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Your cart is empty.The MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoes with Paragon Bindings are the lightest, most technical snowshoe in the MSR line. Designed with superior traction for backcountry pursuits, they provide security and stability in rugged terrain. Minimalist Paragon bindings feature a one-piece mesh contouring strap that wraps securely around boots for a glove-like feel that eliminates pressure points and promotes alignment and foot control. The ultra-durable, variable-thickness TPU mesh conforms to a wide range of boots, and maintains strength and flexibility in frigid weather; bindings are field-maintainable. A 360-degree traction frame offers edge-to-edge grip, and steel DTX crampons provide bite on traverses and slopes. Rugged, lightweight polyurethane decking offers floatation and durability, and easy-to-engage Ergo Televator heel lifts offer help on the steeps, reducing fatigue. Available in three sizes to accommodate a range of body weights/gear loads: 22-inch snowshoes measure 8x22 inches, weigh 4.18 pounds/pair, and carry a 180 pound load; 25-inch snowshoes measure 8x25 inches, weigh 4.33 pounds/pair, and carry up to 220 pounds; 30-inch snowshoes measure 8x30 inches, weigh 4.93 pounds/pair, and carry up to 280 pounds. Bindings fit men’s shoe sizes 4.5-15. Sold as a pair. Made in the USA. Three-year limited warranty.
Oldfartacus
Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2025
Well made and light weight. Easy to put on and remove. Were comfortable on long mountain hikes. Great traction on both ice and snow. Will by another pair if these wear out.
A
Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2025
Mixed feelings - I like the snowshoes, they are light, the new bindings are great, they walk easily.The issue I have found with them is that they destroyed my snow pants - the sharp teeth around the whole snowshoes metal base tore the bottom part of my snow pants while walking. I was happy that the teeth did not tore my legs - luckily they stopped within the thick layers of the snow pants - but the snow pants are gone, I had to buy new ones.My solution to this issue was getting tight and thick gaiters which I wear over my snow pants and they can withstand the sharp teeth chuffing.I would suggest to the MSR to point the teeth slightly inwards - that they wouldn’t catch the snow pants fabric while snowshoeing.It can be very dangerous if the teeth wouldn’t stop in the snow pants and would continue into the flesh…I have seen similar complaint, so I am not alone with destroyed snow pants.MSR should include pair of gaiters with these snow shoes… I think for such price it should be thought better…
Sonya Wuepper
Reviewed in Germany on October 29, 2024
Very light and compact for the size and abilities. Love the additiinal grab strenght of the frane. No side sliding. Easy to use on - off clipps. Love them.
Marino Caliterna
Reviewed in Italy on March 5, 2023
Ho acquistato queste ciaspole, le più costose sul mercato, credo, soprattutto per via dell'estesa "dentatura" inferiore, che effettivamente aiuta molto ad effettuare traversi impegnativi. Il grip in generale è eccellente. Tuttavia, per un prodotto top di gamma presenta vari difetti. Non è possibile bloccare il tallone (cosa comune con molte ciaspole di prezzo inferiore), su terreno non in piano, il tallone scivola facilmente di lato. In neve fresca affondano circa 30-40cm. Io ho preso la misura 26 e sono 80kg. Pertanto consiglio semmai di prendere sempre la misura maggiore disponibile. Il sistema di allaccio è approssimativo con denti che non agguantano mai decisamente nelle cinghie.
Js
Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2023
these offer great floatation for me even when i wear my heavy pack (i use a 30" one). the decking feels solid and the frame offers superb traction on packed snow/ice. the paint DOES NOT last long. after the first outing on fresh powder (no rocks or other debris on the trail) i noticed areas where the paint is gone structurally it is perfectly fine however. im concerned about the red paint on the steel crampon because that seems to have come off when the binding comes down to rest on the front most crossbar. this has exposed bare steel to the elements so i have to wonder about rust. overall i like them.
beachcombersrus
Reviewed in Canada on January 1, 2023
Professional reviews stated “With class-leading traction and flotation in a variety of conditions, MSR’s top-end snowshoe is one of the most capable designs on the market”They are strong, built with premium materials and do live up to their reputation. Work well with Baffin Snow Wolf and Baffin Atomic boots.
FarmerZita
Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2023
We kept getting snowed in, this record-breaking winter in rural Idaho. Our athletic neighbor said these were the best snowshoes. We had tried old fashioned ones before, and they were hard to walk in. My wife said “don’t get any snowshoes, I won’t use them.” Well, we both used them this winter. Even after I broke my leg (not snowshoeing).Really grateful for these lightweight, high performing snowshoes. They are easy to strap on over your boots (even different sizes), they stay on, and they are easy to get off. They are easy to walk in!They get you down the long lane when you are snowed in. You can just keep a pair in the back seat (with your poles) if you park a car down on the main road, so you don’t have to slog home in snow up to your thighs.These are super practical for older farmers like us. And if you like snowshoeing for recreation, these would be fabulous. Have fun.
utente
Reviewed in Italy on November 19, 2022
ciaspole top di gamma, robuste, leggere e finalmente una ditta che produce articoli ottimi e che calzano perfettamente anche ad un 49 1/3...il produttore le dichiara fino al 50 europeo, ma in realtà possono andare anche per scarponi un po' più grandi.Un acquisto che rifarei ad occhi chiusi
J. Bienvenu
Reviewed in Germany on January 17, 2022
Great snowshoes for more technical terrain: flotation is pretty good even though the profile of the snowshoe is quite slim. The traction is excellent and you can move in confidence in steep terrain (up and down). Traversing steep slopes (which is not the strong point of any snowshoe) is also pretty easy, probably because the lateral aluminium frame includes serration along about half of their length. I am so happy I bought them!As an additional bonus, they are also much more silent than my TSL Symbioz Hiker shoes.
Dennis C.
Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2021
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A. Golden
Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2020
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.
pomotrash
Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2020
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.
Tom
Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2020
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.
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