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Best Snowshoes of 2023

JUMP TO:  MSR EVO TRAIL / MSR LIGHTNING ASCENT / TUBBS MOUNTAINEER / CRESCENT MOON EVA / ATLAS HELIUM BC / ATLAS RUN / WILDHORN SAWTOOTH / ATLAS ELEKTRA MONTANE / MSR TYKER / BUYING ADVICE

Author: Rob Thijssen

The Short Version

The Long Version

When nature turns into a winter wonderland, it doesn’t mean that you have to wait until spring to enjoy it again. On the contrary!

Snowshoeing is easy and super fun. Snowshoes keep you on top of the snow by distributing your weight over the snow deck, also referred to as flotation. They provide more traction than boots, giving you a secure feeling while moving silently through a frozen world.

They are a crucial piece of equipment if you want to be able to go and have adventures all year round.

 
 

But with so much choice we totally understand it can be confusing to decide on which model fits best with your needs. Below you’ll find our pick of the best snowshoes. So without further ado, let’s dive right in!

If you love reading this review of the best showshoes, then you'll likely love reading some of our other hiking and winter adventure content:

Need To Know What To Look Out For?

Traction rails, brake bars, tubular frames, and more … Confused by the terminology around snowshoes? Then be sure to check out our buying advice at the bottom of the article.

Best Beginner Snowshoe: MSR EVO TRAIL

STYLE: Recreational

HEEL LIFT: Yes

LOAD: 22”/<180 lbs (250 lbs with tail)

PROS: Reliable, durable design. Optional tail for additional flotation (sold separately).

CONS: Little lateral stability. Noisy

We awarded the MSR Evo Trail with our best beginner badge because it performs strong in every tested criteria. The Evo stands out, thanks to its single plastic mold. This gives the snowshoe a lot of stability but also makes it one of the noisier models in this review. Besides that, it isn’t very comfortable for long trips.

It has a semi-aggressive traction system consisting of two steel rails from front to back, giving you a secure feeling when traversing a hard-packed slope. Its powder-coated steel crampon is attached to a full-rotation pivoting binding. This allows a wide range of motion and delivers superb grip both on and off-trail. There are four brake bars molded into the underside, preventing you from backsliding when descending a steeper slope. It excels on packed snow, both off and on-trail, in moderate technical terrain and rolling hills. Although the binding has less lateral stability than the MSR Lightning Ascent (our top pick for backcountry), it still does the job traversing medium steep slopes.

Even though it has little shock absorption due to its molded design, the MSR Evo Trail is an excellent choice if you’re looking for an all-round snowshoe without having to break the bank.

Best Backcountry Snowshoe: MSR LIGHTNING ASCENT

STYLE: Backcountry

HEEL LIFT: Yes

LOAD: 22”/<180 lbs - 25”/<220 lbs - 30”/<280 lbs

PROS: Available in 3 sizes: 22 inch/25 inch/30 inch. Optional tail for additional flotation (sold separately).

CONS: The new binding is slightly less easy to use as the previous models.

Another great product from MSR, the Lightning Ascent (men’s and women’s) is designed for your adventures way out in the backcountry on demanding terrain. It’s available in three sizes, 22 inch, 25 inch and 30 inch and has a lightweight aluminum frame, which provides excellent traction thanks to its fully serrated edges. Unlike the EVO, the decking is made of a flexible polyurethane-coated nylon that is durable and strong. This makes for a comfortable hiking experience throughout the entire day, while providing plenty of flotation.

The heel lifters can be used to prevent fatigue when going uphill. They’re easily deployable using your poles, which is a big plus! The new Paragon binding is made of freeze-resistant mesh and fits securely around a variety of boots. Being the most expensive model in this review, the MSR Lightning Ascent is an outstanding snowshoe that will give you a lot of fun out in nature for years to come. Read our full review here.

Best Snowshoe for Deep Snow: TUBBS MOUNTAINEER

STYLE: Backcountry

HEEL LIFT: Yes

LOAD: 25”/<200 lbs - 30”/<250 lbs - 36”/<300 lbs

PROS: Eight aggressive teeth make for secure ascending and descending

CONS: Little lateral traction while traversing a steep icy slope

The Tubbs Mountaineer (men’s and women’s) is a snowshoe just like you expect it to be. It has a lightweight aluminum tubular frame with a flexible, durable nylon deck, which provides excellent flotation, even in the deepest powder. This is great when you are wearing a pack or for heavier people.

The Tubbs Mountaineer has exceptional traction in the form of eight carbon-steel teeth under the toe area. More aggressive than the MSR, they give you security while climbing steeper slopes, while the Python™ braking system prevents you from backsliding while going downhill or traversing.

The binding fits about every winter boot out here and is super easy to use. Just place your foot inside, tighten the toe straps and heel strap and you’re ready to enjoy those frosty trails. The Rotation Toe Cord permits the tail of the snowshoe to drop to reduce strain, allowing you to explore the backcountry even longer.

All-in-all, the Tubbs Mountaineer is a snowshoe for everybody that wants to enjoy the winter landscape, without having to worry about the amount of snow limiting your freedom.

Best Snowshoe for Comfort: CRESCENT MOON EVA

STYLE: Recreational

HEEL LIFT: No

LOAD: N/A

PROS: Ultra comfortable and quiet.

CONS: Very little traction on icy terrain. Snow builds up on top, weighing them down.

The Crescent Moon Eva delivers a fresh new breeze in the world of snowshoes. Although it didn’t score particularly high on many testing criteria, it does however provide a very comfortable walking experience. This is mainly because the whole deck is made out of a single piece of EVA foam, which makes it feel like an oversized soft sneaker. Its rocker shape, although a little awkward at first, almost makes walking feel automatic and in a sense propels your feet forward, even giving you the feeling of wanting to speed up your pace. You might feel like taking it up a notch and start jogging or running, which improves stride ergonomics immensely!

The fact that it has no heel-lift, very little traction, doesn’t hinge and has only a Velcro binding, makes this snowshoe not suitable for deep snow or your backcountry adventures. Having said that, if you’re looking for a reasonably-priced, comfortable snowshoe to use on packed trails, this is definitely one to look into.

Best Snowshoe for Thru Hikers: ATLAS HELIUM BC

STYLE: Backcountry

HEEL LIFT: Yes

LOAD: 25”/120-200 lbs - 30”/150-250 lbs - 35”/180-300+ lbs

PROS: Very lightweight, considering the type of snowshoe.

CONS: No brake bars, although the curved traction rails seems to do the job in preventing you from backsliding.

This is a true beauty! The Atlas Helium BC is for those who are looking for a reliable, secure snowshoe for their winter adventures. With the 25’ weighing just over 3 pounds, it is the lightest backcountry model in this review.

This snowshoe packs away small thanks to the Packflat binding, which accommodates most of the larger mountaineering & snowboard boots. Its newly designed lightweight deck uses the minimum amount of material while not compromising on stability and durability. This, together with its rounded edges, will shed snow better to keep them light, even in the deepest snow.

The anodized aluminum, curved traction rails provide security while traversing and descending steeper slopes while the Helium BC Crampon’s tempered-steel teeth bite securely into icy snow.

Equipped with all the other features you’d expect from a high-quality snowshoe like a 19º heel-lift, a tail-fin for keeping it going straight when the snow gets really deep, easy-to-use straps, we think the Atlas Helium BC is simply superb. Top this off with a very reasonable price and you’ve got yourself a winner!

Best Snowshoe for Running: ATLAS RUN

STYLE: Running

HEEL LIFT: No

LOAD: 22”/75-190 lbs

PROS: BOA-binding allows for fast entry and secure fit.

CONS: Snow might build up under the crampon, causing you to have less grip.

The Atlas Run Snowshoe features a narrower frame than the average snowshoe, which is why they’re so great for winter running.

Atlas' patented Spring-Loaded™ Suspension allows the crampon to penetrate deeper into the snow, giving you a more secure grip. Simultaneously, it allows your foot to move freely within its natural articulation, guaranteeing terrific maneuverability.

The Speed Helix™ Binding with BOA® Fit System is one of the most easy-to-use bindings in this list. Simply slide your winter running shoe in, push the BOA-dial down and turn it until you feel a snug fit. Next, pull the heel strap to secure your foot in the binding and you’re set!

The aluminum Dual-TRAC™ crampon is lightweight, but at the same time its teeth give a lot of grip, even on ice, adding to a secure feeling.

The Atlas Run aren’t the most affordable pair of snowshoes. However, if you’re an avid runner, and you don’t want to suspend your training until spring, this is your go-to snowshoe.

Best Snowshoe on a Budget: WILDHORN SAWTOOTH

STYLE: Recreational

HEEL LIFT: Yes

LOAD: 21”/80-160 lbs - 27”/80-235 lbs

PROS: Anti-slip texture on foot pad for secure fit.

CONS: Ratchet binding might cause unwanted pressure points.

Our top pick for those on a budget, the WildHorn Sawtooth has everything you want in a basic snowshoe. It’s a good option if you’re looking for a lightweight, comfortable model for your Saturday-afternoon hike in the forest.

It has an aluminum tubular frame with a durable, cold-resistant plastic decking, which provides excellent flotation, even in deeper snow. The semi-aggressive crampon, although at first glimpse doesn’t seem very grippy, does a good job on hard-packed snow and gives you a surprisingly secure feeling. It features a heel-lift and the flexible base allows you to really plant your heels deep into the snow on your descents.

We didn’t like the binding that much as these ratchet systems tend to cause pressure points. Also, the hard plastic ladders didn’t seem very durable to us, and we wonder how it will hold up in subzero temps.

The WildHorn Sawtooth is an outstanding snowshoe for your shorter hikes in easy to moderate terrain or if you’re thinking of trying out snowshoeing without immediately spending big bucks.

Best Women’s Snowshoe: ATLAS ELEKTRA MONTANE

STYLE: Backcountry

HEEL LIFT: Yes

LOAD: 23”/80-160 lbs - 27”/120-200+ lbs

PROS: The binding is very sturdy.

CONS: Due to the spring-loaded binding system snow sprays up from the back quite a lot.

With the Atlas Elektra Montane you’ll feel very secure on those steeper slopes. Aggressive crampons, together with two longitudinal traction rails, provide you with a safe feeling on the trail. An updated 6061 aluminum Reactiv™ tubular frame, changes from a cylindrical to an elliptical shape where it has the highest loads; right beneath your feet. This creates a stiffer and more responsive frame, giving you that extra bit of confidence.

The binding is where the Elektra Montane really excels. Its Wrapp™ Swift system is extremely sturdy, adding to the overall security. Just place the ball of your foot on the Atlas logo, tighten it by pulling on the uni-loop strap and it wraps securely around your boot. Thread the heel strap through the metal opening and loop back and clip it in the retainer clip.

The Atlas Elektra Montane is a very comfortable and durable shoe. If you’re looking for a snowshoe that gives an outstanding performance in any type of terrain, this is your best bet.

Best Kid’s Snowshoe: MSR TYKER

STYLE: Recreational

HEEL LIFT: Yes

LOAD: Up to 80 lbs

PROS: Molded traction bars add to safety without compromising necessary traction.

CONS: Tightening the straps can be challenging for gloved children’s hands.

The MSR Tyker is a great snowshoe for your little ones. Based on the tried-and-tested MSR Denali design, the Tyker is very child-friendly. Even when your kids start playing with the crampons, it’s difficult to hurt themselves since nothing is really sharp. Despite this, they still have excellent traction thanks to a three-point toe crampon, two three-point bars placed longitudinally and molded traction rails on both sides of their feet. This provides outstanding bite and stability on uneven terrain, thus keeping your kids safe. 

Although the PosiLock™ straps might be a bit tricky for them to tighten, they do stay on very well. The shoes come in a standard length of 17 inches and can withstand a load of up to 80 lbs. The next size up would be the MSR Shift Youth.

The Tyker is a great choice if you want to take your kids out and explore nature on some snowy trails.

BUYING ADVICE FOR SNOWSHOES

Types of snowshoes

Roughly, there are three types of snowshoes on today’s market:

  • Recreational snowshoes are designed for use on flat to rolling terrain, packed snow and some powder. Generally they have less traction and are smaller in size.

  • Backcountry snowshoes are, as the name suggests, made for challenging terrain like steeper slopes, deep powder or icy traverses. They should be able to perform well on anything you encounter. They have the most traction of all types.

  • Snowshoes for running are designed especially for runners. Lightweight, narrower than usual, and mostly for flat to rolling terrain.

First you should decide on where you want to go snowshoeing so you know which type of snowshoe to choose.

Frame

Snowshoes are made with either a composite frame or a tubular frame.

A composite frame is made out of one piece of molded plastic. They are highly durable, are stiffer and are perfect for on-trail and compact snow. They are generally lighter but more noisy, and have a higher impact due to their rigidness.

Tubular frame or traditional frame snowshoes are rigid on the outside with a flexible deck attached to it. They are perfect for deep snow and provide a softer walking experience. Often they come in different sizes to provide adequate flotation for heavier people or when you’re carrying a heavy pack.

Traction

An important part of a snowshoe is traction. This can be divided into two parts: crampons and traction rails.

Crampons provide grip while walking, especially on steeper slopes. Aggressive crampons bite firmly into hard compact snow and even icy slopes.

Traction rails are placed on the underside of the snowshoe. Depending on the type of snowshoe, they can be full-length or only beneath your foot. The longer they are, the more traction they provide, especially when traversing a steep slope. Most snowshoes also have brake bars, which are traction rails that run across to prevent you from backsliding when walking down.

Heel lift

Heel-lifts are crucial for when you’re planning on hiking uphill. When engaged, your foot stays under an angle, reducing calf-strain.

Types of bindings

A snowshoe binding should fit a variety of boots without creating unwanted pressure points. There are fixed bindings and pivoting bindings.

A fixed binding attaches the full length of your boot to the deck. They provide a more natural walking movement on flat terrain like with the Crescent Moon EVA. However, these bindings are not recommended for steep terrain.

Pivoting bindings allow rotation under the ball of your foot, allowing you to kick steps on steep slopes. They also reduce leg fatigue and build-up of snow on the deck.

Furthermore, there are a variety of closing mechanisms, like straps, BOA, ratchets, etc. A good thing to keep in mind is that you want these materials to be cold-proof and easily replaceable in the field for when they should break.

Sizing

Snowshoes come in different sizes. The right size for you depends on your body weight and if you’ll be expecting a lot of powder. A heavier person requires more flotation, thus a bigger size snowshoe. The same goes for when carrying extra gear or hiking in powder.

MORE INFORMATION

If you loved this snowshoes article, then you'll likely love reading our other hiking and winter adventure content:

Or check out our entire list of Gear Reviews, Knowledge Base Articles, or Destination Guides for more hiking, backpacking, and outdoors related content.