MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoe Evaluation

Backside Line

The MSR Lightning Ascent is considered one of our long-time favourite snowshoes and continues to high the checklist in most of our metrics. With a few of the finest flotation and traction of any snowshoe we examined, the Lightning Ascent continues to impress us to be used in steep terrain and deep snow.

We love the traction supplied by the tooth across the fringe of the body in addition to aggressive crampon-style factors below the toes. The light-weight aluminum body and nylon deck hold the burden low and the flotation excessive when venturing into deep snow. Heel risers are simply deployed with the flick of the hand or ski pole to reinforce climbing up steep hills.

Their giant floor space could make it cumbersome for adventures on path and in packed snow. The traction, whereas wonderful in slippery terrain, can simply be overkill and is straightforward to journey over and snag on when strolling in agency situations. The bindings can take some determining to get fitted correctly at first. Regardless of these small shortcomings, the MSR Lightning Ascent is a particularly well-built possibility for these demanding essentially the most out of their gear.

Fast Specs

MSR Lightning Ascent

Greatest Snowshoes General

CleverHiker Score:

4.8/5

Worth:

$390

Weight (Pair):

4 lb. 5 oz.(25 in.)

Size:

22”, 25”, or 30”; non-compulsory 5” tails

Supplies:

Aluminum/TPU Coated Nylon

Professionals

Good traction
Good flotation
Light-weight
Heel lifts
Safe bindings

Cons

Costly
Clunky on packed trails

A man walks uphill in snowshoes in a blizzard. — The MSR Lightning Ascent excels in deep snow. – Photograph Credit score: Miles Knotek (CleverHiker.com)

Flotation

When venturing off the path and into deep and unsupportive snow, the MSR Lightning Ascents instantly supplied flotation to coast in a few of the deepest situations. They supply a big floor space because of their longer size. The nylon deck is light-weight and versatile, cupping the snow with every step to offer glorious flotation.

The one situation we discovered that challenged the MSR Lightning Ascent’s flotation was in breakable crust on high of powder. The versatile deck was not in a position to present as a lot flotation within the crust/powder mixture and would usually require a number of steps in the identical location to interrupt up the crust to then stroll by. If extra traction is required, MSR presents flotation tails, which may be added to those snowshoes.

A man walks along a trail with mountains in the background. — Giant floor space supplies stability in tender, unsupportive snow. – Photograph Credit score: Miles Knotek (CleverHiker.com)

Traction

MSR Lightning Ascent’s traction is excellent and units the bar excessive for what a snowshoe can obtain. The claw-style crampon below the foot has two entrance factors that extra intently resemble crampons. This makes kicking steps whereas climbing steep slopes safe and regular. After the claws, two rows of vertical aluminum with serrated tooth present further traction, particularly when strolling downhill.

To spherical out this snowshoe’s spectacular traction, there are even tooth across the perimeter of the profile etched into the body. These had been significantly helpful for traversing throughout slopes and strolling down steep hills. They supplied a degree of safety and grip that is among the finest out of all of the merchandise in our lineup.

A detail of the crampons of snowshoes — Aggressive crampon-style claws underfoot present glorious traction. – Photograph Credit score: Miles Knotek (CleverHiker.com)

Walkability

A barely tapered profile to every snowshoe permits for straightforward strolling whereas on varied terrains. This helps to lower a cowboy stance and permits a extra pure gait. The snowshoes have a slight rocker, which helps them roll alongside when strolling on flat floor. The heel risers are an enormous bonus for climbing. They add help for climbing steep hills, so there may be much less pressure on the calf, they usually evenly distribute your weight throughout the snowshoe. Make sure you fold these again down as carrying them downhill is uncomfortable and makes it straightforward to topple ahead and down the hill.

Strolling in these on hard-packed and groomed trails may be cumbersome. Their aggressive traction incessantly catches on agency floor. With none form of flex within the body, strolling downhill can really feel awkward because the tails would typically catch and push us away from the hill. With their comparatively low weight for the scale of the platform, the MSR Lightning Ascents won’t weigh you down unnecessarily and hold you recent for masking many miles in deep snow. They may really feel like overkill close to the trailhead, however the deeper we went into the backcountry, the higher these carried out.

A woman walks through snow covered trees wearing snowshoes. — The MSR Evo Path is mild and straightforward to stroll in. – Photograph Credit score: Miles Knotek (CleverHiker.com)

Ease of Use

The binding system across the heel took a while to determine. The strap and hook system is straightforward sufficient to tighten, however the open hook for the heel strap may be problematic if not tightened all the way in which. The heel strap slipped off our foot, and the strap popped out of the open hook if we didn’t crank on it.

The rubber webbing of the forefoot is a improbable closure system. The rubber strap on all sides may be set to the specified tightness as soon as, after which not need to be touched once more, even to placed on or take away the snowshoes. The size of those rubber straps may be tough to seize with gloves due to their quick size, however a loop on the finish of every helps.

We discovered that the heel riser is a good characteristic that enhances the usability of the snowshoes. They’re simply flicked up or down with a ski pole, eliminating the necessity to bend over. These are excellent for climbing up and over steep hills the place going from climbing to descending shortly is required.

A man put on snowshoes. — The MSR Lightning Ascent is straightforward to placed on and take off. – Photograph Credit score: Miles Knotek (CleverHiker.com)

Ought to You Purchase the MSR Lightning Ascent?

For these wanting uncompromising efficiency from their snowshoes, the MSR Lightning Ascent is the clear winner. These snowshoes present a few of the finest traction and flotation round. Their aggressive crampons and full-length serration across the body of the snowshoes present glorious traction. Their giant floor space and versatile deck present sufficient traction for adventures properly off-trail and in deep, unsupportable snow.

Whereas a high performer, this snowshoe could also be overbuilt for some customers’ wants. They are often cumbersome to stroll on packed trails because of their giant form, and the big entrance factors simply catch on agency floor. Whereas safe, their binding system may be exhausting to lock with gloves on and require extra fiddling than others we examined. Regardless of these minor hangups, the MSR Lightning Ascent remains to be considered one of our high selections for taking out within the harshest environments.

A man stands in snowshoes on a winter trail — Greatest fitted to deep snow, the MSR Lightning Ascent additionally works on packed trails. – Photograph Credit score: Miles Knotek (CleverHiker.com)

What Different Snowshoes Ought to You Contemplate?

MSR Revo Discover Evaluation – A equally styled snowshoe with traction across the body, the Revo Discover supplies glorious traction at a cheaper price level.

Tubbs Flex RDG Evaluation – With related traction to the Lightning Ascent however with higher walkability, the flex of those snowshoes makes for comfy strolling even on steep downhills.

XtremPro Outside Evaluation – If the worth level of the Lightning Ascent is a bit too excessive, the Xtrem Professional Outside presents snowshoes at an accessible value level for a superb beginner-friendly setup.