San Francisco, CA-After two years of research and development, Atlas Snow-Shoe Company announces the new Atlas Elektra line of snowshoes-the first snowshoes designed specifically for a woman's unique stride. Extensive gait studies, biomechanics research and focus groups with active and gear-savvy women culminated in two new performance-oriented snowshoe designs offering the best clearance for the way a woman walks. These new designs are also lightweight for overall efficiency, have very comfortable bindings with built-in arch support, and are the easiest to use of any snowshoes currently marketed for women.

Named for the daughter of Atlas in Greek mythology, the Elektra snowshoe line has four new models total with two sizes in each of two performance series. The Elektra 8 Series with 22" and 25" models is priced at $169 and the Elektra 10 Series also with 22" and 25" sizes is priced at $249.

"The new Elektra snowshoes represent what women want," says Dede O'Mara, product manager for the Atlas women's line. "Women want snowshoes that address the way they hike and run and the things that are important to them like comfort, warmth and simplicity. 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." Dede O'Mara is a certified NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) instructor who has worked as a backcountry ski guide and a telemark ski instructor. She is also an avid climber, mountain biker and snowshoer. Her passion for designing women's gear stems from years of adapting gear for her use in the outdoors.

In conjunction with Dr. Paul Scherer of the California College of Podiatric Medicine, Atlas researchers identified how women's greater Q angle and abducted gait create specific clearance issues when snowshoeing. The Atlas Elektra frames are designed to maximize clearance and reduce frame contact. They feature a distinctively sleek line with both a tapered tail and narrow nose to allow women the most natural stride possible.

Research also uncovered the tendency for women to pronate (collapsing arches) pointing to the need for bindings that support the arch. This research, coupled with strong input from focus groups conducted with active women, resulted in two new bindings designed to meet not only women's biomechanic needs but their preferences for bindings that are comfortable, supportive, and simple and intuitive to use. Both new bindings feature soft padding to ensure the elimination of pressure points enhancing circulation for warmer feet. The Elektra 8 Series new EZ8(TM) binding features a soft clamshell structure laced on the sides and adjusted quickly and simply by pulling the heel strap on each side of the foot. The Elektra 10 Series new ArchFlex(TM) binding has a foam-padded floating tongue that wraps over the top of the foot and is cinched with a single light pull on the uniloop webbing. The ArchFlex also features a proprietary arch loop that wraps up under the arch to provide stability and support. Both new bindings are molded around a women's boot last that was developed using a median size hiking boot chosen after surveying Atlas' major retailers for their top selling women's models and sizes.

Elektra snowshoes offer the best articulation in their price categories. The 10 Series models are fitted with the patented, award-winning Spring-Loaded binding system pioneered by Atlas and featured on all of our "All-Terrain" snowshoes. The Spring-Loaded binding allows natural footing on any terrain. It limits step rotation and allows the ankle to rotate side to side while eliminating heel twist. The Elektra 8 Series features the best articulation of any snowshoe under $200 with the development of the new 8 Trac(TM) crampon that keeps the heel centered even when traversing steep terrain.

Elektra snowshoes leverage the award-winning traction of current Atlas snowshoes. The Elektra 10 Series features the All Trac(TM) toe crampon, heel cleat and Traverse Trac(TM) traction rails found on the existing Atlas 10 Series. The Elektra 8 Series features the new 8 Trac(TM) toe crampon with two rows of teeth for best-in-class traction.

World-renowned adventure racer and Eco-Challenge Team Atlas Snowshoe member Cathy Sassin helped with direction of the product lines. "Give me a product that is as tough or tougher than the men's but make it look cute too," she says. "I am always suspect of gear that claims to be for women because it is often watered down and lacks true performance. I don't want a smaller shoe with a different color I want gear that is designed for me."

Atlas Snow-Shoe Company was founded in 1990. With a total of ten patents issued and numerous pending, Atlas is the leader in snowshoe technology and innovation. Atlas is committed to developing products and programs that encourage and enable people to explore winter. Atlas is located at 115 Tenth Street, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA, Web site: www.atlassnowshoe.com.

— Posted by Ari Cheren, MountainZone.com Staff