MSR Lightning Ascent Backcountry & Mountaineering Snowshoes with Paragon Bindings

This pair replaced my 10 yo MSR EVOs. The bindings on these are MUCH better. These shoes are a bit wider than the EVOs and it's noticeable but only a minor nuisance. Moving at a fasting pace (maybe 2.5 mph) these shoes constantly flip snow onto the back of pants. These shoes have a turned up aft end that seems designed to flip snow back at you at the pace we were going. My hiking partner's shoes (Tubbs) were not doing this. The amount of snow thrown at the back of my legs was sufficient to chill them. On a positive note, they're light and have good traction up and down slope.I've upgrade my opinion on these to 4 starts. I used them this last weekend in the Adirondacks. Both on well used hiking trails and bushwhacking. There the bindings are excellent in holding your foot/snowshoe alignment while traversing steep slopes. Also taking them off and putting them back on in the field is much easier than the EVO's.

These snowshoes are great. If you're doing any type of serious snowshoeing, such as trail breaking, these are what you want. They are worth the price. I've tried (rented, owned) several pairs of snowshoes of different brands. Lightning Ascent are the only ones that consistently:*Keep you on top of the snow*Don't fall off (Paragon Bindings are GREAT)*Have incredible traction for very steep slopes up and downThe cheaper MSR Evo snowshoes had great traction but awful bindings and terrible flotation. Lightning Ascent are far superior in these aspects, which are pretty important.The only negative is that I got the 30 inch and didn't realize how easy it is to trip with snowshoes that long. Nothing to do with these specifically, just keep in mind larger/longer snowshoes require more careful walking.

I bought these MSR's after carefully reviewing the options of other snowshoes. They are some of the most expensive snowshoes on the market, but worth every penny. However, be aware that they are designed for a very specific use- winter mountaineering. These are probably not the best snowshoes for long cross-country backpacking trips, since their narrower profile doesn't stabilize a heavy pack as well as some of the other wider shoes MSR makes. However, if you are carrying a winter alpine pack with enough gear for an overnight, and need to go uphill in heavy snow, then these snowshoes are for you. I have tested them on consolidated snow with 35 degree slopes and had no traction issues since the built-in crampon and televators keep your feet locked into the slop. I highly recommend them for those adventurers who want to leave the trail and head straight up the mountain in soft powder or snow, at least until conditions require swapping them out for crampons.

I haven’t found anything I dislike yet. I picked up the extenders for a backpacking trip this year.

Best snowshoes I’ve ever had, and I’ve had over 10 pair.

Your browser does not support HTML5 video.  AWESOME PRODUCT!! Where do i start.1. Bindings are comfortable and easy on/off2. Lifters. I can raise and lower with trek pole.3. Traction. If these wont get u up the peak then You need actual crampons.Several Adirondack high peak hikes this season. 8- 12 hrs a hike in snowshoes the whole time. ZERO complaints. These replaced my YETIs. Worth the money!! I got a size well below my wieght. Were i go flotation is not as important as mobility and traction. My Yetis are bigger if i need them but if its that deep im probably not hiking. My trail weight is around 250lbs.

My daughters purchased these snow shoes for my wife for Christmas, and she used them snow shoeing in the Rockies. She reports that they were terrific -- much better than her old snow shoes.

I have no dislikes about them, just the opposite! I used them for winter camping, exploring, and group outings. I would buy another pair.