Snowshoes are some of the oldest winter tech around with—literally—prehistoric origins. Despite the many evolutions in its humble design, snowshoes manage to improve every year, granting more flotation, providing better grip, and weighing less on our feet and in our packs. This winter’s crop is no exception.

The Winners at a Glance

• Best Bang for Your Buck: Cascade Mountain Tech Alptrek Peak Snowshoe Kit
• Best Binding: Komperdell Peakmaster Pro Snowshoe
• Best Grip: Retrospec Drifter Plus

The Reviews: The Best Snowshoes of 2024

Best Bang for Your Buck: Cascade Mountain Tech Alptrek Peak Snowshoe Kit ($80)

Pros: Easy on/easy off, comes with poles and storage bag, lightweight
Cons: Hard to strap to your pack, heel lift is tough to pull
Sizes: 22.8, 25.2, 28 in
Weight: 2.3 lbs (25.25 in)

Our eastern Oregon-based tester, Mary Emerick, praised these shoes for keeping her afloat and stable on icy slopes, and found that their performance beat out some more expensive pairs. 57 variously-sized metal points along the 16-inch outside edges combined with seven toe spikes provided superior traction. On trails around the Redmont Ski Shelter in Oregon’s Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, the ‘shoes allowed her to “charge up a hill of death in a way I’ve never been able to with fancier snowshoes. I could walk right up instead of making switchbacks,” she says. “And usually I have to slide down the hill on my butt on the way out, but I could walk right down with these shoes,” says Emerick. She also complimented the on/off process, that employs three thick, easy-to-use rubber straps that span across the foot and heel. The Alptrek Peak’s are made of a lightweight composite deck, while the included aluminum poles have extended grips, a quick-lock system, and large snow baskets—not bad for a budget kit. Emerick also loved that the stainless steel crampons were coated blue and matched the blue straps, because, “fashion is everything while snowshoeing, right?”

Best Binding: Komperdell Peakmaster Pro Snowshoe ($220-$240)

Pros: Affordable, simple BOA binding, perfect balance of float and traction
Cons: Heel lift sticks, no traction along the sides
Sizes: 22, 25, 30 in
Weight: 2 lbs (25 in)

Our Alaska-based testers loved the efficiency and security of the Quicklock BOA-style binding and quick-release nylon heel strap in combination with thick rubber sides that engulfed their feet. That tight wrap was especially useful while exploring remote areas outside Denali National Park, Alaska, where it dipped into the -30s at night. In such bitter cold, testers also appreciated the bonus neoprene snowshoe toe cover ($40 extra) that snaps onto the side of the binding and zips over toes, keeping their feet warm while preventing snow from piling up. With a strong aluminum frame and tough rubber decking, the Peakmaster Pros are best for deep, powdery snow where ample floatation is needed. These ’shoes hold their own on icy, snow-packed slopes too, thanks to seven large teeth and a serrated, U-shaped stainless steel heel piece that provides traction. The only ding? It takes muscle to push the heel lift back down into place.

Best Grip: Retrospec Drifter Plus ($100)

Pros: Impressive traction, easy bindings, affordable
Cons: Noisy, relatively low weight limit
Sizes: 23, 25 in
Weight: 2.5 lbs (25 in)

The 70-plus, variously sized steel teeth that span almost the entire length of the Retrospec Drifter Plus, paired with the seven steel toe crampons, provided our Montana-based tester, Tanner Smithwick, plenty of grip along the Sypes Canyon Trail in Gallatin County. Smithwick appreciated the molded plastic deck that proved durable while maintaining flex, and noted that the pivoting footbed motion felt natural while trekking through deep snow in the Beehive Basin Trail in Big Sky, even on his giant size 12 feet. He also praised the double ratchet straps that locked in the upper foot, and the rubber heel strap, which kept his heel in place. “They are easy to put on, take off, and adjust on-the-go,” he says. “No need to sit down and take your gloves off.” Smithwick’s only gripe? The molded plastic decking makes a very loud “smack” noise when moving quickly on flatter terrain.

How to Buy Snowshoes

Flat, uncomplicated terrain doesn’t require too much from a pair of snowshoes. Simple, comfortable bindings and a deck that provides adequate flotation are all you need. If icy slopes or deep snow aren’t in your future, save money with a budget pair made from heavier molded plastic and less aggressive traction.

On the other end of the spectrum are snowshoes built for challenging terrain—slushy hills to mixed rock and ice. A secure wrap or multiple straps along the foot are important for stability. Quick binding systems, like those that utilize a BOA twist lock, are helpful when taking snowshoes on and off in precarious terrain and a huge time-saver compared with fiddly three-strap setups. Snowshoes geared towards mountainous ascents will have a wider variety of spikes and crampons—and in more abundance—to offer grip both horizontally and laterally, and to bite through different types of ice. A heel lift (that can easily be flicked open and closed) is a must for giving your feet and calves an assist on the steeps.

In deep, fresh powder, you’ll want wider, longer snowshoes (or those that come with extensions) for superior flotation in deep snow. On the flipside, if you’re headed out on a weight-conscious backpacking trip, prioritize lightweight construction, like a pair made from aluminum and TPU-coated nylon, for fatigue on-foot and outside your pack.

How We Test

• Number of testers: 9
• Number of products tested: 10
• Miles logged while testing: 166 miles
• States we tested in: Alaska, Washington, Montana, Oregon, California
• Coldest temperature: -32 degrees

Our testers ventured out to some of the coldest and snowiest states to test 10 pairs of newfangled snowshoes. We looked at design, features, ease of use, comfort, traction, cost, weight, and floatation in deep snow to narrow down the best of the best. Only three models stood up to the rigors of our testing by the end of the season.

Meet Our Lead Testers

Justin La Vigne

Our category manager, Justin La Vigne, lives a “life less ordinary” just outside of Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska. When not writing, he is a professional backcountry guide, taking people hiking and backpacking all over Alaska, and has personally logged 7000+ trail miles. He embraces the cold, snowy, and dark winters that start in September and last until May. He has snowshoes stationed at his front door and uses them daily for getting around his property and exploring the frozen landscape of Alaska  A core group of about 25 testers from all over the world help him vet out the best of the best in the field.

Mary Emerick

Mary Emerick hails from the Wallowa Mountains of Eastern Oregon, where she has been testing snowshoes and traction for four years now and other gear for more than 10 years. She is currently a recreation planner for the US Forest Service, and an author of several books. Her past jobs include a wildland firefighter, naturalist and wilderness ranger. When not working, she can be found exploring the outdoors year round with her dogs and penning a new novel. She loves gear testing, as she gets to discover new brands she never heard of and incorporate them into her gear collection. Her favorite places to test are on the Pacific Crest Trail, Hells Canyon, and the Grand Canyon.

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There’s a lot more to knives than a sharp edge and a long blade. Our testers waded through a sea of stainless steel and gimmicky folding contraptions to find the very best tools for cutting, splitting, wilderness repairs, and more.

The Winners at a Glance

Best Folding Knife: Emerson June Bug

Best Multitool: Gerber Dual-Force

Child-friendly Knife: Morakniv Scout 39 Safe

Lightest: James Brand Redstone

How We Test

Number of Testers: 15

Number of Products Tested: 17

Miles Logged While Testing: 1,300 miles

Most Unique Uses: Carved and whittled perfect chopsticks for meal time; husked opened a coconut to drink from.

Most Remote Test Region: American Samoa

From Sweden to American Samoa, our 15 testers put 17 products to the test. Between car camping, backpacking, fishing, and hunting, the knives and tools whittled, spliced, and diced until the task was done and the blades were dull. We looked at things like durability, ergonomics, weight, sharpness, functionality, edge retention, and aesthetic in choosing this year’s winners.

Meet Our Category Manager

Justin La Vigne has worked in the outdoor industry for over twenty years and as ”țČ賊°ì±èČ賊°ì±đ°ù’s knives and tools category manager for six years. Living just outside of Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska, he prides himself on the nontraditional work schedule. When not writing, he is a professional backcountry guide, taking people hiking and backpacking all over Alaska, and has personally logged 6,000-plus trail miles, including thru hikes of the Appalachian Trail and New Zealand’s Te Araroa.

Meet Our Lead Tester

California-based Dan Markey has been one of the lead testers for the knives and tools category for over five years. As a former NPS backcountry law enforcement ranger in Yellowstone and Cuyahoga Valley and an Appalachian Trail thru-hiker, he knows what gear works in what conditions and why. He currently works for FEMA as an emergency management specialist traveling all over the world. He loves hunting and fishing, and is a Scoutmaster with the Boy Scouts of America.

The Reviews: The Best Knives and Multitools of 2023

Best Folding Knife: Emerson June Bug ($220)

Weight: 2.5 oz.
Pros: U.S.-made, lightweight, deep pocket clip
Cons: Steep price, low availability, no serrated blade

The Emerson June Bug performs way above its weight class in terms of blade size and sturdiness. One tester called the June Bug “battle-ready,” and was blown away that a knife of this size could deliver such results. Fully extended, the June Bug measures 5.5 inches long and easily fits into the palm of a hand when folded. The Wharncliffe-style stainless steel blade is only 2.3 inches long, but very thick and incredibly sturdy. One tester praised its ability to cut through various thick cords, ropes, and tie-downs that were holding his kayak to his roof after they proved too stubborn to untie. The fiberglass laminate grip has a rough surface that makes it easy to handle, even with sweaty hands or in the rain. It has a deep pocket clip, a lanyard hole, and round thumb button for easy one-handed opening. One tester summed up the June Bug in a nutshell: “Sometimes you want the utility of a slightly larger knife in the body of a small pocket knife.”

Bottom Line: This diminutive folding knife is a dream for rope-cutting and wood-whittling when space and weight are limitations.

Best Multitool: Gerber Dual-Force ($110)

Weight: 12 oz.
Pros: 12 tools, hefty construction, top-notch pliers and screwdriver
Cons: No scissors, heavy, knife doesn’t hold its edge particularly well

Most multitools boast pliers and drivers, but they rarely perform like those specific tools. The Dual-Force is the exception. A hefty set of pliers has a two-position slip lock jaw and larger teeth, plus the grip is narrower than other multitools, which gave us better purchase when applying force. The 3.25-inch center-axis driver also benefits from that great grip, allowing us to crank while securing hardware. Our Virginia-based REI șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű guide praised the beefy tool after using the pliers to fix gas lines on a stove and the screwdriver on his always-loose camp kitchen table. While the generous set of twelve tools includes items like wire cutters, a saw, and a chisel, one tester found himself wishing it included a pair of scissors. Another ding? At 12 ounces, it’s not exactly lightweight.

Bottom Line: A multi-purpose implement with tools that are as solid as the real thing.

Best for Children: Morakniv Scout 39 Safe ($50)

Weight: 2.66 oz.
Pros: Double finger guard, full tang, leather sheath included
Cons: Not for large-handed people, rounded tip

Our California-based Scoutmaster praised the Morakniv Scout 39 Safe after using it to teach his pack of teenaged students about knife safety. His own 12-year-old daughter prepared brook trout with the knife in the Emigrant Wilderness, easily gutting and cleaning the fish. The double finger guard was key for protecting wet and slimy fingers, preventing slippage along the blade. Even though the rounded tip (an important safety feature) is less effective than a typical blade, the thick tang extends throughout the birch wood handle, which provides better strength and stability when performing tasks. The 3.4 inches of blade handled many Scout duties, from food prep to making kindling. As a plus for fashion-conscious teens, the handle comes in three hues, while a handsome tanned leather sheath easily attaches to a belt loop.

Bottom Line: A stylish and safe choice for first-time knife-owners.

Best for Weight Savings: James Brand Redstone ($99)

Weight: 1.8 oz.
Pros: Lightweight, lots of color choices, plain edge or serrated options
Cons: Minimal wire pocket clip, a bit hard to open and close one-handed

When seasoned tester Dan Markey first saw this knife, he was skeptical about the design of the grip, which comes in nine different colors and features four raised plastic “islands” along a die-stamped metal handle. It took time to get used to, but Markey ultimately learned to love its slip-preventing design. Despite its scant 1.8-ounce weight and 2.5-inch-long stainless steel blade, this colorful tool helped quarter and debone a cow elk when another tester’s go-to fixed blade was too dull. In American Samoa, Markey stabbed, jabbed, and pried open a coconut to get to the juice without breaking the tip or bending the blade. The bent wire pocket clip helps cut down on weight and doesn’t compromise security—although testers questioned its long-term durability. The ambidextrous slide lock is incredibly secure, and helps with one-handed use, but our tester noted that the closing mechanism isn’t the smoothest.

Bottom Line: A featherweight option with a strong blade and secure, one-handed use.

How to Buy a Knife

Knife Type

Folding: A knife that can fold into its handle and lock into place when deployed. It is commonly referred to as a pocket knife and often comes with a clip for strapping to a belt or pack.

Fixed: This blade extends into or through the handle and typically has one sharp side and one smooth side. They are typically longer and heavier than a folding knife.

Multitool: This combines many different tools in one device, including a knife, scissors, file, pliers, bottle opener, and more.

Blade Material

Stainless Steel: Chromium is the magic element that gives this iron-carbon alloy its rust- and corrosion-resistance. Stainless tends to be a softer metal than carbon steel, which means it loses its edge faster. It’s not as brittle, however, and is more resistant to chipping.

Carbon Steel: Carbon steel is made of iron and carbon, just like stainless, but doesn’t have the added element of chromium, and can therefore rust and chip. The plus side? It maintains an edge longer and is easier to sharpen. It’s typically lighter and more expensive than stainless steel, too.

When it’s time to upgrade your gear, don’t let the old stuff go to waste–donate it for a good cause and divert it from the landfill. our partner, Gear Fix, will repair and resell your stuff for free! Just box up your retired items, , and send them off. We’ll donate 100 percent of the proceeds to .

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