Have the Denali Ascents. Works great, especially the crampon features. Strapping-in is easy.
My only complaint (which is relatively minor) is the noise that this pups make on hardpack. Man, alive-- I probably scared off most of the wild-life for a quarter mile. The noise actually discouraged the use of the shoes in these conditions even when I tended to hike better with them on. You might not be as annoyed I am, but I hate plastic crunching sounds breaking up the peaceful silence of winter hiking.
Nevertheless, I do recommend these shoes.

I really like these snowshoes! I've had them for a year now and they have floated over anything I can put in front of them. I especially like the crampon and brake bars. My friend has a pair of atlas's and when he gets on any incline he slips and slides his way down the hill instead of up. One thing I would like to see is a reenforced inside tip in the front. If your negiating your way through woods it's easy to graze the tip w/ the traction bars, it grinds a hole in the front every time, but I've found if you put some hi-stength epoxy on it it holds up great and I love the color, YELLOW!

Customer Service

none

nice snowshoes, could be built a little sturdier. Atlas definetly have better bindings.

Similar Products Used:

atlas, tubbs

I haven't used these a whole lot yet, but they seem to have been good on mixed and varying terrain and the modulation of having the tails on or off really helps. They are light and pretty darn durable, I think the binding could be a bit better though. The crampon teeth provide good grip as well. Good product for a good price

Similar Products Used:

None

This is the first pair of snowshoes that I have owned. The Denali's are extremely lightweight and durable. I'm approximately 175#, and they have worked great. The price is also hard to beat.

Similar Products Used:

None

After 3 seasons of faithful service, I decideed to upgrade my denalis to denali ascents (2000 models w/ the metal crampon plate/binding). The metal on the foot plate cracked completely through while out in the backcounty w/ a 60 lb pack on. I was able to make a repair using some wire from my emergency kit.. This was the 4th trip I taken with this pair. A friend of mine just cracked his foot plate as well after 2 seasons. We believe the problem is the use of plastic boots, since we both recently began using them w/ our denalis. perhaps it's the stiffness of the boots.

Regardless - for the price you can't beat them. The heel lifters are a godsend on truly steep terrain.

Customer Service

MSR cheerfully replaced the binding

Similar Products Used:

Tubbs

These are great shoes, no doubt about it. The traction is amazing, the bindings are clean and sinple, and they weigh next to nothing.
I have found them to be a bit weak on flotation. I'm 220, and even with the 8" extenders, I can go in above my knees if the snow is soft and deep enough. They just don't have the surface area of bigger shoes, obviously, so if you're a big person and plan to be doing a lot of tromping through deep powder, you may want to reconsider. No fault of the shoes, that's for sure.

Similar Products Used:

Tubbs

These are great shoes, no doubt about it. The traction is amazing, the bindings are clean and sinple, and they weigh next to nothing.
I have found them to be a bit weak on flotation. I'm 220, and even with the 8" extenders, I can go in above my knees if the snow is soft and deep enough. They just don't have the surface area of bigger shoes, obviously, so if you're a big person and plan to be doing a lot of tromping through deep powder, you may want to reconsider. No fault of the shoes, that's for sure.

Similar Products Used:

Tubbs

These are great shoes, no doubt about it. The traction is amazing, the bindings are clean and sinple, and they weigh next to nothing.
I have found them to be a bit weak on flotation. I'm 220, and even with the 8" extenders, I can go in above my knees if the snow is soft and deep enough. They just don't have the surface area of bigger shoes, obviously, so if you're a big person and plan to be doing a lot of tromping through deep powder, you may want to reconsider. No fault of the shoes, that's for sure.

Similar Products Used:

Tubbs

I've rented these from western mountaineering
and found that, compared to the atlas pair i've
used, the MSR's binding are much more easier
to use. I had them on a snow camping trip and
you can imagine how many times i had to put in
on and take it off whenever i need to get in & out
of the tent... the straps don't freeze up like those
for the atlas pair. the only downside I can see is
that it's difficult to lift it and walk *backwards*
especially when I need to move around the tent.
It easier with the atlas pair by simply flipping the
tail up. Just can't do it easily with the MSR.
nonetheless, i would recommend these for its
binding design.

Similar Products Used:

atlas 1033