Category Archives: Reviews

In the February 2012 issue of Men’s Journal.

“The Atlas Aspect can tackle terrain from powdery fields to icy 14er summits, thanks to traditional round tubing at the front (to ease strides on snow) and a bladelike serrated bottom that digs into slush and ice (for a firm bite on climbs).”

Atlas Snow-Shoe Company, the leader in snowshoe innovation, introduces the newly redesigned Speed Series snowshoes. The all-new Race and Run snowshoes will debut at Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2012, booth #34101.

Atlas engineers drew inspiration from the experts of the Atlas Racing Team in the complete redesign of the Speed Series. The new Race and Run snowshoes provide a new bar of performance in running snowshoes, designed for those who refuse to settle for second. Utilizing ultralight materials like titanium and 7075 aluminum, Atlas has developed their lightest snowshoes to date, while maintaining the durability seen throughout the line.

“Having raced on Atlas snowshoes for more than 15 seasons, I’ve seen them evolve to become state of the art, lightweight and top-performing running snowshoes,” said Adam Chase, captain of the Atlas Racing Team. “There’s a reason you see them at almost every snowshoe event: they are easy to use, durable, superlight and practically exude energy.”

FEATURES:

• LightSpeed Bindings – New LightSpeed Pro and LightSpeed Bindings are the lightest bindings Atlas has ever constructed, developed to hold the foot securely and ensure exact placement on technical trails.
• Spring-Loaded™ Suspension – Atlas’ signature suspension system offers natural articulation of the foot for an uncompromised running stride.
• Speed V-Frames – Crafted from durable and lightweight aluminum the Speed V-Frame shapes are designed to prevent frame clipping while still providing maximum flotation.
• Nytex Decking – Lightweight and flexible, Nytex decking ensures the durability that trail running demands while effortlessly shedding snow for an easier stride.

Atlas Race: 7075 Aluminum Speed V-Frame, LightSpeed Pro Binding, Titanium Toe and Heel Traction, 22” SRP: $319.95

Atlas Run: 6061 Aluminum Speed V-Frame, LightSpeed Binding, Aluminum Twin-Trac™ Toe Crampon with heel cleat, 22”  SRP: $209.95

Best Snowshoes of 2012: Atlas Aspect Snowshoe
“Testers appreciated the shoes’ elliptical tubing, which provides stability in chop by flexing less, and its talonlike grip, especially on sidehills (check the jagged teeth on the frame and the multidirectional crampon). And the simple binding—three Voile-style straps—meant that not only could we get the Aspects on quickly, but we were also able to use them with every shoe we tried, from Sorels to mountaineering boots.”

Atlas Electra 10 Series Snowshoe
“We punished the Elektras on technical terrain, in deep snow, and under big loads. The verdict: they’re the toughest workhorse snowshoes we tested.”

Atlas Run Series Snowshoe
“If postholing on semipacked trails or the occasional snowdrift is an issue,Atlas’s Run snowshoes are the perfect antidote—reasonably fast and fluid, though don’t expect to float in anything too deep and dry.”

Backpacker Magazine reviews the Atlas Aspect Snowshoe in their 2011 Winter Gear Guide.

TOP TRACTION
From deep powder to hard, wind packed snow and ice, the Aspect handles it all. Credit the unique hybrid construction, which blends a standard tubular aluminum frame in the front section of the shoe and a blade-style aluminum frame on the back end with sharp teeth that cut into snow and ice for the firmest of grips. “I watched other snowshoers using different models slide and stumble down Slulskin Ridge, but I was able to stay on my feet without a slip,” said one tester after a trek on Mt. Rainier.

via GearJunkie.com

And the winners are. . . Outside magazine has announced its winter 2011 “Gear of the Year” awards, a primo kit of cold-weather equipment recommendations featured in the magazine’s Winter Buyer’s Guide issue, on newsstands next week. Outside recruits dozens of testers and gear writers to cull the list, which includes eight categories of equipment, from jackets and packs to snowboards. The best product from each category wins a “Gear of the Year” nod for its innovation and design.