MSR Lightning Explore Snowshoes - Women's
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If you seek all-day comfort and ease of use on your off-trail forays, look no further than the women's MSR Lightning Explore snowshoes. They provide easy on/off and heel lifts to reduce fatigue.
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- Improved ratchet system makes getting in and out for lunch stops a breeze, not to mention making on-the-fly adjustments
- Cushioned cradle in the bindings offers exceptional comfort
- Heel lifts deploy with the simple flick of a pole grip to reduce fatigue and increase traction on the steeps
- Macro adjustment straps accommodate a wide range of boot sizes
- 360° Traction frames deliver a level of security that tubular frames simply can't, especially on traverses
- Add-on modular flotation tails (not included) accommodate heavier loads, or allow you to go from packed snow to deep powder with a single pair of snowshoes
Made in USA.
- 22 in. model: up to 180 lbs.; max with tails (not included): 240 lbs.
- 25 in. model: 120–210 lbs.; max with tails (not included): 280 lbs.
| Best Use | Snowshoeing |
|---|---|
| Snowshoe Terrain | Rolling Terrain |
| Snowshoe Closure | Rubber Strap |
| Frame Material | 7075-T6 aluminum |
| Deck Material | TPU-coated nylon |
| Crampon Material | Martensetic steel |
| Toe Crampon | Yes |
| Heel Lift | Yes |
| Gender | Women's |
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Excellent Snow Shoes
I bought these for my wife. She loves the fit and function and finds the bindings to be very comfortable and easy to use. She uses La Sportiva Aequilibrium ST GTX Mountaineering Boots - Women's and they are an awesome combination of function, style and comfort when paired with these MSR Lightening Explore snowshoes. We've been out snowshoeing in Colorado many times, from mild to very cold temperatures, from 8000 to 10,000 feet above see level, from groomed and well traversed trails to back-country sections. These MSR's cruise the groomers and packed down trails and they offer decent flotation in the deep off trail sections however the tail extensions would do the trick in those rare situations.
Super Light, Easy to Put on
I ordered these after a cheaper, lower quality brand blew out on my while packing out an elk 2 years ago. I needed something light for long hikes, easy and quick to put on and take off, and durable for carrying a pack or packing out game. These were GREAT! I hiked steep terrain, powde, trap-ice, trail, and areas of minimal snow over rocks and shrubs. Snowshoes performed well 5-7 hours a day for a solid week. The steep hill climb feature where a betttal bar raises under one's boot heel is great! I have a bad ankle and used this feature when climbing up serious vertical and it does just as MSR says it does - relieves fatigue and stress. Great snowshoes I hope they last for many years.
Nice, but inadequate straps.
I bought them online, picked them up today and returned them today. I chose them for the binding system, but MSR unfortunately includes the short 6" strap. I could not even slightly connect them with my snowshoeing boots, not over the boot nor the heel and I wear 8.5 size boot. The MSR website sells a packet of 4 straps for $15 - 2 short and 2 long. Shame on MSR for charging $300 for snowshoes and including only 6" straps for what they apparently believe are small skinny female feet, and then charging $15 + shipping + postage for a package of 4 straps - 2 of which are the short ones that come with the shoes! Thank you to REI for trying to help and for refunding my money. I won't give any more of my money to MSR.
Packaging Fail
I haven't used these yet since I bought them in summer but on various sites I've read a lot of great reviews on their functionality. My review is based on the unboxing. They are poorly packaged and loose in a box with some brown paper. There are paper spacers between the soles and two plastic clips preventing the spikes of one sole from scratching the uncovered spikes of the other sole. I'll give them credit for minimalism and recyclability but ultimately the product is left unprotected. Luckily my snowshoes are intact with minimal scratching on the rim. You can see where they've scraped through the box during transit. The fact that MSR is charging over $300 for snowshoes that don't even come with a carrying case to prevent scratching and provide ease of transport like much cheaper snowshoes offer shows a desire for cost-cutting over customer care.
Many reasons to like!
I bought these for my wife when she wore out her Atlas shoes. She uses them about five days a week walking local bike trails, multi use trails and our own property trails. They are superior to her previous snowshoes in every way. The binding is so simple and effective. Once it’s set for size, leave the back strap alone then it’s just one strap over the instep and you are ready. The snowshoes are secure with no re adjusting necessary or twisting of the shoes during use. The traction is great in all conditions including ascending and descending steep hills. On firm snow it is easy to walk with a natural stride and worked in deep snow even without the optional flotation tails when we had a 24” dump of snow this winter. And last but definitely not least, they don’t fling snow up the back of your pants and jacket during use the way my Atlas and her previous Atlas shoes did. That’s not much of a issue if your clothing is water proof but sometimes you just go as you are dressed and the a— of your jeans get wet. Not with these. One more thing, they pack a very flat trail in the snow.
Almost great
Used these pretty heavily for the last couple of months, and they are close to perfect. Light, allow for a natural gait, and the bindings would be easy to use, if the straps were just a little longer. I did have to replace the straps for a longer set, as the provided ones aren't long enough for my size 8 womens winter boots. Not a huge deal, but a little tough to swallow after spending so much on the snowshoes to have to make modifications to make them fit average size boots.
Stable bindings, great on all terrian
Great snow shoes. The ratchet bindings didn’t slip or loosen one during a vigorous mixed terrain hike, lots of up and down hills and my boot stayed in place. Excellent design, no slipping on steep uphill and downhill slopes. Nice that there are two lengths to the straps, but it would be better if there was a second strap included in a Med/Lg size, especially considering the price of these snowshoes. Strap changed easily from the small to medium setting, however, there is not much extra strap to accommodate a bigger boot. I wore a standard hiking boot and I am a women’s 9.5-10, anything bigger would need a longer strap. I would recommend these snowshoes, overall.
MSR Lightnening Explore short strap on binding
I bought the MSR lightening explore snowshoes and wore them for the first time today and really loved them. When I tried them on, the straps would not fit my big boots. I read the reviews about this and called MSR. I was told that the straps can be switched around and made longer. Went into my local REI store (one can do it oneself as well) and it was an easy fix. There is no need to buy longer straps. One takes the straps out and just reinserts them with the long length available to go over the boot.
A step down from the Ascent
Bought in 22": according to the size chart adequate for my weight, boots and backpack. Stepped onto the trail and sunk just to the edge of my gaiter (wearing knee high gaiters). Wanted to give them a fair shot but these are not for untouched trails: they are good for packed trail and moderate snow. Going across the wood is a no go either: maneuverability is great but the floatation is so poor that I sank to my pelvis. Manufacturing is sub par: after a 3 mile jaunt, paint of the frame was flaking by the rivers and the canvas was already fraying. Binding is OK but if you need to adjust on steep down hill (the clamp system put pressure on your toes at steep angles) the ratcheting system tend to get packed with snow. The manufacturing quality has gone down (my lightning ascent have less wear and tear and hundreds miles on them). This might work for a casual walk in the woods on lightly rolling terrain in knee high snow. Will be returning and stick with my older and better product. Also, the straps aren't too short: they have another notch opposing the ratchet end: you just take the strap out and put it back in going no farter than the first notch(requires a bit of force for obvious reason): this add 2 inches on the heel and toe straps: plenty to accommodate large winter boots.
Hyperlink (TM) bindings- SP sizing ?
Super excited about just receiving my new MSR Explore SS. HOWEVER, based on so many reviews squawking about the short straps- the first thing I did was gear up. Yep! the heel strap marked (S/P) and it is not for salt and pepper...(maybe short/petite?).There is no way the heel strap will fit around my boot (basic winter hikers). I agree with the other reviewers- not so interested in paying MSR and any more $$ for shipping..so I am paying amazon + a whopping .95 cent savings! If I did'nt have years of experience with my other amazing MSR SS- I would have returned these. As I concur with others- when you are paying over $300- there should be no need to race out and buy "Hyperlink (TM) replacement" straps (second the motion- shame on MSR!). So- if you are giving these for a gift- I highly recommend you include the Hyperlink (TM) replacement straps in the stocking hung over the fireplace. I will update once, I get my "Hyperlink (TM) replacement" straps and some miles, hopefully will aim for more stars:(.