I’ve been snowshoeing for about 10 years. I’ve seen a lot of different styles and brands of ‘shoes in that time. Over the last couple of years I’ve been pretty Tubbs-centric, as you might expect of an ambassador. I figured it was high time I take a look around and compare the latest and greatest Tubbs has to offer with the top of the line from their competitors.
The Tubbs snowshoes I have are the FLEX ALPs. I’ll refer to the competitor’s offering as Brand X’s OSS.
I’ll be rating the snowshoes on the each of the following:
* Floatation – A snowshoe needs to keep you on top of the snow.
* Bindings – How does the snowshoe hold your foot?
* Traction – The world isn’t flat. How do they do climbing and traversing?
* Comfort – If the snowshoe isn’t comfortable and easy to use it impacts your enjoyment.
* Durability – When I buy something I want to use it for years and years.
I’ve used FLEX ALPs for the last two years. Before that I had FLEX NRG . I had the opportunity to try out the OSS a few weeks ago thanks to a friend that wanted my opinion.
Right away I was stunned by the floatation of the OSS. OUTSTANDING. They had about twice the surface area of my FLEX so it only made sense they’d be superior. Great for deep, deep powdery snow. Score one for OSS.
The bindings on the OSS were unlike any I’d seen before. One set of leather straps crossed over the instep. Another wrapped around my heel. Yet another strap connected under my heel. Securing my foot required no fewer than three metal buckles and I still felt like I was sliding around. Removing the ‘shoes meant unbuckling each strap and loosening them.
In contrast, the Active FLEX binding had one synthetic strap on the front and one rubber strap on the back. Taking them off required only pulling up on the handle and stepping out. FLEX wins this point.
If the world was flat traction wouldn’t be that big a deal. It might be relatively flat in some places, but where I live we have mountains. Without traction, climbing mountains in snowshoes isn’t really possible.
The OSS has no traction. Zero. Zip. Nada. The FLEX ALP have, to put it mildly, wicked awesome traction. In fact, if you look at the bottom of the snowshoe you would be excused if you thought it looked like a weapon of some sort. The teeth on the crampons are so aggressive they’re called the “Viper.” While the OSS couldn’t go up a minor slope I’ve climbed almost vertical snow in my FLEX. My kids can even climb steep slopes in their FLEX Jr. snowshoes. Point: FLEX.
The complaint I hear most when talking to first-timers is that their hip flexors hurt because they have to walk with their feet spread apart. That’s unnatural and uncomfortable. Never was this more true than with the OSS. These ‘shoes are each more than a foot wide. I’ve seen cowboys walk with their legs closer together after spending a week on an overweight horse. In contrast, FLEX ALP are only eight inches wide and I don’t notice a change in the way I walk. The FLEX scores another point.
Durability is our last category. The bindings and other natural materials on the OSS just don’t last. When putting on the OSS the binding broke. Twice. This might have been because they weren’t properly cared for when they were put away, I suppose. But when you consider that I simply hang my FLEX on the snowshoe rack in the garage* so they can drip dry and have never had a problem with them the OSS doesn’t look so good. Game. Set. Match.
The final score is OSS: 1, FLEX ALP: 4.
Now that I’ve done my duty as a snowshoe aficionado and learned about the latest and greatest from Tubbs’ competitors I feel like I can go back to enjoying my FLEX ALPs fully confident in their superiority.
Was this a fair comparison? I will admit the OSS weren’t the absolute latest and greatest. In fact, they might have been a few years (or decades) old. It certainly makes me feel confident in the evolution of the snowshoe, though. I’m sure I won’t go anywhere without my Tubbs.
* What do you mean you don’t have a snowshoe rack? I’m not super handy, but even I can pull this one off. Hang a metal bar parallel to the ceiling in your garage or shed. Buy sturdy hangers with arms, but no bottom cross piece and be sure the hook can turn at least 90 degrees. Bind your snowshoes together with the arms of the hanger extending through the open spaces in front of the toes. Hang them up and admire.
John S.
Family/Kids Ambassador