13076 13076 13076

Lightning™ Ascent Snowshoes

Lightning™ Ascent Snowshoes

The pinnacle of ultralight and aggressive all-terrain performance.
Learn More
Cobalt Blue
Black
22 IN
25 IN
30 IN
Find Online

Lightning Ascent snowshoes represent the pinnacle of ultralight and aggressive all-terrain performance, and now feature our advanced Paragon™ binding. Designed to wrap securely around your boot without pressure points, the binding’s mesh strap ensures maximum foot control with truly uncompromised comfort. In technical terrain, the snowshoes’ 360 Traction™ Frames provide unrivaled grip—especially on traverses. Ballistic-grade decking offers long-lasting durability, and Ergo Televator heel lifts back you up when climbing the steeps.

Discover the Paragon Binding

  • Unrivaled Traction: 360° Traction frames deliver edge-to-edge grip, and durable steel DTX crampons provide serious bite in challenging conditions—delivering unmatched traction in technical terrain.
  • Paragon™ Binding: Comfortable, freeze-resistant mesh strap wraps securely around a wide range of boots for ultimate security, while toe stops offer fast, precise foot alignment.
  • All-Condition Adaptability: Add-on Modular Flotation tails allow you the maneuverability of a smaller, primary snowshoe with the added, on-demand flotation of optional, 5-inch (13-cm) tails.
  • Uphill Efficiency: Ergo™ Televators reduce fatigue and increase traction on the steeps with an ergonomic design that engages with a flick of a pole grip.
  22 IN 25 IN 30 IN
SKU 13076, 13079 13077, 13080 13078, 13081
Color Cobalt Blue, Black Cobalt Blue, Black Cobalt Blue, Black
Weight per pair (Standard) 4 lb 2 oz 4 lb 5 oz 4 lb 14 oz
Weight per pair (Metric) 1.87 kg 1.95 kg 2.22 kg
Weight (Standard) 4 lb 2 oz 4 lb 5 oz 4 lb 14 oz
Weight (Metric) 1.87 kg 1.95 kg 2.22 kg
Width (Standard) 8 in 8 in 8 in
Width (Metric) 20 cm 20 cm 20 cm
Length (Standard) 22 in 25 in 30 in
Length (Metric) 56 cm 64 cm 76 cm
Binding type Paragon™ Paragon™ Paragon™
Gait Unisex/average width Unisex/average width Unisex/average width
Footwear size range (Standard) 6M - 14M 6M - 14M 6M - 14M
Footwear size range (Metric) 39-48 39-48 39-48
Load (Standard) Up to 180 lbs 120 - 220 lbs 150 - 280 lbs
Load (Metric) Up to 80 kilos 54 - 100+ kilos 68 - 127+ kilos
Load w/ tails (Standard) Up to 250 lbs Up to 280 lbs 180 - 300+ lbs
Load w/ tails (Metric) Up to 114 kilos Up to 127 kilos 82 - 136+ kilos
Frame material(s) 7075-T6 Aluminum 7075-T6 Aluminum 7075-T6 Aluminum
Deck material(s) TPU coated Nylon TPU coated Nylon TPU coated Nylon
Country of Origin Made in the USA of US and Imported Parts Made in the USA of US and Imported Parts Made in the USA of US and Imported Parts
What is the right size snowshoe?
The primary purposes of a snowshoe are to provide flotation and traction. Since all MSR® snowshoes deliver exceptional traction, your next consideration is flotation, and this is where size comes into play.

Once you’ve decided on a snowshoe, assess your weight, including all the gear and clothing you’ll be wearing the majority of the time you snowshoe. If you only go on a couple of overnights a year, don’t include that 50-pound pack—just your fully clothed weight, plus a daypack and water. Then consider the snow conditions you’re likely to travel in most often—deep, untracked powder, or groomed trails and established snowshoe routes. Are you at a high altitude or very far north where snow generally falls deep and light and a larger snowshoe is in order, or are you at lower elevations or in a coastal range where snow has high moisture content and generally consolidates rapidly, making a smaller snowshoe your best choice?

The idea is to find the smallest possible snowshoe that matches your needs in most–not all–situations so you can maximize your agility and efficiency. Now, with Modular Flotation tails available across all MSR adult snowshoes, we’ve made that easier than ever. Should you find yourself on the cusp between sizes, always go with the smaller one and then simply add tails for added flotation as needed.
What are the differences between the Evo™, Revo™ and Lightning™ snowshoes?

Each of these snowshoes offers outstanding traction, aggressive bindings, ergonomic deck shapes, Modular Flotation and excellent durability. However, when it’s all said and done, the plastic-deck Evo and Revo snowshoes are a bit more durable while the all-aluminum Lightning snowshoes offer our absolute greatest level of traction. You’ll find that because the Lightning’s 360° Traction™ Frame features a vertical wall of teeth all along the perimeter plus two crossmembers underneath, it offers slightly better traction on traverses. The decks of our Evo and Revo shoes are built from an incredibly tough, injection-molded plastic, giving them a slight advantage in durability in the course of normal use. These plastic decks also allow for greater flex underfoot while hiking. In contrast, the Lightning snowshoes offer a stiffer feel, and are quieter as you hike through harder-packed snow.

Learn more about their differences here!

How do I store my snowshoes?
Dry your snowshoes after each use. Then store them with bottoms together to keep the sharp under-bits from damaging other gear.
Why is traction so important?

Inadequate traction is horribly inefficient, with every misstep wasting precious energy. That’s why we provide the industry’s best traction, regardless of what shoe you purchase—from kid’s snowshoes, to our most aggressive shoes. The result is a far more enjoyable experience with the increased efficiency of solid, no-slip footing and the confidence to go anywhere.

What should I look for in a binding?

First and foremost, you should seek out bindings that suit your needs. Do you prioritize comfort or security? The best bindings do both. It’s also important to understand that regardless of what a tag says a binding does, it can’t do it if it’s frozen. Be leery of excessive use of nylon webbing and cordage–both absorb water and can leave your bindings rendered useless when frozen. Look for simplicity (fewer parts and potential for things to break) and light weight, and try them on in the store with the same footwear you’ll use in the field. Unless you have an exceptionally small or large foot, a good binding will be able to adapt to a range of footwear to keep your options open.

Tips for Choosing Your Snowshoe Binding & Perfecting Its Fit

Where are MSR snowshoes made?

The employees of MSR proudly build every snowshoe we make. Snowshoes sold in North America and Japan are built in our factory in the US, while those sold in Europe have some final assembly done in our Cork, Ireland facility.

Free Shipping on Orders over $50

We offer complimentary FedEx Ground shipping for US orders over $50. Learn More

Orders Shipped in 1-2 Days

We do our best to get all orders out within one business day, Monday through Friday. Learn More

No Hassle Returns

We accept returns within 30 days of purchase. All returned items must be in new condition. Please be sure no dirt, grass or pet hair is on the item you are returning. Learn More

We Believe in What We Build

At MSR, we take pride in engineering the highest-quality outdoor gear available, and we stand behind everything we make. MSR gear is built to be exceptionally durable and easily repaired. And we back it up with the best service in the industry, all to keep your gear performing for you—and out of landfills. Visit our MSR Warranty page for more info.

Portrait of our repair shop crew

Reviews