The discontinued Denali line of snowshoes from MSR -- Mountain Safety Research -- used to be available in several models including the Evo, Ascent and Classic. Sometimes referred to as a "modular" snowshoe, the Denali line featured removable 4-inch, 6-inch or 8-inch flotation tails that supported more weight or allowed greater flotation in loose, powdery snow.
Size
Unlike most snowshoes, the MSR Denali line was not sold in a variety of sizes to suit varying weight ranges. Instead the MSR Denali was available in just one default size, 22 inches long by 8 inches wide. The 22-inch-by-8-inch snowshoes were rated for carrying between 90 and 125 lbs.
Flotation Tails
Three sizes of optional flotation trails made the MSR Denali a true adjustable snowshoe. Carrying the 4-inch or 8-inch tails along with the basic Denali snowshoes amounted to carrying three different pairs of snowshoes for varying snow conditions and pack weights. With the 4-inch flotation tails attached, Denali snowshoes were rated to carry between 125 and 175 lbs. With the 8-inch tails, the snowshoes were rated for 175 lbs. to 225 lbs. and above. Both tails were usually sold separately, although occasionally one or both sets of tails and the base snowshoes were bundled together for a special deal. A less-common 6-inch tail, available with the Evo Ascent, was meant to carry 125 to 175 lbs. or more.
Considerations
Snowshoes are sized for not just your body weight but the weight of your pack and any extra gear you're carrying. Pack and dress as if for a wilderness outing including food, water and fuel, then weigh yourself -- pack and all -- to determine how much flotation you really need. Your needs might also vary somewhat depending on snow conditions. Denali snowshoe weight ranges take soft snow conditions into account, but extremely loose, powdering snow means you might need the larger tails to distribute your weight over a large enough surface area to stay afloat, and you might be able to get away with the smaller tails or no tails at all in firm-packed snow.
Choosing Tails
If you're near the top of the weight range for any given configuration of the MSR Denali snowshoes, consider sizing up to the next-largest size of flotation tails if possible. If together you and your pack exceed the maximum carrying capacity for the snowshoe with 8-inch tails, your best option might be to carry any gear over the weight limit in a sled, or pulk, drawn behind you. Note that controlling a pulk on downhill slopes can be a real challenge; practice before heading into the backcountry, and make sure you can get out of the traces instantly in case of emergency.
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