- Home
- Snowshoe
- Snowshoes
- Women's Snowshoes
- MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoe - Women's - 2010
Community Rating
MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoe - Women's - 2010 BCS
Available Colors / Styles
If the weather forecast for your next alpine winter backcountry adventure is snowy with a chance of treacherous footing, make sure to pack along your MSR Women’s Lightning Ascent Snowshoes. MSR made these lightweight snowshoes to excel across a wide variety of winter terrain, including steep ascents, icy pitches, and uneven traverses.
- Unlike traditional tubular-shaped snowshoe frames (which often slide on uneven terrain), MSR’s 360 Degree Traction Frame has integrated, serrated edges so that you can traverse icy slopes and Navigate steep terrain with greater confidence
- Slightly Narrower frame (as compared to the men’s version) is ideal for women, those with a narrow gait, and lightweight backpackers looking to shed a few ounces
- Modular Flotation Tail allows you to custom-tailor your footprint size to match trail conditions—attach the connector piece when expecting powder, and leave it off for hardpack
- The Televator heel lift system reduces calf fatigue, conserves energy, and improves traction on the steeps—intuitive design engages in seconds with a simple flick of your pole
- PosiLock AT binding employs four straps for a precise fit and a freeze-resistant, two-piece urethane body that securely conforms to a wide variety of winter footwear
- The binding’s low-friction Speed Straps attach to stainless steel hardware for easy adjustments
Bottom Line: Walking on the wild side just got a lot safer.
Talk shop with all the gear freaks out there: ask 'em questions, upload/browse photos, and give your 2¢.
Hi, I need snowshoes for snowboarding in the backcountry but
Hi, I need snowshoes for snowboarding in the backcountry but not sure what size would be better 22" or 25". if anyone with experience could give me some advice I would appreciate it greatly, thank you
By: muchachita linda
October 15, 2011
Good snowshoe
By:
GoodGuinness
May 24, 2011
My friend and I went snowshoeing with both these MSRs and a pair of the Atlas Elektra 1200 Series snowshoe and we would switch off shoes mid-hiking to compare. Overall, I would say that I like these snowshoes more. These have more crampon teeth and are drastically lighter than the Atlas snowshoes. These are also more narrow compared to the Atlas. I felt like I was walking bowlegged in the atlas ones. The heel lift system makes a BIG difference while hiking uphill. These have really good bite in deep snow and also icy slush. A couple things I wasn't into with the MSRs. The kick-back while walking in the MSR snowshoe would hit your feet/heels, while the Atlas hit the ground. The straps on the MSRs also take a bit of fiddling with as each strap is individual and you have to snap them into the notches. The Atlas have a pulley system which I liked a lot more. Overall, good snowshoe!
Which tails should I get? I have the 25s.
Which tails should I get? I have the 25s.
By: sol3689527
March 8, 2011
lightweight and grippy
By:
ncj86
April 14, 2011
These snowshoes have served me well for the year or so that I've owned them. I don't get to use them as often as I'd like, but when I do strap them on I like to put them to the test. Most recently with an ascent up a peak that I wished I had crampons for...but these got me up and down without incident! They are truly multi-purpose snowshoes. The work fine in conditions ranging from deep, soft snow to high angle, ice-crusted snow. They excel at slope traverses, especially compared to the snowshoes with only tubes around the outside (which tend to just slip down). Finally, the ascent bar is awesome. It makes going uphill so much easier on your calves and is a cinch to engage and disengage.
I have used these snowshoes, the MSR Evo Ascent, and hiked with people using one of the Atlas models (with no crampons around the edge). As I mentioned earlier, the lack of edge crampon made off-trail travel difficult with the Atlas , especially traversing steep slopes. The Evo Ascents were pretty nice but heavier and wider, making walking more difficult. I ultimately purchased these and have been very happy with them.
I weigh 140 pounds and got the 25" size. If you plan on carrying a pack be sure to factor that in to your total weight (for me: 140 + 30)
I am 5'7" height and 132lbs, do I need 22 or 25 ? T
I am 5'7" height and 132lbs, do I need 22 or 25 ?
Thanks
By: Marie-Ange LEMOINE
December 24, 2010
go with teh 22 and then get the optional tails. This way you get light and manuveable and then can add the length for those days when you need it
By: Dave
January 9, 2011
If you are mostly ever going to be using them on packed trails then the 22 would do perfectly fine. If you are going to be off running around off trails or in deep snow I'd go with the 25s. I don't think that you'd go wrong at all going with the 25s if you would use them on trails either though. Going with the 25s would definitely give you more options for use.
By: Donald Schmit
December 25, 2010
Two Years & Still Enjoying Them
By:
SJ
December 23, 2010
I am 5'7", 115 lbs and bought the 22in Women's MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoes as my first pair two years ago. As a beginning snowshoer, I've trekked through deep, soft, packed, off-trail and on-trail snow as well as ice sheets during several different trips of varied temperature and snow quality. Although I have no experience using other snowshoes with which to compare these, I found the MSR Lightning Ascents provided me with ease of step (they have a lightweight "lifting" quality) and did not collect snow. They provide excellent grip while walking across solid ice surfaces and the paint did not chip until I walked across bare cement. Even after walking across bare cement (which was foolish to do), the paint chipping is very slight and only occurred on the tips of the ridges. If I could go back in time, I would definitely still purchase these particular snowshoes, only I'd take better care of them. I have no complaints as to their performance--they make snowshoeing enjoyable for me. Looking forward to using them again in a few weeks! Also, hiking off-trail through the woods in these is a super fun experience-these snowshoes have helped me easily make it over all sorts of hidden debris during my wandering moments.
One other note--walking along uneven, slushy snowmobile tracks is not easy to do in snowshoes, so beware heavily snowmobile trafficked areas unless you want to have a rather unenjoyable struggle during your hike.
All of my experiences with snowshoeing were made in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, in the Pictured Rocks area along Lake Superior.
I stupidly tromped across some bare cement while wearing these
I stupidly tromped across some bare cement while wearing these snowshoes and chipped a bit of the paint off. Does anyone know if there is a way to repair the paint job? I really do not want the metal to rust.
By: SJ
December 23, 2010
I'm guessing the frame on these is aluminum. Aluminum doesn't rust...at least not the way you are thinking of rust/oxidation (that is a whole other discussion). You will be fine. Even ice/rock/snow over time will chip some paint now and then. Think of it as giving the shoes some character!
By: Ken Miner
December 24, 2010
I'm looking for a versitile snowshoe to use for frequent
I'm looking for a versitile snowshoe to use for frequent backpacking in the northern woods of Wi. Would this model and it's features be overkill?
By: Dally1230
November 18, 2010
Dally,
As a fellow Northwoods hiker, I can tell you there is no such thing as overkill. This shoe is the only shoe that I would consider to be more aggressive than my Tubb's Couloir (replaced this year by simply the mountaineer). Aggressive traction means a word of difference if you plan on leaving the trails behind. I like going out into the woods, finding the steepest hill around, then marching straight up it. If climbing over fallen trees and down rocky escarpments sounds like fun to you, then get this shoe! If this sounds like perhaps it's more work than fun, and you would rather stick to the trails that those damned (*wink* I'm kidding!) CC skiers keep all packed down, then perhaps you could go with something a little lighter on bite.
I hope this helps!
Edit : Heel raisers are a nice option, but I haven't found a hill tall enough to warrant their use in Wisco yet. Maybe if you make it to the porkies in upper Michigan it might come in handy. But then again, I think overkill can be fun :D
By: TJP
November 18, 2010
The MSR Lighting Snowshoe for women in the 25 length, how is
The MSR Lighting Snowshoe for women in the 25 length, how is this different from a 25 for men?
By: lyn4025339
November 10, 2010
To add one other point to Timothy's comments (which are all correct), the binding is also a bit smaller than the mens to accomidate women's feet.
By: Jason Livingston
November 11, 2010
Lyn,
This version is "engineered" for women. Basically (other than coming in different colors) there are 2 differences. The main one being that the womens shoe is 3/4" skinnier for a more narrow gait. The second difference is that it is 4oz lighter, they claim this is an engineered feature but it's more likely due to the less materials required in decking and framework to make the shoe skinnier. (Note, the men's shoe spec shoes 10 more pounds of flotation on the high end; again due to the width)
I hope this helps! You can better compare the numbers here:
http://cascadedesigns.com/msr/snowshoes/ascent/category
By: TJP
November 11, 2010
Change me.
Out of Stock
2010 Model No Longer Available
But don't stress, we have the latest model in stock.
MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoe - Women's
MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoe - Women'sResearch other out-of-stock versions:
Good snowshoe
My friend and I went snowshoeing with both these MSRs and a pair of the Atlas Elektra 1200 Series snowshoe and we would switch off shoes mid-hiking to more...
lightweight and grippy
These snowshoes have served me well for the year or so that I've owned them. I don't get to use them as often as I'd like, but when I do strap more...
- Binding System:
- ,
- Crampon Material:
- ,
- Deck Material:
- urethane
- Snowshoe Weight:
- 3 lb 10 oz
- Recommended User Weight:
- 250 lb
- Recommended Use:
- winter backcountry adventures over rugged, uneven terrain
- Manufacturer Warranty:
- lifetime