MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoes 30 Cobalt Blue

2025-06-01T20:00:00

Easy to get on, easy to take off. Very stable with loads and do not get crossed up like other snowshoes I've used. Conditions so far have been light and heavy power, pulling a pulk, and hiking. Great option for a no nonsense workhorse that is light and nimble.

Chad H.

Originally posted at

2025-04-06T20:00:00

As It is the end of the snow season, I would have to hike in higher elevations than I am comfortable in right now.

Marianne P.

Originally posted at

2024-11-07T19:00:00

Purchased these so my husband could join me on snowshoeing adventures and they are amazing! Has all the upgrades that make them comfortable with his winter hiking boots and the strap system is an improvement on prior models. Great for both low key snowy walks and more serious incline approaches.

Kristina B.

Originally posted at

2024-11-06T19:00:00

Super lightweight with great flotation, can confidently tackle ice and snow alike. The updated bindings are so easy to use - even with gloves on, way less hassle compared to the old style. Can't recommend them enough.

Christopher J.

Originally posted at

2024-11-06T19:00:00

This is my second pair of Womens Lightening Ascent Snowshoes. I purchased the first pair when they first came out and used them for many years. I replaced the bindings on the old snowshoes and still have them as a backup pair but they are 25 inch models and I wanted the shorter version; so, I purchased a new pair. The new snowshoes have an easier to use binding than the old ones and the heel lift seems to be places in a better location for smaller feet on the shorter snowshoe. Other than the improvements to the new model they are still the best snowshoes I have ever used. It is important to get the narrower women's model if you are a small person. I have tried the men's model and they were too wide and more difficult to travel in. I a 5'2" tall with short legs. I have had minimal issues with snow balling up and secure grip on steep icy terrain. I am a big fan of these shoes.

Kathleen W.

Originally posted at

2024-11-06T19:00:00

We bought these last year, it's a little early for snowshoeing this year, although I must say the Ascent is the best preforming snow shoe I have ever owned. They are easy to put on, very lightweight, and give you the confidence to maneuver in all kinds of conditions. I would highly recommend

John G.

Originally posted at

2024-11-06T19:00:00

C

Marc D.

Originally posted at

2024-05-02T20:00:00

I only used them once before I had my knee replacement surgery.

Deborah R.

Originally posted at

2024-01-20T19:00:00

Well made, light weight and great in deep snow.

Andrew M.

Originally posted at

2023-07-14T20:00:00

Not my first pair of snowshoes, but definitely the best! Easy, comfortable, well-made, great on hills!

Walt W.

Originally posted at

2023-07-06T20:00:00

Lightweight

Robert V.

Originally posted at

2023-05-28T20:00:00

I bought these for my husband since he tried my new blue Lightning Ascents and was converted immediately! We do a lot of off trail snowshoeing on steep and uneven mountainous terrain. The Lightning Ascent has excellent traction. You never slip! The bindings give an overall firmness with no pressure points so are very comfortable. We love them!

Fiona F.

Originally posted at

2023-05-08T20:00:00

These are great and worth the praise they get. Simple, light, and sturdy.

Brent

Originally posted at

2023-04-30T20:00:00

Very easy to get on and off. Light weight. This was our first time snow shoeing and we had no problems due to the high quality of the Lightning Ascent.

Debbie

Originally posted at

2023-04-13T20:00:00

First set of snow shoes. First time snow shoeing. Has been a great experience so far. Best way I have found to wander around the mountains in deep snow as I am not much of a skier, though I do try. Would recommend.

Wayd W.

Originally posted at

2023-03-12T20:00:00

These are the 8" wide men's snowshoes. They came up as the only hit when I searched for Lightning Ascent Women's so i thought they were Women's. When they arrived, the tag on the shoes says Men's. No clue why MSR and REI do not say this in the description. They do say Unisex further down. MEC in Canada lists them correctly as Men's. These are 8" wide. Women's are 7" wide. There are no free returns, so be sure before you order if ordering online. Return cost from Canada is $75 CAD. Great snowshoes. Poor product description.

Lindsey B.

Originally posted at

2023-02-11T19:00:00

Super comfortable & light, great traction

Steve Z.

Originally posted at

2023-02-01T19:00:00

The new style binders are an incredible improvement over the 4 strap style which tended to be difficult to put on a and very uncomfortable on long days! The new style fits and hold your boots very well. Not putting undue pressure on the top of the foot. And better placement of the boots over the cramp on! Thanks MSR for an excellent Improvement to the Lightning Ascent 25" Snowshoes!!!

Olsonaj1969

Originally posted at

2023-02-01T19:00:00

The new style binders are an incredible improvement over the 4 strap style which tended to be difficult to put on a and very uncomfortable on long days! The new style fits and hold your boots very well. Not putting undue pressure on the top of the foot. And better placement of the boots over the cramp on! Thanks MSR for an excellent Improvement to the Lightning Ascent 25" Snowshoes!!!

Kirsten B.

Originally posted at

2023-01-31T19:00:00

I tried them once in Ottawa on a flat land with a lot of snow and it was very very good experience. Never had a snow snowshoes before, but those are very light and easy to put on

Muthanna W.

Originally posted at

2023-01-25T19:00:00

Loved my Denali's. Will never let them go. However-My holiday gifted Ascents are wonderful, especially in steeper terrain.

William K.

Originally posted at

2023-01-14T19:00:00

They are great thank you. I appreciate the opportunity to purchase these. I will be using them for both my employment with the Government of Canada as a field supervisor and for recreational use as well. I am very impressed with the design. I purchased the tail extensions, maintenance kit and snowshoe pack as well.

Dave L.

Originally posted at

2023-01-11T19:00:00

I have put hundreds of miles on these bad boys in some world class terrain. I have used these to climb the Grand Teton in winter, approached peaks on Thompson Pass and Hatcher Pass Alaska. They have proved worthy on short WI2 bulges and class 3 terrain. I have used these snowshoes so much I swear I have grown nerve endings on the bottom. On hard packed snow the crampons on the bottom are good enough to ascend up to 45-degree terrain. The only con of these snowshoes is when ascending ski lines without skis I get some really dirty looks.

Kaleb N.

Originally posted at

2022-12-26T19:00:00

I really like these snowshoes. But as indicated in a previous review, there is a problem with the binding slipping off the heal when pulling up through soft snow.

David G.

Originally posted at

2022-12-25T19:00:00

I have been snowshoeing a few times. Each time I went I hated it, slower than skies and harder than walking with boots had been my experience. I avoided snow shoes for years. But I needed a pair for a trip and decided to get the best so hopefully snowshoeing would be, at least, tolerable. The Ascent Lightenings showed up and sat int he box a few weeks as I wanted for snow. We just had some and I put the shoes on to take a quick walk in the backyard just to see if the bindings worked. The bidding are fantastic and I felt so good in the snowshoes I went for a 4 mile hike. Then went out the next day and the next day. WOW love these show shoes, I love snowshoeing!

Jim B.

Originally posted at

2022-12-16T19:00:00

If you?re winter hiking along steep trails, these are the best snowshoes you can buy. I used the same pair of Lightning Ascent? snowshoes heavily each winter across 5 years in the White Mountains of NH. Peaks here get very icy & very steep in the winter, so taking on any of the higher summits demands a snowshoe with impressive traction. Lightning Ascent? snowshoes have the best traction on the market - there really isn?t another snowshoe that comes close, except for similar MSR designs. Most snowshoes have the bulky tubular perimeter, but the heavily serrated perimeter of these shoes cut into ice, along with the sharp crampon on the foot. Be aware that the aluminum construction unavoidably makes the snowshoes much softer than steel. I used my shoes until the sharp sides were flat, and each tooth of the crampons completely snapped. While the crampons under the foot are replaceable, no amount of sharpening can enhance the dull sides. PROS - ?Very lightweight ?Best traction of any snowshoe ?Replaceable parts CONS- ?Aluminum less durable than steel ?Less flotation on snow than tubular snowshoes Best snowshoe for steep winter terrain. For fluffy powder & deep snow, with little ice, snowshoes with a bigger focus on flotation rather than traction is preferred.

Dylan

Originally posted at

2022-12-14T19:00:00

I love the Lightning Ascent Snowshoes and have worn out several pairs. However the "New" Paragon Binding is not my favorite I would much rather have the the option of ordering the previous style binding. In soft snow the new heal strap is harder to get a good hold on.

Jerry G.

Originally posted at

2022-12-11T19:00:00

I work as a guide in the Tahoe area and hands down, best snowshoes on the market. Pricey, but worth every nickel! OutdoorGearLabs #1 rated snowshoe the past 8 years.

Walt J.

Originally posted at

2022-10-30T20:00:00

I've had my lightning ascents for 10 years now. I sent them in for repair a few years ago, the customer service was fantastic. I've been trying for several months to get a replacement crampon, as one of mine has a crack near the attachment rivet. My RA number is 00176945. It is already starting to snow in the northern mountains of upstate NY. What I need to know is whether this part is still under warranty, or if I can pay for a replacement. But I'd like to get a new part replaced in the next month. Can someone help with this? Thanks! - Gary

Gary D.

Originally posted at

2022-10-21T20:00:00

Great snowshoes

Mario F.

Originally posted at