I was excited to use my ''13''s. I''m 5''2" and wanted a snowshoe that would allow me to have a normal stride while walking. The 13 certainly accomodated this. However, due to the fixed binding, it sounds like I am walking around in flipflops as that snowshoe comes slapping back up to my foot. A bit annoying. This also throws snow all over my backside. I would prefer a pivoting binding especially for deep powder.

Customer Service

Great

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Tubbs

I really enjoy these snowshoes! They are so light and maneuverable that I hardly realize they are on my feet. No more hip-flexor problems, either! The only thing that annoyed me a little is that they have a fixed pivot and they very actively come back up and slap you on the bottom of the heel when you lift your foot. This would be good for running, because they stay right with your foot, but it was a little distracting for hiking. Perhaps over time this action will loosen up a little.

The bindings are okay, they certainly stay on well. But I'm not thrilled with the little rachet thingy. My feet are rather large (size 9) and I still have to rachet it almost all the way down. I'm not sure how it would work out for someone with small feet.

As far as flotation goes, they did sink down quite a ways in soft powder, but so did my boyfriend's Atlas 10X33s, so I don't think a larger shoe would have helped much in those conditions.

Customer Service

Before ordering these, I talked at length with a woman in customer service about the differences between these and the Permagrin 9s. The description for these on the web page makes them sound a little wimpy, but she said she uses them exclusively, even in the backcountry. At any rate, she was very helpful.

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Atlas