Crescent Moon Vail 24.5

Women's trail snowshoes should be different than men's. For that matter, any model of women's snowshoes should reflect the fact that women are smaller and have shorter, more narrow strides.

And did you know that Crescent Moon was the first to make a series of snowshoes for women, and by the way, designed by a woman, who also happens to be the co-founder of the company? Now you know.

Allows for women up to 165lbs and foot sizes less than 12 (W). It's lightweight, very easy to maneuver and features a binding system so well designed and functional it has been recognized as the "best" snowshoe on the market by most outside magazines at some point during the last 22 years Crescent Moon has been making it. That's one small step for women, one giant snowshoe leap for women-kind. The Vail 24.5 is a frame which has been bent with a very steep nose and tapered tail. Because of this unique teardrop shape, with each step, the shoes will clear away from themselves within the distance of your own natural stride without forcing you to adapt a new walking style, like traditionally shaped snowshoes do. The Vail 24.5's are exceptionally responsive, lightweight, and comfortable on any trail.

Each set of aluminum snowshoes come with a pair of heel lifts.

What is a heel lift? It's an optional feature for your snowshoes, which adds 2 inches of platform under your heel and makes climbing more efficient, comfortable (by reducing the strain on your calf muscles), and improves traction.

If you're located in the mountains, and you're snowshoeing up long, sustained climbs, a heel lift might be exactly what the doctor ordered. If you're spending most of your time on flatter or rolling terrain, you probably don't need the heel lift.