Tubbs MTN 25, 30, 36

Review Date
January 28, 2001

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Reviewed by: David Mills(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from New London, New Hampshire

Summary:
If ever there was an over priced over valued pair of snow shoes these are it.
280 dollars from EMS.

I found the ratchet buckle binding unnecessarily difficult to use especially out side in cold. Also their inflexible nature made the snow shoes harder to strap on the pack. On steep snow slops the snow shoes will still slip a bit. The crampon teeth underneeth are pretty macho..they do dig in. My advise..by pass these..go with the Tubbs peak or better yet..spring for the MSR Denali..cheaper and actually better!

Similar Products Used:
None

Review Date
December 22, 2000

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Reviewed by: Angela(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Berkeley, CA

Price Paid:  $265.00 at REI

Summary:
After holding high hopes for these shoes, I was sorely disappointed after just one day in the Sierras. One of the buckles on the binding (mid strap) broke - perhaps it was a fluke, but I don't feel comfortable having shoes that could break if I were in a more serious situation. Atlas summit series snowshoes has a similar binding system, but has a back-up for the buckle should something go awry. For this kind of money, I was hoping for more sturdy equipment.

Similar Products Used:
None

Review Date
December 20, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Disco Dave(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Longmont, Colorado

Price Paid:  $200.00 at Scheels

Summary:
Tubbs MTN 36. Light, durable, lots of float. I'm 268 pounds (without gear) and these puppies keep me from sinking too much in the Colorado powder. The bindings fit around my size 12 boots very well and are adjustable even with mittens or gloves. The crampons are wearing down a little after two years of use, but otherwise bombproof. The decking can be a bit squeaky, but tolerable. Great shoes for big guys.

Similar Products Used:
None

Review Date
March 3, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Nate (Unregistered User) ,  Mountaineer , from Ann Arbor, MI

Summary:
I got these shoes 3 years ago and have put them to the test since. The bindings are the best I have seen yet. A bit heavy but they give way more control over the shoes than the strap/webbing type. The ratchet plate is big enough for any type of boots (this is on the MTN 36, if you have a smaller snowshoe or larger foot, me=10.5, you might have trouble with a pac type boot). Aggressive crampons and heel cleats give great tracion in all snow conditions. I have used these on flat terrain in deep powder (upper MI), and in the mountains both powder (Rockies) and crud (Sierra Nevada). I do biological research in CA and have worn these everyday for work the past few springs. My main complaint is that the plastic decking is loud (squeaky), the rubbery stuff on Atlas shows is quiter, but I hate their bindings and the frames weight a ton. However,I wish I had gotten a size smaller. I'm 5'11, 175 and I rarely need all the floation these shoes give even with a heavy pack, pulling a sled. The smaller shoes would be nimbler.

Customer Service:
Haven't been able to break 'em yet!

Similar Products Used:
Atlas 10(44?), old rawhide and wood ones (useless in the mountains!)

Review Date
February 9, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Chris LaFleur(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Hinton, AB, Canada

Summary:
I own the Tubbs MTN 36 and they are the best snowshoes I have ever tried. They are lightweight and strong. I am 200 pounds and I've jumped off clifs without any problems. They easily support me plus a full pack in the deepest powder. My favourite feature is the bindings because they fit right and never come loose. I've tried other brands and other Tubbs with other types of bindings and these are far superior.

Similar Products Used:
MSR, other Tubbs, Redfeather