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MSR Lightning Ascent 25 Snowshoes
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MSR Lightning Ascent 25 Snowshoes

Item # 759867

$259.95

Item qualifies for annual
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Travel the backcountry with machinelike precision—MSR Lightning Ascents provide superb traction in most terrains and weather conditions.

  • Total-Traction™ frame is made with one vertical blade of aerospace-grade aluminum, supported by two cross-members of high-strength steel
  • Proprietary urethane deckings are waterproof and durable; heel strike area features a welded-on reinforcement patch
  • Step-on bindings fit a variety of boots, open wide for easy access and feature three straps for a secure fit
  • True-Hinge™ steel crampons not only grip well, they provide stability and reduce heel drift for an efficient gait
  • MSR Televator™ 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; straps remain adjustable and easy to use in all conditions
  • Recommended load specification includes weight of hiker with gear in soft snow conditions; flotation will vary with snow conditions

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

Made in USA.

Item 759867

MSR Lightning Ascent 25 Snowshoes Specs

Specification

Description

Suggested useBackcountry
Dimensions25 x 8 inches
Weight (pair)3 lbs. 12 oz.
Recommended load125 - 175 pounds
Frame materialAerospace-grade aluminum
Deck materialUrethane-impregnated nylon
Crampon materialPowdercoated steel
Instep cramponYes
Heel cramponYes
Lateral cramponYes
Heel liftYes
GenderUnisex

MSR Lightning Ascent 25 Snowshoes Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
MSR Lightning Ascent 25 Snowshoes
 
4.9

(based on 9 reviews)

100%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Easy entry & exit (9)
  • Lightweight (9)
  • Attach securely (8)
  • Good traction (8)
  • Stable (8)

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Icy conditions (8)
    • Steep pitches (7)
    • All terrain (6)
    • Off trail (6)
    • Deep snow (3)
    • Reviewer Profile:
    • Casual adventurer (6), Advanced (3)

    Reviewed by 9 customers

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    Displaying reviews 1-9

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    Sep

    28

    2007

    (4 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

     
    5.0

    Unmatched traction make 4 great shoes!

    By JPFreek

    from Houston, TX

    About Me Advanced

    Pros

    • Attach Securely
    • Easy Entry & Exit
    • Lightweight
    • Stable

    Cons

      Best Uses

      • All Terrain
      • Deep Snow
      • Icy Conditions
      • Off Trail

      Comments about MSR Lightning Ascent 25 Snowshoes:

      These snowshoes rock! What else can we say? MSR’s lightweight traction design of the Lightning Ascent is a true testament to what a snowshoe should be. The Barr Trail along Pikes Peak in Colorado provided a more than ample testing ground with varied terrains that really put these snowshoes to the test. A teeth-grabbing frame and a very secure, easy to use binding system made these snowshoes feel like a rigid extension of our feet. Plenty of contact points and a well thought out blade design made these snowshoes work very well, even in conditions where the snow went from being very powdery on steep ascents to more compact in the flats. These shoes do it all with two size options (22” and 25” depending on the weight load), two color choices (lime green as tested and orange), and a price very comparable to the competition at [$]. Overall, you can’t go wrong with choosing the MSR Lightning Ascent snowshoe when traction matters most.

      • Sizing:
      • Feels true to size
      • Width:
      • Feels true to width

      Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

      (4 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

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      Mar

      1

      2009

      (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

       
      4.0

      MSR Lightning Ascent 30--for the big guy

      By Quandry Nate

      from Denver, CO

      About Me Casual/ Recreational

      Site Member

      Pros

      • Easy Entry & Exit
      • Good Traction
      • Lightweight
      • Stable

      Cons

      • Bindings not perfect

      Best Uses

      • All Terrain
      • Flat Terrain
      • Icy Conditions
      • Off Trail
      • Rolling Terrain
      • Steep Pitches

      Comments about MSR Lightning Ascent 25 Snowshoes:

      I bought these against the advice on an REI associate. He thought I would be too big for the 30" shoe and offered Atlas 35's. I walked these shoes about 8 miles in fresh powder with 260 pounds on them; they performed great. I did notice some reduced flotation, but that changed when camp was set and I got back down to around 230 pounds. The crampons and serrated edges of the shoes provide amazing traction and immediately inspire confidence in the shoe. I'm very pleased with the performance overall, but did manage to walk out of one of the shoes. Arranging the bindings in the dark and extreme cold take a bit more patience than when the straps are warm and pliable. Other than the user error on the bindings these shoes are great. Don't be afraid to load up your pack with these babies...

      • Gift:
      • No
      • Sizing:
      • Feels true to size
      • Width:
      • Feels true to width

      Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

      (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

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      Jan

      8

      2009

      (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

       
      5.0

      Excellent Snowshoes

      By amokrunner

      from Southern California

      About Me Casual/ Recreational

      Site Member

      Pros

      • Attach Securely
      • Easy Entry & Exit
      • Good Traction
      • Lightweight
      • Stable
      • They look dangerous

      Cons

      • Difficult Storage

      Best Uses

      • All Terrain
      • Deep Snow
      • Icy Conditions
      • Off Trail
      • Steep Pitches

      Comments about MSR Lightning Ascent 25 Snowshoes:

      I did a few long treks with these this winter. My buddy has a pair of the MSR Denali Ascent shoes. These definately have better traction. The whole rim is serrated--with these shoes you won't slip on anything. The straps are really easy to use on any size boot. The ascent bars worked great too.
      Only con I have is that they are difficult to store because they are sharp all over and I don't want to damage one shoe with the other.

      • Gift:
      • Yes

      Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

      (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

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      Jan

      18

      2008

      (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

       
      5.0

      Heel bar is a life saver!

      By Travis

      from Santa Clarita, CA

      About Me Advanced

      Site Member

      Pros

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

      Cons

      • Pricey

      Best Uses

      • Icy Conditions
      • Rolling Terrain
      • Steep Pitches

      Comments about MSR Lightning Ascent 25 Snowshoes:

      I managed to land these snowshoes at REI's garage sale during the summer so I was super stoked to get out and try them this winter. I used them on Mt. Whitney and elsewhere in the sierras and could not be happier with them. The traction is unrivaled, managing to hold on to hard pack and ice as well as soft powder. The flotation is about what you would expect for a mountaineering snowshoe, not super great in deep powder but definitely good. The heel bar is what sells me. On unforgiving slopes it gives your calves a rest and lets you keep plugging long after standard shoes would leave you needing a break.

      • Sizing:
      • Feels true to size
      • Width:
      • Feels true to width

      Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

      (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

      Was this review helpful? Yes / No

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      Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

      Jan

      9

      2008

      (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

       
      5.0

      Great!!!!

      By tileg21

      from Nampa, ID

      About Me Casual/ Recreational

      Site Member

      Pros

      • Attach Securely
      • Easy Entry & Exit
      • Good Traction
      • Lightweight
      • Stable

      Cons

      • Very Expensive

      Best Uses

      • All Terrain
      • Flat Terrain
      • Icy Conditions
      • Off Trail
      • Rolling Terrain
      • Steep Pitches

      Comments about MSR Lightning Ascent 25 Snowshoes:

      Great entry and exit, really easy to put on even with gloves, though they could be a bit longer. They do sink a bit in deep powder. But a great all around snowshoe.

      • Sizing:
      • Feels true to size
      • Width:
      • Feels true to width

      Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

      (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

      Was this review helpful? Yes / No

       - You may also flag this review

      Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

      Mar

      5

      2009

      (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

       
      5.0

      Best Snow shoes i have ever used!!

      By Mr Adventure

      from Red Bluff CA

      About Me Casual/ Recreational

      Pros

      • Attach Securely
      • Compact Design
      • Easy Entry & Exit
      • Good Traction
      • Great Grip
      • Lightweight

      Cons

        Best Uses

        • Icy Conditions
        • Off Trail
        • Steep Pitches

        Comments about MSR Lightning Ascent 25 Snowshoes:

        I have used the lightning ascents to climb Mt. Brokeoff for the past three ascents. And the Televator system made is feel like a slope more than a steep pitch.

        • Gift:
        • Yes
        • Sizing:
        • Feels true to size
        • Width:
        • Feels true to width

        Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

        (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

        Was this review helpful? Yes / No

         - You may also flag this review

        Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

        Feb

        5

        2009

        (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

         
        5.0

        The best snowshoe design yet

        By malloses

        from Upstate New York

        About Me Casual/ Recreational

        Pros

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

        Cons

          Best Uses

          • Deep Snow
          • Icy Conditions
          • Steep Pitches

          Comments about MSR Lightning Ascent 25 Snowshoes:

          The MSR Lightning Ascent are quite amazing. MSR has kept the binding design simple because it continues to be most effective. In addition, these shoes are lightweight and also provide a surprising amount of traction on icy inclines. I am headed to the Adirondack high peaks in a couple of weeks and am confident in these shoes.

          • Gift:
          • No
          • Sizing:
          • Feels true to size
          • Width:
          • Feels true to width

          Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

          (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

          Was this review helpful? Yes / No

           - You may also flag this review

          Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

          Sep

          28

          2008

          (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

           
          5.0

          Loved them

          By treemantrix

          from Texas

          About Me Casual/ Recreational

          Pros

          • Attach Securely
          • Easy Entry & Exit
          • Good Traction
          • Lightweight
          • Stable

          Cons

            Best Uses

            • All Terrain

            Comments about MSR Lightning Ascent 25 Snowshoes:

            Having to travel out of state to use anything snow related i only got to use these once last year. My fellow hikers were slipping and sliding on assents/descents while my crampon frames grabbed not having the slightest thought of slipping. They are just wonderful shoes, easy to get into and out of. I really look forward to using them again. The only con I found which has been said before I believe is the assent heel bar can be difficult to extend with gloves on.

            • Gift:
            • No
            • Sizing:
            • Feels true to size

            Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

            (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

            Was this review helpful? Yes / No

             - You may also flag this review

            Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

            Nov

            8

            2009

             
            5.0

            If you can only own one pr of snowshoes

            By Rand-aid

            from Vancouver, Wa

            About Me Advanced

            Site Member

            Pros

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

            Cons

              Best Uses

              • All Terrain
              • Icy Conditions
              • Off Trail
              • Steep Pitches

              Comments about MSR Lightning Ascent 25 Snowshoes:

              I've got the first-generation lightening accents (only two dorsal foot straps) and these do just about everything exceptionally well. I've also got a pair of 21" Atlas running snowshoes that I use for spring hikes and 30" Sherpas for really deep snow, and they both fulfill their niches very well. The MSR's cover everything else. The bindings on the MSR's are exquisitely simple and practical. Even with only two dorsal foot straps, they've never once come undone, and my feet stay put in alignment with the snowshoe (which they don't want to do with the Sherpas). The traction is phenomenal, especially crossing steep traverses on hard snow. I weigh 155 lbs and the 25" shoes are more than adequate for the heavy snow we get around here. The elevator device is again simple but effective. Climbing St. Helens is no strain with that thing in place. If I could only own one pair of snowshoes, these would be it.

              • Gift:
              • No

              Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

              Was this review helpful? Yes / No

               - You may also flag this review

              Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

              Displaying reviews 1-9

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