intended use, you’ll have to choose between the three available sizes: 20.5, 23.5, and 27 inches.

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ATLAS TREELINE

The Atlas Treeline is perfect for combining flat trails with rolling terrain. It features a lightweight aluminum frame and a high-performance nylon decking that provides great flex, flotation, and comfort. The Light-Ride suspension system allows your feet to articulate naturally, while it absorbs impacts. Thanks to the BOA binding system, you can take your snowshoes on and off in a matter of seconds simply by turning the dial. In addition, it has an attractive price within the mid-range.

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RETROSPEC

This model is a great option for anyone seeking a budget snowshoe for trekking on mostly flat terrain or with moderate ascents/descents. Its ergonomic design allows you to hike comfortably, while its crampons provide a fairly good grip, as long as the terrain is not too steep. The strap system works with buckles; it is simple but efficient. The model also includes a carry bag.

THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE CHOOSING YOUR SNOWSHOES

INTENDED USE

This is the most important question to ask yourself when it comes to finding the right snowshoe. As you will see below, each model has specific characteristics that are better suited to a certain type of terrain.

Trail

Trail snowshoes are designed for moderate hiking, mainly on groomed, flat terrain. They can be used on short or long routes, but without accessing too-steep areas. They have a relatively compact size and smaller crampons.

Backcountry

Backcountry models are designed for serious off-piste adventures, crossing valleys and mountains, getting into deep snow, and hiking along steep slopes. For this reason, they have lightweight constructions to reduce fatigue, a larger decking to improve flotation on virgin snow, aggressive crampons to improve traction, and heel lift bars for steep terrain.

Running

As the name suggests, these models are used for winter running. They have ultralight frames and decks, a more compact design, and an efficient traction system that allows you to run safely.

YOUR SKILL LEVEL

You must consider your experience in winter hiking. If you are a beginner, you should look for a model designed for flat terrain and with a slightly larger decking. This will help you gain confidence as well as improve your skills.

Intermediate riders will appreciate a model designed for rolling terrain that can perform well in deep snow, icy snow, and other conditions.

Experienced snowshoers should look for fully-featured, advanced models—for instance, snowshoes with aggressive crampons and heel lift bars for challenging, mountainous terrain.

TYPE OF FOOTWEAR

Make sure you’re wearing quality footwear that is compatible with your snowshoes. It will depend on the type of activity and the conditions of the trail, but in general, I recommend that you wear hiking boots, preferably a waterproof, sturdy model, as this will guarantee a secure fit.

For backcountry trails, look for lightweight boots to prevent fatigue at the end of the day. For running, you could wear trail running shoes or ultralight trekking boots.

TRACTION SYSTEM

The two main functions of snowshoes are: 1- Helping you float on top of the snow. 2- Providing great traction. Otherwise, you would slip down the mountain. Snowshoe traction systems consist of several metal teeth or crampons that are placed under the boot area or along the sides, and often on both places.

Crampons are crucial for hiking in the snow, especially when you are crossing icy surfaces or steep terrain. To determine which type of traction system you’ll need, you must think about the type of terrain you are going to venture through.

For mountaineering tours, make sure you get a model equipped with aggressive crampons. Also, always check that they are made of high-quality, resistant materials.

FRAME AND DECKING

Frame and decking are the two main elements that make up the structure of snowshoes. In the past, most frames were built of wood, but today they are made with other materials, typically aluminum and high-strength plastic alloys. Some high-end models use carbon fiber in their construction to reduce the final weight.

Aluminum frames are very popular on the market because they are strong and durable. They don’t offer as much traction as plastic models, but overall they perform well.

Most plastic frames feature great traction systems. Also, plastic is generally cheaper than aluminum. However, plastic frames are not as strong as metallic frames.

Most frames feature an oval shape, and sometimes a teardrop shape. The oval shape provides great stability and flotation, which makes it a great option for off-piste hiking, deep snow trails, etc. Teardrop-shaped models are lighter and perform well on flat, groomed trails.

The deck is the piece that connects to the frame and provides surface area for flotation. It’s basically where you put your boot.

Today, most decks are made from highly-resistant plastics such as nylon and PVC. These materials are durable and require virtually no maintenance.

BINDINGS

Bindings employ a variety of strap systems and buckles to provide a firm, secure fit between your boots and your snowshoes. In addition to being efficient, this fit should be comfortable. There are different binding systems:

Straps

This is the simplest and most popular system on the market. As you can imagine, it consists of a series of straps that wrap around or cross over your boot and heel.

BOA

Most snowboarders know how this system works, as it’s commonly used in snowboard boots. BOA bindings use straps to secure the foot. The main difference is that once the straps are in place, they are tightened with the turn of a dial.

This system is fast and easy to use, even while you’re wearing gloves. The biggest disadvantage is that the wiring tightens all the straps equally, so you can’t tighten different parts of the boot to your liking (some snowshoers prefer to leave some straps looser), which can be uncomfortable for some people.

FLOTATION

The flotation of a snowshoe is directly related to the size of the frame and decking. Heavy people and those planning to get into deep snow should go for models with great flotation.

Some models are compatible with special modules that increase the surface in contact with the snow and, thus, improve flotation. This comes in handy if you are hiking a trail that crosses different types of terrain (e.g., groomed and deep snow).

HEEL LIFT

Most backcountry snowshoes feature heel lift bars, which is an advanced feature designed for steep hikes. A heel lift is no more than a metal bar that can be locked under your boot. This bar prevents you from dropping your heel when climbing a steep ascent, which helps reduce fatigue. If you are a flat-trail hiker, forget about this.

GENDER

Many models on the list are available in men’s and women’s versions. This is because anatomical differences between the genders affect weight distribution and other factors. For this reason, some models are better suited for one gender over the other.

WHAT SIZE DO I NEED?

To find the right size, you must ask yourself: How much do I weigh? Am I going to hike on groomed trails or deep snow? Also, keep in mind that women’s models come in different sizes.

If you have doubts, follow these suggestions:

For men up to 195 lbs = 23 – 27 inches long.

For men between195 – 225 lbs = 30 – 33 inches long.

For women up to 165 lbs = 21 – 25 inches long.

For backcountry routes in deep snow = at least 30 inches long.

EXTRA ACCESSORIES

Now that you know which model suits you best, you should consider bringing some extra accessories on your route. I’m talking about ski poles and gaiters.

Depending on the difficulty of the route, you may not need to use your poles all the time, but trust me, they can be really helpful. Hiking poles will absorb impact and help distribute your body’s weight, notably reducing muscle strain on your knees and back.

Also, I recommend that you wear a pair of hiking gaiters, which are essential to achieve a good seal around your boots, thereby preventing snow from seeping into your socks.