Issue link: http://bluemagazine.uberflip.com/i/25062
column: gear. While snowshoeing hardly demands "technical" mastery, technology has paved the way for the industry's surging popularity. The over size wooden "tennis rackets" have been hung over the mantle and replaced with titanium ice crampons, Hypalon decking (the material used in river rafts), TIG-welded aluminum frames (the same technology developed by the aero space industry and used on bike frames), and bindings that range from lace-up plastic booties to full ratchet harness systems (the same as used with snow boards). The new snowshoes are designed for running, hiking, mountaineering and just plain goofing off, and are sized according to load-your weight plus any heavy gear you may carry as well as snow conditions and terrain. With the wide array of choices, what should you look for? Fi rst figure out where you will be snowshoeing. New England's snow has high er water content (denser snowpack), and less "float" requirements. In the high reaches of the West, snow is lighter and float is a premium. Snow con ditions dictate the choice of bindings: full, or fixed rotation. A full rotation binding allows the shoe to fall completely perpendicular to the ground as the foot is raised. In deep stuff this allows snow to drop from the decking and minimizes "heel slop"-the accumulation of snow on the decking and your backside. A fixed rotation binding drops the shoe to a 45-degree angle with the ground, which allows it to move more closely with your natural pace. This works best on hardpack and reduces "heel snap," which occurs when the heel drops into the ground and trips you up. Snowshoes were tested in three categories: multi-use, backcountry, and running. The results weren't surprising: the better the fit, the better the performance. BACKCOUNTRY SHOES ARE DESIGNED FOR THOSE WHO WAKE AT SUNRISE SO THEY CAN BREAK TRACKS BEFORE 7,00 TO GET TO WORK BY mOO-OR FOR THOSE WHO JUST DON'T WANT TO COME BACK FOR A FEW DAYS. THESE SHOES HAVE MUCH GREATER SURFACE AREA FOR THE EXTRA FLOTATION NEEDED TO CARRY THAT LOAD OF BACKPACKS. SKIS AND BOARDS. THE DIS PLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS ADD WEIGHT AND FOOT PAD SIZE (RESULTING IN THE "'DUCK WALK"). WHICH NATURALLY REDUCES MANEUVERABILITY. THESE HIGH-QUALITY PERFORMERS ARE DESIGNED FOR EASY ENTRY, GENERALLY SPORTING RATCHET BINDINGS. ATLAS 1033: Best in the class. This is "the proletariat's snow shoe"-it looks utilitarian. and functions sub limely. The simple harness system binding out performs its competitors' ratchet systems. The Hypalon decking provides additional grip on hardpack, and this season's new lateral traction "'wings" should solve lateral stability issues. Fixed rotation, 3 lbs 14 oz, 9"x29". $249/Atlas: 800-645-7463, www.atlasworld.com TUBBS MTN 30: These shoes excelled in lateral stability and binding design. The best ratchet binding we tested. with large bindings perfectly suited for big boots. If you intend to wear smaller boots. the bindings should be "narrowed" before you hit the trail. The ArcTec decking is very durable. but we struggled with the trac tion. The crampons are sufficient for the ascent. Descents were a bit less heartening. If your weight gets behind the grip of the crampon. the shoes become toboggans. It is not a sustained ride. but the slip interrupts firm strides and heart REDFEATHER CONDOR 35: These shoes are big! Definitely designed for easy backcountry access. The bindings are fully ratcheted, and hold firmly from the time you put them on. The Hypalon decking is light. .durable, and adds to the shoe's grip on hardpack. They have long pointed tails to improve tracking in deeper snow, but they catch on each other unless you adjust your stride. The crampons instill the climbing confidence of a human fly. Fixed rotation, 4 lbs 3 oz, 9"x34", $279/Redfeather 800-525-0081. www.redfeath er.com RUNNING SNOWSHOES ARE DESIGNED TO MEET THE SPECIFIC DEMANDS OF WINTER TRAIL RUNNING. THE SHOES ARE SMALL. EXTREMELY LIGHT. AND ALLOW FOR THE LEAST OBTRUSIVE STRIDE POSSIBLE. THESE SHOES ARE MORE DIFFICULT TO EXTEND TO BROADER USES. AND SHOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED IF YOU PLAN TO PUT THEM THROUGH THEIR INTENDED RIGORS. REDFEATHER FALCON: ,------.---, These racing shoes are stripped to the bones to reduce weight and increase speed. They have a violent titanium talon for sta ble toe traction (although the lack of a heel crampon creates some issues on slow descents). These are the lightest shoes we tried. The bindings adjust and hold much like a running shoe, and they are easy and highly effective. They hold true to their intentions: they are extreme, sexy and fast! 'Fixed rota tion. 2 lbs 1 oz, 8"x 25", $205/Redfeather: 800-525-0081 . www.redfeather.com ATLAS DUAL TRACK: These small and light shoes have a dropped-frame design combined with lateral stability bars and full heel toe crampons. This creates the stability and nat ural movement of a cleal. the binding straps are easy to tighten but difficult to loosen. These shoes have no slippage problems and could be used for recfeational snowshoeing if a strail has been blazed. One tester thought this was the best hsoe we tried. Fixed rota tion. 2 lbs. 8 oz .. 8"x22" $229/Atlas:800-645-7463. www.atlasworld.com