Atlas also solicited the opinions of many active women, and the result is the creation of bindings that are both comfortable to wear and simple to use. These bindings feature soft padding to ensure the elimination of pressure points and enhanced circulation for warmer feet. The Entry-Level binding features a soft clamshell structure laced on the sides and adjusted by simply pulling the heel strap on each side of the foot. The Ultimate-Performance binding features a soft molded and foam-padded tongue that wraps over the top of the foot and is cinched with a single pull on the uniloop webbing. It features a new crampon design that keeps the heel centered and is pre-loaded for spring in every step.

There are four new models: two in the entry performance level and two in the ultimate performance level. Both lines have 22- and 25-inch sizes. The entry level is priced at $169 and the ultimate performance line is priced at $249. "These new snowshoe lines represent what women want," says Dede O’Mara, product manager for the Atlas women’s line and a certified NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) instructor who has worked as a backcountry ski guide and telemark ski instructor. They want technical high-performance products that are designed to be as tough and aggressive as men’s but in a feminine package that is sleek and appealing, not pink and flimsy."

All Atlas Junior shoes have a secure binding system. These dual-cleat snowshoes are high-performance snowshoes, sized down for children who weigh less than 80 pounds.

Crescent Moon: Crescent Moon is continuing its current product line, while introducing some innovative technological advances in its bindings and claws. All snowshoes come with a new decking material called TDS, said to be three times stronger than the more familiar Hypalon decking. "This produces a perfectly silent, really responsive deck," says Jake Thamm, product manager at Crescent Moon. "This decking is what all decking should be. It doesn’t stretch and doesn’t take on water. It will literally last the lifetime of your snowshoes." Crescent Moon has also added stainless steel claws to all of its lines except the entry level CM8. This produces sharper, more aggressive claws that dramatically increase traction, even on steep inclines.

Crescent Moon also has snowshoes, developed specifically to accommodate women. The Crescent Moon 13 snowshoe for women features an exaggerated teardrop shape, specially designed for a woman’s shorter, narrower stride. The front of the shoe tapers at a sharper angle, allowing the frame to clear away from the other shoe in a shorter distance. "This means you can walk more naturally and avoid the hip flexor strain that can occur with other types of snowshoes," says Thamm.

Faber: Canadian brand Faber launches Mountain Master, a new line of Mountain Aluminum snowshoes for 2002-03. This line’s new binding offers perfect lateral control and new aggressive crampons in stainless steel. The binding is attached to the snowshoe through a stainless steel pivot system, allowing a full rotation on a Hypalon decking. These snowshoes are available in four sizes, with prices ranging from $179 and $209.

An important modification to the Mountain Expert line is the change from the familiar Hypalon decking to TPR (Thermo Plastic Rubber). These snowshoes also feature a charcoal powder coated frame fit up to a nice tan decking. This line also has a full rotation binding with an all-aluminum crampon. The Mountain Expert line comes in four sizes: 8 x 24, 8 x 28, 9 x 30 and 10 x 36. Prices range from $149 to $179. In the Hybrid group, Faber is replacing the Freetrail line with the Winter Guide line, which adds a new size–14 x 30–to the existing 10 x 30, 10 x 36 and 11 x 40 sizes. Prices range from $99 to $119.

Little Bear: Little Bear has not developed new styles for 2002, but continues to manufacture and market its existing Little Bear Snowshoes. The company is committed not only to making snowshoes for children, but to nurturing children’s interest in snowshoeing and the appreciating the outdoors.

Mountain Safety Research (MSR): MSR will unveil a new snowshoe and pole package, called the Denali Classic Combo, intended for rugged backcountry use, yet suitable for beginners or experienced backcountry travelers. Created for new snowshoers who want to purchase all of the necessary gear in a convenient package, the set will include a pair of MSR’s award-winning, modular Denali Classic snowshoes and Denali 3 snowshoe poles. The suggested retail price is $189.95–$10 less than the cost of the snowshoes and poles if purchased separately. The set will be available before the holiday season on October 1, 2002.

Erik Flink, MSR’s snowshoe product manager has observed, "MSR’s snowshoe combo will make it easier than ever for people of all abilities and ages to enjoy the activity by offering an inexpensive package for different levels of backcountry use."

The Denali Classic modular snowshoe features include UniDeck construction, steel traction bars, flexible binding, braking bars, steel crampon and a heel stabilizer. These snowshoes weigh 3 pounds 10 ounces and are made in an 8 x 22 inch size. The Denali 3 Poles are technical, three-section snowshoe made of lightweight, 7000-series aluminum. They also have dual-density rubber grips and snowshoe specific baskets for all day comfort.

Redfeather: Redfeather launches a bold new look. "We've updated our colors, graphics and packaging for a more contemporary stylized look, and realigned our snowshoe categories and pricing to better match what today's consumer is looking for," says Redfeather’s Lynn Cariffe.
    Making the entire snowshoe experience trouble free and enjoyable is one of Redfeather’s goals. Bindings feature easy-on/ easy-off designs. New packaging adorns each pair of snowshoes, while new hang-tags are informative. Inside the package, customers will find detailed instructions on how to snowshoe, where to snowshoe, what to wear and other important tips.

Redfeather's Youth model’s V-tail design allows kids to walk with a natural stride without losing balance. The Youth snowshoe bindings are easy to use and stay snug. The Snowpaw is Redfeather’s children's snowshoe. It features a price guaranteed to keep them flying off the shelves: only $19.95 retail!

Salomon: Salomon introduces the new Access’ER, a versatile style which features a new easy-to-use rubber strapping system on Salomon’s patented Parachute frame for "unparalleled loft, giving maximum float with minimum surface area," according to product manager Don Powell. It also features a bowtip for easy flotation, a new no-slide grip bottom for extra traction, a traverse pivot for natural foot position while traversing hillsides and a "triple crampon zone" for sure footing on icy and hard pack surfaces. The Access has also been redesigned, with a bowtip that resurfaces the snowshoe with minimal effort and the Parachute frame featuring a new traverse pivoting system to allow for natural footing while traversing hillsides.

Small-sized Access’ER snowshoes come with rubber straps to make them adaptable for youths and teens.

Tubbs: New for 2002, Tubbs presents lightweight Easton 7000 series aluminum frames to its Mountain and Pinnacle series snowshoes. This material reduces weight by 10-15 percent, but increases the strength-to-weight ratio by 25 percent, according to Tubbs. In the hiking category, the Mountain series features the Rigid Control System (RCS) binding, said to deliver maximum weight distribution and control in winter hiking environments. The Pinnacle series features the Bear Hug Binding, delivering a comfortable fit. Both series feature the Viper crampon, offering superior control; it is designed to deliver 30-percent more climbing penetration and 75-percent more lateral traction.

In the women’s category, the new 7000-series aluminum frame comes on the women’s Pinnacle 21 and 25 and on the Altitude series’ shoes. Tubbs is an innovator in women’s snowshoes, with its large selection of lighter-weight, tapered frames made to accommodate a woman’s shorter stride and bindings made to fit a smaller, woman’s boot. In a show of commitment to women, Tubbs will donate a percentage of the sales of women’s snowshoes to the Susan G. Komen Cancer Foundation.

Tubbs’ Discovery Jr. snowshoe complements the pint-sized Tubbscout model and enables the seven- to 10-year-old age-group to stride along with their parents. Designed to accommodate up to 80 pounds, the Discovery Jr. features a supportive, mitten-friendly binding system that fits an array of winter footwear, plus an aluminum toe crampon for added grip and security underfoot. The lightweight aluminum frame design, modeled after adult snowshoes, is maintenance free, easy to use and perfect for packed trails.

The Tubbscout is made of molded Bayflex polyurethane and features easy-to-use supportive bindings that are mitten-friendly. The binding accommodates a wide variety of boys’ and girls’ boot styles and sizes from child size six to youth size two. The lightweight Tubbscout also has many of the performance features designed into Tubbs’ adult models and are for kids who weigh less than 65 pounds.

Tubbs is also responding to the strong family-oriented snowshoe market with a snowshoe kit, including snowshoes, poles and a snowshoeing CD, as well as recreational events for families and greater access for women, children and families at snowshoe events.

Yakima: Now in its second season, Yakima adds a high-end snowshoe to complement its initial two-model offering. The new RidgeRunner has three interchangeable tails so users can pick and choose, depending on conditions. Yakima also offers a new entry-level plastic snowshoe for kids.

Yuba: Yuba has down-scaled production and only makes its T-Rex kids snowshoes. The green, molded plastic T-Rex shoe leaves a dinosaur print in the snow and is designed for kids up to 50 pounds. The bindings on the T-Rex can accommodate any kind of footwear.