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MSR Lightning Ascent Review

The best snowshoes in our test, complete with high end features and simple engineering
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MSR Lightning Ascent Review (The binding is made up of a red rubber "net" and a grey rubber heel strap.)
The binding is made up of a red rubber "net" and a grey rubber heel strap.
Credit: Ian McEleney
Price:  $390 List
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Manufacturer:   MSR
By Ian McEleney ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Apr 25, 2024
77
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#1 of 14
  • Flotation - 30% 5.0
  • Traction - 30% 9.0
  • Walkability - 20% 8.5
  • Bindings - 20% 9.0

Our Verdict

Year after year, the MSR Lightning Ascent takes the top spot in our review. The latest version of what has become a classic snowshoe features a binding design that is just as secure and more comfortable than the previous iteration. However, the Paragon binding is harder to use, especially for folks with big feet. Hikers who favor softer winter footwear may find this trade-off worth it. Otherwise, the design is unchanged from the simple, solid setup our testers have come to love. It features excellent traction and binding security, along with good stride ergonomics. This model works well for anyone who needs snowshoes, though those traveling off the beaten path will most appreciate them. See it ranked against other top products in our article on the best snowshoes.
REASONS TO BUY
Rigid
Precise
Excellent binding security
Impressive traction
REASONS TO AVOID
New binding trades ease-of-use for comfort
Editor's Note: This review was updated on April 24, 2024, after a reassessment of our lineup and updating our testing metrics.

Compare to Similar Products

 
msr lightning ascent
Awards Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Snowshoes
Best Buy Award
High Performance Affordability
Top Pick Award
Best for Fresh Deep Snow
Top Pick Award
Best for Trails
Best Buy Award
Best on A Tight Budget
Price $389.95 at REI
Compare at 3 sellers
$159.99 at Amazon
Compare at 3 sellers
$220 List
$219.95 at Amazon
$300 List
$289.95 at Backcountry
$80 List
$95.99 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
77
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47
Star Rating
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Bottom Line Our overall champ combines simplicity and high-quality materials, features, and engineeringThis reliable and well-priced snowshoe is versatile and easy to useA good choice for off trail travel and softer snowA good choice for firm, hard packed snow when you don't need a ton of floatMost cheap snowshoes have poor bindings, but we found the G2 to be comfy and secure
Rating Categories MSR Lightning Ascent MSR Evo Trail Crescent Moon Big S... TSL Symbioz Hyperfl... G2 Ratchet Binding
Flotation (30%)
5.0
4.5
9.0
2.0
8.0
Traction (30%)
9.0
6.0
4.0
9.0
2.0
Walkability (20%)
8.5
7.5
4.5
6.5
3.5
Bindings (20%)
9.0
9.0
6.0
7.0
5.0
Specs MSR Lightning Ascent MSR Evo Trail Crescent Moon Big S... TSL Symbioz Hyperfl... G2 Ratchet Binding
Measured Weight (per pair) 4.0 lbs 3.7 lbs 5.1 lbs 4.6 lbs 4.5 lbs
Sizes Available 22", 25", 30" 22" (one size) 32" (one size) 20.5" (S), 23.5" (M), 27" (L) 22", 25", 30", 36"
Binding System Rubber net and straps with pin-in-hole Rubber net and straps with pin-in-hole Rubber straps with plastic buckles Combination of rigid plastic, nylon straps, cam locks, and ratchet style straps Ratchet straps with plastic buckles, EVA padding, rubber tension straps
Frame Material Aluminum Plastic and steel Aluminum Composite Aluminum
Measured Surface Area 188 sq in 183 sq in 256 sq in 162 sq in 225 sq in
Measured Dimensions 25"L x 8"W 24"L x 8"W 32"L x 10"W 22"L x 8"W 31"L x 9"W
Binding/Deck Connection Hinged Hinged Strapped Hinged Hinged
Crampon/Traction Aids Steel crampons, rails, and teeth Steel crampons and rails Steel crampons Steel crampons and teeth Aluminum crampons and teeth
Deck Material TPU coated Nylon Polypropylene Polyurethane fabric Composite Polyethylene fabric
Heel Lift Yes No Optional Yes Yes
Flotation Tails Sold Separately? Yes Yes No No No
Men's and Women's Versions? Yes Unisex Yes Unisex Unisex
Optimum Weight Load (per manufacturer) up to 180 lbs (size 22")
120-220 lbs (size 25")
150-280 lbs (size 30")
up to 180 lbs up to 225 lbs 65-180 lbs (size S)
110-260 lbs (size M)
150-300 lbs (size L)
up to 150 lbs (size 21")
up to 200 lbs (size 25")
up to 250 lbs (size 30")
up to 300 lbs (size 36")
Tested Size 25" 22" 32" M 30"

Our Analysis and Test Results

The excellent features of this snowshoe have remained virtually unchanged for years other than the binding system in more recent years. The latest version of the bindings adds more comfort, though at the cost of being slightly less easy to use than the old rubber strap design.

Performance Comparison


msr lightning ascent - firm, refrozen snow is no big deal for the lightning ascent.
Firm, refrozen snow is no big deal for the Lightning Ascent.
Credit: Ian McEleney

Flotation


Flotation is the main reason to reach for a pair of snowshoes, and the best models keep you on top of or just below the snow's surface. There is a clear correlation between surface area and flotation. The Lightning Ascent is average among the models in our test regarding surface area specs, but the lightweight aluminum frame and urethane-impregnated nylon deck boost the flotation. A couple of other models float better because they provide more surface area when wearing the manufacturer's recommended size for our tester's weight.


Stride ergonomics and flotation are two metrics that exist in tension, as a larger snowshoe floats better but doesn't usually walk as naturally. In the case of the Ascent, our testers felt that these two characteristics were in excellent balance. We suspect this is due both to the hinged binding design and the slightly rockered shape of the frame.

msr lightning ascent - the rigid frame helps these float better.
The rigid frame helps these float better.
Credit: Ian McEleney

Winter travelers who need to augment their flotation in fresh snow or deep powder should look into the Lightning Tails. This MSR accessory adds 5 inches of length to the snowshoe. Our testers liked these on mellow terrain but found them to be rather cumbersome on steep or technical ground.

Traction


The Lightning Ascent features the most extensive traction design in our review. Under the forefoot are two large sharp points reminiscent of the front spikes of a crampon. Just behind this is a row of points featuring two large spikes and a selection of smaller ones. A similar row exists under the part of the deck where the user's heel sits. Additionally, the lateral frame includes serration along about half of their length.


The vertical orientation of the aluminum frame pieces means that any part of the frame touching the snow provides traction in at least one direction. This design stands in contrast to that of a tubular structure, the round shape of which only reduces grip. Furthermore, this means that the Lightning Ascent has lateral traction that's unmatched by any other product in our review, making this snowshoe an excellent performer when sidestepping on a steep slope or for switchbacking in firm conditions.

msr lightning ascent - the frame itself provides a lot of traction, so you don't have to...
The frame itself provides a lot of traction, so you don't have to worry about slipping when the trail gets crunchy.
Credit: Ian McEleney

Walkability


A number of the snowshoes in our review are great to walk in. In this metric, we are examining the size and shape of the deck as well as the binding to deck attachment. Smaller and more shapely decks are generally easier to walk in, though there's a sacrifice in flotation. Our testing team prefers a hinged attachment of the binding to the deck, which the Lightning Ascent has. Though this sacrifices some walking comfort on firm trails, we're happy to trade that comfort for precision in steep, firm, or otherwise rowdy terrain.


The gentle taper in the deck from mid-foot to tail enhances the ergonomics slightly without giving up much flotation. Our testers also suspect that the rockered deck shape helps. The relatively lightweight of the Ascent (4 pounds even for a pair in the 25" size) makes them far less cumbersome with each step than heavier models.

msr lightning ascent - a bit of rocker in the tail helps these walk better.
A bit of rocker in the tail helps these walk better.
Credit: Ian McEleney

Bindings


When it comes to ease of use, our testers look for snowshoes that are easy to put on, adjust on the fly, and take off when they're done hiking. The heel strap of the Lightning Ascent will be familiar to many users; it's a simple rubber strap with a belt-style buckle that won't freeze up and is very durable.


Our testers had problems with the straps that secure the redesigned part of the binding. The rubber webbing that cages the forefoot is secured by two rubber straps that pass through buckles near the foot's arch. We found that though these straps are long enough to fasten, the tails aren't long enough to grab easily, especially with a larger foot in the binding using up more of the strap. This effect was exacerbated when we wore gloves, which folks will often wear while snowshoeing. A small hole at the end of the strap helps a bit, but we just wished these straps were a couple of inches longer.

msr lightning ascent - the straps are on the shorter side, and we wish they were a tad...
The straps are on the shorter side, and we wish they were a tad longer, especially for those who have bulkier boots.
Credit: Ian McEleney

MSR also changed the design of its strap keepers. They're just as easy to use but seem to be more durable. This update is a welcome improvement because the keepers are, in our experience, the most broken part of any MSR snowshoe. Finally, the heel lifters snap into place securely but are also simple enough to disengage.

MSR has long been a leader in binding security, and while the Paragon binding is a newer feature, we found it kept up the tradition. The rubber mesh/webbing securely cradles the forefoot with zero slippage, and the heel strap keeps the foot in place on steep uphills. All of the rubber strap-based bindings perform highly in this metric. None of them will come loose once properly fastened — except through user error.

msr lightning ascent - the binding is made up of a red rubber "net" and a grey rubber heel...
The binding is made up of a red rubber “net” and a grey rubber heel strap.
Credit: Ian McEleney

A comfortable snowshoe binding distributes the tension of the binding as evenly as possible around the foot. Meaning that even if you're wearing thin or soft footwear, there are no hot spots, and circulation to the toes isn't restricted. The Paragon binding system found on the Lightning Ascent nails it for comfort. Though the red rubber webbing looks like something Spider-Man might want on his snowshoes, it distributes binding tension evenly regardless of footwear. We think the Ascent nails a balance of comfort, simplicity, and packability with the binding.

msr lightning ascent - testing flotation.
Testing flotation.
Credit: Jessica Haist

Should You Buy the MSR Lightning Ascent?


Though the Ascent is a pricey snowshoe, we think it's a reasonable value. That is, as long as you'll be using it in the situations it was designed and built for: rugged, mountainous terrain. This is the sort of terrain this snowshoe shines in and what justifies the higher price tag.

What Other Snowshoes Should You Consider?


For hikers who will only occasionally be flirting with rowdy alpine terrain, the MSR Evo Trail could be a better choice. It offers slightly less flotation and traction but is still easy to use, has comfortable bindings, and can be pressed into service for brief above-treeline forays. Those who know they'll be on steeper ground should look at the Tubbs Flex VRT. It offers many of the same features as the Lightning Ascent with a smidge more flotation for larger hikers or larger packs.

Ian McEleney