Reviews > Snow Gear > Snowshoes > Tubbs Pinnacle Series Snowshoes > Dennis Shubitowski > Initial Report

Initial Report - Tubbs Pinnacle 30 Snowshoes

Report Outline

Tester Information <back to top>

Product Information <back to top>

Background <back to top>

Not a whole lot! I have spent a total of about 6 hours on snowshoes in my life. My wife and I attended a "Winter Trail Days" event sponsored by the American Hiking Society in the winter of 2003. This event was attended by many of the major snowshoe manufacturers. We were able to talk to all the vendors, have the various product lines explained by representatives from the companies, and try the snowshoes in the beautiful trails around Higgins Lake in northern area of Michigan's lower peninsula. I learned while trying all the snowshoes that even though snowshoes appear similar, there are large differences in feel and performance between manufacturers and models. Small differences in bindings, shape, frame, size and decking material all made a big difference in how the shoe behaved and felt in the snow.

I opted for the 30 in (76.2 cm) snowshoes based on the weight information from Tubbs. I weigh around 170 lb (77 kg). The 25 in (63.5 cm) snowshoes that are the next size down are rated to support up to 200 lb (91 kg) including gear. If I were to carry my winter backpacking load (instead of using a pulk), the weight would exceed 30 lb (13.6 kg) putting me over the limit (my gram weenie-ness goes out the window somewhat during the winter!). Although snowshoe size is somewhat arbitrary and depends heavily on the snow type, the 30 in (76.2 cm) size should give me the most versatility for on-trail, off-trail, varying snow conditions, and pack weight that I will be carrying during the testing period.

Initial Impressions <back to top>

Tubbs has an outstanding website, along with excellent printed information available in retail outlets, that explains their complete product line very well. All the various features of the shoes (binding, frame, decking, and crampons) are well-illustrated and the materials provide good information on the various features of their snowshoes. The Pinnacle line comes in both men's - 25, 30 & 36 in (64, 76 & 91 cm) - and women's models - 21 or 25 in (53 or 64 cm). The weight ranges covered for these sizes range from 120 to 300 lbs (54 to 136 kg) for the men's line and 80 to 200 lbs (36 to 91 kg) for the women's shoes. Tubbs snowshoes with the "Bear Hug" binding are marked with a right and left for ease in tightening the straps, but there does not seem to be any difference in the frame shape between the shoes for the Pinnacle model I am testing.

The snowshoe delivery was attempted while I was at work and required a signature for delivery. We were heading out of town to do, of all things, some snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, so I stopped by the delivery company's warehouse on the way up north to sign for and pick up the package. We were advised by Tubbs prior to testing that the snowshoes we would receive would not appear exactly as depicted on their website and would likely be cosmetic seconds. The snowshoes were shipped in a large box and inside were simply the loose Pinnacle 30 snowshoes held together by a gray rubber Tubb's strap and nothing else. There was no padding/packing material, instruction pamphlet, product information, warranty information, or any other paperwork included. The shoes themselves are red at the toe area and gray from the binding back toward the heel with a black anodized frame. This is the color scheme from previous year's snowshoe models (back to 2001). The current 2003/4 shoes (as I saw at various retail stores) have a orange and gray decking motif as their website depicts. I can therefore assume I am not testing the currently available model. Upon initial inspection in the truck while heading north on I-75, I was really surprised at the condition of the shoes even if they were cometic seconds. The black anodized frame had numerous (over 20) large, deep and varying scratches down to the silver base, the decking was also fairly well scratched including a deep gouge in the right shoe near the heel, a portion of the Tubbs logo was missing from the heel area on the decking, and the snowshoes were covered with dust that could be drawn in with my finger. These things are mainly cosmetic in nature, but if I had purchased these shoes, they would have instantly been returned. I was really rather disappointed in their condition as I tend to take very good care of my gear and try to keep it in like-new condition. It will be somewhat difficult to evaluate the snowshoes for wear, but I will take plenty of initial pictures for comparison later and hope that will be helpful. I should also note that the Pinnacle 30 shoes I received came in at nearly 1 lb (0.4 kg) over the manufacturer's given weight, but I do not know if the specifications given for the current model apply to these shoes. If this is the accurate weight for the current model, I would hope the weight specification will be adjusted as weight is an important aspect of initial snowshoe evaluation for me.

Components <back to top>

Binding/Crampon

The binding of a snowshoe is arguably the most important part. The binding is what connects your boot to the snowshoe and completely affects how secure the shoe feels and the action of how the snowshoe moves. The Pinnacle snowshoes have what Tubbs calls a "Bear Hug" binding. This is a very unique binding compared to the usual strap type of binding found on most snowshoes that I have seen. The Bear Hug binding is made from one piece. There are two neoprene padded "L-shaped" molded plastic shells that are located on either side of your boot around the ankle area. These two shells are connected in back around the heel with an adjustable gray plastic racheting strap. This strap allows adjustment forward and backwards to fine-tune placement of the boot onto the snowshoe so the ball of your foot can be positioned over the binding in the right location. This strap feeds into the padded shell through a red tension button on the outside of the shells. The strap is shortened by pushing it into the shell and lengthened by pressing the red release button and pulling the strap out - each side is a mirror image of the other. There is also a circular "Tubbs" logo at the very heel of this strap. On the boot-side of this logo there are small protruding teeth that apparently help provide some friction to hold the strap onto the heel of your boot.

The padded shells are connected on top with a similar black ratcheting strap that lies over the section of the boot between the ankle and toes. This strap is the main adjustment strap to secure the binding tightly around the boot. For each snowshoe, a single red tension button as described above is located on the inside of the leg. The outside of the strap ends with a leveraging red catch with a yellow push button release. There are two prongs/ears on this catch that fit into a matching receiver, and then the catch is leveraged down and locked. To open the catch, the yellow release button is pushed in and the catch can then be lifted open.

On each side of the padded shell, the molded plastic continues down to where the bottom of your boot rests and where it connects to the crampon. This section of the binding is marked with a "R" or "L" for the respective shoe along with a note that says "Place Ball Of Foot Here." There are 16 molded pointy spikes on this section to keep the bottom of the boot firmly in place. The crampon is attached to this piece by four Philips head bolts (on the bottom of the boot side) with locking nuts on the bottom (snow side) of the crampon. The entire binding is attached to the frame via a "Rotating Toe Cord." There are two flattened eye bolts attached on each side of the crampon. The binding/crampon turns freely around the eye bolts - if the binding were not inhibited by the decking, the crampon could spin 360 degrees around the rotating toe cord. Each of the flattened eye bolts are connected to the frame by a loop of material that looks exactly like "Biothane" which is a durable, flexible plastic-like synthetic that is commonly used in draft horse harnesses. These loops are attached by two rivets each through the section of the loop closest to the decking.

The "Viper" crampon is Tubbs most agressive style, and it looks very agressive indeed. There are numerous long, sharp and pointy teeth attached to the rotating toe cord and also directly to the decking near where the heel of your boots rest. There are four teeth forward of the toe cord (toward the toe) and two teeth behind the toe cord. In between the set of four and set of two teeth are smaller serrated teeth. These long teeth are about 1.25 in (3 cm). There are also four teeth attached near the heel area on the decking and they have an "M" shape. There are two teeth on each side of the heel and they are each about an inch (2.5 cm) long. Each crampon appears to be made of a single piece of stainless steel that is cut and bent to form the teeth. The main crampon around the rotating toe cord is generally circular in shape. There is a piece of plastic on the bottom of it and the bolts described above poke through this plastic sheet and the locking nuts keep it tightly secured to the bottom of the crampon. The teeth at the heel area also appear to be formed from a single piece of stainless steel and are attached by six rivets. These smooth topped rivets go through the decking and also hold a seperate piece of plastic (the same material as the molded binding) on the top of the decking. This piece of plastic lies where the heel of the boot rests and serves to hold the heel in place. It has its own set of twelve molded pointy teeth that are more rounded than their counterparts described above.

Frame

These snowshoes apparently have a 7075-T7 Easton aluminum frame. It is difficult to know for sure because I do not think that I am testing the current model described on the website. The frame is black anodized and is seemingly very easily scratched as I described under the initial impressions. The frame is basic silver beneath the anodized coating. The frames are indeed about 30 in (76.2 cm) from tip to toe as the name impies. The frame is rounded at the heel and toe and has a slight taper toward the heel. The widest part of the snowshoe is about 9.25 in (24 cm) in the area around or just forward of where the rotating toe cord attaches. The front of the frame is bent or formed upwards like the tip of a ski or snowboard. The deflection is roughly a 4 in (10 cm) bend over the last 6 in (15 cm) of the very front. The frame appears to be one solid, circular piece of tubing. I could not find any welds where two ends would have been joined together - if there is a weld, it may be hidden under where the decking tightly connects.

Decking

The Tubbs Pinnacle series has a decking made of "ArcTec" which is listed as being puncture and abrasion resistant to -40 F (-40 C). The decking looks and feels like a thick plastic milkjug. The decking is made of two pieces. The piece from the toe cord to the tip is red and the piece from the toe cord to the heel is gray. The two pieces are connected to each other by the same rivets that attach the "Biothane" loops to the decking. The top side of the decking is smooth and has a fancy "30" and "Pinnacle" logo at the tip and "Tubbs Snowshoes" and "Made in the USA" printed at the heel. The bottom of the decking on the gray piece has a raised Tubbs logo printed at regular intervals. The bottom of the red decking is smooth like the top. The decking is attached to the frame with rivets that have the Tubbs logo punched into their head. The decking is cut so that there are 14 "arms" of decking that wrap around the frame. Each rivet is close to the edge of the frame and attaches the decking "arms" in a tight loop around the frame. There are nine "arms" on the gray piece - four on each side and one at the heel. The red decking has 5 "arms - one on each side of the frame, one on each side of the bent tip, and one at the very tip. The section of the decking at the binding and toward front of the shoe is removed to allow your foot to rotate through.

Testing Plan <back to top>

The testing plan for the snowshoes is to get out as many weekends as possible. I will have headed out the first three weekends after receiving the shoes. The last weekend of the month will include a dogsledding weekend on Lake Michigan. One or two multiday trips are planned for either loop or point to point hikes in various locations in Michigan. I plan on evaluating the shoes for wear over the test period. I will note how they work in different types of snow as well along with the basic adjustment and wearing of them.

Biography <back to top>

I was born, raised, and currently live in Michigan. I have been camping with family since I was a young tot. I have been backpacking since the early 1990s and have gotten out much more over the last several years as life has settled down. I also hunt, geocache, horseback ride, ski, orienteer, and canoe. I backpack in every season - rain, snow, or shine. My hiking philosophy is definitely moved toward lightweight to ultra-lightweight backpacking over the past couple years from my "backbreaker" days. I now sleep under a homemade tarptent shelter or in a hammock, I usually wear a frameless backpack, and I cook on a homemade alcohol or Esbit stove with a titanium pot. My average three season load for a multi-day trip, including food and water, is less than 25 lbs (11.3 kg).

Reviews > Snow Gear > Snowshoes > Tubbs Pinnacle Series Snowshoes > Dennis Shubitowski > Initial Report