“My old grandmother always used to say, Summer friends will melt away like summer snows, but winter friends are friends forever.” ― George R.R. Martin
Atlas engineers outfitted their 8 series trail walking snowshoes with an array of features and technology, and then made all those features melt away into an intuitively designed snowshoe that gets you out into the world of winter white with ease and comfort. Add in an impressive durability factor at a solid value, and this snowshoe is ready to become your new winter time best friend.
Thankfully, Atlas understands that friendship is earned not given, and by abiding by these simple rules, the Atlas 8 series is ready to win you over.
Rule 1: Trusting Each Other
To be a great friend doesn’t really take much. All you need to do is make sure you can trust one another about truly important matters to provide a sense of security… much like the simple, no-fuss, no-hassle Strapp™ binding system on the 8 Series which secures your foot to the sturdy aluminum V-Frame with a single pull.
Every relationship goes through rough patches that will put your trust to the test. When you come face to face with those difficult areas, the Atlas Free-Rotating™ Suspension (FRS) cushions each step, allowing for natural articulation of the foot with minimal resistance and unparalleled freedom of movement. Both Atlas suspension platforms Spring-Loaded™ Suspension (SLS) and Free-Rotating™ Suspension (FRS), suspend your foot so it can move freely, absorbing impact and letting your foot flex naturally side-to-side on traverses and uneven terrain enhancing traction. Hence, rough patches are crossed with ease and grace.
Rule 2: Being loyal.
A true Winter BFF will stick up for you when you need it most. Gently rolling terrain or icy rough patch, the Atlas design team outfitted the 8 Series with Twin-Trac™ Toe Crampons and heel cleat. The Twin-Trac™ Toe Crampons uses a sturdy row of front points and two side teeth to keep your foot from twisting because loyalty shouldn’t hurt. The front and rear crampons plunges into hard snow and ice, while a lightweight, articulating frame goes easy on your legs when you trudge through the snowy glades.
Rule 3: Learning to listen.
Nobody likes a best friend who just talks and talks, but never listens. Maybe that’s why Atlas utilizes the power of flexible Nytex decking that not only provides durability without the weight, but remains quiet when hiking in the icy cold. So as you gracefully float across open areas of deep powder your mind can focus on your surroundings, not what’s on your feet.
Rule 4: Getting to know the family.
Getting to know your best friend’s family shows them that you appreciate where they come from, and that you’re interested in knowing the people who are valuable in their life. As such you should meet the Atlas Elektra, the female specific family member in the Atlas 8 Series. With tapered tails, a narrower nose and outside rolling bends that nest the snowshoes together, the Elektra accommodates a woman’s natural gait keeping snowshoeing easy, natural and enjoyable. Just like the 8-Series offers gender specific binding for men, the Elektra’s binding is molded around a women’s boot last for a better fit.
Spend Time Together.
Hang out on the weekends or plan activities together every now and then, and do plenty of exploring together. We don’t suggest cuddling with your Atlas 8-Series snowshoes, but the more quality time you spend together the more you’ll appreciate how the Atlas design team blended top-end performance with a price that won’t bury your budget. And with all that extra money you saved, there will be plenty of cash left for planning more trips together.
Bottom Line…
Built with a wide variety of technical advancements to keep your steps comfortable and your strides efficient, this versatile trekker has the tech to handle a wide variety of terrain but at a fraction of the price of other similarly equipped snowshoes.
Manufactured by Atlas Snowshoe Company, (http://atlassnowshoe.com), the men’s 8-Series is available in both the 25 inch and 30 inch models for $139.95 from AtlasSnowhoe.com and other reputable online retailers.
*Gumption Gear Review received the Atlas Snowshoes featured in this review from Atlas Snowshoe Company at no cost and receives no monetary compensation for this or any related review. The items featured were provided solely in return for our honest views and opinions.