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Tubbs Mountaineer Review

This comfortable and easy to use snowshoe is nothing special but gets the job done
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tubbs mountaineer snowshoes review
A good snowshoe for a stormy day.
Credit: Jessica Haist
Price:  $280 List
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Manufacturer:   Tubbs
By Ian McEleney ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Dec 20, 2022
61
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#6 of 13
  • Flotation - 30% 6.0
  • Traction - 25% 5.0
  • Stride Ergonomics - 15% 5.0
  • Ease of Use - 15% 7.0
  • Bindings - 15% 8.0

Our Verdict

The Tubbs Mountaineer typifies the modern snowshoe. Its tubular frame and deck construction are precisely what you'd expect, and they offer good flotation. The hybrid deck-to-binding attachment is fairly unique, and hikers benefit from both attachment types with no added drawbacks. This model is very easy to put on and especially to take off. The binding is secure enough and fairly comfortable, thanks to how pressure is distributed across the top of the foot. Without a lot of augmentation, tubular frame snowshoes have less traction than other types, and that's the case here. Overall, the Mountaineer ticks all the boxes without wowing us in any one way.
REASONS TO BUY
Comfortable
Easy to use
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
Not the best traction
Editor's Note: This review was updated on December 20, 2022, to reflect new products in our lineup and a fresh look at the Moutaineer.

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Overall Score Sort Icon
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Bottom Line This snowshoe is expensive but does everything you need and nothing you don'tThis model is a well-rounded performer and boasts a lower price than most, making it a great valueA good choice for off trail travel and softer snowA good choice for firm, hard packed snow when you don't need a ton of floatMost cheap snowshoes have poor bindings, but we found the G2 to be comfy and secure
Rating Categories Tubbs Mountaineer Atlas Helium Trail Crescent Moon Big S... TSL Symbioz Hyperfl... G2 Ratchet Binding
Flotation (30%)
6.0
7.0
9.0
2.0
8.0
Traction (25%)
5.0
5.0
4.0
9.0
2.0
Stride Ergonomics (15%)
5.0
7.0
4.0
8.0
3.5
Ease of Use (15%)
7.0
9.0
5.0
5.0
4.0
Bindings (15%)
8.0
6.0
6.0
7.0
5.0
Specs Tubbs Mountaineer Atlas Helium Trail Crescent Moon Big S... TSL Symbioz Hyperfl... G2 Ratchet Binding
Uses Spring snow and moderate terrain Spring snow and moderate terrain Deep snow Groomed trails Spring snow and groomed trails
Optimum Weight Load (per manufacturer) 25": 120-200 lbs;
30": 170-250 lbs;
36": 220-300 lbs
23": 80-160 lbs;
26": 150-220 lbs;
30": 200-270+ lbs
up to 225 lbs S: 65-180 lbs;
M: 110-260 lbs;
L: 150-300 lbs
21": up to 150 lbs;
25": up to 200 lbs;
30": up to 250 lbs;
36": up to 300 lbs
Weight (per pair) 4 lbs 14oz 3 lbs 7 oz 5 lbs 2 oz 4 lbs 9 oz 4 lbs 8 oz
Surface Area 197 in² 207 in² 256 in² 162 in² 225 in²
Dimensions 25 x 8" 27 x 9" 32 x 10" 22 x 8" 30.5' x 9"
Crampon/Traction Aids Steel crampons, rails, and teeth Steel crampons and rails Steel crampons Many steel teeth Aluminum crampons and teeth
Frame Material Aluminum Aluminum Aluminum Composite Aluminum
Deck Material Plastic and fabric Nytex nylon Polyurethane fabric Composite Polyethylene fabric
Heel Lift Yes Yes Optional Yes Yes
Binding/Deck Connection Hybrid Hinged and Strapped Hinged Strapped Hinged Hinged
Binding System Rubber straps with plastic buckles Nylon straps with plastic buckles, rubber strap with pin-in-hole Rubber straps with plastic buckles Combination of rigid plastic, nylon straps, cam locks, and ratchet style straps Ratchet straps with plastic buckles, EVA padding, rubber tension straps
Flotation Tails Sold Separately? No No No No No
Men's and Women's Versions? Yes Unisex Yes Unisex Unisex
Sizes Available 25", 30", 36" 23", 26", 30" One size (32") S (20.5"), M (23.5"), L (27") 22", 25", 30", 36"
Tested Size 25" 26" 32" M 30"

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Mountaineer is everything the modern winter traveler has come to expect from a snowshoe, with nothing extra or special.

Performance Comparison


tubbs mountaineer snowshoes review - the tubbs mountaineer in action.
The Tubbs Mountaineer in action.
Credit: Jessica Haist

Flotation


The driving factor of flotation is the surface area of the snowshoe, and the Mountaineer delivers what you expect in this department. There could be more flotation if the tail was less tapered, but we think it's a worthy trade-off for walking comfort. Tubular frames tend to be pretty rigid, which makes the most out of the surface area that this snowshoe does have.

tubbs mountaineer snowshoes review - breaking trail is how we test flotation.
Breaking trail is how we test flotation.
Credit: Jessica Haist

Traction


The Mountaineer is nothing special in the traction department. Tubular frames do nothing traction-wise, so this model starts with a disadvantage. It has the standard underfoot and under-heel spikes, though they are slightly larger and more fearsome looking than on other models.

tubbs mountaineer snowshoes review - scary looking spikes under the forefoot and heel.
Scary looking spikes under the forefoot and heel.
Credit: Ian McEleney

Stride Ergonomics


This metric is directly impacted by design choices. In the case of the Mountaineer, it's the hybrid strapped/hinged binding attachment that makes a noticeable difference. Unlike some hybrids, this design is actually the best of both worlds. It sports the precision of a hinged design and the shock absorption for firmer snow and packed trails that strapped models offer. The main difference between this and a pure strap attachment is that — like hinged models — the tail tends to drag in the snow. Our testers generally didn't have a problem with this.

tubbs mountaineer snowshoes review - the unique binding attachment on display: the shiny rubber straps at...
The unique binding attachment on display: the shiny rubber straps at the top and bottom edges of the photo connect to the metal hinge pin that runs under the forefoot.
Credit: Ian McEleney

Ease Of Use


The Mountaineer is pretty easy to get into; slide your foot in, pull the heel strap tight and push the buckle down, pull the two forefoot straps tight, and away you go. Getting out is even easier: pull up on the forefoot release strap, pull forward on the heel strap, and you're out. Pretty much everyone who used these snowshoes for the first time had no trouble with the bindings-- ease of use is one of this model's strong suits. Additionally, some heel risers have a frustrating amount of resistance for locking the risers in place and for lowering them, but we did not find that with this model — they are easy to raise and lower in all but the bulkiest of gloves.

tubbs mountaineer snowshoes review - tugging on this green tab releases both of the forefoot buckles...
Tugging on this green tab releases both of the forefoot buckles simultaneously.
Credit: Ian McEleney

Bindings


The bindings on the Mountaineer are all rubber pin-in-hole straps, a favorite type of our testing team for their security. The heel strap has a fairly standard latching buckle, and the two forefoot straps pull a piece of padded plastic down onto the top of your foot. These snowshoes were really secure — especially on the downhills. In addition, the padded plastic distributes the load in a fairly comfortable way.

tubbs mountaineer snowshoes review - foam padding in the forefoot area of the binding adds comfort.
Foam padding in the forefoot area of the binding adds comfort.
Credit: Ian McEleney

Should You Buy the Tubbs Mountaineer?


This snowshoe puts in an above-average performance in all of our metrics. In particular, the deck-to-binding attachment is unique. Hikers who know they want that connection paired with above-average traction should consider this model, especially if it's on sale, but most winter travelers could get more snowshoe for their dollar.

tubbs mountaineer snowshoes review - testing flotation with the mountaineer.
Testing flotation with the Mountaineer.
Credit: Jessica Haist

What Other Snowshoes Should You Consider?


If you want to venture into mountainous terrain in the winter, consider the Tubbs Flex VRT. This model has more traction, the bindings are a bit easier to use, and they weigh less. Also worth consideration is the MSR Evo Ascent. This time-tested snowshoe is a bit more nimble due to its smaller deck.

Ian McEleney