MSR Lightning Ascent - Women's - 2007

I tried out several brands of snowshoes before settling on these MSRs. They have easy bindings and are great for gripping ice and running through soft powder. I especially like the lifts--they really make it easier to climb!

I bought these for my wife for Christmas, even though she owns a pair of Denali Ascents. After I'd bought myself a pair of Lightning Ascents, I offered to get he a pair. Her response: "I don't need a new pair of snowshoes." That's how much she liked her Denalis! Well, she tried them out for the first time yesterday, and she was impressed. She finds them to be lighter and narrower. She thanked me for buying them for her before she strapped them on. After our six-mile trek, she thanked me again, this time for obvious reasons.

I've had these MSRs for 3 seasons now. I snowshoe every Sunday, all winter long in deep powder and on hard crusty snow (Sierra Cement we call it). When other people I snowshoe with are slipping, the MSRs grip!!!! They are the best snowshoes I've ever used. I rented other brands before buying and I've been very happy with my decision to buy the Lightning Ascent. The lifts are great for steep climbs. My husband bought some too and loves them. I highly recommend them.

I had never snowshoed before, and I got the idea to start snowshoeing last winter. My husband was reluctant. I decided that if I was going to talk him into snowshoeing, that I'd better get us high-quality, lightweight snowshoes to make it as fun and easy as possible. My husband said he would try snowshoeing once, and that if he didn't like it, I could sell his snowshoes. Well guess what, these snowshoes paid off! He loved it! We had so much fun, and the heel lifters made it so easy to walk up the steepest hills. Now we're hooked on snowshoeing and can't wait until next winter. If you're considering these snowshoes, go for it. You will not regret it.