Can you point me toward a good pair of running-specific snowshoes?
I’m looking for a modestly priced, general-purpose running snowshoe. I’ll take a few ups and downs, but will mostly stick to groomed trails or four to eight inches of semi-packed snow. Any ideas? David Erda, Utah
How about the Atlas Run ($180; atlassnowshoe.com)? Its a running-specific snowshoe thats 22 inches long with a spring-loaded suspension (so the shoe snaps into appropriate place between strides) and low-profile crampons. And they have pretty good float; theyll support someone up to 190 pounds in weight. Ive found several for sale and on sale.
Atlas Run Snowshoes
Atlas Run Snowshoes
Or, you might look for Redfeather snowshoes. After all, thats the company that sort of started the running-snowshoe thing, with lightweight shoes using modern materials and a tapered design for better tracking. Redfeathers Model 25 ($259; redfeather.com) is a fantastic running snowshoe. It has a light aluminum frame, titanium crampons, and a low-profile binding that can accommodate even trail-running shoes.
Lastly, try the Crescent Moon Gold Series 12 snowshoe ($229; crescentmoonsnowshoes.com), from a company that deserves more attention than they get. These have the usual design featuresaluminum frame, synthetic decking, and lightweight cramponsin a teardrop design that make for a natural stride and good gait when running. These are great snowshoes and well worth a look.
The 2008 Winter Outside Buyers Guide is now online. From snow sports to trail-running to camping, get reviews of more than 300 new gear must-haves.
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