MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoes Review

JUMP TO: SPECS  |  PROS & CONS  |  HOW THEY PERFORMED  |  FEATURES  |  OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES  |  SUMMARY

Author: Steve Edgerton | Updated: Apr 30, 2023
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Being first and foremost a hiker and trail runner, winter in the Canadian Rockies stretches on far longer than I would prefer. From early November to as late as July, most of our mountain terrain is blanketed in deep snow and inaccessible without skis or snowshoes. 

So, every year for six months or more, I somewhat reluctantly shift to skiing or low-altitude outings, reserving alpine objectives for our glorious but far too brief hiking season. For years, I dismissed snowshoes as a viable option, deriding them as “misery slippers” — a way to experience the arduousness of backcountry skiing, minus all the fun.

At one time, my conception of snowshoes was largely correct. They were clumsy, heavy, and generally unsuitable for technical mountain terrain. But, as the MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoes demonstrate, this is certainly no longer the case. Snowshoes can be a viable alternative to expensive ski-mountaineering setups and a great way to keep bagging peaks and exploring new terrain year-round.

With aggressive traction, a lightweight design, and nimble versatility, the Lightning Ascent made me embrace the snowshoe to make the most of long Canadian winters in the mountains.

SPECS

HOW THEY PERFORMED

TRACTION: If winter ascents in mountain terrain are your primary goal, few snowshoes match the traction and security provided by the Lightning Ascent. Many recreational snowshoes prioritize utilitarian flotation on the fluffy stuff while traction plays second fiddle. That is not the case here.

True to their name, the traction system on these snowshoes is built for ascending steep inclines and technical terrain. A series of spikes under the foot panel resembles a crampon in appearance and performance, providing plenty of purchase when traveling uphill.

The snowshoe’s serrated external frame adds even more traction and stability. The perimeter-wide teeth and two serrated crossbars ensure that the frame always provides traction, whether on the ascent or while side-stepping down aggressive slopes.

EASE OF USE: With three buckles on each snowshoe, I was expecting some fiddling and fine-tuning to get the snowshoes on and find an ideal fit. I was pleasantly surprised at how seamless getting them on and adjusting on the fly turned out to be.

After securing your boot in the harness, you lock it in with a heel strap, then cinch down two more straps to secure the harness as needed. Even with cold hands, the rubber bands are easy to manipulate and secure into buckles, and no parts easily get jammed up with snow.

FLOTATION: The Lightning Ascent prioritizes nimbleness and performance. To do this, they necessarily sacrifice some flotation. You may have to adjust expectations if you’re coming from a pair of big recreational snowshoes that float like boats, but weigh about as much as one too, and have no business in the alpine.

With the Lightning Ascent, MSR manages to offer about as much floatation as you can get without beginning to compromise performance. I appreciate the ability to add modular flotation tails for extra-powdery conditions or carrying heavier loads while going with a light and precise snowshoe for everything else.

FIT AND COMFORT: As discussed above, the binding system is fairly intuitive, making it easy to get a good fit. The three straps distribute tension evenly and I have never experienced any friction or hot spots. The snowshoes are light and low-profile, adding to their comfortability, even over long days of exploring.

The Lightning Ascent features a hinged attachment system to secure the boot binding to the snowshoe deck. This makes them slightly less comfortable when walking on flat and firm trails, but far superior on steep or inconsistent terrain. I love the inclusion of heel lifts, which can be engaged on the uphills to relieve some strain on the calf muscles.

DURABILITY: Every component of the snowshoes—aluminum frame, steel crampons, ballistic-grade decking, heavy-duty straps—is sturdy and built for enduring considerable abuse. The only potential failure point of note is the straps, but even those are overbuilt. Expensive as these snowshoes are, you can definitely count on some extended longevity.

NOTABLE FEATURES

TRACTION SYSTEM:  Lightning’s 360° Traction Frame is perhaps the standout feature. The combination of vertical and horizontal traction, plus aggressive crampon-style teeth under the boot binding, make this my snowshoe of choice when the going gets vertical.

PARAGON BINDING SYSTEM: MSR’s Paragon binding system is an update on older iterations of the Lightning Ascent. The secure mesh harness and freeze-resistant straps distribute tension evenly and eliminate potential hotspots. The resulting precise and comfortable fit is a rare combination in snowshoes.

HEEL LIFTS: MSR’s Ergo Televators reduce fatigue and increase traction when working your way up steep ascents. They are easy to flick in and out of position on the go with a trekking pole.

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES

One aspect I’ve come to love about the Lightning Ascent, and snowshoeing in general, is the minimal gear requirement. Compared to other winter sports like skiing, there is not much in the way of additional mandatory gear you’ll need to grab before getting out on your snowshoes.

That said, there are a couple of snowshoe accessories that are worth considering.

MSR LIGHTNING TAILS: The modular design of the Lightning Ascent adds to its exceptional versatility. The optional 5-inch tails boost flotation in deep snow conditions. At 9 oz per pair, the tails are reasonably packable, so it is easy enough to bring them along for trips through mixed terrain.

MSR SNOWSHOE CARRY PACK: With a serrated frame and aggressive crampon teeth, snowshoes can tear up your gear if you’re not careful. MSR’s Snowshoe Carry Pack is an elegant solution for storing, transporting, and even hiking with your snowshoes. It doubles as a small backpack, and snowshoes can be stored inside or lashed to the exterior. It is versatile and rugged, and reasonably priced to boot.

SUMMARY

Given its hefty price tag, the MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoes are not for everybody. They are overkill for the average recreational snowshoer, who would be better served with something like the MSR Evo Trail or Atlas Helium Trail.

But if your winter objectives extend beyond exploring snowy meadows and rolling hills, the Lightning Ascent sets the standard. Although they don’t float over fresh, deep snow the way larger snowshoes do, they are light, stable, and a joy to walk in — traits that most other snowshoes cannot claim to share. With the option to add flotation tails, the Lightning Ascent has perhaps the best combination of traction, performance, comfort, and flotation of any snowshoe available.

Light but sturdy, stable but precise, the Lightning Ascent’s balance of performance and features help them excel in technical and steep mountain terrain. For regions like the Canadian Rockies, replete as they are with avalanche terrain, glacier traverses, and technical ascents, the added performance these snowshoes offer will likely pay for their added expense many times over.

DISCLOSURE

MSR provided me with a free sample for this review – but the views expressed here are all my own. The review also contains affiliate links, which help us keep churning out more content.

MORE INFORMATION

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Happy hiking and take care out there in the wild!