MSR Evo Path Snowshoe Overview

Backside Line

The MSR Evo Trails supply among the greatest worth amongst our lineup of the perfect snowshoes. At an excellent value, these snowshoes present options of a dearer snowshoe. Parallel traction rails and sturdy claws ship glorious traction, and the stiff plastic decking is sturdy and supplies good flotation.

The bindings on the Evo Path are among the many best to make use of of any we examined. One strap tightens the forefoot, and the opposite tightens the heel. Merely pull the tail of the strap, aided by a loop on the finish to tighten. Releasing is as simple as pulling the outsized grip on the discharge lever that’s ergonomic sufficient to make use of even with gloves on.

These snowshoes are one of many smallest we examined and have one of many lowest floor areas of any snowshoes we examined. We discovered the MSR Evo Trails to be most at dwelling on trails and when encountering gentle powder. Off-trail and in deep snow, they’re shortly out of their depth. However for the worth, their options and efficiency can’t be beat.

Flotation

The MSR Evo Path is likely one of the smallest snowshoes that we’ve got examined. They solely are available a 22-inch size, that means they may not be supreme for heavier hikers/loaded packs. This quick dimension, mixed with among the largest cut-outs we’ve seen, meant that they’re light-weight, however their flotation suffered in some situations.

We examined these on trails within the rolling foothills of the Chugach Mountains, on alpine ridges, and within the deep snow above the treeline.  We discovered these snowshoes labored nice in lots of situations, going from the path into average quantities of powder and again once more. We sunk deeper than we had hoped when utilizing these on an extended uphill hike the place we had been breaking path. The flotation of those snowshoes might be augmented with MSR’s extra tails, however should you aren’t steadily venturing into deep powder, these needs to be sufficient for many situations.

Traction

The MSR Evo Trails supply spectacular traction, particularly for a lower-priced possibility. It has the identical twin traction rails as dearer snowshoes that present top-notch traction. Whereas shorter than others, these rails nonetheless offered loads of chew on ice and deep powder.

We had been additionally impressed by the molded fins constructed into the underside of the decking. Their stiff plastic chew into the snow, offering distinctive traction whereas strolling downhill. The fins lengthen across the edges of the body and down the tails, which provides additional grip whereas retaining their weight low.

Walkability

Strolling within the Evo Path was glorious, because of its comparatively quick size. There is no such thing as a feeling of being weighed down, and the only piece of stiff plastic decking cuts down on weight whereas nonetheless being supportable. We do want for some extra form to those snowshoes. They don’t have a lot paper from the tricks to the tails, which ends up in some overlap whereas strolling particularly within the suggestions and tails. 

We additionally wished that these snowshoes had a barely extra rocker. Whereas their suggestions rise to maintain them above the snow, the remainder of the snowshoe is sort of utterly flat. Others we examined have a rockered form the place the guidelines and tails are elevated, however solely the toes of the MSR Evo Path have that form. This implies these snowshoes have slightly “clomp” to them, particularly when strolling downhill.

Ease of Use

With two straps to tighten and loosen, placing on and taking off the MSR Evo Path is straightforward and fast. One strap tightens the midfoot, resulting in a rubber webbing system throughout the entrance of the foot. We love the rubber webbing that cradles the foot and retains it safe.

A single, steady strap across the heel retains it locked in securely. Merely pull on the paths of the straps, and the caming tightener locks into place. To launch, pull the purple tab on the discharge lever to loosen. One pull of every launch lever, and the snowshoes come off simply. We particularly liked the outsized tab on the discharge lever, which makes it simple to grip whereas sporting gloves.

Ought to You Purchase the MSR Evo Path?

If you need a steadiness of value and high quality, then the Evo Path is the snowshoe for you. Its attainable value nonetheless embodies qualities and options discovered in additional high-end snowshoes. The simple-to-use binding is well-designed and gloves-on pleasant. The twin traction rails mixed with molded plastic traction bars on the underside of the deck present distinctive traction.

The reasonably priced value of those snowshoes means they must make some concessions. A scarcity of heel riser makes strolling uphill extra exhausting, and these snowshoes solely are available one size. Their small dimension and comparatively low floor space imply they aren’t the only option for deep snow adventures effectively off the overwhelmed path. We suggest these for hikers who principally keep on the packed path however nonetheless count on a high-quality product from a acknowledged model.

What Different Snowshoes Ought to You Think about?

MSR Revo Discover Overview – With most of the options of the Evo Path, the Revo Discover supplies extra traction and flotation in a barely bigger platform for enhanced efficiency in off-trail situations.

Tubbs Wayfinder Overview – Whereas barely dearer, the Wayfinder is one other glorious entry-level snowshoe with extra floor space and bigger sizes to accommodate totally different weights.

Tubbs Flex RDG Overview – The Flex RDG supplies the flexibility and efficiency of the Evo Path with greater efficiency and an easy-to-use boa binding system. If the Evo Path left you wanting extra however you don’t need to spend greater than $200, then the Flex RDG is a superb selection.