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MSR Lightning Axis 30 Snowshoes

$214.93
$239.95^*

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(7)

Item # 807339

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MSR Lightning Axis snowshoes feature bindings that let you compensate for individual gait tendencies, offering enhanced comfort along with aggressive traction for exploring rolling terrain in winter.

Total-Traction™ frame is made from a single, vertical blade of aerospace-grade aluminum, supported by 2 cross-members of high-strength steel
Frame supplies 360° of traction, thanks to aggressive teeth integrated into the frame along the outside edges and underfoot
Urethane-impregnated nylon decking is lightweight, waterproof and durable; heel strike area features a welded on reinforcement patch
Bindings feature a wide, flexible strap that crosses the tops of boots to provide a snug fit; cam buckles adjust easily and lock down with a quick push for fast adjustments
Axis™ bindings can be adjusted to compensate for individual toe-in and toe-out tendencies in gait, maximizing stride efficiency and overall comfort with a custom fit
Make use of optional instep straps for even greater security; straps stay pliable and easy-to-adjust in cold temperatures, even when wearing mittens
Steel crampons underfoot not only grip well, they provide stability and reduce heel drift for an efficient gait
Heel lifts ease the strain on your calves during steep ascents
All materials are waterproof, so they don't soak up water, freeze and get heavy
Recommended load specification for the MSR Lightning Axis snowshoes includes weight of hiker with gear; flotation will vary with snow conditions

Please note: MSR products can only be shipped to U.S. addresses.

Made in USA.

Item 807339

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MSR Lightning Axis 30 Snowshoes Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

MSR Lightning Axis 30 Snowshoes

4.9

(based on 7 reviews)

100%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Good traction (7)
Lightweight (7)
Stable (7)
Attach securely (6)
Easy in/out (5)

Cons

Best Uses

Everyday (6)
Off trail (5)
Deep snow (4)
Flat terrain (4)
Icy conditions (4)

- Sizing:
- Feels full size too small
  
  Feels half size too small
  
  Feels true to size
  
  100%
  (6 reviews)
  Feels half size too big
  
  Feels full size too big
- Width:
- Feels too narrow
  
  Feels true to width
  
  100%
  (6 reviews)
  Feels too wide

- Was this a gift?:
- No (4), Yes (3)

Reviewed by 7 customers

Sort by

Displaying reviews 1-7

Feb

2013

5.0

Great showshoes!

By Houlie

from Mpls MN

About Me Beginner

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy Entry & Exit
Good Traction
Lightweight
Stable

Cons

Best Uses

All Terrain

Comments about MSR Lightning Axis 30 Snowshoes:

A great set of snowshoes. Very lightweight and solid cosntruction for minisota winters. Absolutely perfect for recreational snowshoeing. Made even better by being made in U.S.A. Highly recommended.

Comment on this review

Dec

2012

5.0

Great!

By JamBar

from Three Rivers, OR

About Me Intermediate

See all my reviews

Pros

Attach Securely
Compact Design
Easy Entry & Exit
Good Traction
Lightweight
Stable

Cons

Best Uses

All Terrain

Comments about MSR Lightning Axis 30 Snowshoes:

I love these snowshoes, they are worth the extra money. The solid metal construction is much more stable than the metal tube kind. These seem like they will last for years.

Comment on this review

Nov

2011

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Great for tough backcountry conditions

By rocky mtn high

from Arvada, CO

About Me Expert

See all my reviews

Pros

Attach Securely
Easy Entry & Exit
Good Traction
Lightweight
Stable

Cons

Best Uses

All Terrain
Deep Snow
Icy Conditions
Off Trail

Comments about MSR Lightning Axis 30 Snowshoes:

I prefer skiing in the backcountry, but I needed a pair of light, rugged snowshoes for climbs in Alaska with non-skiing partners. The Axis shoes have worked really well in tough backcountry conditions. I tested them thoroughly on climbs of various 13ers and 14ers in Colorado, and they got the job done for me on Mt. Fairweather in Alaska.

Once you get used to the buckle system, they are really quite easy to adjust, even in the field. I need to size them for either my regular mountaineering boots or my beefier double boots, depending on conditions, and it's easy and reasonably quick to adjust the buckle accordingly. However, I do feel that a ratchet on the main buckles would have been a better design, making them easier to put on, cinch up, and hold securely, regardless of the boot, which is why I give these shoes four stars instead of five.

Nevertheless, these shoes are solid and lightweight; they are relatively easy to strap on, even in freezing conditions and when using gloves; they fasten securely, even while traversing on slopes; and they have excellent traction, thanks to the integrated crampon and serrated frame. They worked great in all snow conditions (packed trails to steep and deep powder) and various types of terrain, from flat trails to steeper slopes, even with a heavy pack. I am looking forward to using them on Denali in the Spring.

Nice job, MSR!

Comment on this review

Feb

2011

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Works with bunny boots

By Indian

from Wasilla, Alaska

About Me Advanced

See all my reviews

Pros

Attach Securely
Good Traction
Lightweight
Stable

Cons

Best Uses

All Terrain
Deep Snow
Flat Terrain
Icy Conditions
Off Trail
Rolling Terrain
Steep Pitches

Comments about MSR Lightning Axis 30 Snowshoes:

I use these for back country hunting, trekking and SAR. I had the Assents and traded for the Axis because the bindings work better with Bunny Boots here in Alaska. The advantage is that the heel strap on the Axis is at a steeper angle than the ones on the Assent so it stays higher on the heel on the Bunny Boots than the Assent, which had tendency to slip off if you didn't get it tight enough. There is a molded tab on the base of the heel of the boots but the Assent straps were so low they weren't reliable and sometimes slipped. The Axis heel strap stays about an inch above the tab and won't come off or slip below it.

I usually am carrying a 35 lb pack and have found these comfortable with much
better traction than any other snowshoes I've had. No problems going up or down
slopes like I've had with others. The Assents were equally as good in the traction
department, whether snow or ice, but the straps squashed the top of my size 12 Bunny Boots and had the strap slip on the heel occasionally. The wide quick strap on the Axis secures the large toe of these boots without squashing the top of the
boot.

The only problems are with he straps which are not very stretchable when it's really
cold, but because of the steeper angle of the Axis heelstrap it doesn't seem to be
an issue, especially if you use the middle strap. The worst problem is the nubs for
retaining the strap ends. These are total junk and hazardous to use when warm
and impossible to use when cold. They hurt to use even in the best scenario. I
removed them and threw them away. I'll replace them with the old ABS clips or rubber bands.

Service and delivery comments:

The Axis is currently out stock at both REI and the manufacturer, but a few can be found if you look hard enough.

Comment on this review

Jan

2011

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Great Pair of Snowshoes

By Hugo Back To Nature

from Ripon, Wisconsin

About Me Intermediate

See all my reviews

Pros

Attach Securely
Easy Entry & Exit
Good Traction
Lightweight
Stable

Cons

Learning Curve Lashing

Best Uses

Flat Terrain
Off Trail
Rolling Terrain

Comments about MSR Lightning Axis 30 Snowshoes:

Great choice for the recreational to intermediate snowshoe enthusiast. I got mine Dec 2010 and am very happy with them. Light and stable will provide solid traction on flat and rolling hills. I've pushed the envelope and gone up steep hills with great success. The middle strap can be removed for ease of entry and exit although I would keep them on if carrying significant additional backpack weight. It does take some using to securing the straps after lashing and can be somewhat challenging with bare hands in cold weather. Additional 5" tails can be easily attached for additional flotation in deep powder. I'm very happy with this pair and they make an excellent middle of the road shoe.

Comment on this review

Jan

2011

(3 of 6 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Outstanding snowshoes!

By Mike in Montana

from Florence, Montana

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Attach Securely
Excellent quality
Good Traction
Heel support for steeps
Lightweight
Stable

Cons

Best Uses

All Terrain
Deep Snow
Flat Terrain
Icy Conditions
Off Trail
Rolling Terrain
Steep Pitches

Comments about MSR Lightning Axis 30 Snowshoes:

Just got these as a gift for my birthday. I did quite a bit of research before asking for this particular pair, and I'm glad I did.

I've rented and borrowed several pairs of differing brands, and these far exceed any of those.

The quality in construction is top-notch. I also appreciate that they are made in the U.S.A.

You won't go wrong with MSR Lightning Axis!

Comment on this review

Dec

2010

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Best All-Condition Shoes

By NWClimbnHiker

from Portland OR

About Me On The Mountain

See all my reviews

Pros

Attach Securely
Compact Design
Easy Entry & Exit
Good Traction
Lightweight
Stable

Cons

Best Uses

All Terrain
Deep Snow
Flat Terrain
Icy Conditions
Off Trail
Rolling Terrain
Steep Pitches

Comments about MSR Lightning Axis 30 Snowshoes:

Replaced my old MSR Evo's with these new Axis shoes. Best overall for off-track use where you're likely to encounter ice under snow on off-camber trail conditions. Worth the money when you don't want to worry about slipping and wasting precious leg energy.