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User Review: MSR Lightning Ascent

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

Reviewed January 2, 2008 by jhbeckman

Rating: rated 3 of 5 stars

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.

Overall, I agree with the other reviewers about its traction, light weight, the value of the ascent bar, and its generally strong performance. But the foot drift was an annoying problem.

I think MSR probably changed the binding in response to the problem I and others encountered. I have used the same three-strap binding on other MSRs (the Denali Ascent), and it has been very satisfactory.

So, while I would rate my two-strap Lightning Ascents at three stars, my guess is that the three-strap model would deserve four or five stars.

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Where to Buy

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

StoreProduct DescriptionPrice

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

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

Moosejaw
3 purchase options:		Men's Lightning Ascent Snowshoe$233.95Buy Now
Women's Lightning Ascent Snowshoe$233.95Buy Now
Lightning Ascent Snowshoe$260.95Buy Now

CampSaver.com
2 purchase options:		MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoes$259.95Buy Now
MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoes - Womens$259.95Buy Now

GearX.com
2 purchase options:		Lightning Ascent Snowshoes (2008)$179.99Buy Now
Lightning Ascent Snowshoes Womens (2008)$179.99Buy 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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