MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoes - Women's
Ideal for those with a narrow gait or anyone seeking a lighter alternative, the women's MSR Lightning Ascent snowshoes feature a lower-profile frame and deliver aggressive performance.
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- Narrow frames improve agility for those with a narrow gait, and are ideal for anyone seeking lighter snowshoes
- Featuring advanced Paragonâ„¢ bindings, the women's MSR Lightning Ascent snowshoes deliver lightweight and aggressive all-terrain performance.
- Ballistic-grade decking offers long-lasting durability
- 360° Traction frames deliver edge-to-edge grip, and durable steel DTX crampons provide serious bite in challenging conditions
- Paragonâ„¢ bindings have freeze-resistant mesh straps that wrap securely around a wide range of boots for ultimate security, while toe stops offer fast, precise foot alignment
- Ergoâ„¢ Televators reduce fatigue and increase traction on the steeps with an ergonomic design that engages with a flick of a pole grip
- Add-on modular flotation tails (not included) accommodate heavier loads, or allow you to go from packed snow to deep powder with a single pair of snowshoes
Made in USA.
- 22 in. models: up to 180 lbs.; max with tails (not included): 240 lbs.
- 25 in. models: 120–210 lbs.; max with tails (not included): 270 lbs.
| Best Use | Snowshoeing |
|---|---|
| Snowshoe Terrain | Mountain Terrain |
| Snowshoe Closure | Rubber Strap |
| Max Recommended Load | 22 IN: 180 pounds 25 IN: 210 pounds |
| Frame Material | Aluminum |
| Deck Material | TPU-coated nylon |
| Crampon Material | Steel |
| Toe Crampon | Yes |
| Heel Crampon | Yes |
| Side Traction | Yes |
| Heel Lift | Yes |
| Dimensions | 22 IN: 22 x 7.4 x 4.25 inches 25 IN: 25 x 7.4 x 4.25 inches |
| Weight (Pair) | 22 IN: 3 lbs. 12 oz. 25 IN: 3 lbs. 14 oz. |
| Gender | Women's |
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Work great but look bad
The snowshoes work great but the paint on the shoes started peeling off the first time I used them. My husband has a black pair he’s used more times than I’ve used mine and has no problem with the paint coming off. It’s disappointing to pay this amount for snowshoes that don’t look good after using them from the first use and the paint continued to come off each time I used them. More paint has come off since these photos were taken. I’m currently not at home but I could send more pictures next week if you would like to see what they look like now.
the bindings are the problem
These are very nice snowshoes, lightweight and comfortable. However, it it's colder than 0 F or so, the rubber straps on the bindings get so stiff that they become impossible to operate. This makes it nearly impossible to put the things on or off when outside in the cold. I had to take my feet out of my boots and take them into the house in my socks to let them warm up before I could undo the straps and take my boots out of them. Heaven forbid you should ever have to take them on or off outside at 20 below. I'm returning them to get the explorer type with the ratchet strap. My friend has those and they work much better in cold temperatures.
Expensive, BUT worth it!
I snowshoe a lot in Northern Utah (last two months 18 trips, 103 miles, almost 29,000 feet elevation gain). Now "the snowshoes you use are better than the ones you don't use." Love the new Paragon binding - set the front for your boots and only have to attach the heel strap. Toe location fits every time. These provide the best traction out there. I am 5' 8" and wear the Women's 25". They are 3/4" narrower than the male version and I do not trip on my feet with the narrower version. I do use the extension tails when the snow is lighter and fluffier. They work great in all types of snow and all types of conditions (rain, cold -8°F, side hills, uphill televators are nice). No "snowballing" build up of ice & snow between boot & binding or under the snowshoe. These are quiet relative to other MSR snowshoes. I sent my old pair (MSR Lightning Ascent W25) in for repair (broken crampon and decking fasteners wore through the edge of the frame - aluminum on aluminum) after 6 years of use. These will be a loaner pair for those that go with me.
Binding improvement over prior gens, but heavier.
I have been an snowshoe owner since Noah got off the Ark. The Ascent series is the only all mountain snowshoe. The original plastic Ascent which still works fine is noisy and after many miles in deep snow, you just start tripping on your heels due to lack of heel taper. When the Lightning Ascents first came out, I ran right out and got my wife a 25 " women's pair. She has given up on ever being able to wear them, so I bought her a pair of 22 inch Lighting Ascents. My only beef with the first gen Lightning Ascents is after about 6 or seven miles in the snow, the straps start to cut into my light boots (Salomon or La Sportiva). So, to avoid the straps cutting me, I bought the 2020 women's 25 inch shoes with the Paragon Binding. Men's wider heels make me trip on my heels miles earlier. The first thing I noticed is THESE NEW THINGS ARE PORKERS-Oink Oink! I have included side by side photos of 1st Gen and 2020 models and the frame and deck appear nearly identical. The only difference I can see is the binding difference and the rivets have a different hue to them. The binding appears to work great, eliminating all those little tabs that waved around. You always had a hard time when your fingers were going numb tightening the last strap in a howling blizzard at Paradise. So, that said, the performance should be the same EXCEPT, these fine shoes outweigh their first gen predecessors by over a pound, TOTAL OINK when another pound on the feet just brings on earlier fatigue. All complaints aside, you cannot get better shoes for all mountain snowshoeing, Its about time that MSR started using some aerospace materials to get rid of that pound of pork they hid somewhere (it may be lead based paint!) and then went on the shave off a few more ounces. Jeepers, I mean Boeing, just down the street, could teach them some materials technology..
next time i'll buy tubbs
I have a pair of tubs mountaineers which I love but needed a second pair for guests. All my guests want to use the tubs, I will be returning these. The bindings pop open when you start up steep terrain, they are too big for the average woman's foot in a very heavy boot.(female vs male) friends they keep catching the sides on the teeth. The many ridges of teeth keep building up ice balls before the tubbs do. They flex more than the tubs which dumps people onto the snow on steep climbs and side hills. I tried them myself and found myself constantly wishing for my workhorse shoes, sure they are heavier but easy to fasten and remove with gloves and once on they stay on.
Great snowshoes!
Overall these are definitely really, really great snowshoes. Traction is absolutely awesome, and at 195# with the 30 inch model I feel like I can go anywhere! Only con I'd mention is that I wish I had a smaller boot while wearing these. With a size 14 shoe I don't feel like I get the same level of security at the top of my boot or along the sides as I did with the former posi-lock bindings, which I do miss for that reason. However the ease with these new bindings of replacement in the field in case something breaks is at least a good consolation prize. MSR please make a binding with more webbing coverage for larger shoe sizes - I'd gladly pay a little extra to swap in a set of those!
Great snowshoe
My dearly worn and dearly loved MSR snowshoes retired last Wednesday when a metal clip broke. REI and MSR saved the day. I ordered these snowshoes and they arrived yesterday. My first snowshoe trek with them today was one of the best. The improved system of buckling in is outstanding. I really appreciate the rubber rings at the ends of the front straps so I can easily tighten up even in the cold. There's no shifting of my boot. It's got everything I liked about my original MSRs and more. The only color available was Raspberry. I was concerned that it might be pinkish or cherry. The actual color is attractive...raspberry, almost red. The only suggestion I'd make for their next version is to add the ring at the end of the heal straps also.
Women's shoes perfect for this male
I have used these for the last 2 years. This last week I have snowshoe'd 28+ miles, over 8,500' elevation gain, in 16 total hours in the Utah mountains. WIDTH: Being only 5' 9"" tall, I find the more narrow shoe easier to walk in and more stable on side slopes than my tube style snowshoes. I have used the male version (3/4"" wider) and trip too much as you step on the other snowshoe. This narrower version is a HUGE plus for me. BINDING: The binding does stay put for me, but I do understand other reviewers regarding the tabs not holding. The fore-most binding bracket does tear up the fabric on the inside of the toe-box opening (and my boot is not too big - Solomon Quest 4D). TRACTION: outstanding. PACKABILITY: They do nest together well if I have to put them in my pack and use my spikes for faster travel. Having said all this - the snowshoe you use, is better than not going at all.
Great snowshoes for all conditions
I live in Northern Minnesota, where we have a range of conditions from flat ice to deep powder on steep hills. These snowshoes fit the bill for all situations. They're incredibly comfortable to the point that you forget you're even wearing snowshoes, and seem quite durable so far! I'm right at the upper end of the weight limit for the 25s so I got floaters, but haven't had to attach them yet.
THE SNOWSHOE for the Serious Snowshoer!
I've had a pair of MSR Women's Lightning Ascent snowshoes, with the OLD (3+Heel strap) binding, for 6 years. I've replaced 2 straps. My snowshoes are used 4-6 times/week, during the winter, in the Rocky Mountains, on 2 - 6 mile treks. Steep inclines don't intimidate me with these snowshoes on my feet. I still slide some on steep downhills, depending on the consistency of the snow, but my friends, who have Tubbs & Atlas snowshoes, can only WISH they had the snow grip that I have! The Lightning Ascents are narrower than the Tubbs & Atlas, but I find that advantageous in 2 respects: 1) as trails start to drift in over the winter, the 'serrated' edges, make widening most trails a breeze and 2) women have a narrower gait than men. Yes, you can catch the 'serrated' edges on your pants/boots, but that was only a problem when I first started using the snowshoes. I have actually tried my friends' Tubbs & Atlas snowshoes. Their snowshoes are noticeably lighter but, I wouldn't trade my LAs, for their snowshoes...ever. In comparison, their snowshoes lack reliable grip and the 'easy-entry' boots they have have to be re-tightened repeatedly, during treks. I'm 10 years older than my snowshoeing companions and can keep up with them, despite wearing heavier snowshoes, even when ascending steep inclines. Heading down steep declines, I feel much more secure wearing the Lightning Ascents than I have ever felt wearing their Tubbs or Atlas snowshoes. If you snowshoe intermittently or prefer flat to mildly rolling terrain, get a cheaper pair of snowshoes. If you're a serious snowshoer, like the backcountry, breaking trail and climbing to ridges, the Lightning Ascents are pricey, but are worth considering.