Comparison of lineup: We've compared TUBBS snowshoes, a long-established brand that never stops innovation, so we'll introduce some recommended models.
Written by Yasushi Hisatomi
Continuing our series of test-fitting representative models from major snowshoe brands, in this third installment we will report on TUBBS, a pioneer in the snowshoe industry with over 100 years of history in Maine, USA
This time, we've picked out the popular plastic deck "FLEX" series from TUBBS' wide lineup. We borrowed five models from some manufacturers, with different uses and styles, from walking to backcountry (BC), and for men and women, and tried them out (at Kagura Ski Resort). As always, the following discussion assumes some knowledge of snowshoes. If you find any parts of this article difficult to understand, please also read the following article, which explains and reviews how to choose snowshoes
- Once you know it, you can't stop! Three points to know when choosing snowshoes: How to choose snowshoes
- Comparison review: Comparing shoes from the four major snowshoe manufacturers, MSR, ATLAS, TSL, and TUBBS!
table of contents
- table of contents
- TUBBS Snowshoe Features and Lineup Comparison
- About the FLEX series I tried on
- Differences in bindings (how to put on and take off) – The Boa closure is amazing for its quick and easy fastening
- Differences in buoyancy - All models have almost the same deck structure and size -
- Difference in Grip - VRT's brutal front claws perform better than expected
- Differences between male and female models
- Introducing recommended TUBBS snowshoe models for different occasions
table of contents
TUBBS Snowshoe Features and Lineup Comparison
Let me put aside all the features I'll be talking about in detail later and say one thing first. It's really just the looks, but the impact of the design makes you think, "I want it... I really want it!" I personally love the sophisticated deck design and coloring that looks great on the slopes rather than mountain climbing, and the texture of the bindings and blades (crampons) that have an incredible "gear" feel. Not only is the design cool on its own, but when combined with BC equipment, it fits in perfectly
When I first encountered this brand, I always thought it was just some kind of snowboard brand that had made something cool on impulse, but it turns out it's actually a well-established company founded in 1906. Until just twenty-odd years ago, this was a manufacturer that made unassuming snow walking equipment made from wood and leather laces. The fact that they're now under the umbrella of the K2 Group may also be a factor
In any case, I think that this refreshing attitude of carrying tradition while never forgetting to challenge itself is one of the charms of this brand, on a level separate from functionality
About the FLEX series I tried on
Now, finally, to the main topic. The FLEX series we'll be discussing is a series from TUBBS' diverse lineup that features a plastic deck that offers sufficient durability while also providing moderate flexibility and suppleness. It features a "FLEX Tail" designed based on ergonomics and biomechanics to allow for a natural, smooth walk while reducing stress on the joints. We'll focus on the similarities and differences between each model, but to make it easier to understand, we'll provide a general overview of the specifications in the table below. Please note that TUBBS also offers other models, including those with aluminum frames, but these will not be taken into consideration in this discussion
| item | FLEX VRT SNOWSHOE | FLEX RDG SNOWSHOE | FLEX ESC SNOWSHOE |
|---|---|---|---|
| image |  FLEX VRT SNOWSHOE |  FLEX RDG SNOWSHOE |  FLEX ESC SNOWSHOE |
| Suitable activities | Backcountry | Day Hikes | Trail walking |
| Favourite terrain | Mountains | Gentle terrain | flatland |
| grip | ◎ | ◯ | ◯ |
| buoyancy | ◎ | ◎ | ◎ |
| Ease of putting on and taking off | ◎ | ◯ | ◯ |
| Ease of adjustment | ◎ | △ | ◎ |
| Fixed force | ◯ | ◯ | ◎ |
| Ease of walking | ◯ | ◯ | ◯ |
| The fun of the descent | ◯ | ◯ | ◯ |
| Toe Adjustment | DYNAMICFIT BINDING | ◎CUSTOMWRAP BINDING | QUICKFLEX BINDING |
| ankle strap | ◎One-touch strap | △Steel pin | ◯Strap |
| Front claw | ◎VIPER 2.0 CRAMPON | ◯ | ◯ |
| Blade Crampons | ◎TRACTION RAILS (deep) | ◯TRACTION RAILS | ◯TRACTION RAILS |
| Climbing support | ◎ (high) | ◯ | ◯ |
| Size (cm) | 21×61 (24 inches) | 21×61 | 21×61 |
| Weight (g) | 2040 (24 inches) | 1750 | 1632 |
| Size variations | 24/28 inch | 24 inches | 24 inches |
Differences in bindings (how to put on and take off) – The Boa closure is amazing for its quick and easy fastening
Of course, there are many reasons to choose TUBBS aside from their design. One of the biggest attractions is undoubtedly the bindings that use the Boa® Closure System, a fastening system that uses an ultra-thin wire and dial, which was originally developed for snowboard boots in 1998
The two on the left are the VRT and RDG, which use Boa closures
This system is used in both the VRT and RDG
The ESC (left) is fastened with a tape strap, making it versatile and able to fit a variety of shoes. The RDG (middle) has a wire on the instep that connects to the heel strap, so just tightening the instep tightens the entire shoe, but it is less flexible. The VRT (right) was easy to put on and take off, and had a high level of hold
However, even though they both use Boa, there are subtle differences in the way they work, which requires some clarification. RDG bindings are connected by wire all the way to the heel, so by tightening the dial on the instep, you can tighten the entire binding, including the heel, making it literally one-touch fastening and detachable (middle photo below). On the other hand VRT bindings, only the instep can be tightened with the dial, and a separate rubber strap must be tightened to secure the heel (right photo below).
the RDG clearly easier, but the RDG , you have to pre-adjust the length of the heel strap to fit your shoes, and it's a bit disappointing that this adjustment requires pulling out two hard steel pins with your fingers and then refastening them, which is a bit of a hassle. Furthermore, the RDG is somewhat less flexible, so depending on the boot, there may be a bit of space (this may vary from boot to boot), and in terms of fixation, the VRT provides more security by applying uniform pressure to the entire instep.
The VRT heel strap is smartly designed so that it can be fixed at the exact right point just by pulling it, so it's not a hassle at all and is honestly quite easy to use. Taking all of this into consideration, I personally prefer the VRT bindings, even though they are both Boa .
The ESC (left) has a standard strap that is a little prone to coming off. The RDG (middle) has a steel pin that is not easily adjustable. The VRT (right) has a convenient strap that automatically fastens and secures with just a pull
the ESC doesn't use Boa has a simple two-point fastening structure: a synthetic strap and a heel strap. While it's slightly easier to put on and take off than other models (you have to turn the dial with one hand versus pulling the strap with both hands), the mechanism itself of pushing your toes in to tighten is the same, so there's not much difference in terms of speed.
The flexible tape straps are suitable not only for hard shoes such as ski/snowboard boots and alpine boots, but also for softer shoes such as snow boots. For this reason, if you want to enjoy light equipment, it may be better to choose an ESC a TREK with a similar structure, although we did not try them this time .
Differences in buoyancy - All models have almost the same deck structure and size -
As you can see in the photo below, the size and shape (and material) of the decks are almost the same, so there isn't a noticeable difference between the models when it comes to buoyancy. The FLEX series originally had a minimum size of 24 inches (22 inches for the women's model). Snowshoes, which were developed for walking on the flat, dry snowfields and forests of North America, have always been known for their high buoyancy, and those who use 22-inch snowshoes from other manufacturers such as MSR will definitely feel the difference
Comparing the appearance of the FLEX series, from left to right: VRT, RDG, ESC. The deck size, shape (and material) are almost the same
Difference in Grip - VRT's brutal front claws perform better than expected
Next, let's turn the snowshoes over and look at the grip area, including the blades and crampons. the RDG and ESC looks and feels exactly the same. On the other hand, the VRT 's vertically arranged blades are finer and deeper, and extend farther forward. The crampons at the toes also have more blades and are sharper. This means that when facing steep, packed snow, once you put weight on your front toes, you get an excellent sense of stability. Furthermore, the heel lift (climbing support) is set slightly higher. As the name VRT (Vertical) suggests, these features make them ideal for backcountry skiing, where steep slopes are required.
Comparing the blade crampons on the back. All of them had a solid grip, but on steep slopes the VRT was the clear winner
Comparing the blades of the VRT (bottom) and RDG/ESC (top). The VRT is longer and deeper
Comparing heel lift (climbing support) between VRT (right) and RDG (left). VRT is slightly higher
the ESC is designed for walking on flat snowy ground, does not have a heel lift, so this model is not suitable for walking on courses with many steep climbs and descents, so you should be aware of this.
Differences between male and female models
As a final point, I was able to try out the RDG and ESC male and female models, so I also checked out the differences between them
First of all, the sizes are clearly different between the men's and women's models. It may be hard to tell from the photo, but the men's model is 24 inches and the women's model is 22 inches. Furthermore, it's not just that the size is shorter; the deck shape of the women's model is slightly more rounded to make it less likely to get caught, and the binding shape (size?) is tailored to fit women's shoe sizes. While the women's model has structural adjustments to suit these body types, the basic functionality and usability are exactly the same. Conversely, this also means that if a petite man tries it on and it fits him well, then it's fine to use the women's model
Comparison of the ESC male model (right) and the ESC female model (left). At first glance, it's hard to tell the difference, but there are subtle differences in size and shape
Introducing recommended TUBBS snowshoe models for different occasions
Taking the above features into consideration, we will introduce some recommended models that are particularly easy to use within the TUBBS series
Recommended for backcountry skiing with its smooth on/off, ample buoyancy and traction: FLEX VRT
It's been two years since I jumped on the bandwagon the moment TUBBS started using Boa closures. Boa bindings fasten securely in seconds, and once you've tried them, you'll never go back to other models. Boa bindings are often shunned by some people who are skeptical of new things, but so far, the wire has never broken or worn out. Of course, there are psychological concerns about using them roughly
On the other hand, this is purely my personal impression, but in terms of weight and grip, it falls just short of the MSR, while in terms of buoyancy and ease of donning and doffing, it rivals the ATLAS, and in terms of walkability, it's a close second to the TSL. Considering this, it's not necessarily superior to other brands' flagship models in any way. However, on the flip side, the fact that it "competes with the best in every aspect" is its strength, and I believe the appeal of the VRT is that it will remain a finalist no matter what situation you use it in. It boasts flawless performance above average in all areas—buoyancy, grip, walkability, ease of use—all at an affordable price. And with its unrivaled, sophisticated design, it's a sure bet for climbers and backcountry riders venturing into deep snow
Still, if we had to say, because of its relatively large size, if you want a lighter and more compact setup, or if you're traversing crusty slopes rather than deep snow and have a lot of variety in your route, or if the snow gets heavier as the temperature rises, then a lighter model or crampons would be a safer choice. On the other hand, in the backcountry in the depths of winter when you're aiming for powder, its all-around high performance and ease of handling will likely deliver maximum performance
FLEX ESC: A great value for money, perfect for your first pair of snow hiking boots
As I wrote when introducing the TSL, if you are someone with little experience in snow hiking or snowshoeing and just want to explore snowy trails, you don't need sharp, deep blades or heavy bindings, so a simpler, easier-to-use, lower-priced model is ideal. However, snowshoes have become more expensive recently, and even low-priced models from established manufacturers are difficult to come by. This FLEX ESC is a blessing for people like you
The FLEX series incorporates cutting-edge technology, offering excellent grip, buoyancy, and ease of walking, and is just as comfortable on flat ground as the VRT. Furthermore, by simplifying unnecessary parts, the weight has been significantly reduced (1,632g). And considering that it's available at this price, it's hard to deny that it offers exceptional value for money among entry-level models to date. I'd love to try walking in these at Utsukushigahara. If I could do that under a clear blue sky on my first snowshoeing experience, even the most casual hiker would be hooked on the snowy mountains
We also recommend this article about snowshoes.
- Once you know it, you can't stop! Three points to know when choosing snowshoes: How to choose snowshoes
- Comparison review: Comparing shoes from the four major snowshoe manufacturers, MSR, ATLAS, TSL, and TUBBS!
- Lineup comparison: We compared MSR snowshoes, so we'll introduce some recommended models.
- Comparison of lineup: We've compared TSL snowshoes, a talented person only knows, so we'll introduce some recommended models.
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