Atlas Montane Snowshoes Evaluation | CleverHiker

Backside Line

The Atlas Montane is exceptionally sturdy and constructed with a standard aluminum tubing body with some fashionable twists. Versatile decking materials permits some give whereas strolling to reinforce a pure gait. Giant tooth via the midfoot ship glorious traction. Examined within the alpine of Alaska’s Chugach Vary, these snowshoes felt proper at residence powering up steep climbs, plowing via drifts, and breaking path via deep snow.

The Montane’s extensive form supplies glorious flotation however comes at a value. We ceaselessly discovered ourselves stepping and overlapping over every snowshoe if we forgot to regulate our stance to be barely wider. The Montanes additionally function a singular pivot system for the binding. A easy but rugged strap attaches the binding to the body. This stiff strap aids within the tail of the snowshoe rebounding with every step however limits the vary of movement attainable with out the flexibility to rotate freely.

In case you love the texture of a standard snowshoe however are in search of some typical options, the Atlas Montane would be the good match. Its excessive flotation and traction are meant for deep snow and mountainous adventures.

Flotation

The Atlas Montane supplies glorious flotation due to its extensive form. These are a few of the wider snowshoes we examined, and that additional floor space turns out to be useful when strolling off the overwhelmed path. When taking these out on a winter path within the Alaskan backcountry, it felt equally as at residence on the path as off the overwhelmed path.

The versatile decking offered extra flotation in a manner that we weren’t anticipating. The fabric is exceptionally stretchy, bulging, and conforming to the floor of the snow to supply added flotation. We totally loved utilizing these snowshoes in deep snow and can proceed to achieve for them when venturing out on the deepest days.

Traction

The Atlas Montane snowshoe units a excessive bar for traction, incomes prime marks amongst normal tubular body fashions in our overview. It supplies glorious grip, and we hardly ever skilled any slipping, even within the steep, icy terrain discovered throughout testing within the Chugach Mountains. The Montane’s traction system options aggressive metal tooth below the binding. This, paired with toothed metal rails below the heel supplies bomber footing. With tooth on the toe and heel, plus additional traction rails underfoot, this shoe feels proper at residence on technical terrain. 

Whereas tubular frames are likely to shine in deep, delicate snow, the Montane goes above and past, offering dependable footing throughout quite a lot of circumstances. Whether or not we had been trekking via recent powder or navigating rugged, uneven trails, the Montane’s dependable traction had us tackling larger goals with confidence.

Walkability

The Atlas Montane snowshoe gives strong walkability, particularly in deep snow. We cherished the versatile decking, which permits for a cushty gait, particularly whereas strolling downhill. Not like many snowshoes, the Montane avoids the loud crunching and scraping sounds typical of inflexible plastic. 

Nonetheless, the pivot of those snowshoes is considerably limiting. The binding is hooked up to the body with a robust rubberized strap, foregoing the free pivot system seen in different snowshoes. This strap supplies an nearly suspension-like really feel when strolling and provides some rebound to the snowshoe’s tail, serving to it snap up when strolling. Nonetheless, we discovered that the rubber strap limits the pivot’s vary of movement. This was particularly noticeable when taking massive steps or climbing uphill. So in case you want a full vary of movement, you may discover the rotation of the strap limiting.

Ease of Use

The binding’s rubber straps and easy-to-use launch lever are simple and intuitive. One strap secures the heel, and the opposite runs throughout the midfoot, via a toe bail, and to the opposite aspect of the foot. We discovered that the toe bail is safe sufficient for smaller match and low-volume boots and retains the toe securely in place. Nonetheless, the binding’s straps are excessively lengthy and lack any sort of stow system apart from small clips. We frequently resorted to tucking the paths away into the remainder of the binding. In any other case, they had been usually in the best way and straightforward to journey on.

We love how fiddle-free and straightforward the bindings are to make use of (even with gloves on). Merely pull the strap all the way down to tighten or as much as launch. Coming geared up with a heel riser, the Atlas Montana helped us cowl each flats and steep climbs.

Ought to You Purchase the Atlas Montane?

The Atlas Montane is a historically styled snowshoe good for anybody who likes the timeless efficiency of an aluminum tube body however with some fashionable twists. The Montane has a big floor space for off-trail flotation however remains to be gentle sufficient for fast jaunts on groomed paths. The versatile decking ups the consolation degree heel risers carry additional assist on lengthy uphill climbs. 

With its easy but sturdy binding design and powerful options like glorious traction, the Atlas Montane will certainly please new snowshoers and specialists alike. Whereas the snowshoe will not be essentially the most comfy to stroll in as a result of its extensive form, and its pivot level limits some vary of movement, the Montane is a strong performer that may maintain you afloat for a lot of miles.

What Different Snowshoes Ought to You Take into account?

Tubbs Mountaineer Evaluation – With an identical tube body and versatile decking development, the Mountaineer gives the next tech binding and enhanced traction for backcountry journey.

MSR Lightning Ascent Evaluation – In case you’re in search of one other snowshoe to take off the path and with a few of the highest scores throughout our metrics, take a look at the MSR Lightning Ascent. 

Tubbs Wayfinder Evaluation – One other snowshoe with a time-tested design however with a contemporary twist, the Wayfinder contains a boa system for simply dialing within the match.