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As a lover of both snowshoeing and design, I have been following the development of the first EVA foam snowshoe for about a year. They have a very different look and construction compared to a traditional metal or plastic snowshoe, and the binding is greatly simplified. In talking to the President and co-founder of Crescent Moon Snowshoes, I learned that his wife was inspired by rocker and drop heel running shoes and is behind their innovative design.
Aside from the cool, lightweight design, when I found out that their snowshoes were over ½ lb lighter than my current favorites, I couldn’t wait to give them a try! Remember, a lb on your foot equals 5 lbs on your back.
Crescent Moon generously sent me a pair of Red EVA’s to test and then even more generously, loaned us 6 pair for a Women’s Outdoor Adventure Retreat! I appreciate their openness to feedback and continual improvements on their innovative design.
Eva-all-foam Snowshoe Awards:
INNOVATION Award Winner – 2018 Outdoor Retailer
Men’s Journal – GEAR OF THE YEAR
Eva All-Foam GEAR OF THE YEAR – Gear Junkie, Dec. 2017
Best of Show – 2017 Outdoor Retailer
Editor’s Pick – 2017 Outdoor Retailer – OR Daily
Features
- Dual Density Foam body
- Flexible soft upper
- Hard Plastic Tread/Crampon
- Ice Spike Traction Screws
- Simple Velcro Bindings
- Very lightweight
Manufacturer Specs
- 8″ x 24″
- 3.5-3.8 lbs/pair
- Fits 5W to 14M
- recommended for snowshoers up to 200 lbs.
- Recyclable through athletic shoe recycling programs.
Field Testing
In a period of two weeks, I tested the Crescent Moon EVA Snowshoes for a total of 14 hours and approximately18-20 miles in the following conditions.
- Packed and deep snow-Mille Lacs Kathio State Park
- Hilly mix of packed and deeper off trail- Theodore Wirth Park
- Packed snow and ice on a frozen lake at the Luminary Loppet
- Alongside the (we stayed off the tracks) American Birkebeiner Ski Trail
- Rolling hill mix of 10” fresh powder and groomed trails on Seeley Pass
Performance Assessment
- Weight-Excellent at 3.5 lbs per pair
- Binding-Excellent: simple Velcro that van be attached with a mittened hand and does not slip after extended use.
- Grip-Excellent:did not lose traction up hills or on ice.
- Maneuverability-Excellent: does not flap or hinge down when going over logs or steep inclines like a traditional snowshoe. Feels like a flexible extension of the foot and shoe.
- Biomechanics-Good. This is more focused on ankle and foot motion specifically. I would give this an excellent, but found that my biomechanics changed a little on longer hikes and it varied depending on my footwear.
- Durability-still under review. The bindings, foam and hard plastic crampons are sturdy and are holding up great. Because they are a new material, I would like to see how they perform in in 5 years.
Strengths
- Lightweight
- Quiet
- Good grip in multiple conditions
- Comfortable cushion
- Low profile crampon, making road or ice walking easier.
- Binding collapses making it easy to strap onto a pack
- Velcro/hook and loop binding is simple to use and doesn’t loosen with time.
- Great design and aesthetic
- Warmer feet due to insulation. (especially in sub zero conditions)
Limitations
- Break over (heel above toe angle) is slightly reduced compared to an open/hinge traditional style and may use muscles you aren’t used to using.I found them to work best with a low shoe or ankle high boot vs a taller boot for long hikes.
- Note:everyone’s body is different. I noticed an issue with the motion when I went out twice on one day, spending about 5 hours snowshoeing in my drop heel boots. Since these shoes already have a slight drop heel, you may want to stay with a traditional heel boot or gradually work up to it. Switching boots relieved the issue.
Testimonials
As I mentioned before, I wore these snowshoes on several group hikes and was brought 6 pair to a weekend trip and they were the talk of the trail. Even in the dark at the Luminary Loppet, folks would stop me and ask about my cool snowshoes. (They should make a glow in the dark pair!)
Here are a few other comments I jotted down:
“I love these snowshoes! I can have a conversation while wearing them because they’re quiet”
“Easy to put on really light weight”
“I love them because I can run in them!”
“I can walk without that big thing under my foot”
“Feel good on my feet”
“So light!”
“Can I try them?”
“Comfy!”
“Easy to get on and off”
“The absolute best, they are so light I was able to power walk in them I mean, I was flying!”
Final thoughts
If you have been reading the Wandering Pine Blog, you will know that Snowshoeing is my favorite winter sport. It is one of the activities that completely changed the my mindset towards the colder months. Overall, I thought these snowshoes were really fun switch to my traditional snowshoes and my friends seemed to play around, run and frolic a lot more in them than they did in their own shoes. I like that they add a little joy to things (without sacrificing performance) and would recommend them for a beginner, moderate user or anyone who is looking for a multipurpose shoe that performs in all kinds of conditions. I am not qualified to make a call on whether they should be used on highly technical or mountain trails, as we don’t really have any of those here in Minnesota.
I am grateful for our fresh, bountiful snow, and any opportunity to find joy in it! Hit the subscribe button or be sure to come back for my trip report to ROAM Adventure Basecamp and my first time Fat Tire Biking!
I know not everyone loves winter, but remember…
If you choose not to find joy in the snow,
You will have less joy in your life but still the
Same amount of snow.
Happy Trails,
~WP
Love your enthusiasm about all things outdoors! Thanks for the EVA snowshoe review. I want to check these out!
Thank you! They are super fun!!! You are welcome to try mine if we are out on the trail!
I love this! I may want to try a pair!
Lets go!!!!
Hey Jen- were you having trouble with shin splints with these? The whole heel toe drop thing? I’m wondering if I won’t have as much shin pain if I switch to something lighter.
Bummer about the shin splints. 🙁 Unfortunately I can’t offer any great advice on them but I do notice that the EVAs work my shin/ankle muscles harder than my shoes with a hinge on longer hikes. I think its a combo of the drop and the forward motion. Crescent moon has removed the ‘toe stopper’ in this year’s model which my improve mobility a little but I haven’t tried them yet. I’d recommend renting, borrowing or buying from a place with a good return policy to see how your body will respond to them. Hope that helps!