ATLAS Aspect 24 Snowshoes

Comments about ATLAS Aspect 24 Snowshoes:

This snowshoe won Outside Magazine's gear of the year award in 2012 and in terms of performance it is VERY well deserved. I've run these up Killington, Waumbek, Osceola, East Osceola, and Carter Dome in conditions ranging from steep powder to ice to steep packed conditions. I've noticed many scenarios when my hiking mates will often be back-sliding (including the MSR Evo Ascents) but these shoes will be that last to give up their traction. I actually REALLY REALLY like how they performance. The binding float laterally as well allowing the shoe to go one direction when the trail is off camber, and your foot in antoher.

After my 2nd outing with these snowshoes I noticed a problem developing on the decking near the front toe clip on the binding. If you watch the bindings in normal use, the mode of failure isn't immediately evident. I brought them into EMS in North Conway and they quickly identified the problem. In steep terrain the components of the binding rub up against the decking. It doesn't matter what size boot you have in there (I'm a size 9 and I'm using a pair of Northface boots which don't have a huge toe box), no matter how you adjust that binding, when you're climbing steep terrain, or taking a big step, either the binding strap, or the binding buckle is going to rub up against the decking. Over time this literally cuts into the decking and it starts to fray apart. After only 4 hikes, the inside of the decking had cut straight through to the rivets. While they hadn't quite yet failed, it seems like failure would have been imminent.

I exchanged them for a pair of Tubbs Flex Alps. Thank you EMS for the superb customer service! :-)

If it wasn't for this one issue, I would give this shoe 5 stars and HIGHLY recommend it. I was happy enough with them that I considered exchanging them for a new pair, and then applying some reinforcement to the areas that rubbed but ultimately I decided I'd rather move on. I'll definitely get in contact with Atlas to see what their thoughts are this issue as I know I'm not the only one to experience it. If they address the problem, I'd deifnitely pick up another pair.

Finally, a minor gripe. The bindings aren't the easiest to work with. That said, Atlas is no worse off than any other manufacturer with the exception of Tubbs who definitely has a superior binding (in my opinion). I'll put it this way, the shoes perform so well that if Atlas can address this issue in the next generation, I'd be more than willing to put up with the binding straps (but really, why can't the rest of the world take a hint from Tubbs, or even (gasp) design a binding that works with boots that are compatible with step in crampons?).

Comments about ATLAS Aspect 24 Snowshoes:

Had the exact same experience as the previous reviewer. The snowshoes traction is excellent, the binding attachment is simple, and they pack well. Unfortunately - there's a key design flaw. The buckles on the front binding strap rub through the decking. Mine have failed after three trips.