The Atlas Helium Path ($150) is a light-weight and surprisingly cheap snowshoe designed to be used on rolling hills and simple terrain. It has nice traction and has a brand new Wrapp binding system, akin to the Paragon Binding on MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoes. The Helium Path Snowshoes additionally include heel lifts (televators) which make climbing hills simpler and should not often discovered on cheaper “path” snowshoes.
Specs at a Look
- Gender: Unisex
- Sizes: 23″ (3 lbs 2 oz), 26″ (3 lbs 7 oz)
- Traction: entrance crampon, facet traction rails
- Crampon Materials: Carbon Metal
- Heel Lifts: Sure
- Form: Teardrop
- Deck Materials: Plastic
- Max Really helpful Load: 23″ (as much as 160 lbs), 26″ (as much as 220lbs)
Snowshoes are heavy, starting from 4 to 5 kilos per pair, relying on sizing. However the factor that units the Helium Path Snowshoe other than different makes and fashions is the truth that they solely weigh 3 kilos and a couple of ounces, which is an astonishingly low weight for a 23″ snowshoe. The 26″ snowshoe, which I’ve been utilizing, weighs 3 lbs 7 oz per pair.
Whereas the Helium Trails are exceptionally light-weight, the brand new net-like Wrapp binding may be very easy to make use of and cozy. It replaces the webbing fashion binding Atlas used final yr when these snowshoes have been first launched, which had a defect the place the binding may very well be reduce by the facet traction rails. That outdated binding is historical past and the issue has been fully mounted on this new mannequin.
Atlas additionally presents the Helium snowshoe with two completely different binding techniques. The Helium BC Snowshoe is almost an identical to the Helium Path besides that its binding makes use of a urethane ski strap as an alternative of the Wrapp binding, whereas the Helium MTN Snowshoe has a Boa-based binding system. I just like the Helium Path and Helium BC the most effective of those three as a result of they’re the simplest to strap to the skin of a backpack. Boa Bindings are very cumbersome and tough to pack compared.
Teardrop Design
The Atlas Helium Path is a teardrop-shaped composite snowshoes with a entrance crampon and facet traction rails. The entrance crampon is made with carbon metal whereas the metal traction rails present grip for side-hilling on sloped surfaces. The Helium has a chunky televator heel raise, which you’ll flip as much as cut back calf pressure when climbing hills. This should be accomplished by hand since there’s no different method to grasp the televator wire, however whack along with your trekking pole handles is sufficient to flip them again down after they’re not wanted.
The plastic decking is surprisingly sturdy and has plenty of flex in it while you step on obstacles like rocks or small ledges. Louvers (angled slits) reduce into the floor of the decking maintain the deck versatile whereas shedding powdery snow. I take into account the flotation good, however not extraordinary for a 26-inch snowshoe. However their mild weight makes all of the distinction on this dimension!
The Helium Path’s entrance crampon offers a wonderful chunk in ice, laborious snow, and combined rock and snow for hill climbing. The Helium MTN and Helium BC fashions have barely extra aggressive entrance crampons, however I doubt the distinction is that materials.
New Wrapp Binding
The Altas Helium Path binding is a urethane “web” that wraps excessive of your boot. One facet is completely hooked up to the snowshoe whereas the opposite two corners have straps that you simply tighten over your boots. It’s quite simple and stays shut when you tighten the straps snugly. The binding is “handed” so you could put your proper foot into the right-hand snowshoe and your left foot into the left. A “RIGHT” and a “LEFT” are embossed within the backside of the binding so you may’t combine them up.
As you stroll, the binding pivots by means of a big entrance gap within the entrance of the snowshoe, so the entrance crampon digs into the snow in entrance of you whereas the rear of the snowshoe floats on high of the floor of the snow offering flotation. It is a commonplace snowshoe design.
Along with the webbing, a rear urethane strap is used to lock your heel in place. For those who don’t use the heel strap, your heel and boots gained’t monitor straight or degree, making it a lot more durable to stroll. Whenever you’re able to tighten the heel strap, you pull it tight. It’s held in place by a compression buckle and gained’t slip.
Except you alter footwear, you may set the heel strap as soon as and overlook about it. Whenever you placed on the snowshoe, you may step into the entrance half of the Wrapp binding and easily safe the skin corners. It does assist to make use of winter boots which have little ridge within the heel, just like the Oboz Bridger 10″ that I’m sporting right here, so the heel strap doesn’t slip down the again of your boot. Most insulated winter boots supposed for mountaineering have this (see 10 Finest Insulated Winter Mountaineering Boots).
Advice
The Atlas Helium Path Snowshoe is surprisingly light-weight but nonetheless absolutely featured (together with a televator and facet traction rails) for a snowshoe that’s solely supposed for gently rolling terrain. I’ve ignored that steering and use it like I might use any backcountry snowshoe on mountain trails. Whereas I did discover fault with the earlier mannequin of Helium Path and its former webbing-based binding, I believe this new Wrapp binding is a house run. For those who’re in search of a snowshoe that may be very light-weight and simple to make use of, I’d seize a pair of those Atlas Helium Path snowshoes. I do know I’ll be carrying mine this winter.
Disclosure: The writer owns this product.
SectionHiker is reader-supported. We independently analysis, check, and fee the most effective merchandise. We solely generate income if you are going to buy a product by means of our affiliate hyperlinks. Assist us proceed to check and write unsponsored and unbiased gear opinions, newbie FAQs, and free mountaineering guides.
