MSR Lightning Ascent

MSR Lightning Ascent

Average Rating: rated 4.00 of 5 stars
Reviewed by 8 Trailspace users

Description

The Lightning Ascent is a backcountry snowshoe made by MSR. It has an average rating of 4 stars (out of 5), based on 8 user reviews.

Here's what other sites are saying:

From Oregon Mountain Community:
"Our most popular snowshoe, the MSR Lightning Ascent™ is prepared for anything. The lightest in their class, they offer unmatched performance on steep and rugged terrain. Angle-neutralizing Televator™ heel lifters save your calves from the fire of ascent and you get the best traction available with our patent-pending Total-Traction™ frame. Cut from a single, vertical blade of aerospace-grade aluminum, it delivers unprecedented 360° traction that simply humbles all other shoes. Aggressive steel crampons and secure, weatherproof and glove-friendly bindings put the finishing touches on the most reliable winter backcountry transportation available. MSR Lightning Ascent features: Unrivaled Traction: Total-Traction™ frame delivers the best possible 360° grip – even while traversing. Ultralight: The lightest snowshoe in its class. Unmatched on Steep Terrain: Televator™ heel lifter reduces calf fatigue, making climbing easier and more efficient. User-Friendly: 4-strap step-on binding is fast, secure, easy to use and won’t freeze. Stable Support: True Hinge™ steel crampon enhances foot stability and minimizes heel drift, resulting in a more efficient and natural stride. Specifications: 22 3lb 10oz, 8"x22" 25 3lb 12oz, 8"x25" Color is orange Sizing: MSR recommends the 22" model for all users on packed snow. For deep snow (up to 30"deep), users over 125lb (including pack) should use the 25" model."

From CampSaver.com:
"FREE! SnowTote Snowshoe Bag With the purchase of Lightning Ascent Snowshoes.Free shipping!"

From Campmor:
"MSR's proven 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 360deg. 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. Unrivaled Traction-Total-Traction frame delivers unprecedented 360deg. grip. Superlight-The lightest snowshoe in its class. Unmatched on Steep Terrain-Ascent models feature a Televator heel lifter to reduce calf fatigue, making climbing easier and more efficient. User-Friendly -Step-on binding fits a variety of boots and is fast, secure, and easy to use. Stable Support-True-Hinge steel crampon enhances foot stability and minimizes heel drift, resulting in more efficient gait mechanics and less expended energy. 100% Waterproof-Materials won't soak up water and freeze; straps remain easy to use in all conditions. Weight: 3 lbs. 12 oz. per pair."

From Backcountry.com:
"Thanks to serrated edges along bottom of the frames, the MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoes provide 360-degree traction on hardcore, steep terrain (let's face it-slippage doesn't always occur in a straightforward manner). MSR also knows that snow kick-up and heel drag are lame, so they made the Lightning Ascent's tail with a rocker design. The aerospace-grade aluminum frame is super light for all-day hikes, and MSR's ergonomic Televator heel lifter minimizes calf fatigue so you can climb longer and farther. True-Hinge steel crampons provide stability, and the reinforced decks add durability. *Please see sizing chart for size tips."

User Reviews

rated 5 of 5 stars Men's Lightning Ascent
Reviewed by Danny158, Jan 12, 2009

"I think the review that gave these zero stars smells of pilot error. Walking downhill on ice with snowshoes takes a little practice (like walking downhill in crampons) and snowshoes do not miraculously provide levitation. 250lbs with a pack and you should have been on at least 30" snowshoes - possibly even larger depending on the shoe."

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rated 0 of 5 stars Men's Lightning Ascent
Reviewed by RANDALL BOERNER, Jan 03, 2009

"I bought them last year '07, used them 6 times. Snow was always hard. They slid on ice going downhill. This year first time out lots of fresh snow sinking 16-24 inches, thought I might be spending the night.

I am new to this 6' 3" and with gear 250 lbs."

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rated 4.5 of 5 stars Men's Lightning Ascent
Reviewed by George Peck, Mar 24, 2008

"The binding rubber becomes inelastic below 10 F. The two front binder straps continually release - usually after the plastic keep breaks.

All straps must be taped at the dead end or they will spontaneously leave the shoe at some point.

The two strapper requires so much pressure to keep boot centered that only plastic boots can be worn for long periods."

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rated 5 of 5 stars Men's Lightning Ascent
Reviewed by Eric Bombardier, Feb 04, 2008

"I used those in the mountains of Quebec, and it was amazing; they look like they're not going to support you in the snow because they are narrow, but hell, it's perfect in 10 feet of snow.

I moved to Vancouver and went off-trails with them, in a lot of snow on flat or very steep, climbing rocks, it all goes, perfectly."

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rated 3 of 5 stars Men's Lightning Ascent
Reviewed by jhbeckman, Jan 02, 2008

"I bought my Lightning Ascents a bit over a year ago. At that time, the binding used two straps over the top of your boot; they have upgraded it this year to three straps over the top of the boot.

And that may solve what I found to be the key problem: my boot drifted in the binding."

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rated 5 of 5 stars Men's Lightning Ascent
Reviewed by TravMan, Oct 21, 2007

"I was able to test these shoes this morning after a good October snowstorm. I was very impressed with the performance. The bindings were easy to get in and out of, and they stayed as tight as I needed them to. I was making first tracks through fairly light Utah powder and the snow shoes stayed on top very easily."

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rated 5 of 5 stars Men's Lightning Ascent
Reviewed by jpport123, Jun 11, 2007

"I did a fair amount of 'field testing' rental snowshoes before settling on the MSR Lightning. You can usually count on a various mix of trail conditions in a typical Northeast winter climb, ice, packed snow, waist deep powder. With the exception of 'wanting to glissade' in these shoes (which doesn't happen with the traction they afford you) there isn't much bad you say about the shoes."

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rated 5 of 5 stars Men's Lightning Ascent
Reviewed by Geoffrey, Mar 10, 2007

"Wonderful shoes, lightweight, low profile, easy to get in, go anywhere and the kicker, they're orange :)"

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Have you owned or used a MSR Lightning Ascent? Share your thoughts with other hikers and backpackers.

Where to Buy

Buy Online We found the Lightning Ascent at 8 online stores:

StoreProduct DescriptionPrice

CampSaver.com
2 purchase options:
MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoes$207.96Buy Now
MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoes - Womens$207.96Buy Now

Oregon Mountain Community
2 purchase options:
Lightning Ascent Snowshoes$259.95Buy Now
Women's Lightning Ascent Snowshoes$259.95Buy Now

Campmor
4 purchase options:
Lightning Ascent 25 Lightweight High Traction All Terrain Snowshoe$239.98Buy Now
Women's Lightning Ascent 25W Lightweight High Traction All Terrain Snowshoe$239.98Buy Now
Women's Lightning Ascent 22W Lightweight High Traction All Terrain Snowshoe$239.98Buy Now
Lightning Ascent 30 Lightweight High Traction All Terrain Snowshoe$269.98Buy Now

Backcountry.com
2 purchase options:
Lightning Ascent Snowshoe$259.95Buy Now
Lightning Ascent Snowshoe - Women's$259.95Buy Now

Moosejaw
3 purchase options:
Men's Lightning Ascent Snowshoe$259.95Buy Now
Women's Lightning Ascent Snowshoe$259.95Buy Now
Lightning Ascent Snowshoe$289.95Buy Now

Ramsey Outdoor
2 purchase options:
Lightning Ascent 22$259.95Buy Now
Lightning Ascent 22 Women's$259.95Buy Now

EMS
5 purchase options:
Lightning Ascent 25 Snowshoes, Orange$259.95Buy Now
Lightning Ascent 22 Snowshoes, Orange$259.95Buy Now
Women's Lightning Ascent 25W Snowshoes, Red$259.95Buy Now
more Lightning Ascent choices from EMS

US Outdoor Store
2 purchase options:
Lightning Ascent 22 Snowshoes - Orange$259.95Buy Now
Lightning Ascent 25 Snowshoes - Women's$259.95Buy Now

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