Michael
2010-05-01 02:35:57 UTC
Hello,
Below is my LTR submission of the Tubbs Snowshoes to be put through the editing process. The HTML test version can be found at the following link, should you have any issues please let me know.
Thanks,
Mike
http://tinyurl.com/28bgasl
LONG-TERM REPORT
Field Conditions and Performance
Since the Field Report I have taken the Tubbs Flex NRG snowshoes out on three trips to the mountains of Northern Colorado. This consisted of 2 day trips to Rocky Mountain National Park, both trips were on "blue bird" days and the weather was perfect. These trips both occurred directly after snowstorms that left over 10" (25 cm) of fresh spring snow and we took the opportunity for some backcountry off trail adventuring. I was very pleased with the performance of the shoes in the new snow, I did not experience any floatation issues and traction was superb.
<<IMAGE GOES HERE. ALT TEXT = "IMAGE 1" IMAGE CAPTION = "Enjoying fresh sturdy snow.">>
On the final trip of the season we took the Tubbs on a multi night trip in the Colorado State Forest. This trip occurred during the spring thaw and the afternoon temperatures reached 50 F (10 C) and the snow was less than ideal. The snow conditions during this trip consisted of a layer of hard, windblown ice with a very sandy and unstructured slush underneath. With the addition of a 40 lb (18 kg) pack I regularly broke through the hard top layer of snow and sank, flotation was a considerable issue during this trip.
<<IMAGE GOES HERE. ALT TEXT = "IMAGE 2" IMAGE CAPTION = "Battling old, crusty weak snow.">>
These trips were both enjoyable but certainly impacted by the quality and type of snow that I encountered. I believe that both of these examples highlight the findings in the Field Report that these shoes perform well in sturdy and supportive snow and are limiting to me in less supportive powdery snow.
A squeak was mentioned in the Field Report coming from the landing zone of the "Soft Strike" feature. This issue persisted and has become more frequent throughout the Long Term phase of testing. The shoes do not show any signs of abnormal wear or damage in the area that the noise is originating in; however I am wondering if the "Soft Strike" material is weakening from continued use.
Final Conclusion
I believe that I tested the Tubbs Flex NRG snowshoes fairly and under numerous conditions that will allow me to form an opinion of them. I have found the Tubbs Flex NRG snowshoes to be very enjoyable as they performed well in the conditions that they were designed for. Those conditions include groomed, packed and icy trails and I feel that the shoes are exceptional in those arenas.
I find the binding to be large, bulky and awkward to pack but they are also very sturdy, comfortable and easy to use. The traction devices on these shoes are by far the best that I have ever used and leave no room for improvement; however care should be taken as once the powder coating is removed or chipped off I have seen small signs of rust and corrosion. The composite material is very durable and tough and can withstand the harshest conditions while maintaining a relatively flexible action that allows for a natural gait.
Overall these shoes performed well through solid construction of durable materials that have been assembled in a smart and innovative design and they are my new standard in snowshoes. I really enjoyed testing these shoes and look forward to years of continued use from them. My thanks to Backpackgeartest.org and Tubbs Snowshoes for allowing me the opportunity to test the NRG Flex snowshoes.
------------------------------------
Below is my LTR submission of the Tubbs Snowshoes to be put through the editing process. The HTML test version can be found at the following link, should you have any issues please let me know.
Thanks,
Mike
http://tinyurl.com/28bgasl
LONG-TERM REPORT
Field Conditions and Performance
Since the Field Report I have taken the Tubbs Flex NRG snowshoes out on three trips to the mountains of Northern Colorado. This consisted of 2 day trips to Rocky Mountain National Park, both trips were on "blue bird" days and the weather was perfect. These trips both occurred directly after snowstorms that left over 10" (25 cm) of fresh spring snow and we took the opportunity for some backcountry off trail adventuring. I was very pleased with the performance of the shoes in the new snow, I did not experience any floatation issues and traction was superb.
<<IMAGE GOES HERE. ALT TEXT = "IMAGE 1" IMAGE CAPTION = "Enjoying fresh sturdy snow.">>
On the final trip of the season we took the Tubbs on a multi night trip in the Colorado State Forest. This trip occurred during the spring thaw and the afternoon temperatures reached 50 F (10 C) and the snow was less than ideal. The snow conditions during this trip consisted of a layer of hard, windblown ice with a very sandy and unstructured slush underneath. With the addition of a 40 lb (18 kg) pack I regularly broke through the hard top layer of snow and sank, flotation was a considerable issue during this trip.
<<IMAGE GOES HERE. ALT TEXT = "IMAGE 2" IMAGE CAPTION = "Battling old, crusty weak snow.">>
These trips were both enjoyable but certainly impacted by the quality and type of snow that I encountered. I believe that both of these examples highlight the findings in the Field Report that these shoes perform well in sturdy and supportive snow and are limiting to me in less supportive powdery snow.
A squeak was mentioned in the Field Report coming from the landing zone of the "Soft Strike" feature. This issue persisted and has become more frequent throughout the Long Term phase of testing. The shoes do not show any signs of abnormal wear or damage in the area that the noise is originating in; however I am wondering if the "Soft Strike" material is weakening from continued use.
Final Conclusion
I believe that I tested the Tubbs Flex NRG snowshoes fairly and under numerous conditions that will allow me to form an opinion of them. I have found the Tubbs Flex NRG snowshoes to be very enjoyable as they performed well in the conditions that they were designed for. Those conditions include groomed, packed and icy trails and I feel that the shoes are exceptional in those arenas.
I find the binding to be large, bulky and awkward to pack but they are also very sturdy, comfortable and easy to use. The traction devices on these shoes are by far the best that I have ever used and leave no room for improvement; however care should be taken as once the powder coating is removed or chipped off I have seen small signs of rust and corrosion. The composite material is very durable and tough and can withstand the harshest conditions while maintaining a relatively flexible action that allows for a natural gait.
Overall these shoes performed well through solid construction of durable materials that have been assembled in a smart and innovative design and they are my new standard in snowshoes. I really enjoyed testing these shoes and look forward to years of continued use from them. My thanks to Backpackgeartest.org and Tubbs Snowshoes for allowing me the opportunity to test the NRG Flex snowshoes.
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