The best thing about these snowshoes is the price and the simplicity. They are also quite light at 3 lbs 12 oz without the tails. In comparison to Atlas snowshoes, they seem to perform better on hardback but worse in powder.

The only drawback, aside from their powder performance, is that they are noisy on wet snow, and the pivot pin under the ball of the foot isn't very beefy and I have heard people complain that it can break.

Great value!!!

I have had a pair of these for three years now, and they are GREAT. They are indestructible - really bombproof (I've even used them as a shovel to help free my stuck car from really icy, frozen snow - since they are plastic, you can do that). In addition, the traction on them is excellent. The tails are a great idea, although I have reverted back to using just the base units most of the time, even with a pack on. And one point I must call out after watching friends with much more expensive snow shoes struggling to put theirs on or take them off - the bindings are really easy to get in and out of and adjust, with gloves or mitts on. I can be 100s of yards up the trail by the time some of my acquaintances get all set to go.

One point other reviews make and I will add - on icy, packed trails, they are LOUD. But of course there is an excellent answer to that (and more fun, too, IMHO). Go off trail!

For the price, they cannot be beat. Heck, even disregarding the price, they are hard to beat.

these snowshoes are GREAT!! they are light, they stack easily (take up less space when they are off your feet) and very strong, even in sub-zero temps. the straps can fit everything from my light shoes to my buny boots (yeah, it gets cold up here) and the metal crampons and claws keep you upright on the ice. they are also cheaper than any comparable snowshoe. did i mention that they are light? i have had tubbs, sherpas, and redfeathers, but these are the best!

the downsides: NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR CRAMPONS! dont event think about it. they don't work exceptionally well with my Scarpa Vega/Inverno plastic boots... they were pretty clunky (I've done a lot of snowshoeing with the big trekker type traditional shoes), but great foar all the rest uf the times I used them

Customer Service

I worked in a retail shop, so I can say that MSR is very helpful to the shops. if anything goes wrong take them back to a shop. our only problem was whena guy brought in his shoes after he misplaced a strap in his garage when adjusting them :)

Similar Products Used:

tubbs
redfeather
sherpa

These shoes are light, have fantastic traction, and very reasonably priced. The only issues I can think of are that the tails are a bit of pain to install in the field, and I've heard the plastic makes these shoes less durable than their traditional counterparts. Got the Denali Ascents for $115 on sale at REI.

Great Product, and a great deal. I got two pairs of the Denali with the old style binding (hypalon laces with gator-grip buckle) for a steal. All the snow we've seen since getting them has been pretty wet and heavy, and the MSRs have worked beautifully. Without the add-on tails, my 170lbs float nicely, and my wife hardly makes a dent in the snow. Traction has been excellent, although I have had slightly better luck in steep ascents with a Tubbs product (I can't remember which one). That difference might be a matter of snow conditions, though. I hope to get out and compare them with a friend's Atlas shoes next week. I'd give them five stars, except the bindings aren't very mitten-friendly. Perhaps I'lll change my mind when I see someone on the trail break a strap on the newer MSR bindings.

Similar Products Used:

Tubbs

Great overall -- I got a pair on clearance for about $70 (with the short floatation tails) and have used them extensively in Rocky Mountain National Park. No complaints whatsoever -- there've been trips where my hiking partners were extremely unhappy with their rental snowshoes (usually Redfeather or Tubbs brand) and I've had no problems at all with my MSR Denalis. Traction is great, and I almost never have to adjust the bindings. Excellent snowshoes, particularly in light of the low price. I've heard good things from people I've talked to on the trails as well, including people who live near the park and use them constantly.

I'm a student in a outdoor Recreation Program in British Columbia Canada. At you can expect we spend alot of time outdoor in the winter. The majority of the student, includeing myself, own MSR snowshoe. and Why? Because they're the lighest, have the best grip, are best for traverseing slopes, have the best binding system, and are the cheapest of any modern snowshoe availabel. Don't just take my word for it, about 20 other students in my program would agree.

Customer Service

nope

These are superior snowshoes. The are light-weight and provide excellent traction. I used them to climb Mt.Whitney in May in 10+ deep snow and they performed well. I do need to use the floatation tail though as I am 225# w/o pack.

Similar Products Used:

Atlas

The MSR Denalis are the best bang for your buck in snowshoes. For under $200 you get a shoe plus 2 different sized extensions for varying loads and conditions. On a recent climb up 14,000+ ft. Mt Shavano in CO, I was the only person of 4 who did not have problems with traction in the snow (other shoes worn that day included red feathers, tubbs, and atlas). The shoes have great grip and support. The only downside to the shoe is that it is made of plastic and therefore is fairly noisy on crusted trails. This shoe is ideal for the person who wants a multi-use snow shoe but is on a budget. The shoe alone is great for packed trails or light individuals. Add an extender for powder or backcountry backpacking. I weigh 185 lbs. and have carried an 80 lb. pack on trail with no problems. This snowshoe is not for runners as the plastic footbed is not designed for the heavy impact.

Similar Products Used:

Atlas

Finally got tired of slipping and sliding in my atlases so I broke down and got some msr's. Should have done it a few years ago and would have saved some cash. Now those allases are collecting dust.