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I can''''t believe how great these shoes are. Really light-weight, yet very durable -- they have endured steep ridge ascents and steep descents down drainages choked with rocks and vegetation. Crampons work really well, and flotation is also very good. No complaints at all.

Customer Service

I had a bit of a glitch when ordering online, so I called the company to make sure they got my order. Mark was very friendly and confirmed my order with no trouble at all.

Similar Products Used:

Atlas 1022s (heavy, and they kick up a lot of snow onto your back)

I recently purchased a pair of Atlas and while not having used them I returned them to REI a few days later after discovering the lightweight Northern Lites B.C. at a Portland mountain store. I'm sure lighter snowshoes will be a joy to use when compared to the "built like a tank Atlas'" My only concern is the durability of the N.L., but I have been assured of the companie's warranty, so all should be well under normal conditions. After all, they were nearly the same price as the more robust Atlas and Tubbs top of the line models.

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Can't say enough about these snowshoes. Got them as a gift for Christmas after much research on almost every snowshoe on the market. Super light weight at less than half the weight of almost any other shoe. Bindings are versatile, easy to use with gloves on, and track true. I can easily use either my Sorels or my running shoes depending on where I'm going. Have put these shoes thru the paces already. They easily handled 45-60 degree faces covered with 2 feet of snow. Descending was solid as well. Cleats work well. Another added bonus is the clean, stylish look of the shoes. I can't imagine being any happier with my choice. Thouroughly impressed with the product and its warranty.

Customer Service

My mother ordered these over the phone directly from Northern Lites and couldn't stop talking about how wonderful the service was. My mother ordered a week before Christmas and the guy who took her order personally saw to it that the shoes went in the mail the same day so they'd arrive in time for our Christmas visit together. Another unadvertised benefit is that if you're not completely impressed with the performance of the shoes in the first 30 days you can return them for a FULL refund. How can you beat that?

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Super light, no problems yet with durability (2 seasons). Float OK (I'm 185 lbs and carry a big pack). Simple bindings that hold fine.

Customer Service

Great service

Similar Products Used:

Tubbs Sierra, Atlas

Simply the lightest snowshoes out there. At _40_oz._ for the pair, they together weigh as much as a single shoe from some other companies. Binding is easy to put on even with mittens, and keeps your foot positioned well as long as you slide your toe up properly (no toe cup). Flotation is great (I'm 175 lbs. - shoe is rated 175-250 lbs) and the shoe is *very* natural to walk in. The pivot strap is adjusted so that I've never noticed any flicking of snow, even while running, and it's easy to backtrack in. I've climbed, traversed, and descended 50-60 degree snow covered slopes with no problems. Haven't gotten to try the cleats out in icy hardpack, but I don't see that there should be any problems with them.

Customer Service

One thing to note if trying these out. The frame is thinner tubing made out of a stronger aluminum. There will be a bit more flex than you may be used to with other shoes. This may also cause a creaking noise as the pivot strap moves around the slightly flexed frame, which a little oil should easily remove.

Similar Products Used:

Tubbs MTN 25 - These ""lightweight"" snowshoes felt like a brick strapped on my foot compared to the Northern Lights. The Tubbs required noticeably more effort over similar terrain.

These shoes are ultra LIGHT!!! The bindings are simple with mittens on. Lifetime warranty - can't beat that and made in the USA. I'm not super impressed with the flotation. I go right to the bottom of 12 inch powder. I weigh about 170lbs. They walk nice, very natural. And deep snow is easy with than without. The cleats work well, though traversing a slope can be tricky.