 This Product
Atlas Range-MTN - Women's | |||||
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| Price | $320 List $364.99 at Amazon | $292.39 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $139.60 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $289.95 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $220 List $199.95 at Amazon |
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| Bottom Line | Winter mountaineers and people who value traction and maneuverability will love this comfortable and nimble snowshoe; it performs impressively in all-terrain and is a tester favorite for high alpine adventures | If superior traction and versatility out in the steep and variable backcountry terrain is what you're looking for, the Lightning Ascent delivers in spades | Excellent traction and versatile bindings mean you will have no problem heading into a wide spectrum of snow types and terrain levels with this widely popular and durable snowshoe | A high-traction snowshoe, with a flexible deck, great for ice and packed snow | This snowshoe is perfect for everyday use with its easy-to-use and comfortable binding system, superior flotation, and ability to carry heavy loads |
| Rating Categories | Atlas Range-MTN - W... | MSR Lightning Ascent | MSR Evo Trail Snows... | TSL Symbioz Hyperfl... | Tubbs Wilderness -... |
| Flotation (30%) | |||||
| Traction (30%) | |||||
| Walkability (20%) | |||||
| Bindings (20%) | |||||
| Specs | Atlas Range-MTN - W... | MSR Lightning Ascent | MSR Evo Trail Snows... | TSL Symbioz Hyperfl... | Tubbs Wilderness -... |
| Measured Weight (per pair) | 3.75 lbs | 3.94 lbs | 3.69 lbs | 4.31 lbs | 4.12 lbs. |
| Sizes Available | 22", 26" | 22", 25" | 22" | 20.5", 23.5", 27" | 21", 25", 30" |
| Binding System | Wrapp MTN, Boa Fit | Paragon Binding | Paraglide | Symbioz telescopic bindings | Quick-Fit binding |
| Frame Material | Aluminum | Aluminum | Martensitic steel | Composite, carbon reinforcements | Aluminum |
| Measured Surface Area | 143.0 in² | 143.0 in² | 162.8 in² | 127.1 in² | 156.1 in² |
| Measured Dimensions | 6.75 x 22 sq in | 7.25 x 22 sq in | 8 x 22 sq in | 7.5 x 20.5 sq in | 8 x 21 sq in |
| Binding Mount | Full | Full | Full | Full | Full |
| Crampon | X-Trac toe crampon and traction rails | DTX crampon | Steel traction rails | Stainless steel toe crampon and verticle blades | Cobra toe and Tubbs heel crampon |
| Deck Material | Nytex nylon | TPU coated Nylon | Polypropylene | Composite | Soft-Tec PVC-coated polyester |
| Flotation Tails Available? | No | Yes, 5" | Yes, 6" | No | No |
| Load with Tails (per size) | N/A | 22": up to 240 lbs 25": up to 270 lbs |
22" : up to 250 lbs | N/A | N/A |
| Men's and Women's Versions? | Yes | Yes | Unisex | Unisex | Yes |
| Optimum Weight Load (per size) | 22": 75-150 lbs 26": 120-200+ lbs |
22": up to 180 lbs 25": 120-210 lbs |
One size: 180 lbs | 20.5": 65 - 180 lbs 23.5": 110 - 260 lbs 27": 150 - 300 lbs |
21": 80-150 lbs 25": 120-200 lbs 30": 170-250 lbs |
| Size Tested | 22" | 22" | 22" | 20.5" | 21" |
The Atlas Range-MTN is offered in two sizes to accommodate a decently wide range of people and weight carried from 75 to over 200 poundsThe binding mount is secure, comfortable, and easy to use. The pivot limiter and the elliptical shape offer women and anyone with narrow hips a uniquely precise and comfortable stride. Our testers found it provided some of the most secure traction and mobility in technical terrain.
Atlas made the Range-MTN with a lightweight aluminum frame, which uniquely mounts the smooth decking under the metal, which makes it more durable and maximizes the more petite frame's surface area for flotation. While the frame has a mid-range surface area in our lineup, it offers adequate flotation to get you to the technical slopes where its performance shines.
Generally speaking, the greater the surface area of a snowshoe's decking, the more float you experience, but other design factors can keep you from sinking. Another rule of thumb for judging flotation is the heavier the shoe, the greater the material that weighs you down and negatively affects the float. The Range-MTN is widest at the ball of the foot, around 7.5 inches, where you want extra width distributed in line with your natural step. The tail narrows by the heel and toe, offering a walkable, thin profile that still provides an admirable surface area for a technical snowshoe.
The Nytex Infinity Decking is made of lightweight nylon and covers the entire snowshoe, providing decent mid-range flotation. The Reactiv-Trac Frame is a single-piece construction that eliminates the need for unnecessarily heavy hardware. Additionally, the aluminum traction rails run two-thirds of the length of the shoe, offering above-average traction without weighing down your foot. While the Range-MTN may not be the best option for deep and loose powder, its flotation is decent enough for all-terrain, and it can float you through fluffy powder en route to technical slopes. It is important to note that the recommended weight range of the longest version of this shoe is 200 pounds carried, backpack included. Atlas has the women's version of the Range-MTN available in two lengths: 22 and 26 inches. However, if you plan on carrying a heavy winter pack, the men's version or other models in our lineup could be a better option for increased flotation. This snowshoe shoe calls to fast packers, peak baggers, or winter climbers carrying a lightweight pack.
Atlas refers to the Range-MTN as its "go anywhere, do anything" snowshoe, and the fantastic traction plays a massive role in feeling safe and secure in challenging conditions. We have no gripes about one of the best-tractioned snowshoes on the market. It performs impressively on various terrains, from kicking steps with the hefty toe crampon to switchbacking with the serrated traction rails.
We love how the Range-MTN has traction rails etched into jagged teeth in the frame's perimeter, which grip icy or steep terrain when side-stepping or descending. The aluminum traction rails line two-thirds of the snowshoe's perimeter, a lightweight and impressive traction system. These teeth are angled backward, making it easy to tackle steep terrain, even when icy. In the tail of the snowshoe is a lateral serrated rail that gives traction support on inclines and descents.
The Range-MTN's aggressive carbon-steel-toe-crampon bites glazed snow during ascents or loose powder on descents. The crampon's front and back teeth are angled. Four directional spikes grip the snow in any direction and bite the snow with the pressure of your foot. You can angle the points precisely when you need to kick steps on a steep slope.
Generally speaking, a narrower snowshoe offers a more natural stride, as you're less likely to bump them into each other while walking. However, a narrow snowshoe often has decreased flotation. The Range-MTN walks this line perfectly with outstanding walkability for happy hips and a lightweight design for the flote in your step.
Many women have narrow hips, so they require slim snowshoes to avoid hitting the sides and causing a clack-clack-clack sound while walking or having to widen their gait and walk like a duck. The elliptical shape dimensions of the Range-MTN snowshoe provide a more natural stride without widening your step. The snowshoe's width ranges from 7.5 inches at the forefoot to 4.7 inches at the heel. The single-piece construction of the Reactiv-Trac Frame with Nytex Infinity Decking is durable and trustworthy for travel in remote wilderness areas. Our testers love the walkability of this ergonomic snowshoe and even enjoy jogging down the slopes in them.
The Range-MTN also has a Pivot Limiter, which allows a more comfortable, steady stride. The Pivot Limiter keeps the snowshoe from pivoting too much where the binding connects to the shoe. Without the limiter, snowshoes can pivot so much that the toe of the snowshoe hits your shin as you walk. With too little pivot, the snowshoe will not unload the snow you pick up while walking, making the shoe heavier and draining your energy. The Range offers the perfect pivot, shedding snow in a way that makes your step unencumbered.
The Range-MTN's Wrapp MTN Binding and BOA Fit System are extremely easy to adjust. You can secure the forefoot with a twistable knob that is easy to crank to a comfy fit, even with thick gloves on. The back EZ Heel buckle is comfortable and tucks away neatly, ensuring no flapping straps get in your way. The Evo padding on the bottom of the binding offers cushy support no matter what kind of boots you wear.
The intuitive Wrapp MTN Binding and the BOA Fit System work together to adjust efficiently at the trailhead or on the go. After you step into the binding, you can press and twist to tighten the fit or pull up the knob to loosen and step out. The knob adjusts the binding plates evenly against the foot, mitigating any potential pinching and giving us one of the most comfortable and secure fits in our snowshoe lineup.The toe strap covers the entire front half of your foot, and the heel strap stretches to fit petite trail runners or oversized boots. The binding versatility makes for a very secure binding regardless of your choice of footwear. The foot padding is EVA foam, which absorbs some shock if you're a heavy stomper.
If you're in the market for a catch-all snowshoe that can take you from packed local trails to deep backcountry powder or icy technical ascents, the Range-MTN sets high standards for traction, stride ergonomics, comfort, and ease of use. On that note, this snowshoe is costly, so if you're getting into snowshoeing and want to avoid committing to a multi-hundred dollar purchase, other performers in our test suite are suitable for all-terrain. If your aim is winter mountaineering, this is a lightweight and durable option for peak baggers.
