MSR Lightning Ascent

admin November 21, 2007


MSR Lightning Ascent

Product Description

Price: $259.95
Buy Now
The new MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoe features MSR’s Total-Traction frame, which provides excellent 360-degree grip with its aerospace-grade aluminum. These one-of-a-kind snowshoes are the lightest in their class. MSR’s Televator heel lifter minimizes calf fatigue on steep terrain, so you can climb longer and farther. The simple step-on binding fits most boots securely. True-Hinge steel crampons provide stability and keep the heel from drifting, giving you a more natural stride and preserving your energy. MSR used completely waterproof materials so that every feature remains easy to use, even in wet, freezing conditions.

Product Reviews

Excellent Backcountry Snowshoe
Because I use both the MSR LA and new Atlas 12 snowshoes, I thought a review to allow comparison of the two might be useful. Both are backcountry or approach models and not for the casual user. The MSR has a unique feel because of the cookiecutter like action of its vertical rails. It excels on soft to firm snow and is very stable on a soft snow traverse. Overstepping the inside rails can be perilous because the serrated rails do not easily slide off one another. On hard snow to ice, traction falls off somewhat because you cannot kick a firm step as you can with typical underfoot crampons. The MSR has excellent flotation for a 25" shoe, it is light and packs very flat. My only criticism is that the binding is old- school and allows the boot to creep forward over distance, causing the heel to move off center. Otherwise, the MSR is a good backcountry choice.

THE cadilac of snowshoes
I have used MSRs for a long time, and the Lightning Ascents are my favorites now. Very light, super strong and hold in even the iciest of snow conditions. Hardly feel like I have anything on my feet, really easy to put on, and the ascent bar is an amazing help when going up consistently steep terrain.

MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoes
I might be biased ssing as these are the first snowshoes i’ve purchased, but they are freakin’ sweet. excellent traction on ice and packed snow (they shine here) and pretty good on the fluffy stuff too. i’m looking forward to steep hills to give the Televator function a good test. MSR makes grerat gear and these are no exception.

these snowshoes are terrific.
having used Atlas before I was throughly impressed by the much improved traction and performance overall of the LIGHTNING ASCENTS. The TELEVATOR option was sweet going up steep climbs in So. Lake Tahoe area up semi icy slopes (with my ski poles helping out too). Very light and agile and decent float for a 25"…Im only 150 lbs so even with a decent size pack on they still performed well although if I was a big guy you may need more float if you’re in UTAH or really fluffy stuff…in the SIERRA CEMENT of CA these work fantastically. KUDOS MSR.

MSN Lightning Ascent
Just field tested our MSN Lighting Ascent snowshoes in Yosemite over a wide variety of terrain and snow quality. They are what they claim - "ultra light" and easy to maneuver, outstanding crampon grip (ascent and descent), especially over icy terrain, and equipped with the easiest bindings ever! One major trial remains for absolute satisfaction: trekking in snowy and extreme windchill conditions to check whether ice accumulates on the front crampons. All in all, an excellent shoe!

MSR Lightning Ascent
Price: $259.95
Buy Now

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