Got these back in November 2011…Finally got a chance to test them out.

The size of these snowshoes is fantastic – nice and compact without sacrificing performace. Relatively easy to pack, lightweight, and as far as I can tell, quite robust. The 1025’s also feature a system that make them extremely simple to put on, cinch tight, and remove – all while wearing winter mitts/gloves.

While trekking I found these snowshoes to be very comfortable and worked well in different depths and textures of snow. The All-Trac™ Toe Crampon really does help with traction and the dexterity and control on uneven terrain is awesome. The Heel Lift Bar is a great feature and is a tremendous help when moving uphill. Running with these snowshoes actually wasn’t too bad at all…pleasantly surprised – great general purpose snowshoes. One thing I did notice: Every now and then, this model has a tendency to kick up snow behind you (so wear the right type of water-repellent gear).

In a survival situation, hold the snowshoe like a shovel and the end portion of these snowshoes can be used as an improvised snow tool with which to help construct a snow shelter. Flipping up the Heel Lift Bar really helps with upward shovelling.

Overall I’m very pleased with these snowshoes. Although the 1025’s can easily accommodate a wide range of winter footwear, I find the Bogs® Classic Mid boot work very well with these snowshoes as they are a very clean boot with nothing to snag or get tangled up.

If you are in the market for quality all around snowshoes, consider the Atlas 1025.

Cost: Around CDN $190

www.atlassnowshoe.com

From Atlas Snowshoe’s website:

“Atlas snowshoes are the choice of professional guides, elite athletes, the US Military Special Operations Forces and wilderness expeditions.”

Discover winter in the mountains with the rugged, Atlas 10 Series and Spring-Loaded™ Suspension. When the terrain gets more demanding, the 10 Series delivers with a climbing bar to ease calf strain and SLS for classic Atlas maneuverability and articulation. The addition of the new Wrapp™ Swift binding blends technical fit with the comfort and ease of use provided by a positive toe locator, warm EVA padding, and straps that cinch and release like a breeze. The tempered steel All-Trac™ toe crampon and Traverse Trac™ rails add sidehill control and confident strides. With dedicated men’s geometry for the proprietary Atlas 6061 aluminum V-frame, you’ll feel content hiking all day long.

V-Frames

A proprietary Atlas shape, our sturdy aluminum V-Frames are the key to an efficient, natural stride. The V shape tracks straight in deep snow, and the tapered tail pulls less snow as you step forward, saving your energy. The turned-up tail of the V-frame rolls easily into each step for a natural gait. Built with lightweight, durable 6000- and 7000-series aluminum, the V-frames are used on all Atlas snowshoes, including our new Youth Series.

Spring-Loaded™ Suspension

An Atlas tenet from the beginning, Atlas’ patented Spring-Loaded™ Suspension (SLS) keeps the snowshoe close underfoot for easy maneuvering and suspends your foot so it can move freely with its intended articulation. The suspension absorbs impact and lets your foot flex naturally side-to-side for a comfortable, stable position on traverses and uneven terrain. SLS enhances traction control too, as the flex provides deeper crampon penetration into the slope, especially on steep or off-angle terrain.

Heel Lift Bar

On steep climbs, calf muscles tire quickly and traction decreases when your foot matches the slope angle. The heel lift bar eases fatigue and ties directly into Advanced Aft Traction for grip.

Nytex Decking

Flexible Nytex decking is forgiving and quiet when hiking in the cold, providing durability without the weight.

All-Trac™ Toe Crampon

The time-tested geometry of our All-Trac™ toe crampon provides traction in all directions. Wider traction tabs on the sides and corners complement sharp front and rear points for confident hiking.

Traverse Trac™ Rails

The sharp ridges of our side rails augment the downhill function of the heel cleat, running parallel to the snowshoe frame for solid footing, even on firm sidehill terrain.

Wrapp™ Swift Binding

Built on the renowned fit and arch support of the Wrapp™ platform, the Wrapp™ Swift binding blends technical fit with great comfort and ease of use from the positive toe locator, warm EVA padding, and straps that cinch and release like a breeze.