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Backcountry 30" Unisex Ultralight Snowshoe Kit

All the float you need in fresh powder starting at 3.3 lb a pair. Our 30" Backcountry weighs less than many brands' 22" snowshoes and the included ultralight trekking poles shed even more weight. Made in Englewood, Colorado with a limited lifetime warranty.

Sale price $289.95 Regular price $344.85
Traction System
Color: Olive Green

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Warranty

Snowshoes and accessories are guaranteed against manufacturing defects for the Lifetime* of the product.

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Description

Deep snow is where heavy snowshoes wear you out. The Backcountry gives you a full 30" of float to stay on top of fresh powder starting at just 3.3 lbs a pair, less than most 22" snowshoes out there. It's built for hikers from 180 to 225 lb with gear, or anyone who spends most days off the packed trail.

Highlights

  • 3.3 lb a pair (Glide traction), 3.6 lb with Summit traction
  • 30" x 9" frame for deep powder, just a little longer and wider than our 25" Elite
  • For 180–225 lb with gear. Unisex, fits women's boots 7–15 and men's 5–13.5.
  • Spin Dial binding: turn to tighten, pull the tab to release, even with gloves on
  • Hand-built in Englewood, Colorado, with a limited lifetime warranty
  • Includes ultralight trekking poles and matching carry bag

Find your fit

Choose If you…
Glide traction (3.3 lb) break trail on flat to rolling terrain. Our lightest, most effortless setup.
Summit traction (3.6 lb) are headed into the mountains or hills. Adds a stainless steel rear crampon, integrated heel lift for steep climbs, and 4 stainless steel traversing claws for crossing slopes.

Under 180 lb and mostly on packed trails? The 25" Women's Elite or Men's Elite will feel quicker. Over 225 lb or carrying a heavy pack, choose the 33" Tundra.

Is the Backcountry right for you?

  • Yes if you hike in deep or fresh snow, carry a pack, or weigh 180–225 lb with gear, and you don't want big snowshoes to feel big.
  • Want to spend less? The Quicksilver 30 is our value pick. The Backcountry is a step up: a lighter 7075-T6 aluminum frame, a lighter (equally strong) grade of COOLTHANE® decking, more colors including Rescue Orange, and 42 more compact deck clips that save weight.

Specifications

  • Dimensions (Standard)
    30 in x 9 in
  • Dimensions (Metric)
    76 cm x 22.8 cm
  • Glide Traction Weight (pair)
    -
  • Summit Traction Weight (pair)
    3.6 lbs
  • Gender
    Unisex
  • Footwear Sizing
    -
  • User Weight Lbs
    180 - 225 lbs
  • Frame Material
    -
  • Deck Material
    Polyurethane Coated Nylon
  • Country of Origin
    -

CHOOSE YOUR TRACTION SYSTEM

Choose the featherweight Glide system for flat to rolling terrain or the Summit system for added traction and an integrated heel lift for steep ascents. 

  • Choose the featherweight Glide system for flat to rolling terrain and maximum weight savings.

    • Rear 10-point and Front 9-Point Duraluminum Crampons with ice guards
    • Great for the Midwest or flat to rolling terrain in the West and Northeast.
    • Ultralight heel pad (for weight savings)
  • Choose the Summit traction system for more bite and an integrated heel lift for steep ascents.

    • Rear Stainless Steel and Front 9-Point Duraluminum Crampon with ice guards
    • Great for more aggressive terrain in the West and Northeast
    • Integrated Heel Lift relieves calf strain during ascents and descents

HOW LIGHT ARE LITES?

It's hard to understand how lightweight Northern Lites are until you hold them yourself. So, we've compiled a list.

TECHNOLOGY

We've combined ultralight and durable over the last 30+ years. Explore some of our technology that makes this possible.

SPIN DIAL

SPIN DIAL

Similar to a BOA System, turn the Spin Dial by Northwave to cinch in the abrasion-resistant cable.

COOLTHANE DECKING

COOLTHANE DECKING

Used for inflatable Navy boats, the polyurethane coated nylon webbing is ultralight and durable with a smooth texture minimizing snow drag.

7075-T6 ALUMINUM

7075-T6 ALUMINUM

The lightest and strongest aluminum you’ll find on snowshoes. Other snowshoes use 6000 series aluminum which is ~2X heavier and fragile.

360° TRACTION CLIPS

360° TRACTION CLIPS

Underside traction wings on the deck clips add 360 degree traction around the perimeter of the snowshoe.

EZ HEEL LIFT

EZ HEEL LIFT

(Summit Traction Only) Reduces calf fatigue and Achilles tendon strain and can be pulled up and down with ease as-needed.

SS TRAVERSING CLAWS

SS TRAVERSING CLAWS

(Summit Traction Only) Four stainless-steel traversing claws aid in side-hilling on uneven terrain.

30% AVERAGE WEIGHT SAVINGS

30% AVERAGE WEIGHT SAVINGS

Average weight savings of 30% for incredible ultralight snowshoeing.

Spin Dial Binding

Lightweight, Comfortable & Speedy

Superb foot security with a toe-stop give you confidence in any terrain.

Tighten or loosen the oversized snow-dial with gloves or mittens on.

EVA-foam lining spreads pressure eliminating pain points. Abrasion-resistant cord stays put.

ULTRALIGHT HIKING COLLECTION USER WEIGHTS

ULTRALIGHT HIKING COLLECTION

Explore the full lineup of ultralight hiking snowshoes.

A table comparing the facets of 5 products
Facet
Backpacker orange snowshoes with mountain traction plate and bindings
Backpacker 25" - 33" Unisex Ultralight Snowshoes
View details
Women's Elite 25" Ultralight Snowshoes
View details
Blue Men’s Elite 25 mountain snowshoes with heel lift and aggressive traction
Men's Elite 25" Ultralight Snowshoes
View details
Backcountry 30 green mountain edition snowshoes with spin bindings
Backcountry 30" Unisex Ultralight Snowshoes
View details
Tundra 33 orange mountain snowshoes with aggressive traction claws
Men's Tundra 33" Ultralight Snowshoes
View details
Gender
Gender
Unisex
Women
Men
Unisex
Men
Dimensions
Dimensions
25", 30", 33"
25"
25"
30"
33"
Shoe Sizes
Shoe Sizes
W5.5 - W13.5; M4.5 - M14
W5 - W13.5
M6 - M13
W7 - W15; M5 - M 13.5
W7 - W15; M5 - M 13.5
Load Range
Load Range
180 - 275+ lbs
Up to 180 lbs
Up to 180 lbs
180 - 225 lbs
225 - 275+ lbs
Glide Traction Weight
Glide Traction Weight
2.9 lbs - 3.5 lbs
2.5 lbs
3.0 lbs
3.3 lbs
3.9 lbs
Glide Traction Terrain
Glide Traction Terrain
Flat to Rolling
Flat to Rolling
Flat to Rolling
Flat to Rolling
Flat to Rolling
Summit Traction Weight
Summit Traction Weight
3.3 lbs - 3.9 lbs
2.8 lbs
3.375 lbs
3.6 lbs
4.3 lbs
Summit Traction Terrain
Summit Traction Terrain
Flat to Mountainous
Flat to Mountainous
Flat to Mountainous
Flat to Mountainous
Flat to Mountainous

CUSTOMER REVIEWS