NEW MEMBER OFFER!

Get 35% off GOES, your essential outdoor guide

LEARN MORE

GET MORE WITH OUTSIDE+

Enjoy 35% off GOES, your essential outdoor guide

UPGRADE TODAY

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

Popular on Backpacker