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Inflatable snowshoes?

6K views 35 replies 18 participants last post by  Crasho 
#1 ·
So I still don't really want to drop the cash on a split board so I've been looking for the solution.
Product
At first I saw these and thought what the fuck? Now starting to think these along with verts could be a good transportation system when riding in the back country.
Thoughts?
 
#2 ·
I think those things would fucking suck. Seems like they're made for people looking for a walk in the park, not tough back country use. I bet they lack the rigidity for use in tough terrain and could you imagine puncturing one of those things deep in the back country and needing to wade through deep snow for a considerable distance? Fucking suckage would ensue.
 
#3 ·
um ..... you are talking about the ones that cost 220 dollars right? What happens if you are out in the woods and you break the pump or you pop it. I am not saying you can’t break a normal snowshoe but it also does have metal spikes to help climb icy areas.
 
#7 ·
Yeah but is the weight saving really going to kill you if you don’t get them. Lets say you get the atlas 10 25” snowshoes that I have they weight 4.5 lbs and cost me 160 dollars. You get the combo snowshoe at 220 that you have to blow up and it weights 1.75 lbs, that is only 2.75 lbs different. And I have 60 more dollars to spend on beer and other cool shit like better poles.
 
#17 ·
I know nothing about BC travel for snow/splitboarding. I can see some advantages to these being inflatble, etc. However, along with the other concerns already mentioned. I have to wonder how prone they would be to puncture from the very crampons they provide. The manufacturer touts the up/down contact flexibility, and "natural" movement of the tube as one walks. If it sags/shifts during a climb or descent, might you not poke the front of the tube with your spikes?


Snowshoe tech has come a loooong way since the days when I had to use the tennis racket lookin' things, (...complete with the "Mickey Mouse" VB boots,) in the service! Much lighter, high tech materials, more compact, etc. Why risk it with an unknown system? :dunno:
 
#18 ·
That looks terrible. Get proper mountain based snowshoe like MSR Evo/Lightning Ascents.

The old tennis shoe style actually still work best in flat soft snow. It just sucks when climbing.
 
#25 ·
Bamf, BC is out of my knowledge base, but.....

The forum always needs someone to test out this kinda stuff and then give an honest review/critique of the product. If you are serious enough and have the funds why not step out, buy them and use them.
Let others know the good/bad of these. Who knows they may be an awesome product. Advertisements make everything look and work flawlessly in any condition.
 
#26 ·
inflatable snowshoes as your primary mode of travel have exactly 0 applications to the backcountry. these are not for serious mountain travel. besides being dangerous simply from the risk of puncture and getting stranded, they do not appear to have any heal lifters - which makes them pretty worthless for walking up a slope.

there is no reason to be the guinea pig for an unknown and potentially hazardous product, especially when you don't have bc experience. people die out there.... why the fuck wouldn't you use the very many already proven products like splitboards and msr snowshoes? :dunno:
 
#33 ·
The deal is if you can't spend the money to get the right equipment to go into the backcountry, then you don't get to go into the backcountry. You are already asking all the wrong questions. The reason I haven't posted into this thread until now, is because it is obvious you are not ready. You really need to rethink your priorities. This is not a game for you.
 
#34 ·
For proper mountain travel with snow shoes you actually want real snow shoes. Like these: MSR Lightning Ascent 30 Snowshoes (Men's) - Mountain Equipment Co-op. Free Shipping Available

Even normal snow shoes are not great. Anything off camber is a nightmare. Hiking up steeper stuff sucks. The small crampon at your toe is all that digs in.

Float is only a small part of it. If you are climbing up anything even moderately steep even only steep for 5-6 feet of height sucks.

These look like they would be terrible. Snow shoes are pretty darn light anyway, being inflatable is not a big deal. Not to mention who wants to try and blow them up in cold weather. Those foot straps also look cheap.

I'd say don't do it. But what the hell do I know. I only spend every weekend in the bc.
 
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