REASONS TO BUY
Comfortable
Easy to use
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
Not the best traction
Tubbs Mountaineer Review
This comfortable and easy to use snowshoe is nothing special but gets the job done
Credit: Ian McEleney
RELATED: Best Snowshoes of 2024
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.
Editor's Note: This review was updated on April 24, 2024 to reflect new products in our lineup and a fresh look at the Mountaineer.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Tubbs Mountaineer | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  High Performance Affordability |  Best for Fresh Deep Snow | Best for Trails | Best on A Tight Budget | |
| Price | $139.97 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers | $135.89 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $220 List $219.95 at Amazon | $300 List $289.95 at Backcountry | Check Price at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | This snowshoe is expensive but does everything you need and nothing you don't | This reliable and well-priced snowshoe is versatile and easy to use | A good choice for off trail travel and softer snow | A good choice for firm, hard packed snow when you don't need a ton of float | Most cheap snowshoes have poor bindings, but we found the G2 to be comfy and secure |
| Rating Categories | Tubbs Mountaineer | MSR Evo Trail | Crescent Moon Big S... | TSL Symbioz Hyperfl... | G2 Ratchet Binding |
| Flotation (30%) | |||||
| Traction (30%) | |||||
| Walkability (20%) | |||||
| Bindings (20%) | |||||
| Specs | Tubbs Mountaineer | MSR Evo Trail | Crescent Moon Big S... | TSL Symbioz Hyperfl... | G2 Ratchet Binding |
| Measured Weight (per pair) | 4.9 lbs | 3.7 lbs | 5.1 lbs | 4.6 lbs | 4.5 lbs |
| Sizes Available | 25", 30", 36" | 22" (one size) | 32" (one size) | 20.5" (S), 23.5" (M), 27" (L) | 22", 25", 30", 36" |
| Binding System | Rubber straps with plastic buckles | Rubber net and straps 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 |
| Frame Material | Aluminum | Plastic and steel | Aluminum | Composite | Aluminum |
| Measured Surface Area | 197 sq in | 183 sq in | 256 sq in | 162 sq in | 225 sq in |
| Measured Dimensions | 25"L x 8"W | 24"L x 8"W | 32"L x 10"W | 22"L x 8"W | 31"L x 9"W |
| Binding/Deck Connection | Hybrid hinged and strapped | Hinged | Strapped | Hinged | Hinged |
| Crampon/Traction Aids | Steel crampons, rails, and teeth | Steel crampons and rails | Steel crampons | Steel crampons and teeth | Aluminum crampons and teeth |
| Deck Material | Soft-Tec PVC-coated polyester | Polypropylene | Polyurethane fabric | Composite | Polyethylene fabric |
| Heel Lift | Yes | No | Optional | Yes | Yes |
| Flotation Tails Sold Separately? | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Men's and Women's Versions? | Yes | Unisex | Yes | Unisex | Unisex |
| Optimum Weight Load (per manufacturer) | 120-200 lbs (size 25") 170-250 lbs (size 30") 220-300 lbs (size 36") |
up to 180 lbs | up to 225 lbs | 65-180 lbs (size S) 110-260 lbs (size M) 150-300 lbs (size L) |
up to 150 lbs (size 21") up to 200 lbs (size 25") up to 250 lbs (size 30") up to 300 lbs (size 36") |
| Tested Size | 25" | 22" | 32" | M | 30" |
Show full specification details ▼Hide full specification details ▲
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
We took the Mountaineer out on the slopes to see if they lived up to their name.
Credit: Ian McEleney
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.
This model provides good flotation in deep powder and soft spring snow.
Credit: Ian McEleney
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.
The Tubbs Mountaineer has big teeth for traction under the heel.
Credit: Ian McEleney
Walkability
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.
This model has a hybrid hinge/strap design.
Credit: Ian McEleney
Bindings
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.
A quick pull on this green tab and your forefoot is free.
Credit: Ian McEleney
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 on softer shoes.
The heel is secured with a rubber strap and a plastic buckle.
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.
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.
The heel lifter on the Mountaineer is easy to use and provides relief on steep uphills.
Credit: Ian McEleney
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Ian McEleney
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