"Binding upgrade?" 12/19/2010
Helpful Review?
(0) Yes

(0) No
- Name: 2011 Tubbs Wilderness Snowshoes Men's
- Pros: Lightweight, secure binding system, grippy cramp ons
Experience:
I'm 6'1 and 225ish. I've rented this and the 119.00 version several times in sizes 30 and 36. To me there is very little difference other than the binding system. This one tightens up easy with a two handed tug outward and is super convenient. There are only a few more convenient bindings out there. The cramp ons are grippy and will keep your feet on the ground under most conditions.
I find that for my body type the 30 model provides plenty of float and are a little easier to maneuver than the 36. I've never gone out with poles before, so I'd recommend the snowshoes instead of the kit package they are selling. But then again, there are some people out there who swear by them. I feel like if the snowshoes are fitted right you should be able to forget you have them on and just walk normally. So unless you normally hike with sticks or poles, snowshoes should be fine.
I stick mainly to the backcountry and found them to be responsive and steady to unseen logs, holes, etc hidden under the powder. Float was pretty good. For me float is something you only appreciate when you go back and walk through that same area in regular boots. Then it seems like tedious tiring work, where with the shoes you were just hiking.
Really it comes down to how important it is to have the easiest bindings. They are basically the same throughout the product line except for the binding system.