Discussion: snowshoe reviews?

I was wondering what snowshoes people have found the best for running in the snowy forest? What makes a good snowshoe for snowshoe racing (normally on packed trails) isn't necessarily good for powder or for rugged forest. I've used GV snowshoes (among the lightest out there) but the lightweight decking takes a beating on exposed branches and rocks in the forest. I'd prefer a snowshoe that has reliable ratcheting technology for the straps. Any reviews from APers or good links to snowshoe racing?

USSSA

I prefer the Atlas Race or Run shoes for races: whether snowshoe trail races or snowshoe orienteering. However, there is basically no floatation on powder snow. Therefore, in snowshoe-O training, I prefer the Atlas 1025.

In racing or training, the shoes do not stand up well to my encounters with rocks etc. I go through alot of duct tape.

Thanks Boyle...Do any of Atlas' snowshoes have ratchet systems on their straps?

I've got the Atlas Race snowshoes, and 'Bent used them in the Salomon Snowshoe Raid. They are so light that it almost feels like you've got running shoes on. (I'm including the Running Free links, since you might want to phone Jeremy to discuss.)
http://www.runningfree.com/detail.aspx?ID=12423

A little more sturdy, a little heavier (but not "heavy") and with an easier-to-use binding system are the Atlas Run Snowshoes.
http://www.runningfree.com/detail.aspx?ID=12545

Atlas sponsors the Mad Trapper Snowshoe Race Series, and they seem to be a major player.

They don't have ratchets though. When I'm just bashing through the woods, e.g. hanging flags for the Snowshoe Raid, I use my MSR Denali Ascent snowshoes.
<http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?FOLD...>

Did you mean the Salomon Snowshoe Raid Bash?? He he

I did 3 snowshoe races last winter in NH. For the first one, I used a pair of Axis 930s - quite a bit more snowshoe (size and weight) than I needed for what was mostly on well groomed XC trails. After that I looked at the Atlas Run and Race models, but the Race model seemd rather pricey.

A lot of folks I talked to, including ultra-runner and orienteer Dave Dunham, swear by Dions - http://www.dionsnowshoes.com/ - they like that they are sold in 3 components: frame, binding, cleat. This allows them to customize for conditions (teflon covered aluminum cleat for wet snow, stainless steel for hard ice), larger frame for training in soft snow, etc. and if something wears out or breaks, you only have to replace that part, not the whole snowshoe.

Red Feather was one of the race sponsors - their race model seemed OK, a bit heavier than the Dions or Atlas.

Ended up getting a pair of TSL 825s http://www.tsloutdoor.com/www/?country=us&lg=en
relatively inexpensively on sale ($110 I think) at the nearby ski shop.

For racing and training on packed trails, I'm going to stick to the TSLs this years. For training or goofing around in unbroken trails, the Axis 930s, or in really deep snow - my classic 12" x 48" ash and rawhide pickerels with the up swept toe. They might not be fast, but it's a hell of a workout busting through 2' of new powder.
Man, I can't wait for snow to fly...

If you want to race, the Dion 121's are amazingly fast and light: as close to pure running as you can get on snowshoes. Of course, for breaking ground in deep snow, you'll want a bigger frame.

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PROD...

These GV snowshoes have a ratchet system for doing up... I have only tried the Atlas though.

thanks for feedback everyone. Salal, those GV Cat Trail snowshoes are the ones I use (I was one of GV's testers on them). They are very lightweight, have a great ratchet system (which I consider a must) but durability of the decking for running in the forest could be better.