REVIEWS
49 Reviews
Kery G.
Works great on mixed terrain, on and off trail, as well as handling deep powder. They allow me to get out more often.
Shorin N.
Weld for the heel elevator broke the first trip out.
Craig C.
Best Snowshoes I’ve ever used. Had the binding ratchets freeze up a few times, Gotta stay out of the brook crossings.
Figment
Not that I expect my current pair to fall apart—I’m sure they won’t—but still, when you get a great deal on a backup pair, it’s important to take advantage—in case of an apocalypse, you know. So, I did!!
Don B.
Just got the latest 2022 design and returned it due to crushing force exerted by the front strap. Would probably be fine with hard toe boots, but mine have a pliable toe box where the strap tightens over the ball of the foot. I tried for an hour moving foot position back and forth but there was always pressure on the outside toes that I’m sure would be painful by the end of a hike. Pretty and lightweight though.
Laura
I ordered these for the guys in my family as they were hesitant to go snowshoeing with me because of the hassle they always felt with traditional bindings. No more complaints and whining, lol, now that they have the Lightning Explore! These ones are so simple, only 2 straps, click in place, stay firmly closed even when breaking trail in deep new snow. No issues with these at all.
tom W.
I bought this pair snowshoes. On the third hike, the notched straps have loosened. to be continued....
Kenneth L.
I purchased these snow shoes a couple of weeks ago and took them for the first time this week. About an hour and change into the day, I noticed one of the bindings had become very floppy . I removed the snowshoe and discovered that the pin holding the binding to the frame had sheared off. I cut the trip short and had to posthole in mid calf snow for about a mile to get to a more firm surface for the return to my car. I contacted MSR immediately, and to their credit, they were very responsive. Apparently the "clevis pin" which holds the binding to the snowshoe came off. Based on the photos i provided, they said "all you needed was a clevis pin, and you'd've been back in business" and that "this is a rare case/doesn't happen often. " I wouldn't expect to need to carry a "clevis pin" as a spare part the next time I snowshoe. Bottom line: I like the ratcheting system which makes shoe/boot adjustment much easier for those with arthritic hands (like myself) I think MSR has a design problem here. I would have rated the product one star, but I appreciate the prompt customer followup, so two stars it is. And I would definitely order some "clevis pins" along with the snowshoes.
aadil
the straps are easy to remove. It lacks a strap in the middle. I added it personally. best outfit super satisfied. good flotation on the snow. I can't say anything about sustainability. It's difficult to descend in a straight line on a certain slope.
I added a second binding near the ankle. It share the traction points
WinterLover
These work great. Sturdy & comfortable. The metal crampons provide great grip in icy conditions. The shorter 22" length is good for steep hikes, yet adaptable with the extensions for deeper snow.
ollie
These are the easiest snowshoes to put on and adjust. The new binding system is great. They are also very light and maneuverable. Apparently I need to use more words.
Christopher Lee
To offer context, I've used these exclusively for winter hiking in the Catskills, doing the 3500 ft. high peaks. I have found these snowshoes to be more than adequate for these mountains. There are a few drawbacks. The first is the single binding that goes over the top of each foot. It has been a source of some pain going downhill (not as bad as reported by some reviewers, but still...) due to the pressure placed on the single binding. Similarly, if that binding were to break while you were out, you would be out of luck; there is no back up strap. Second, these worked well in steep conditions (no more than 45 degrees), though the front crampon has only 2 spikes, as opposed to the 4 spikes that the Ascent series has. You might want to double check this, but I believe this is a key difference. Third, these are longer than the Ascent series, which make them less maneuverable than the Ascent model. Again, not a deal breaker, but something to consider. Finally, the fit can be tight at first. I've discovered that hiking in them for a bit can loosen things and allow for further tightening after. Just a tip. Overall, this model is capable for most winter mountain hiking, including going up and down moderate to difficult winter peaks.
Gerry
Very happy with these snowshoes - easy to put on and great to walk in. Tough and durable, they should last a long time. Highly recommend them.
Spetersen
I'm very happy with this purchase. The go on easy and stay on with the proper shoes. I would highly recommend them. I haven't climbed mountains but did some steep inclines and they worked perfectly.
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