Crescent Moon Permagrin 9

Review Date
April 6, 2001

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: David Mayes(Unregistered User) ,  Day Hiker , from Hinton, Iowa USA

Price Paid:  $200.00 at snow leopard

Summary:
These snow shoes have worked out very well for me this great winter - mostly on trails (packed and unpacked)in wooded rolling hills every weekend for the last three months. I like the ratchet bindings a lot for ease of entry/exit although my boots slipped out a few times as I was learning how to adjust them. The tow claw is great on fairly steep climbs in off trail snow-- much better than my wife's Atlas 825's. The teflon on the cleats significantly cuts down icing. A quality product that is worth the extra money.

Customer Service:
none

Similar Products Used:
Frustrated with bindings on my wife's Atlas 825's

Review Date
December 27, 2000

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Reviewed by: Cindy(Unregistered User) ,  Day Hiker , from Spokane, Washington

Price Paid:  $155.00 at sierra trading post

Summary:
I did a lot of research before purchasing snowshoes for myself and my boyfriend. I purchased Northern Lites for him and these Crescent Moons for myself.

I must say that I was not at all impressed with these snow shoes. They were difficult to adjust the first time and although they were easyt to get on and off with the first set up, changing boots meant 5 minutes of readjustment. We tested our snowshoes in some great powder and the flotation was about the same as the Northern Lites. We switched snowshoes half way through the walk and my size 4 Sorels slipped nicely into his snow shoes without any adjustments at all, just tighten and go. He spent at least 5 minutes getting his size 10s into my snowshoes.
Also these shoes snapped back up to my heel when I took a step, meaning that snow was cosntantly being kicked up at me. Those Northern Lites did not snap at all and were much lighter. I am returning my Crescent Moons and getting my self some Northern Lites

Similar Products Used:
Tubbs, Northern Lites Rescue

Review Date
April 1, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Stephen Jones(Unregistered User) ,  Mountaineer , from Steamboat Springs, CO

Summary:
What a relief to finally own a pair of snowshoes that I can trust!!! (My previous pair of Tubbs where unreliable from the start,the bindings would come off all the time despite correct procedures)...The Creescent Moon Permagrin 9 has been an incredibly great shoe from performance to style..the bindings are bomber, they track perfectly(much better than oval shaped shoes), are versatile and they have soul!!!! Believe me we have enough snow here in Steamboat that they have been tested thouroughly. To me it seems you can't go wrong with a pair of Crescent Moon Snowshoes...feel free to contact me with questions.

Customer Service:
Crescent Moon sponsored some races here in Steamboat and provided free Demo's.....way cool company and product...

Similar Products Used:
None

Review Date
March 31, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Chuck Adams(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Portland, OR

Summary:
This is a fantastic larger shoe. The ratchet binding system and encased toe make the binding simple to use, but don't let that decieve you. My foot stayed firmly in place through the most strenuous conditions (i.e. traversing steep, icy slopes) and NEVER needed to be adjusted, even on the longest, toughest treks.

The 3 claw traction system gives me superb grip in all situations, and the toe claw (not found on many other shoes) acts almost like a crampon. allowing me to climb icy slopes I would never dare otherwise.

The teardrop shape of the shoe lets me use a completely natural stride, even on this larger shoe. This means less stress when I am nearing the end of 10 mile trip. The materials used make this shoe extremely light for its size, also reducing fatigue on long trips.

Flotation is as good as any other shoe I have used, even with the teardrop shape, and even in deep powder. The manufacturer warranties its shoes for life, so if one ever breaks (mine sure haven't) they will fix it for free.

I lead snowshoe hikes throughout the winter in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon and Washington. Each season I put about 250 miles on two pairs of shoes. My Permagrin 10's and Permagrin 9's. I simply can't imagine a better shoe to do that kind of walking on.

Similar Products Used:
Atlas, Tubbs

Review Date
March 6, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Charlie Snyder(Unregistered User) ,  Day Hiker , from Los Angeles, CA, USA

Summary:
Researched and purchased em' over the internet last week. Broke them in in blizzard like conditions in Big Bear (San Bernadino Mtns) over the weekend. Was glad to have the ease of their ratchet buckle binding system at the trail head. Boots slipped in easily and the bindings never needed adjustment. Did experience a bit of snow kickback, but that probably had more to do with deep light powder than the shoe. The three traction claws helped me up steep powdery terrain and never clumped with ice or snow. With pack and boots I was at 190 lbs. Sunk about 6" in the deep powder each step, but considering the conditions I was happy to have them on. Hypalon decking was quiet (no squeaks) and repelled snow easily. Sleek tear drop design helped me maintain a more natural stride and looked great in the snow. I can't wait to get them out again this weekend!

Similar Products Used:
Rented Atlas 1022 and 1033-Found both to have decent floatation and bindings, but the toe cleats tended to clump up with snow...at times it was like walking on a baseball. In Atlas defense, it appears newer models have been re-designed to avoid snow build-up on the cleats.

Also rented the MSR Denali shoe. If you can get past all the plastic it is a great recreational shoe.