MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoe Review

MSR’s snowshoe collection runs the gamut from entry-level and inexpensive designs to the top-end Lightning Ascent featured here. This premium design puts it all together, including class-leading traction, excellent flotation, and great overall hiking comfort. It’s true that the Lightning Ascent is expensive and overkill for casual outings and flat trails, but after testing it on a range of snowy hikes in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, we found it to be a high performer on off-trail terrain and steep mountain treks. Below, we break down our experience with the Lightning Ascent. To see how it stacks up to the competition, see our article on the best snowshoes.

Editor's note: We updated this review on December 10, 2025, to ensure all information was up to date. This involved revising specs, clarifying testing experiences, and confirming comparisons to similar snowshoes. 
 

Table of Contents

• Flotation and Decking Material
• Traction and Crampons
• Binding System and Comfort
• Length
• Weight
• Build Quality and Durability
• What We Like/What We Don't
• Comparison Table
• The Competition

Flotation and Decking Material

Available in three lengths ranging from 22 to 30 inches, the MSR Lightning Ascent offers excellent flotation over a wide variety of terrain. The 22-inch length is ideal for light to moderate snowfall, the 25-inch variation (tested here) provides even more float in powdery conditions, and the 30-inch model is ideal for those heading out into deep snow. In addition, MSR sells modular flotation tails that add 5 more inches of length. Of course, that adds onto the already high price tag, but the tails provide a nice dose of versatility: You can get the appropriately sized shoes for the conditions you experience most and have the tails on standby for fresh powder or bigger adventures. For decking on the Lightning Ascent, MSR chose a TPU-coated nylon that is both tough and quieter on the snow than the plastic decking used on their more affordable lines.
 

Traction and Crampons

The Lightning Ascent offers best-in-class traction, thanks to a claw-style crampon under the ball of the foot, two steel bars running horizontally, and additional traction down both side rails. In terms of quality, the steel is grippy and thick, providing nearly full coverage across the base of the snowshoe. All in all, for steep climbs, traversing, and icy terrain, you won’t find better grip. For comparison, premium alternatives like the Tubbs Mountaineer and Crescent Moon’s Sawtooth 27 have two claw-style crampons, but no added traction down the side rails, and TSL’s Symbioz Elite has one claw plus a row of burly steel spikes. None of those snowshoes can match the diversity or traction found on the Lightning Ascent.
 

Binding System and Comfort

High-end snowshoes tend to have premium bindings, and the MSR Lightning Ascent is no exception. The Paragon binding replaced the old three-strap system several seasons back. The binding consists of a burly mesh material that distributes weight evenly across the front of the foot. Aside from its comfortable and secure hold, the Paragon binding also doesn’t require you to adjust it each time you put the snowshoes on. You can slide your foot out of the mesh without adjusting the straps, and the binding will be properly sized for your foot the next time you head out for a hike. All you have to do is ensure the heel strap is cinched before you start your trek.
 

That said, the binding system isn’t perfect, and we experienced a few issues when testing. We noticed that if you’re not careful to buckle down all the straps securely, they can come loose and require readjustment/refastening on the trail, which can be a real hassle with snow and ice caked up underneath. Our tester had an issue with her feet popping out of the bindings when testing the Lightning after a large snowfall in Boulder, Colorado. To remedy the issue, she had to spend a good chunk of time cleaning off the bindings completely and starting from scratch to ensure all straps were tightened snugly. Boa systems offer a more secure hold than most, but the Paragon is nevertheless MSR’s best system yet and a solid improvement over past generations.
 

Length

As touched on above, the men’s MSR Lightning Ascent is sold in three lengths: 22, 25, and 30 inches (the women’s is available in 22 and 25 in.). We tested the 25-inch variation, which has proven to be an ideal length for most conditions. The shortest 22-inch model is great for hardpack and light to moderate snow, but it’s limited when hiking in deeper conditions. At the other end of the spectrum, the longest 30-inch version is a true backcountry snowshoe that can handle substantial powder and a heavy load (an important factor if you'll be hauling a backpack), particularly with the tails added. 
 

Length also correlates with load capacity, and each size has a recommended maximum load: 180 pounds for the smallest 22-inch version, 250 pounds for the 25-inch, and 280 pounds for the 30-inch version. You won’t break the snowshoe by going over the recommended capacity, but heavier loads do affect floatation. It’s good to keep your load weight in mind when choosing a length. 
 

Weight

At 4 pounds 5 ounces for the 25-inch version, the MSR Lightning Ascent is far from the lightest snowshoe on the market. However, to be fair, the steel crampons and nylon decking are burlier than most plastic models. For example, MSR’s popular Evo Trail comes in at 3 pounds 10 ounces, but you compromise on traction, durability, and length (it's only available in a 22-in. model, though it's also compatible with supplemental flotation tails). The similarly constructed TSL Symbioz Elite weighs 1 ounce more for a slightly shorter length (23.5 in.), and the Tubbs Mountaineer is much heavier at 5 pounds 4.8 ounces for the 30-inch option (the 25 in. version will weigh slightly less).
 

In practice, most people aren’t carrying snowshoes on their backs, and even on longer days, you likely won’t notice a big difference in weight between the various pairs (the Tubbs Mountaineer is one exception). Casual snowshoers can shave some ounces and cash with a more basic design like the MSR Evo Trail, but the Lightning Ascent wastes no weight: The mesh in the binding is supportive yet light, the steel crampons work extremely well, and the nylon decking is tough while still keeping overall heft in check.
 

Build Quality and Durability

Over many years of testing outdoor gear, we’ve found that MSR products are very well-made in general and stand the test of time, and the Lightning Ascent is exactly what we’ve come to expect from the brand. The nylon decking is high-quality (MSR calls it ballistic-grade), the steel crampons are impressively thick and tough, and the rubber and buckles on the bindings are hardwearing and nicely constructed. The nylon on the Lightning Ascent can be punctured—crampons are sharp, and a human can have a lot of force while wearing them and stepping down—but we've tested multiple generations of the design and have never had an issue. All in all, the Lightning Ascent certainly isn’t cheap, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a better-built model.
 

Other Versions of the MSR Lightning

We put the top-of-the-line Ascent variation of the Lightning to the test for this review, but the lineup also includes trimmed-down Trail and Explore models, as well as women’s-specific variations. The Lightning Trail is the most basic of the line, with a lightweight, no-frills build that foregoes features like heel risers. The Lightning Trail has less aggressive traction, which is best suited for mellow trail hiking. The Lightning Explore is a step up in price but includes a riser and more aggressive traction for those who dabble in backcountry exploration. The Lightning Ascent is the most aggressive of the bunch, with traction ready for true off-trail adventuring. All models are available in women’s versions, and they cost the same as their men’s counterparts. Only the women’s Lightning Ascent comes in smaller lengths, but the women’s versions across all Lightning models have smaller bindings that accommodate smaller feet. 
 

What We Like

• Aggressive underfoot crampons, steel bars, and side rail traction provide excellent grip on challenging and steep terrain.
• 25-inch version provides adequate flotation on fresh snow and powder, but a 30-inch version is available for deeper snow.
• The Paragon binding system is comfortable, holds well, and is a noticeable step up in quality and ease of use from past generations.
• High-quality materials are used throughout—these snowshoes will last for many winters to come.

What We Don’t

• Pricey; casual snowshoers can go cheaper with MSR’s Revo and Evo lines.
• Traction system and feature set are overkill for flat terrain and short trips.
• The Paragon bindings are an improvement over traditional strap bindings, but we still prefer Boa dials.
   

Comparison Table

The Competition

MSR’s Lightning Ascent continues to be one of our top-rated snowshoes season after season for its combination of traction, flotation, and comfort. Staying within MSR’s lineup, their Revo is the mid-range alternative to the high-end Lightning. Essentially, the Revo Ascent combines the excellent traction of the Lightning Ascent with the plastic decking of the entry-level Evo line. The result is considerable cost savings, though traction isn’t as aggressive as the mountain-ready Lightning Ascent. And the Revo Ascent is only offered in 22- and 25-inch versions, which limits its appeal for true backcountry powder use. To us, MSR’s Revo line is too much of a 'tweener: We would rather spend the extra money for the nylon decking on the Lightning Ascent, which is more comfortable and much quieter on the snow, or go with the cheaper MSR Evo Trail.
 

The Tubbs Mountaineer is a classic backcountry snowshoe. It’s offered in lengths up to 36 inches (the longest model in our snowshoe round-up), has a very elaborate binding system that keeps your foot snugly in place, and is comfortable for longer winter adventures. Additionally, with two large, claw-style crampons on the bottom, the Mountaineer is quite grippy on steeper ascents. However, in our experience, it can’t quite match the bite of the MSR. And it’s a heavy shoe overall, with the 30-inch version clocking in at a hefty 5 pounds 4.8 ounces (although the 30-in. Lightning Ascent is 4 lbs. 14 oz., plus 9 oz. for the tails, or 5 lbs. 7 oz. total). All in all, we do appreciate the lower cost of the Tubbs Mountaineer, but the MSR is grippier and the better shoe for steep, challenging terrain.

France-based TSL may not be a household name in the U.S., but they produce high-quality, all-around designs. The Symbioz Hyperflex Elite is their top-end model and comes in three lengths up to 27 inches. Overall, the Symbioz Elite is one of the most capable snowshoes we’ve ever worn: You get a binding system that’s more comfortable than the MSR, along with plush padding over the top of the foot. The decking is composite, meaning it has more give and flexibility than some of the cheaper plastic models, and we also found the TSL to be quieter on the snow. It’s not as grippy as the MSR over steep and icy ground, and its narrower profile doesn't float as well in the deep stuff. However, for those who prefer moderate terrain and enjoy longer winter adventures, the TSL is a viable alternative for less money.
 

For many casual snowshoers, the MSR Evo Trail is a great way to save. It won’t take you into super deep snow (it’s offered in one 22-in. length with optional 6-in. tails), the plastic decking is louder than the nylon on the Lightning Ascent, and there’s no heel lift, but it’s still a very capable snowshoe for less than half the cost. And importantly, throughout testing, we found grip to be very good for the price with one steel bar running horizontally along the bottom of the shoe, and sturdy traction on the side rails (for more, see our in-depth Evo Trail review here). If you plan on snowshoeing a lot, covering longer distances, or taking on steep and icy terrain, the Lightning Ascent is the premier snowshoe on the market, but for groomed trails and shorter outings, the Evo Trail may be everything you need and nothing you don’t.
Back to the MSR Lightning Ascent Review  See our Best Snowshoes Guide