User Review: MSR Denali Ascent

MSR Denali Ascent
Above: The current Denali Ascent, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed March 13, 2007 by Coloradoguy

Rating:
Price Paid: $150

They are great while they work...mine broke recently.

I've had a pair of these for about 5 years. I use them for maybe 2 or 3 trips a season. I'm about 185lbs and sometimes carry about a 50 lb pack. Recently on a backcountry trip the binding completely broke (the metal part) near one of the swivel points. It appears the metal fatigued and failed. I was miles away from the trailhead out in the middle of fresh powder with a heavy pack. All I had with me to repair these was nylon chord. Yeah that was a good time.

I emailed MSR and they told me that they only have a 3 year warranty and they were very sorry they fatigued and failed on me but my best bet is to purchase new bindings online somewhere for 60 dollars. No thanks. I'd prefer not to get stranded out in the middle of the fluff with a broken shoe again. I'd rather put 60 dollars into a snowshoe that has a lifetime warranty from a company that stands behind their products.

I also found it quite interesting that in the company's response to my email they said they were "sorry that the bindings on my snowshoes have started to fatigue and ultimately failed". I had never mentioned fatigue failure in my email to them. Makes me think they have seen this happen to these bindings quite frequently.

I used to think these shoes were great. I no longer recommend them for anyone other than 50 pound kids. Also, the metal bar for the heel elevators has been bent on both (I'm thinking these shoes are not meant for using with a backpack).

Your mileage may vary. Use at your own risk...

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