MSR Lightning Ascent Review

The excellent features of this snowshoe have remained virtually unchanged for years other than the binding system in more recent years. The latest version of the bindings adds more comfort, though at the cost of being slightly less easy to use than the old rubber strap design.

Performance Comparison

The Lightning Ascent is our testers favorite snowshoe for steep, mountainous terrain.

Credit: Ian McEleney

Flotation

Flotation is the main reason to reach for a pair of snowshoes, and the best models keep you on top of or just below the snow's surface. There is a clear correlation between surface area and flotation. The Lightning Ascent is average among the models in our test regarding surface area specs, but the lightweight aluminum frame and urethane-impregnated nylon deck boost the flotation. A couple of other models float better because they provide more surface area when wearing the manufacturer's recommended size for our tester's weight.

Stride ergonomics and flotation are two metrics that exist in tension, as a larger snowshoe floats better but doesn't usually walk as naturally. In the case of the Ascent, our testers felt that these two characteristics were in excellent balance. We suspect this is due both to the hinged binding design and the slightly rockered shape of the frame.

We calculated the surface area ourselves, the 25" Lightning Ascent offers 188 square inches.

Credit: Ian McEleney

Winter travelers who need to augment their flotation in fresh snow or deep powder should look into the Lightning Tails. This MSR accessory adds 5 inches of length to the snowshoe. Our testers liked these on mellow terrain but found them to be rather cumbersome on steep or technical ground.

Traction

The Lightning Ascent features the most extensive traction design in our review. Under the forefoot are two large sharp points reminiscent of the front spikes of a crampon. Just behind this is a row of points featuring two large spikes and a selection of smaller ones. A similar row exists under the part of the deck where the user's heel sits. Additionally, the lateral frame includes serration along about half of their length.

The vertical orientation of the aluminum frame pieces means that any part of the frame touching the snow provides traction in at least one direction. This design stands in contrast to that of a tubular structure, the round shape of which only reduces grip. Furthermore, this means that the Lightning Ascent has lateral traction that's unmatched by any other product in our review, making this snowshoe an excellent performer when sidestepping on a steep slope or for switchbacking in firm conditions.

For traction, the Lightning Ascent boasts two big crampon-style front points (in red) and two more rows of points behind (in grey). Much of the vertically oriented frame is also serrated, significantly enhancing the traction.

Credit: Ian McEleney

Stride Ergonomics

A number of the snowshoes in our review have great stride ergonomics. In this metric, we are examining the size and shape of the deck as well as the binding to deck attachment. Smaller and more shapely decks are generally easier to walk in, though there's often a sacrifice in flotation. Our testing team prefers a hinged attachment of the binding to the deck, which the Lightning Ascent has. Though this sacrifices some walking comfort on firm trails, we're happy to trade that comfort for precision in steep, firm, or otherwise rowdy terrain.

The gentle taper in the deck from mid-foot to tail enhances the ergonomics slightly without giving up much flotation. Our testers also suspect that the rockered deck shape helps. The relatively lightweight of the Ascent (4 pounds even for a pair of the 25") makes them far less cumbersome with each step than heavier models.

Our testers felt that the tip-to-tail rocker of the deck contributes to good walking efficiency.

Credit: Ian McEleney

Ease of Use

When it comes to ease of use, our testers look for snowshoes that are easy to put on, adjust on the fly, and take off when they're done hiking. The heel strap of the Lightning Ascent will be familiar to many users; it's a simple rubber strap with a belt-style buckle that won't freeze up and is very durable.

Our testers had problems with the straps that secure the redesigned part of the binding. The rubber webbing that cages the forefoot is secured by two rubber straps that pass through buckles near the foot's arch. We found that though these straps are long enough to fasten, the tails aren't long enough to grab easily, especially with a larger foot in the binding using up more of the strap. This effect was exacerbated when we wore gloves, which folks will often wear while snowshoeing. A small hole at the end of the strap helps a bit, but we just wished these straps were a couple of inches longer.

A size 11 Keen Venture (a light hiking shoe) leaves 3 inches of strap tail for grabbing and adjusting. Bulkier or larger sized footwear leaves even less tail available.

Credit: Ian McEleney

MSR also changed the design of its strap keepers. They're just as easy to use but seem to be more durable. This update is a welcome improvement because the keepers are, in our experience, the most broken part of any MSR snowshoe. Finally, the heel lifters snap into place securely but are also simple enough to disengage.

Bindings

MSR has long been a leader regarding binding security, and while the Paragon binding is a newer feature, we found it kept up the tradition. The rubber mesh/webbing securely cradles the forefoot with zero slippage, and the heel strap keeps the foot in place on steep uphills.

All of the rubber strap-based bindings perform highly in this metric. None of them will come loose once properly fastened — except through user error.

The heel strap should be familiar to the users of any MSR snowshoe model. It features an improved strap keeper.

Credit: Ian McEleney

A comfortable snowshoe binding distributes the tension of the binding as evenly as possible around the foot. Meaning that even if you're wearing thin or soft footwear, there are no hot spots, and circulation to the toes isn't restricted. The Paragon binding system found on the Lightning Ascent nails it for comfort. Though the red rubber webbing looks like something Spider-Man might want on his snowshoes, it distributes binding tension evenly regardless of footwear. We think the Ascent nails a balance of comfort, simplicity, and packability with the binding.

The binding on the Lightning Ascent is comfortable whether it's paired with a hiking shoe (top), a trail runner (bottom left), or a supergaiter mountaineering boot.

Credit: Ian McEleney

Value

The Ascent is the most expensive snowshoe in our review. Even so, we think it's a reasonable value as long as you'll be using it in the situations it was designed for: rugged, mountainous terrain.

Conclusion

The MSR Lightning Ascent wins our Editors' Choice Award. As in the past, it gives winter travelers high-end traction and biding security while still being a joy to walk in, and the Paragon binding system gives users more comfort for different types of footwear. Folks with bigger feet or bigger boots should be aware that there could be some adjustment challenges with the binding, so we recommend trying before you buy, if possible. Overall, the Ascent is a good value for folks who want to expand their horizons in snowy environments.

Chris breaking trail in wind-transported snow.

Credit: Ian McEleney