Beat Winter with MSR Snowshoes

© MSR Snowshoes | Cascade Designs

These aren’t the cheap, plastic things sold around the holidays in department stores. Mountain Safety Research offers some of the best snowshoes on themarket. With adjustable bindings and optional flotation tails, MSR snowshoes from Cascade Designs are an excellent way to get outside during a long winter.

© MSR Snowshoes | Cascade Designs

There are a number of models available to meet different needs. While some are developed specifically for long hikes off the beaten path, others are for more casual meandering. Their Explore series includes some of the most versatile options, with the price of new shoes ranging from $199.95 to $259. The Ascent series offers a line of shoes geared more toward those looking for high performance and all-terrain use ($239.95–299.95). Lastly, the Trail line, as the name implies, is for rolling terrain and paths ($139.95–219.95). Most models come standardized, but there is a women’s option for most of them, with the only significant difference being a narrower gait and slightly lighter shoe.

Although the three-digit price tag may seem a bit steep, it’s a worthwhile investment for surviving snowy, northern winters where bad weather can easily last from November to May. A durable pair of MSR snowshoes can open up trails and sights that would otherwise be inaccessible until spring.