Atlas Montane Snowshoes Overview | CleverHiker

Backside Line

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

The Montane’s huge form supplies wonderful flotation however comes at a price. We incessantly discovered ourselves stepping and overlapping over every snowshoe if we forgot to regulate our stance to be barely wider. The Montanes additionally function a novel 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 doable with out the flexibility to rotate freely.

If you happen to 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 wonderful flotation due to its huge form. These are among the wider snowshoes we examined, and that additional floor space turns out to be useful when strolling off the crushed path. When taking these out on a winter path within the Alaskan backcountry, it felt equally as at dwelling on the path as off the crushed path.

The versatile decking supplied further flotation in a approach that we weren’t anticipating. The fabric is exceptionally stretchy, bulging, and conforming to the floor of the snow to offer 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 commonplace tubular body fashions in our overview. It supplies wonderful 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 enamel below the binding. This, paired with toothed metal rails below the heel supplies bomber footing. With enamel on the toe and heel, plus additional traction rails underfoot, this shoe feels proper at dwelling on technical terrain. 

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

Walkability

The Atlas Montane snowshoe affords stable walkability, particularly in deep snow. We liked the versatile decking, which permits for a snug 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 connected to the body with a robust rubberized strap, foregoing the free pivot system seen in different snowshoes. This strap supplies an virtually 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 mountaineering uphill. So in the event you want a full vary of movement, you would possibly discover the rotation of the strap limiting.

Ease of Use

The binding’s rubber straps and easy-to-use launch lever are easy and intuitive. One strap secures the heel, and the opposite runs throughout the midfoot, via a toe bail, and to the opposite facet 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 form of stow system other than small clips. We regularly resorted to tucking the paths away into the remainder of the binding. In any other case, they had been typically 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 right down to tighten or as much as launch. Coming outfitted 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 trendy twists. The Montane has a big floor space for off-trail flotation however remains to be mild sufficient for fast jaunts on groomed paths. The versatile decking ups the consolation degree heel risers carry additional help on lengthy uphill climbs. 

With its easy but sturdy binding design and powerful options like wonderful traction, the Atlas Montane will certainly please new snowshoers and consultants alike. Whereas the snowshoe isn’t essentially the most snug to stroll in attributable to its huge form, and its pivot level limits some vary of movement, the Montane is a stable performer that can maintain you afloat for a lot of miles.

What Different Snowshoes Ought to You Take into account?

Tubbs Mountaineer Overview – With an analogous tube body and versatile decking building, the Mountaineer affords the next tech binding and enhanced traction for backcountry journey.

MSR Lightning Ascent Overview – If you happen to’re in search of one other snowshoe to take off the path and with among the highest scores throughout our metrics, take a look at the MSR Lightning Ascent. 

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