Crescent Moon Men's Backcountry Snowshoes - Gold 10

I’m new to snowshoes so please keep that in mind that I’m a newbie. I go ski biking and often a bad snow storm doesn’t stop me from attempting the drive. Walking in 2-4 feet of snow is difficult for a short distance if you have to walk. The recent NorCal storms dumped 5+ feet of powder, sometimes in one day and several feet the next day. I bought these snowshoes for those types of conditions. I tested them in 3-4 feet of wet snow that your foot would immediately sink almost to your crotch. I easily put these snowshoes on and walked around effortlessly, literally. A few steps would sink in a few inches but it didn’t impair walking in the softer snow. Walking with the snowshoes was almost like walking without them. These snowshoes were like 32” long so there is a lot of buoyancy on the snow. The metal cleats on the bottom really bit into the ice and prevent any chance of sliding. Overall I was impressed with the build, quality and performance. I bought a $29.99 bag to hold the snowshoes and my poles which was very nice quality and a good investment in keeping my equipment in good condition.

I have many types and brands of snowshoes from traditional ash wood and rawhide to the new aluminum style with synthetic decking. Crescent Moon makes the best of the modern design snowshoe. The binding system on the Gold series is very easy to adjust and use, when you have cold fingers. Your boot does not slip out of the binding like my Atlas and Tubbs snowshoes. They are well constructed with welded frames. Many of the lesser brands do not do this. The fit and finish shows their high quality standards. They provide good flotation on fluffy snow and the crampons bite well on hardpack.Another PLUS is that Crescent Moon snowshoes are made by an innovative company located in Colorado, USA. I also purchased a pair of Crescent Moon Gold 9s for my wife. She loves them. The Gold series snowshoes also have a lifetime warranty. I highly recommend their products!!!

I routinely walk a hilly trail in Northern Michigan that requires traction in snow. Normally I use Crescent Moon show shoes; but wanted grip in packed snow/ice when shoes aren't necessary. Thus, I took a chance on the Permagrip crampons. They are great. Note that these are not for snow packed thinner than the length of the teeth; about 1 inch. For those conditions you probably want Yaktrax. The Crescent Moon binding (same as my snow shoes) is outstanding; very secure and easy to get in and out of.

I haven't been able to try these snowshoes but they look easy to use and everything I asked for

Eh. For the price I guess.. but the design by your heel, with the plastic flip, catches every bit of snow. After a few minutes, there is an ice ball under your heel that, no matter how often you scrape it off, reforms within steps. If I can somehow remove that crappy blue plastic, these might be somewhat useful. Otherwise, become a toe walker and get used to your heels being very sore after every hike.

They are very easy to get on and off. They felt good when I was walking in powder, stable and light.

I've been an MSR enthusiast... and still am. But at 60 years old now, my snowshoeing is largely recreational trekking, not the aggressive mountain bushwhacking I used to do. The Crescent Moon Gold 10 are exactly what I am looking for... sleek... super binding... quiet... aggressive enough (MSR are a little over-aggressive with their crampons). I am a happy customer.

Bought these as a gift for my boyfriend. He said they were different and much nicer than anything he’d snow-shoed in before. He really liked the way he could move with them on the mountain, felt like they were part of his feet, not a clunky add-on.