MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoe – Men’s

We’ve read the reviews across the web for the MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoe – Men’s and summarize the results below:

Universal Ranking

PeakScore: 91 (out of 100)
User Rating: 4.8 stars 
Expert Rating: 4 stars

Number of Ratings Reviewed: 92

Pros & Cons

Reasons to buy:

User Reviews

  • Does a great job of keeping traction over icy terrain.
  • Works well in deep powder for a snowshoe.
  • The lighter weight makes it suitable for all day hiking.
  • Traction is great on various surfaces.
  • Good flotation in deep snow.
  • Lightweight and reliable.
  • Able to easily flip the back riser bar to keep your foot level and efficiently climb uphills.

Expert Reviews

  • Provides 360 degree traction around the entire frame for ample grip.
  • Uses a thicker and continuous piece of steel that improves bending resistance, making the snowshoes easier to use and more sturdy.
  • Durable frame and teeth, even during tough use.
  • Able to stay above or just below the snow even when carrying loads.
  • The elastic straps and buckle prevent any snow buildup.
  • Works well for both on and off the trail, enhancing the versatility.
  • Can purchase an extender which adds 5” to the end of your snowshoe, which adds float in deep powder.

Reasons NOT to buy:

User Reviews

  • Some reports of the straps getting really stiff in cold weather, making clipping very difficult.
  • Some reports of not having enough side to side stability.
  • The clips that hold the excess strap don’t work very well, and the straps can flop around.

Expert Reviews

  • The hinged attachment of the binding to the deck makes it less comfortable for walking on firm trails.
  • Some users had problems with the straps that secure the belt style buckle in the binding.
  • The tails of the straps weren’t long enough to easily grab.

Summary:

The MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoe for men is a durable, high-traction, and adjustable snowshoe that works well on various terrain, in deep snow, and for on and off-trail. Despite some issues with the straps, the ability of this snowshoe to keep you floating above, or just below, deep snow makes them a very good choice for any snowshoer. In addition, the extremely good grip rated by both users and experts provides a reliable and trustworthy option for the backcountry.

Multimedia:

Note: User and expert rankings were reviewed across the web. Some expert reviews include these: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

Related Products: