Equipment Details

Manufacturer: MSR
Brand: MSR
Model: MS69189
Product features:

Serrated Total-Traction frame delivers unprecedented 360-degree grip.
Elevator? heel lifter reduces calf fatigue, making climbing easier and more efficient.
3-strap step-on binding fits a variety of boots and is fast, secure, and easy to use, and lightest snowshoe in its category.
True-Hinge? steel crampon enhances foot stability and minimizes heel drift, resulting in more efficient gait mechanics and less expended energy.
Materials won't soak up water and freeze; straps remain easy to use in all conditions

Sports reviews of MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoes

Customer Review: Best shoe out there!!
Sport shop rating: 5 Stars

Well I'll give you a review of the actual product, and not the "Overall Experience".

I've snowshoed on Atlas, and Tubbs, and have to say the are by far the best shoes out there. While others are sliding around on the steep, these things are rock solid. Unlike the tube frame shoes that have small crampons added, these are all crampon. The frame is made of one vertical piece with a serrated edge, it acts like a huge crampon and digs into the snow and ice. This works great during steep traverses.

The ascent bar is a nice feature, but its a little hard to pull them up, especially when wearing gloves. I usually don't bother with them unless its a long ascent. Might have to figure out a way to add straps to them for pulling, as its almost impossible to get your fingers under to raise them.

A tip on sizing. I went with the 25's originally, but ended up buying the 30's. I'm 6'2" and about 200lbs. They 25's were fine in fairly firm snow with a light to no pack, but with a full pack and fresh powder, forget it. I was post-holing like crazy. I'd say look at the MSR sizing chart, and if you're falling in between sizes, go with the larger size. Make sure to add the weight of your pack to the equation also.

Overall I'm extremely happy with these shoes, and I'm sure they will last a long while.

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Description of MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoes

MSR's Lightning Ascents represent a revolution in snowshoe design. Available in men's and women?s models, they feature a patent-pending Total-Traction? frame?made from one vertical blade of aerospace-grade aluminum?that delivers unprecedented 360-degree traction. They're also the lightest snowshoes in their class?about 15% lighter than competitors?with performance and usability that surpass everything that's come before.