MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoes - Men's
Featuring advanced Paragon™ bindings, the men's MSR Lightning Ascent snowshoes deliver lightweight and aggressive all-terrain performance.
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- Ballistic-grade decking offers long-lasting durability
- 360° Traction frames deliver edge-to-edge grip, and durable steel DTX crampons provide serious bite in challenging conditions
- Paragon™ bindings have freeze-resistant mesh straps that wrap securely around a wide range of boots for ultimate security, while toe stops offer fast, precise foot alignment
- Ergo™ Televators reduce fatigue and increase traction on the steeps with an ergonomic design that engages with a flick of a pole grip
- 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. models: up to 180 lbs.; max with tails (not included): 250 lbs.
- 25 in. models: 120–220 lbs.; max with tails (not included): 280 lbs.
- 30 in. models: 150–280 lbs.; max with tails (not included): 300+ lbs.
| Best Use | Snowshoeing |
|---|---|
| Snowshoe Terrain | Mountain Terrain |
| Snowshoe Closure | Rubber Strap |
| Max Recommended Load | 22 IN: 180 pounds 25 IN: 220 pounds 30 IN: 280 pounds |
| Frame Material | Aluminum |
| Deck Material | TPU-coated nylon |
| Crampon Material | Steel |
| Toe Crampon | Yes |
| Heel Crampon | Yes |
| Side Traction | Yes |
| Heel Lift | Yes |
| Dimensions | 22 IN: 22 x 8 x 4.25 inches 25 IN: 25 x 8 x 4.25 inches 30 IN: 30 x 8 x 4.25 inches |
| Weight (Pair) | 22 IN: 4 lbs. 25 IN: 4 lbs. 3 oz. 30 IN: 4 lbs. 12 oz. |
| Gender | Men's |
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Work great. lightweight. Durable.
I bought these here almost 10 years ago. They are still working great. Mine have the PosiLock Binding. I am 5-10, 180#, I got the 30 inch shoes. I wear them on raw snow, not some groomed trails. Usually in county parks sometimes up north in land preserves. Sometimes a stick will poke up through the snow and never has it damaged the hypalon (?) deck material. I sewed up a bag to carry them rather than buy. I noticed a couple of the rivets on the binding were damaged and so I ground off all the rivets on the binding on both shoes. I found that a normal 3/16 pop rivet and some aluminum backing plates (washers) fit perfectly. I was also able to prime and paint on the red crampon part some of the rust. Good as new. Another 10 years.
Why spend $300 on snowshoes? Comfort and Function
I have tried cheaper snowshoes. Cheap bindings create pressure points and pain. Heavier materials are cheaper, but 1# attached to your feet is equivalent to #10 on your back. Initial impression out of the box, “these shoes are huge, lightweight and what did I pay for?”. Love the new binding design. My size 14 Columbia boots attach smoothly. Living in Northern Michigan, frequent lake effect snow, makes travel difficult. Early impression favors this product as a must have. Comfortable and functional gear can makes all the difference. Thank you REI for continuing to bring me quality products.
New Bindings Fix Their One Flaw.
I had the older style of binding Lightning ascents (with 4 straps). They held on fine, but there was a very fine line between too loose and too tight causing cold feet. These new bindings are MUCH better. Totally comfy, totally secure, and totally fast to put on. The shoes themselves are a great compromise between agility and flotation depending on what size you get. They are easy to walk in and have FANTASTIC traction. The heel lifts are easy to grab with the tip of your hiking pole to put up, but a little bit more difficult to get down. If this is my only complaint, it should show you I'm pretty pleased with these.
Great for getting to those elusive peaks
I upgraded to these snowshoes last year and am so glad I did. They have great traction and I can go into areas I couldn't access with my other less aggressive snowshoes. The binding system is good too in that if one of the straps breaks (which hasn't happened) there are other straps to do the job.
Amazing Snowshoes
This is the first pair of snowshoes I have owned, although I have tried a few others including tube frame and wooden. These are not the cheapest option you have, but I think I made a great choice and don't regret the decision at all. I live in Minnesota and have used these snowshoes in many different types of snow and Ice. These shoes can handle them all. The frame is strong and light and the traction is amazing. I have been on group hikes where everyone else is sliding down the hills or having trouble getting up them, it felt like I was cheating. I too have had a little issue with the deck ripping, mine was on the side and I did have large boots on at the time. I have now got a good pair of winter hiking boots that are much smaller and fit the shoe better. Some people complain about the bindings, I love them simply because they are easy to take on and off with my mittens on plus provide a lot of support. If I didn't have to hike in below 0 temps then I can see where a ratchet type strap would be nice. I would have liked to see two strap holders per strap, I have small feet and with the smaller boots have a lot of extra strap (you can buy extra). The heel lift works so good I wished that I lived in the mountains. I have had them for three years now and other then some normal wear and tear they look great and have given me no problems at all.
MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoes
I was happily surprised this last Christmas when my wife had bought me a pair of the MSR Lightning Ascent 30"" Snowshoes. I am a bigger guy so I was a little worried about the weight restrictions. I ended up buying the Lightning Ascent Tails too just to make sure. We went snowshoeing for my 1st time this last weekend and had so much fun! I used the tails to begin with, which are easily attachable to the snowshoes. I was trekking through the snow with relative ease. Towards the end of the trek, I took the tails off and still had no problems. A little more sinking but not a lot. Overall experience was fabulous. I would highly recommend these snowshoes to anyone.
Lightest, Fastest Snowshoes You'll Ever Own
I cannot begin to tell you how marvelous these Lightning Ascent snowshoes are. I hiked 6.3 miles (2,600' of elevation gain) up to Margy's Hut in the 10th Mountain Division Hut system near Aspen, Colorado. These are the lightest, fastest most user-friendly snowshoes I have owned. If you're a big guy like me, carrying extra pack-weight, I must insist on getting the tails for these. When you want to get distance and are making big elevation changes these are by far the hands-down"" favorite. It's the right tool for the job and then money you spend will give you real enjoyment when on the trail. Now......go get a pair. :-)
So Easy to put these on!
The bindings are genius. Easy to latch on in a jiffy with a pack on my back. Very secure, very sturdy. Used this weekend in mixed conditions with some complicated scrambles up partially covered slope where snow patches were soft, 2-3 foot deep drifts, followed by moist dirt. Loved them. Very pleased with the purchase.
Poor design
I wear Keen winter boots and they do not work well with this snowshoe. Poor design did not anticipate that these would be worn with WINTER boots. Shoe rubs on the decking material. It's disappointing to have to duck tape $300 snowshoes. The wear is on a narrow strip and I'm afraid that failure is inevitable. Btw two different users, two different sizes of snowshoes and the same problem. I contacted MSR and the support was just as disappointing. I've been a longtime MSR fan, but their very delayed response was essentially there is no issue and that it will rub until it's worn away enough to not rub. MSR was founded by engineers who tinkered until they perfected the design -- now it appears millennial marketing runs the show.
Performance with style!
These Lightning Ascents are my go-to snowshoe. They are rugged, stay in place without sliding around like some I have used in the past. They float well in deep powder ( I have the 25"" version and I weight 157 lbs and was at about 1"" to 2"" above my ankle in 2+ feet of fresh dry powder) in addition to great performance breaking trailthey also give me confidence to cross icy, crusty snow without worry. The edges bite in and provide good footing. I love the televator. It really makes it more comfortable when climbing long ascents. These are well made, durable and reliable. The bindings work well when cold (I have used the hem down to 3 degrees F) and never freeze up or become stiff. The bindings are very adjustable and able to firmly hold my foot in place without cutting off circulation. Overall I am very happy with these snowshoes and highly recommend them.