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MSR's new Lightning Ascents represent a revolution in snowshoe design. Available in men's and women’s models, they feature a patent-pending Total-Traction™ frame—made from one vertical blade of aerospace-grade aluminum—that delivers unprecedented 360° traction. They're also the lightest snowshoes in their class—about 15% lighter than competitors—with performance and usability that surpass everything that's come before.
Travel the backcountry with machinelike precision—MSR Lightning Ascents provide superb traction in most terrains and weather conditions.
| Crampon material: | Powdercoated steel |
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| Deck material: | Urethane-impregnated nylon |
| Dimensions: | 22 x 8 inches |
| Frame material: | Aerospace-grade aluminum |
| Gender: | Unisex |
| Has Crampons?: | Yes |
| Heel crampon: | Yes |
| Heel lift: | Yes |
| Instep crampon: | Yes |
| Lateral crampon: | Yes |
| Primary Terrain: | Steep |
| Recommended Use: | Hiking/Mountaineering |
| Recommended load: | 90 - 125 pounds |
| Shipping Surcharge: | Yes |
| Suggested use: | Backcountry |
| User Statement: | With aggressive traction teeth for penetrating off-piste crust, the lightweight Lightning Ascent goes anywhere. |
| User Weight: | 80-150 lb. |
| Weight (pair): | 3 lbs.10 oz. |
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View other products from MSR classified in Snow Sports > Snowshoes. View all products from MSR.
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Sometimes, we can't be sure that the product is the same across the stores that offer its, so you may find the same product listed more then once on GearBuyer.com, we these list highly similar products below.
 | MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoes | $207.96 - $289.95 |
 | MSR 22" Lightning Ascent Snowshoes - FREE poles | $259.93 |
 | MSR Lightning Ascent 30 Snowshoes | $289.95 |
 | MSR Lightning Snowshoes | $183.96 - $229.95 |
Sometimes brands make complementary products for the opposite gender that coordinate with this product, we also try to show these products below.
 | MSR Lightning 22 Snowshoes - Women's | $229.95 - $259.95 |
 | MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoes - Women's | $207.96 - $259.95 |
 | MSR Lightning Ascent 22W Snowshoes Red - Women's | $259.95 |
 | MSR 22" Lightning Ascent Snowshoe - FREE poles - Women's | $259.93 |
These are products that have been indicated being comparable to this product:
 | MSR DenaliEvo Ascent Snow Sports > Snowshoes | $159.96 - $199.95 |
 | Backcountry Access Tracker Avalanche Transceiver Snow Sports > Avalanche Gear | $289.95 |
 | Black Diamond Transfer Shovel Snow Sports > Avalanche Gear | $35.96 - $49.95 |
Use this chart to find which retailer offers this product in the size, color or other options that you desire. Click on the price to purchase.
| Color | Size |
|---|---|
| 22 Inch | |
| Green | 259.95 |
| Orange / Grey | 259.95 |
Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS) offers this product at $259.95, but does not provide any color/size information.
USOutdoor.com offers this product at $259.95, but does not provide any color/size information.
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MSR Lightning 22 snowshoes | |
| Rating: |  |
| 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! | |
| Billyhol at REI on 04/05/2009 | |
Impressive So Far | |
| Rating: | |
| I'll start by saying I am relatively new to snowshoeing. I picked these up because I was tired of getting turned around hiking in the winter and I have mountaineering aspirations. I've used them twice so far...about 14 miles. One was an easy trip...one was moderate to semi-strenuous in that I used the tele-vator heal to ascend a fairly steep area. I must say...these shoes work like a charm. You will not slip easily with these on...even in semi-icy conditions. Of course, if it is really icy, you will need crampons, not these. I ran into a group of cross-country skiers my first time out and they commented on the time I was making. I've read quite a bit about snowshoes before purchasing these, and for the type of activities I do, they are a good fit. If you just want to stomp around the flat loop trails in 3" powder, you will not need these. If you like climbing steep terrain in snow that is icy but not crampon icy....these are for you. I like the bindings and find them easy to get on and off and my boots are not slipping in them even going down a steep grade. I am wearing LaSportiva Makalu's with these MSR's and the [$] on my feet seems to be a good investment. The MSR's are holding up very well so far. The weather has been a bit odd here lately, so I have not really encountered deep powder...I am curious to see how they perform in fresh snow. I am guessing they will do well because I found a few shady spots I know I would have post-holed in if I weren't wearing these. I am looking forward to breaking fresh powder with them. As always...REI is great and I am a happy buyer. It's really nice to have good gear. It makes the trip more pleasant and you can enjoy your surroundings more without worrying about falling or struggling needlessly. | |
| MisterTwister at REI on 01/26/2009 | |
Amazing ascent performance. | |
| Rating: | |
| These are amazing snowshoes for any terrain with an incline. Due to their design, they are not the best for soft deep snow on a flat trail, however they still perform very well in those conditions. Buy the 25" model if you are going to be doing mostly powdery flat snowshoeing. As the name implies, these are designed for ascending snowy/icy inclines and they are god-like in that regard. I got these when I had no snowshoeing experience at all and they are so easy to climb in with the ascent bar (best invention since fire and possibly the wheel) that I was literally laughing while jogging up a 40 degree slope past my struggling climbing partners who had more experience than I did, but no ascent bar on their snowshoes. If you are going to be hiking up icy terrain, hard pack, anything steep, or uneven, buy these snowshoes. Their impressive 360 degrees of crampon traction combined with the ascent bar makes them totally unstoppable on any hill. I swear, it's like riding an escalator up the mountain. Just pack them securely when not wearing them. They will chew you up if they swing off your pack and hit your body. The strap mechanism takes a few minutes to learn but is made of a very nice plastic that stays flexible at low temperature. It loosened on me once while I was actually running in them, but after re-tightening, it was pretty bombproof. | |
| Humancarpentry at REI on 05/09/2009 | |
So you like to shoe, aye? | |
| Rating: | |
| These have performed outstanding in every outing I have been on. They are great for trekking through thick woods because of their small size, yet they keep me right on top of the snow. I have used them on everything from fresh powder to thick crust and they perform outstanding. The televators and frame traction make them stick to the side of the mountain real well. Couldn't be happier. | |
| GOB Bluth at REI on 08/12/2008 | |
Lightning Ascent perform well | |
| Rating: |  |
| Excellent traction and snow doesn't ball up under your foot after fording a stream. The Televators are great for steep stuff, and the 360 degree rim allows you to "edge" on side slopes. I weigh 160 lbs. and the 22" shoes work as well as my friends' Denali EVO Pro shoes with 6" extensions, here in New England. | |
| docross at REI on 03/27/2008 | |
Outstanding | |
| Rating: | |
| These are just what I expected with an MSR product. I've used these on everything from snowcovered marsh to 45 degree inclines, snowmobile trails to frozen ponds. Walking, jogging, and running, as well. I couldn't expect more from a snowshoe for my applications. I would definitely recommend these if you are looking for a pair of snowshoes. | |
| GOTSIG at Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS) on 02/27/2008 | |
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