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Review Summary
2026-02-03T19:00:00
Sturdy construction, good all around snowshoes
Daniel R.

2026-02-02T19:00:00
I'm a beginner in snowshoeing but these are great. Easy to set up and get going. The quality is great. They have some teeth on the bottom that helps handle well in icy areas. And I was able to travel across soft powder with a pack full of camera gear no problem!
Stephen S.

2026-01-28T19:00:00
I have been running lightning ascents for about 18 years. They are very durable and provide incredible traction. The heel lift makes steep climbs much easier. It's nice that there are a few binding configurations depending on your use.
Callum P.

2026-01-07T19:00:00
The new snowshoes were delivered two days ago and I've already used them two days. They are an excellent product.
John F.

2025-12-25T19:00:00
Best snow shoes available anywhere.
Kenneth L.

2025-12-22T19:00:00
Absolutely a game changer. Have only gotten the chance to use these once but I was able to cover ground at an insane rate in these puppies. Since they're so new I can't speak to their durability, but the materials used seem to be high quality as well. Very happy so far!
Alex S.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

2024-11-06T19:00:00
C
Marc D.

2024-05-02T20:00:00
I only used them once before I had my knee replacement surgery.
Deborah R.

2024-01-20T19:00:00
Well made, light weight and great in deep snow.
Andrew M.

2023-07-14T20:00:00
Not my first pair of snowshoes, but definitely the best! Easy, comfortable, well-made, great on hills!
Walt W.

2023-07-06T20:00:00
Lightweight
Robert V.

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.

2023-05-08T20:00:00
These are great and worth the praise they get. Simple, light, and sturdy.
Brent

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

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.

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.

2023-02-11T19:00:00
Super comfortable & light, great traction
Steve Z.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Paragon
Yes
Unisex/average width
7075-T6 Aluminum
TPU coated Nylon
22": Up to 180 lb (Up to 80kg)
25": 120 - 220 lb (54 - 100+ kg)
30": 150 - 280 lb (68 - 127+ kg)
With Tails:
22": Up to 250 lb (Up to 114kg )
25": Up to 280 lb (54 - 127kg)
30": 180 - 300+ lb (82 - 136+ kg)
Made in the USA of US and Imported Parts
22": 8 x 22" (20 x 56cm)
25": 8 x 25" (20 x 64cm)
30": 8 x 30" (20 x 76cm)
22": 4 lb 2 oz (1.89kg)
25": 4 lb 5 oz (1.97kg)
30": 4 lb 14 oz (2.24kg)
30 Cobalt Blue: 040818130780 | 22 Black: 040818130797 | 30 Black: 040818130810 | 22 Cobalt Blue: 040818130766 | 25 Black: 040818130803 | 25 Cobalt Blue: 040818130773
MSR Men's Snowshoes Size Chart
| 22" | 25" | |
|---|---|---|
| Foot Size | 6-14 | 6-14 |
| Load Capacity (lbs) | Up to 180 | Up to 220 |
MSR Snowshoes are Alaska worthy.
By Kaleb N.
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 lin...
View full Review
I have been running lightning
By Callum P.
I have been running lightning ascents for about 18 years. They are very durable and provide incredible traction. The heel lift makes steep climbs much easier. It's nice that there are a few binding configurations depending on your use.
Lightning Ascent snowshoes represent the pinnacle of ultralight and aggressive all-terrain performance, and now feature MSR's advanced Paragon binding. Designed to wrap securely around your boot without pressure points, the binding's mesh strap ensures maximum foot control with truly uncompromised comfort. In technical terrain, the snowshoes' 360 Traction Frames provide unrivaled grip-especially on traverses. Ballistic-grade decking offers long-lasting durability, and Ergo Televator heel lifts back you up when climbing the steeps.
Unrivaled Traction: 360 Degree Traction frames deliver edge-to-edge grip, and durable steel DTX crampons provide serious bite in challenging conditions-delivering unmatched traction in technical terrain.
Paragon Binding: Comfortable, freeze-resistant mesh strap wraps securely around a wide range of boots for ultimate security, while toe stops offer fast, precise foot alignment.
All-Condition Adaptability: Add-on Modular Flotation tails allow you the maneuverability of a smaller, primary snowshoe with the added, on-demand flotation of optional, 5-inch (13-cm) tails.
Uphill Efficiency: Ergo Televators reduce fatigue and increase traction on the steeps with an ergonomic design that engages with a flick of a pole grip.
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