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Backpacker Magazine – Fall Gear Guide 2009

Gear Review: MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoe

Check out this staff favorite voted best-all-around snowshoe.

by: Kelly Bastone, Chris Bloomquist, Donna Meshke, Dan Nelson, Ben Russell, James Werner

MSR Lightning Ascent (Courtesy Photo)
MSR Lightning Ascent (Courtesy Photo)

Best All-Around
Why mess with a winner? That's what MSR designers seem to think about these classic snowshoes, and our testers agree. The Lightning Ascent is a perennial staff favorite because of its outstanding flotation and unbeatable traction in all conditions–steep, deep, icy, or any combination.

In this year's testing, the aluminum bar frames and aggressive steel crampons sliced firmly into the crustiest Mt. St. Helens snow, eliminating all slipping and sliding. Heel-lift bars reduce calf-strain on long climbs, and the polyurethane decking is amazingly tough and PVC-free. The glove-friendly, four-strap binding is easy to operate. All that, and the weight is relatively low for the all-around performance. $260; 3 lbs. 12 oz.; 22-, 25-, and 30-inch for men, and 22- and 25-inch for women; msrgear.com



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