MSR Evo Snowshoe - 2010 BCS

You should have no problem. The hole is plenty wide to accommodate boots of various widths and you can easily slide your foot back on the pivot. I wear size 13 Asolo Fugitives with mine and have plenty of space.

The Evo's are the best backcountry snowboarding snowshoe available. They stack together flat for putting them on your pack, I even got them in my pack before. Too bad I only splitboard now.

I'm about 80-85 kg.

To Matt. Tell me please your weight?

Thank you.

Thank you!

I like the MSRs because of their adaptability. They're shorter for when you're not in deep powder and don't need the flotation. Then you can add the tails in even of deep snow. Plus they're fairly indestructible and have a great warranty.

Jer,
According to ORSsnowshoesdirect, only the binding on the Evo Ascent is garaunteed to accept a ski boot. They recommend hiking or snow boots for the Evo and Evo Tour. This isn't to say you couldn't MAKE it fit, but I don't have the experience to say for sure.

I hope this helps!

I've experience little to no kick-up with them. My backside is always dry. Well, until I sit on my bumper for a post hike beer.

One of the best features of the MSR snowshoes is the pivot. The problem you experienced with your Atlas snowshoes had to do with the webbing pivot that didn't allow the snowshoe to fall away once you picked up your foot. Instead it literally shot back toward your leg and back due to the tension the webbing created thus kicking up snow almost the entire length of your back. The MSR snowshoes have a free-falling pivot with a stopper that allows the snowshoe to fall away once it's picked up, but not so much that it causes you to stumble as in many snowshoes that have 90 degree pivots. This along with the best traction and durability of any snowshoe on the planet makes them easy to walk in, less noticeable on your feet, and ultimately snowshoes you can't wait to put on!

I would also add the binding is one that you adjust once while securing them to your feet, and forget. They aren't made from nylon webbing which can stretch and freeze, but from a super durable rubber composite that conforms to your foot. This binding allows the snowshoe to become one with your foot without the constant need of readjusting and re-tightening. Once you get the hang of it, they are super easy to put on and take off, even with mittens. If a strap breaks (unlikely) it can be field-repaired without tools unlike many snowshoes where the straps are riveted on (they are inexpensive to buy as well). The combination of all these attributes makes the MSR Evos some of the best snowshoes out there and definitely the best value of any snowshoe.

Wow, thanks for the very thorough explanation. I ended up going with the Evo Ascent. Bummer on the colors though, I see the Tours again are another color set as well.. Seems each model has its exclusive colors. I suppose this is to help make inventory sorting easy on the business end?

There are a few differences between the two. The Evo does not have a Televator (the description is wrong...we are in contact with the person involved at backcountry.com to get it changed).

The similarities between the two are basically they use the same materials (GE Thermoplastic for the body and Martensite Steel (strongest steel available) for the traction bars and crampon) and they have the same shape. They can also use the same Evo Tail, extending the snowshoe 6 more inches. The differences are in the bindings with the Evo Ascent having a much more technical and secure binding than the Evo. The Ascent binding has been designed to secure the foot better than any other snowshoe on the market whereas the Evo's binding is really for those who need more ease of use. Through extensive testing it's been shown that the Evo binding is very secure, really easy to get in and out of, but having a third strap does make a significant difference if the terrain is more extreme. The other obvious difference is the Ascent comes with the Televator. This option is not a gimmick or frivolous, but is an incredibly useful tool in climbing extended altitude gains. If climbing big snow hills and mountains is something you think you'll do, I would highly recommend the Ascent.

I would also recommend the MSR Evo Tour. This snowshoe uses our new Speedlock binding which is easier to get in, more comfortable, and with the additional strap is almost as secure as the Ascent (check out the Speedlock binding on the Evo Tour page). It has a Televator and is priced at $179.99 ($20 less than the Ascent). Hope that gives you some ideas...

Jason, thanks so much for the insight. I have had a pair of Atlas shoes for 8 years, and they are great for backcountry trekking, but I thought about trying some for running on packed trails. This gives me a much better idea of what I need for running. Thanks again.

These snowshoes aren't designed to run in because of the pivot. Most running snowshoes don't pivot. Non pivoting snowshoes are a bad thing for snowshoeing in general (kicks snow up on the back), but a good thing for running. The reason is running in snowshoes takes so much energy that any drag can slow you down. If a snowshoe pivots, it is dragging on the ground. Running while wearing pivoting snowshoes can cause them to catch on snow or other debris as well. This can cause one to trip, fall, sprain an ankle, etc. Non-pivoting snowshoes pick up with the foot and allows more control of the snowshoe. By having this control, you are much more efficient. Running snowshoes are generally lighter and smaller.

If you are walking with snowshoes, a pivot is preferred because it allows the snow to slide off the back of the shoe, doesn't flip snow up the back of the leg, and isn't as noticeable on the feet. The Evo Snowshoes are some of the best for general snowshoeing when traction and durability are paramount, but a bad choice for running...

They are sold separately for around $30. The huge benefit is instead of worrying about the size of snowshoe, all you have to do is attach the tail to extend it according to the snow conditions. This allows you to use the smallest snowshoe size for these conditions.

Ski,
The flotation tails are an addition purchase and can be found here:
http://www.backcountry.com/msr-denali-evo-snowshoe-flotation-tails-6in
I hope this helps!

The new 2010 MSR Evo Snowshoes do not include a Televator Heel Raiser. However, these are the new entry level snowshoes from MSR, updated this year to the Evo shape. They also benefit from a new improved binding from the old Denali Classics snowshoes with easier foot placement, a more comfortable binding, and overall better performance. Having the option of using the 6" Evo Tail makes it much more versatile. The new MSR Evo snowshoe is one of the best values in the snowshoe markeplace currently.