TSL Symbioz Hyperflex Adjust Snowshoes – Terrific for Winter Adventures

Mattis Sessel

 

As I took the TSL Symbioz Hyperflex Adjust Snowshoes out of their special carrying case, I knew they were going to be fun to take on a winter adventure in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP). Their binding, hourglass shape and composite material reinforced with carbon fiber immediately caught my eye.

The night before the hike I decided to figure out how to use them while in the warmth of my living room. So, I set my stopwatch, skipped reviewing any directions, and began adjusting the binding to fit my boot. This took me slightly less than 5 minutes.

I spent a few extra minutes further dialing in the micro-adjustments and knew I would be ready to go when I hit the trailhead. The next morning at the trailhead, I was into my snowshoes in 20 seconds! The binding was super easy to use and a pleasure to walk in all day.

I have found that it is super nice to be able to get quickly into your snowshoes when temperatures are low, and you are preparing to leave on a long hike from a frozen trailhead! This binding was easy to use, fast to attach, and comfortable for a long hike in RMNP.

The 6.2-mile hike to Timberline Falls in RMNP included all conditions from steep ascents, descents, side-hills, powder, and hard pack trails. Though the snowshoes were larger than I normally use, I easily grew accustomed to hiking with them. The hourglass shape allowed the larger size to walk smoothly, and I never was tripped up by the snowshoes all day.

TSL Symbioz Hyperflex Adjust Snowshoes final thoughts

The TSL Symbioz Hyperflex snowshoes live up to their name as the composite material is super flexible and responsive. The snowshoes feel spring-loaded and do give you a pleasant rebound to each step that is more noticeable in deeper snow conditions. The generous size provided plenty of float in powder.

Also, these snowshoes are capable of jogging, though the medium size would be more appropriate for jogs. The included heel lift is highly functional and easy to use while on the trail. The large forefoot size of the hourglass shape did make these snowshoes a challenge on some steep side hill terrain. The TSL Symbioz Hyperflex Snowshoes are a pleasure to use and would certainly be a terrific addition to any winter gear closet.

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Mattis Sessel

While growing up in St. Louis, MO, Mattis spent his summers with his family in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP).  The trails of RMNP became his favorite stomping ground and he went to summer camp in nearby Estes Park first climbing Longs Peak as a 13-year-old camper.

He shared this passion for the Rockies with his wife, Deb, and ultimately they decided to imprint the Rockies on their three daughters by spending their childhood summers in Estes Park camped in a travel trailer. This love affair with the Rockies continued while Mattis pursued his business interests for 25 years on the East Coast.  Winter ski trips and summers spent in RMNP stoked the fire to ultimately make the move to pursue his passion’s full time in Colorado in 2015.

Hiking, skiing, biking and fly-fishing were the activities of choice and Mattis decided to build any future businesses around these pursuits.  He’s come a long way since he caught his first fish in Kentucky Lake as a 3-year-old with a bamboo pole.

His first fish caught on a dry fly was in the Indian Peaks and he quickly took to hiking to alpine streams and fishing for wild trout.  He’s fished throughout Colorado and into New Mexico, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana.  He’s always got his fishing gear in the car and has created the concept of the “double,” skiing / biking in the morning and catching some fish in a nearby river in the afternoon.

He maintains his fitness on his road and mountain bikes and is known for his all-seasons, all-weather, “always train outside” approach to his physical training sessions with Sean Sewell at Colorado Personal Fitness.  His passion for gear that enhances his pursuits and allows for more time outdoors is reinforced in a favorite Colorado adage, “there’s no bad weather, just bad gear!”