MSR Lightning Snowshoe

It's hard to go past MSR Lightnings. I have owned 5 different snowshoes over the last 20 years of so. The Lightnings are the best I have ever used. I have the 30" model for great flotation in deep soft snow. MSR Denali's are also very good especially if the snowcover is thin and rocks protrude. MSR Denalis are just about indestructible. However they don't have the flotation or the side slope stability of the Lightnings. The bindings are simple but effective.

After trying out several other snowshoes, I decided on the lightning and I'm glad I did. These are extremely lightweight snowshoes that are a bit skinnier than others, so if you want a more natural stride, this is the way to go. The absence of a spring loaded pivot keeps snow from flinging everywhere and the roughly 45 degree stop point for the pivot makes turning around and stepping over obstacles a breeze. You can probably tell by looking at them, but the traction provided by the vertical blade style frame beats all the others I've tried (name any major manufacturer). The bindings are incredibly easy, you can even strap in wearing mittens if need be. Due to the binding style, they also stack neatly on top of one another to take about half the space of a traditional pair. When I got these, MSR did not make a 30" shoe with the televator, which would be a nice addition. Highly recommended nevertheless.

These snowshoes are super light...you barely feel 'em on your feet. They also provide excellent traction on both loose snow as well as stiff snow or ice (think crampons). The bindings are easy to take on and off and secure. I wonder a little bit about the durability of the rubber in the bindings as well as the platform, but one thing I do know is that MSR stands behinds their products, so I don't worry too much about it!