Hi snowsong,
I snowshoe recreationally and have Redfeather shoes with the V tail. They have a metal frame with neoprene support. I've broken trail a lot in them, broke trail on a 14er in them (ugh) and in these situations wished I'd had a more beefy shoe with more surface area and float. Kind of like skis, it was like skiing snowblades in powder when you really want a fat ski. However, you do burn lots of calories this way.
The nice thing about the lighter V-tails is I can use them on somewhat broken trails easily, and you can hike or run in them without kicking up too much snow onto yourself. So basically if I were you I'd try and determine the style you want first ('V' tail versus wide).
I looked for a well-constructed pivot point (where the foot hinges on the snowshoe), an easy in/out strap system (personal choice - make sure it's easy with gloves on if that's important) and a good claw. Personally, I don't like MSR's claw / crampon because they are parallel and don't grab on ice as well as the oblique claws, which stop you from sliding. Just another consideration.
As far as brands, Atlas and Tubbs seem are pretty standard for heavy duty work, they are pretty indestructable. Redfeather is well made too, and is a Colorado made brand so I went with those, plus they had a narrow stance women's model which is good for a klutz like me. If you have narrow hips I'd especially suggest a women's model. Look in your local shops, get up close and personal and inspect them to see the differences and pick the one that works for you! (Don't forget to compare prices online too, once you've chosen a brand and model)
That's my long-winded $0.02
