MSR Denali Classic Snowshoe - 2006 BCS

If you are just getting into snowshoeing you will sacrifice nothing by buying these. I have used them in the shallow heave snow of Pennsylvania and the deep light fluff of Utah. They have great traction and hold up well to rocks and rust. The bindings are strong and easy to use. I do recommend the 4 inch float tails though. I like MSR better than tubbs, atlas, and redfeather snowshoes.

I have had a pair of these Denali snowshoes for about 9 years and love them. I use them every winter and 2 days ago I used the floats for only the second time and they kept me up there!

Chuck
in AZ

My husband and I are both just getting into snowshoeing. For Christmas, I bought him the MSR Denali Classic snowhoe (My husband is 6'4'' and weighs 190) and then I bought myself a pair from another brand.

The first time we went out, his shoes performed very well on the packed trails and then we went off trail for a while. In the loose powder (about 24 inches on top of packed powder) his shoes did great--and mine did not. I slid and fell going up and down hills 3 or 4 times and his held steady. He said they were comfortable, he had no problems getting in or out of them, and he really liked them. I was so impressed with his that I'll be returning mine and switching to something from MSR.

These snowshoes are awesome! I have used these shoes many times and they are great. I am pretty hard on my gear and these shoes can definitely take whatever you throw at them. They are great for high altitude approaches, with the built in steel rails for additional traction. If you are in need of a bombproof pair of snowshoes that will keep you high and clear of snow, get these plus the long tails, you won't regret it.

I'm 6'6" and 250lb, and these snowshoes (with 8" flotation tails) work great. Now, I've only used them twice, and on very dense Cleveland-area snow, but have been very impressed with the ease of use and stability they provide. I'll report again after trying them on lighter powder, but for now am very impressed.

I got these a few weeks ago thinking that they would be ideal for both trails and backcountry with the addition of the tail fins, but it was definitely a case of 'too good to be true'. First off, these snowshoes are NOT designed for bigger people to use. I am 6'3" 210lbs and wear a size 14 boot. Even with the 8" tail fins, these are nowhere close to an off-trail snowshoe. On about 10 inches of dense, recently rained on snow, I was almost sinking to the ground and when I took the tail fin off, there was very little difference in floatation. So basically, this became a trail-only snowshoe, where it encountered a new set of problems.

The bindings proved to be quite frustrating. They were barely large enough to fit my winter boot and even then, the snowshoe itself wasn't really big enough to accomodate someone of my size. Because the binding is made from a soft material rather than a harder moulded plastic, it is easy for your boot to slide on the snowshoe. When combined with the fact that the binding is attached to the deck on a fixed bar rather than a suspension system, the back of your boot will slide off to the sides on uneven ground. The bindings, while durable and easily repairable, compared to a brand like atlas, are quite difficult to put on and get comfortable in. There were several occasions where I had to stop, take my gloves off and adjust the straps to get a comfortable fit.

Overall, the Denali does have some redeeming features. It is definitely the most durable snowshoe on the market, it has excellent grip and it is easy to repair, but it is not a very pleasant snowshoe to walk on. If you are over 190lbs and looking to go off-trail - FORGET IT! If you are looking for a comfortable snowshoe to take on trails - FORGET IT!

I upgraded to a pair of 10x36 GV Winter Trails and they are head and shoulders above the Denalis for comfort and functionality.

my buddy has used his for several years now, and urged me to buy a pair. I did a month ago, and have shoed all over the tahoe basin this winter. THESE SHOES RULE! I am 6' - 0", 207 lbs, and have no trouble in deep pow. They are bulletproof, and easy to adjust and use. ***TIP*** Spray a little WD40 on the metal to prevent sticking snow!

I just love these shoes they are easy on and off, import when getting in and out of a snowcat and light weight. If you are going to buy tails I recommend the larger ones, with a pack I weight 230 and sink in with 4" tails. I like the traction. I have used some other ones and they just do not compare.

I bought two pair online in the fall. I had used a set of poly-cab snow shoes but the bindings broke. The Classics seem to be all they say. Light, nearly efortless to put on, and easy to use. I've used them daily and they make my walks in deep snow and ice a pleasure.

The Denali Classic Snowshoe is ideal for hiking or back country touring. Their light weight allows you to pack less and trek longer. Also the side traction bars are a bonus when hiking up tracked out hills.

This is a great snowshoe for the price. I don't think that the Denali EVO is worth the additional price for limited, if any noticeable improvement.

I like the stiffness of the plastic deck compared to those with a fabric type deck. The flotation tails work well and are a plus when going from broken/groomed trail and back. Just pop them off and on.

I am NOT disappointed that these don't have the televator feature. My friend has it and did not find it useful on short steep terrain or long rolling hills.

These are great with the side gripping notches. Means a greater surface traction especially on compact snow. They do the job exceptionally well.

I am 60 years old and not a jock by any means. This is my 4th pair of Denalis. As soon as anyone sees them they want a pair for Christmas. Mine are always being borrowed so I now have two pairs on hand at all times. I use them almost everyday in the winter while walking my dogs in the local woods and fields. I have some arthritis and the lightness and stability they afford are the main reason I can continue hiking in the winter. I would recommend them to anyone and I have!

These are great snowshoes. They are light, hold well on firm pack, have aggresive crampons and are easy to put on. The only downside is that I think they are too short. I added the tails and am very happy.

WE live at the top of a mt. pass, so we have practically a daily snowshoe hike when we get the dog out for exercise. It's a neighborhood outting often, as many of us join up and take off on our snow shoes. We all have tried many different shoes, and for the recreationalist the Denalis are the favorite! They are quite easy to get on and off, and stay on well. The tread design is very helpful in not sliding down steep parts of the trail. For deeper snow the added tails are helpful.
They are the shoe of choice in our neighborhood!! :-)

The Denali was meant for adventure. The plastic base provides an excellent, rugged platform for remote snowshoeing. I've found the crampons work very well on slopes up to 50 degrees. The sturdiness of the shoe will allow for a bit of kick-step if the snow isn't too hard. Descents are mind-boggling - if your ankle can handle the angle you'll find plenty of traction. The traction is so superb, many users will find themselves in situations probably not meant for a set of snowshoes. While the stability is confidence-inspiring, remote users should be adequately prepared for alpine routes and have training and gear for self-arrest in the event of a fall down a slope.

In retrospect, I would have ponied up for the Denali Evo's to get the "televator" heel lift bar, but I haven't found the lack of one to be that limiting. I'd consider it more of a nicety than a requirement.

Got these snowshoes this year and love them!They fit my size 13 snowboard boot great and the added support keeps them flat on uneven terrain.(Not so good with regular soft snow boots) With the 8" attachment I was able to charge through 36"+ soft fresh snow and I weigh 207lbs. They break down easily and fit nicely on my pack making them great even on tight tree assualts. Way better then trying to ride with a 30 strapped to your back making them perfect for the bigger riders out there. These snowshoes will get you there leaving the rest up to you!

I highly recommend trying these out before buying them... even if they seem like a deal you can't pass up. They are awkward when trying to step over obstacles, or turn around. The rough sides wear on snow pants and gators. They are heavier than most other snowshoes. The extension, for extra flotation, flexes too much and reduces stabilization. The bindings are unsuitable for anything less than a heavier boot, and are cumbersome to get in and out of.

I took my new Denali snowshoes on a three-day wilderness camping trip in New Hampshire's Pemi Wilderness. We hiked up to the 4000+ ft summit of Bondcliff in approximately 18in of fresh powder. The snowshoes had excellent bite, even on steep sections with snow and ice covered rock. Descending was great fun, with big leaps into fresh snow and nice flotation with the tails attached. I'm very rough on my gear and so far the Denali snowshoes are holding up well. I would buy them again.

I picked up the denali classic snowshoes at a local store, and I can't find a reason to complain, except that when making steep ascents they are very hard on your calves. The "heelavator" is on most other MSR snowshoes, but your also paying 70-140? more. I also bought the 8' float tails because I do most of my snowshoeing in the backcountry around wolf creek, CO, and the snow tends to get rather deep around there.

Easy to use, well constructed, and effortless for walking on powder as long as terrain is not steep.

Straight up, a good pair of snowshoes. Even in the sinking powder of Utah, these little suckers kept me afloat, reasonably...I would like to add the flotation tails for that extra lift, even with the weight and size added to a backpack, it would be worth the extra lift. Otherwise, sturdy, with a good amount of crampons.

The MSR Denalis are a no brainer for those looking for a quality pair of snowshoes. I like these because the crampons are so durable and they are super light weight.

I bought these for two reasons: I have two climbing partners who wear them, and they were inexpensive shoes. After using them a few times (including 12 miles of breaking trail) I have no complaints. Comfortable, efficient, light. Inspecting them at home, I noticed wear on the hinges already. I'll have to see if that's an issue. Also three of the six plastic pieces on the straps broke the second time I wore them. It doesn't affect their function, but I was disappointed just the same. I'd recommend them for anyone looking for a cheap functional shoe

These MSR Denali Classic snowshoes are wonderful. They have extensive gripping elements molded into the plastic base with metal reinforcements. They are especially good at holding grip when traversing avalanche chutes and around tree wells in the snow. The bindings are very easy to use one handed. They are lightweight yet strong. And they are a bargain. I've used a pair of these for half a dozen trips now, and I was impressed enough to buy a pair of my own rather than borrow or rent. Highly recommended. Good value for the money.

What I like most about these snowshoes is the solid construction. I like the idea of the hard platform, there is no vinyl to rip in the future. The traction bars are great, no problems on hardpack. The bindings are easy to adjust, even with gloves on. I love the versatility of the shoes, short for hardpack days and when it snows you have two options for more float with the 4" and 8" flotation tails. The one drawback to this shoe, no "heelavator" for steep ascents. All-in-all, a solid snowshoe that will outlast all vinyl platform shoes.

I purchased these as my first pair of snowshoes for mellow hikes & ski approaches (where snow is too deep for skinning). They are very light weight and not a strain on the pack. It only takes a couple of seconds to put them on, which is great in cold weather when you just want to keep moving. They have worked great in deep snow and anything moderately steep.