Bushwalk Australia

I am staying in Perisher Valley, unable to ski because of injury, but can manage snowshoes. I would like to buy a pair and have hired some Crescent Moons, but they ice up under the crampons and I spend most of my time trying to bash off the buildup of sticky snow. I was told this would also be the case with Yowies. Is this likely to be a problem no matter what brand I try or has someone found something that remains sticky snow buildup-free? I am senior female, weight 52kg, carrying only day pack or sometimes only camera. I am proficient at both downhill and ski touring, just unable to use skis right now and possibly not again, so snow shoes seem a great alternative. A the moment I am sticking close to the cross-country trails, but would like in future to be able to go further afield, preferably without floundering up to my knees or growing 10cm taller with under shoe buildup. Thanks in advance for any suggestions/feedback.

I have a pair of MSR Lightnings, and they are pretty good and have none of the issues you mentioned. I have also used MSR EVO/Denali snowshoes and they are a much better buy as the feature/price ratio is much more favorable and they last a lot longer.

Thanks for your reply. I asked at the Wilderness Sports and the person in charge said she had tried the MSR EVO Denalis and had liked them. She had also liked the Crescent Moons tho'. Today I had a better time with them---I coated the crampons with vegetable oil(ski wax had not helped) and didn't get the snow buildup underneath. Don't know for sure whether the new snow was drier or whether the veg. oil did the trick. Got the idea when I read that spraying it on your snow shovel made shovelling snow off driveways a lot easier because the snow slipped off (US advice). Anyway, I'm willing to try the MSRs. Did you also order the tails?

Hi Graymare, I was thinkig the vege oil might do the trick.
It stops your car doors freezing shut if you wipe a bit on your door seals.

The ones I'm dying to try out are the TSL symbioz. They're flexible in all directions : http://www.tsloutdoor.fr/raquettes-hype ... xpert.html

I have a set of tails. They'ven been used once and that's because I had no room on my pack.

Don't bother worth them for Australian snow.

Have a look at hiring a pair of MSRs before you buy. They are quite expensive for a regretted purchase.

Personally I like the stiffness inherent in my snowshoes. It means I can edge and scramble up some rather sketchy winter terrain.

This thread isn't a review would be better placed and conducted in the main Equipment section.

I've got a pair of msr lightnings and have no issues with them. They are nice, robust and don't suffer from ice build up. The women's version is skinnier and is easier to walk in for shorter people than the larger men's. I like mine, i would buy the same pair again for myself if I had to replace them and have just bought a pair for my girls to use.

Thanks everyone for your replies. I will take this advice on board. Plan to do more snowshoeing in future and would certainly want to try before I buy----Wilderness Sports at Perisher had Crescent Moons and Tubbs for hire but I will check what Paddy Pallin has and look into it a bit further. Glad I found this site.

I bought a pair of MSR evo explore model snowshoes ( with the heel lift ) and the tails.I ordered them from Bogong equipment in the Melb. city centre.
I have tested them out on a pack carry overnight hike up Mt Stirling this week and they passed the test.They grip well and don't ice up. The racheted bindings are very user friendly so once they are on , they stay on and they are easy to takeoff and put back on again. The tails add floatation in deeper ungroomed snow and ice , esp. when you are carrying a winter pack.
Saloman make good snow shoes too. I rented some from a place in Marysville last year in Aug.'14 and had a solid day hiking in the snow at Lake mtn.
Yowies are a joke.

As this is the gear review section perhaps this post and question should be moved to the general equipment section

Moondog55 wrote:As this is the gear review section perhaps this post and question should be moved to the general equipment section

Done.

PCV, out of interest may i ask what did the MSR Evo Explore's cost you from Bogong?

Travis.

I like Yowies- nice and simple. What's wrong with them?

Lizzy wrote:I like Yowies- nice and simple. What's wrong with them?

The way the cleats clog up. And, for some people, the impact their width has on your stride. I find the Lightning Ascents far more body-friendly.

The MSR's are a great shoe in general and I've used and owned most versions for many years. I've also owned an old pair of Tubbs and hired Crescent Moons and Northern Lites from Bruce (Wilderness Sports). The balling up is due to the snow conditions more than shoe design for the most part and on the odd trip over the years I've had to tap the shoe mid stride to get rid of snow build up.

It tends to happen in spring snow or lower down in the valleys where the temps or snowpack is warmer. It can happen to any shoe in the right conditions. My pick for snowshoes is whatever feels right for you.

Yowies often have Velcro bindings which come off on steep descents. They clog up with snow and ice quickly. They are too wide so you have walk like that *&^%$#@! Tony Abbott, like an ape with sore nuts.
The MSR revo explore model snow shoes are very good and I have been using them this winter. The bindings stay on and are easy to put on and take off . They don't clog up with ice and snow and are better for steep ascents with the heel lift . At Bogong equipment in the city they are about $400 a pair plus the tails for extra floatation for back country pack carry trips ,which are about $100 a pair. I got a VNPA discount . I seem to be in that shop every week. I like it.