These are light, they have a heel elevator, they have mini steel crampons = they rock. I have the 30" I am 5'8" 155 lbs. Good float with a day pack on in dry fresh powder. The best thing about these is I barely notice they are there until the mountain gets steep and I flip up the televator and notice my friends are exerting themselves more for the same vertical gain. These really shine on icy hard pack and steep terrain. For flat land I'd get something cheaper.

These are good snowshoes (made in USA). Simple design, quality materials, light. The frame perform well on steep slopes and are versatile. You might have some concerns about the bindings that are somewhat archaic, but the are easy to use and i never had problems with, only make sure you have good boots (got the old version with only 2 front straps). The painting scales with use, but who care. Highly recommended. I'm 6" 155lbs and got 25".

lightweight, unparalleled traction, simple binding system, tackle steep stuff easy, and extremely durable. Been using these for several years now. Had the 2 strap binding version before and switched to this one in '08. Love them! The 3 strap bindings are great because I can get a real custom fit and not strap my foot down o hard it flattens my arch. The bindings don't really hold any snow either which is a plus. I am 185lb and usually have a 30lb pack on-I have tried all three sizes and went with the 25". Mostly wear them in the Utah backcountry powder. 30" was better flotation obviously but wasn't worth the extra length on the tail.

I'm not overly experienced with snowshoes... only other ones I used were a pair my dad made in boy scouts as a kid... but these things are great from my perspective. I took them up in the mountains after our last storm to try em out, and while it was not ideal snow (not especially deep and pretty unconsolidated), they worked great. I was motoring up steep hills to try out the heel lifters, climbing over felled trees, scampering along partially exposed boulders, and these shoes didn't falter once. they are not nearly as bulky as I expected, and they are amazingly light the serrated edges were rock solid with every step, I was never once worried about slipping. I took these well off what I would consider a trail, and I didn't even begin to push their potential. I can't wait to get these into some serious back country.

These snow shoes are really well made, I was very happy with the quality. I actually bought these at another outfitter where their "gear expert" told me that the men's 25 would work for me since they were out of the women's 25... NOT SO! They were to wide for my stride, and I could not use the ascent feature because my foot is to small. Needless to say, I returned them and let that so-called expert know that he was quite mistaken. Nonetheless, my love was very happy with his. They were light and worked well for a 4 mile in fresh pow.

Took them out Christmas week to snowshoe Winner Creek trail in Girdwood, AK. This is a five mile round trip hike to the gorge and back. We did both on trail and off trail hiking. The snow shoes provided excellent traction on icy grades. Flotation suffers slightly due to the shoes being relatively narrow. Keep in mind that I am six feet plus and with my pack on I'm weighing in at about 215 pounds. I didn't hike anything steep enough that required me to use the ascent bar yet. I wouldn't trade them for another style unless I was doing all deep powder where I expect significant air pockets in the terrain. In my opinion, I don't think anything will help with air pockets. The other or standard style of snowshoes did have better flotation, but my wife was more prone to sliding down little hills where I step down the sides. The bindings are huge and I believe they can accommodate snowboard boots if I tried. My rank of 4 out of 5 is due to the compromise in flotation and the straps can be a little cumbersome to hook in. I would recommend these if you are expecting to traverse varying terrain.

I love these snowshoes!!! They are bombproof... really well made. I use them on a daily basis from climbing the local mountain (2000ft in around two miles) and boarding down to romping around in deep fresh powder... They take me where I want to go in the winter and haven't let me down yet. Where my friends are using other shoes I'm leaving them in my dust (Or powder for that my matter). Highly recommend!

I used my MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoes for the first time today. I climbed up the Wellsville Mountains in Northern Utah, I was totally surprised how well the shoes handled the steep terrain...I would recommend these shoes to anyone who values quality gear.

These are great all-around snow shoes but will flip the snow up your back when in deep stuff and when trans versing hills. The ascent feature is nice for steeep grades but not necessary for most everyday use.

I purchased a 22-inch pair (currently 160 lbs) after renting a number of different brands. Clearly the best I've tried. I have the first model out with 2 strap bindings and they are great. I can only imagine the 3 strap binding will be as good or better. On hard pack and there is nothing better this side of a crampon. In deep powder everything is a challenge and there is little difference between climbing on these and my powder tele skis - descending is a different story! If you enjoy snowshoeing, grab a pair. They will really add to your experience. Durable? - I'd take these things anywhere.

I have been snowshoeing for more than four decades, beginning with wood and leather snowshoes, then aluminum tubular-frame snowshoes with a variety of deck materials and bindings. I recently bought some MSR Lightning 22” shoes (two-strap model without the Ascent heel support) and would like to report that they are by far the best snowshoes I have ever used.
I weigh 165 lbs., and by the time I’m outfitted with my day pack and gear the total weight is probably about 185 lbs. I live in Colorado and regularly hike a steep trail, usually untracked, and the snow can vary from a few inches deep to a few feet deep over the ~1500 foot climb. The Lightning snowshoes were extremely stable on flat areas, steep slopes (up, down and sideways), crusty snow, powder, packed, powder over crust, rocks, uneven slopes, tree roots, ice, you name it. With the vertical outer rim the Lightning shoes are so much less prone to slipping and sliding than the tubular-frame shoes, the difference is like night and day. They even were decent in deep snow, although the 25” model would have been better under those conditions, and 30” would be better yet for a large person with pack.
If a person were cruising in relatively flat terrain (5% grade or less) with deep snow and a heavy pack, a more conventional snowshoe would probably be as good a choice. Once the terrain and snow becomes more steep and varied, though, these snowshoes really shine.
I would recommend these snowshoes highly. The bindings are simple to use and secure. The 22” shoes are very light weight so they are barely noticeable when strapped to my pack. If I were in deep snow more frequently I would prefer the 25” model, but everything is a compromise and what would be gained in flotation with the longer shoes would be offset by less maneuverability and more weight (on your feet or on your pack). Plus, the short shoes also have the advantage that my dogs are less likely to step on the tails!

30" of new champagne snow in the past two days here in NH. These floated just fine with 175 pounds on board. Just upgraded to these shoes after ten years of Tubbs. Binding is superior to Tubbs for anyone with big feet. I'm a size 14.5 and was surprised that my Koflach double boots worked at all with these snowshoes. In fact, they worked superbly! The three straps hold my big feet exactly where they need to be. Rotation is not hampered at all. Was expecting to need to cut the deck per MSR's instructions for people with big feet, but did not need to. The elevator is a nice touch. I've survived years without it, but I survived years without electric windows and air conditioning too. Now I have all three and will never give them up. Don't waste your money on other snow shoes -- buy these!

Hands down, the best shoes Ive ever had in the snow. Incredibly light-weight design yet very stout in terms of grabbing on steep or packed terrain. Simple binding system with very stout straps. The icing on the cake for me is the heel bar. I frequent the same snowshoe area that has lots of buttes and hills and they are "leg-killers" with my Atlas 1025's (no heel bar and fewer crampons). With the MSR LA's, I absolutley flew up the hills that usually take quite a while. For other peoples reference, I am 5'8", 179 and I use the 25 inch version, primarily for backcountry outings with 25-30 lb loads. The 22" version is perfect for daily outings. Pricey they are, but worth it when youre out in the snow. If you can find them on sale, dont let them get away. Highly recommended.

Climbing on steep terrain, you can feel the big difference on the heel lift, much more grip than others.

Great construction, durable, frame and deck, better traction, and the highest ascent bar out there all combine to make these the best snowshoes on the market. Plus, they're made in the USA!

These were my purchase of choice after trying out several pairs...sweet. Light as a feather, grip like a bear paw, and not wide as a pontoon boat (I really hate stompin on my own feet). Not to mention they float pretty well in the deep stuff and climb. If you're lookin for a pair of shoes for the long haul, worth the extra investment.

These are so light, and they have a four way crampon for maximum traction. The step in on them will fit a snowboard boot easy. The straps are so easy to use. Most snowshoes make you feel awkward when you hike in deep snow in them, but not these, I could get a good pace going and not have to stop or worry about my feet. The climbing bars works great on the steeps. Great over all snowshoe.

These snowshoes work great for what they were designed for. They will climb up steep slopes with ease giving you great protection from any slipping or sliding. However, these shoes are fer less than efficient in extremely deep powder. If there isn't a proper crust on the snow you are walking on they tend to sink. But overall I think that if you choose more carefully where you walk that can be worked around, as these shoes are unmatched for their ability to climb and slip resistance.