MSR Snowshoe choice

I have the Lightning Ascents. I’m happy with them for what I use them for (steep mountaineering) but for flatter terrain or rolling hills I am MUCH happier with my Altai Hok ski shoes (modified with Silvretta bindings). I find myself grabbing the ski shoes 90% of the time. I used them for a winter ascent of Lone Peak and a winter ascent of King’s Peak. I used the Lightning Ascents for a winter ascent of Timpanogos via Everest Ridge (up to where Baldy joins the summit ridge, then crampons and ax from there). I would consider the Altais or the new Black Diamond GlideLite Snow Trekkers over snow shoes. Just my .02 from a fair amount of experience.

Jeff, both choices are solid.  The Evo Ascent might be one of the most durable snowshoes on the market; we have that in our rental fleet, and they last for several seasons and get used alot every winter.  It’s nice that they are truly unisex, the tapered tail makes it easy for women to walk in as well as men.  You can also convert that 22″ length to 30″ by adding the 8″ tails; the tail for the Lightnings is only 5″ long.  There’s no reason the Lightnings won’t last a long time as long as you don’t abrade the Hypalon in front of the toe, it can wear.

I have the Evo Ascents and really like them.  Their compactness makes them very easy to strap onto the back of a pack if the snow runs out.  I have found the traction to be more than adequate.  It might be a little easier to deploy the climbing wire on the Lightnings, though.  Solid choices.

I have used my Evo Ascents for 10 years. They are still going strong. I had to buy some replacement buckles from MSR.  I hardly ever use the tails since we usually have cement snow in the Sierra Nevada, except for the last 5 or 6 weeks.

I am not sure where you are going, but as Jenny says above the Evos lash easily to the pack (in my case, an ancient 60-liter Osprey Aether) right next to my double-bagged WAG bag.  Since I am often walking an access road or forest service road 1 mile if not more from the SnoPark lot to the trailhead , the ability to get them on and off the pack is important.  I have not used the Lightenings but at $299??? wow.

Cheers!

lightning has 22, 25, & 30″ and can then add 5″ tails…so possibly a little longer overall, but shorter tail.

i agree with S Long. i love my lightnings, but really only need them for steep climbs. and if its really icy/windy. otherwise they are pretty expensive for flatter terrain. i’m getting some ski shoes for next winter after trying a friend’s this winter. if you haven’t, i would suggest at least trying some before committing to snowshoes.

if you want snowshoes, the evo is the better option for flat to rolling terrain. i really like them; would probably have them if i wasn’t set on skis.

Both are good choices and no sense repeating what ha already been written.  Not to throw a wrench in your choices but you should at least check out NorthernLites.

I appreciate all the advice.  I ended up picking up some EVOs for cheap, but I like those ski shoes.  I was planning on learning to ski next winter, so I may need to find someone nearby who has some so I can check them out.

Good choice, I have the old Evo Denali Ascents. One other difference, that I learned from Philip Werner of SectionHiker.com, is that the Evos really shine for winter bushwhacking because they have a single-piece molded design–so branches don’t get stuck in them like they can between the plastic and the metal rim of the Lightnings.

you won’t be disappointed with the Evo, very solid shoe

I own both a pair of Lightnings and a pair of Evo’s (and a pair of youth Swifts for spring)- if it’s deep powder and I’m going to need a lot of flotation, I grab the Lightnings that are 30″ and the tails.  If it’s relatively firm snow, the Evo’s and often the tails thrown in my pack just in case.  The shorter Evo’s get around better than the longer Lightnings- both have great bindings and great grip.  Both have the “televator” heel lifters, which I was somewhat surprised how well they work in steep ascents.

I also own a pair of Altai Hoks and find myself grabbing those quite a bit; I’m not that keen of a skier, so it’s more rolling terrain vs steep/technical when they are chosen.