Snowshoeing is an activity that most able bodied people can do during the winter, just as long as there is enough snow. This is proving to be a fairly light snow year, at least in Colorado, but hopefully as we get into the later winter months that will change. There are quite a few companies that still manufacture their snowshoes in America, and one recently caught our eye due to its unique features. The MSR Lightning Ascent, by Cascade Designs, looks like a traditional snowshoe from a far, but has a whole list of features that set these shoes one step ahead of the competition.
The most unique feature of the MSR Lightning Ascent snowshoes is the actual frame. While traditional snowshoes use bent wood or tubular aluminum, MSR has chosen to use flat aluminum. Water jet-cut from a single blade of aerospace-grade aluminum, these frames deliver edge-to-edge grip utilizing the teeth cut into the bottom. So not only is there traction directly underneath the feet like most snowshoes, but also almost all of the way around the snowshoe frame. This feature not only provides great flat land stability, but as the name implies, these shoes make climbing up to do some backcountry runs a little easier. The disadvantage to using flat aluminum for the frames is that they are more likely to fail. MSR also thought of that and they have constructed the Lightning Ascent with two cross members to keep them from collapsing during use.
Along with this unique frame construction, MSR has designed these snowshoes to allow the use of their Modular Flotation Tails (MFT). The MFT system is really a simple concept – buy smaller shoes for use on groomed or broken trails, but if the snowshoeing excursion takes you into deep snow, the snowshoes can be extended 5-inches for more surface area to allow better floatation on top of the snow. Designing this flexibility into their snowshoes may make the $269.95-$299.95 price tag easier for some people to swallow since these snowshoes are essentially 2-in-1.
One other feature that is worth highlighting is the Ergo Televators. This simple metal bar is easily raised upright by the use of a pole grip and allows the heel to rest on this bar to reduce fatigue and increase traction while climbing. Think of doing calf-raises for an hour and the ‘burn’ in the muscle. This little bar will reduce that burning sensation while climbing, but when the trail returns to level or down slope, the bar can once again be easily folded down.
The MSR Lightning Ascent snowshoes are also offered in a women’s specific model. The women’s model offers all of the features that are included in the regular Lightning Ascent model, but the frames are slimmer for those with a narrow gait or anyone seeking an even lighter snowshoe than the Lightning Ascent that comes in at around 4-pounds.
If the $270+ price tag of the Lightning Ascent snowshoes is still too much for your budget, MSR sells adult snowshoes starting at $89.95 and increasing all of the way up to the Lightning Ascent models as features are added. Those models are also made in America, so you can still feel good that you are helping to keep the dollars floating in our economy.