MSR Denali Evo Descent
MSR Denalis don't look like much, but they are some of the top-rated snowshoes around. Like the name implies, their climbing ability is excellent, as well as their ability to "float" the hiker when he is walking on fresh snow. When hiking in alpine conditions with these, your crampons might spend more time in your backpack.
Atlas
These are standard-shaped snowshoes that can do it all--and with snowshoe backpacking that means both carrying a large load and making the mountain ascents and descents without difficulty. Lightweight and durable, this well-crafted shoe is a very popular item with many backpackers.
Tubbs Mountain Series
These snowshoes are some of the most buoyant snowshoes on the market, so if you are expecting deep powder, this is what you want. They have a large and wide surface area, plus the standard cleats that come on just about all metal and plastic snowshoes. When in the high country, these might be the first snowshoes that come off and are replaced by crampons.
Redfeather Guide
These are a good all-around pair of snowshoes that may not have quite the flotation that the Tubbs do, but will still get you up any incline without a problem. Their overall maneuverability is fine, and they have the upturned toe, which is found in just the metal models.
Northern Lite Snowshoes
Here is another good-quality, aluminum and plastic brand that is the design creation of Russell Post. Known for their lightweight and well-designed cleat that is attached to the bottom of the shoe to give you better traction, this shoe is popular in Alaska and the Canadian Rockies. That says a lot.
Wooden Shoes
These are what snowshoes used to look like, so leave the high peaks to the winter mountaineers and head out into the woods for a great winter weekend. They are still great for all-around use and in deep snow, but you need to be mindful if you have the older rawhide bindings, for they will need extra adjustments during the course of your hike. When buying one of these beautifully crafted walking devices new, you might look for a pair with the turned-up toe.
