10 Best Snowshoes 2025 in the United States

The MSR Lightning Ascent snowshoes are designed for serious outdoor enthusiasts who tackle rugged terrain and aggressive backcountry adventures. Weighing only 4.33 pounds per pair and measuring 25 inches in length, these snowshoes are lightweight yet sturdy, making them a solid choice for mountaineering. Their 360-degree Traction Frames and durable steel DTX crampons offer excellent grip, especially on steep slopes, which is a significant advantage for those seeking to navigate challenging landscapes.

One of the standout features is the Paragon bindings, which provide a secure, glove-like fit around your boots without creating pressure points. This thoughtful design enhances comfort and control, crucial for long excursions. Additionally, the Ergo Televator heel lift bar helps reduce fatigue during steep climbs, allowing users to tackle uphill sections with greater efficiency.

While these snowshoes accommodate users weighing up to 220 pounds and fit a wide range of boot sizes (4.5 to 15), they may not perform as well in flat, groomed areas.

The MSR Lightning Ascent snowshoes are designed for serious backcountry and mountaineering use, making them a solid choice if you plan to tackle rugged terrain and steep climbs. Their 22-inch size is a good middle ground, providing enough surface area for flotation in snow without being too bulky. The frame is made of alloy steel, which adds durability and strength needed for aggressive conditions. These snowshoes have excellent traction thanks to 360-degree traction frames and strong steel crampons, giving you confidence on icy or steep slopes.

The Paragon bindings are a standout feature, offering a comfortable, glove-like fit that wraps securely around your boots and helps avoid pressure points, which can make long hikes easier. The heel lift bar is another helpful addition, flipping up to reduce calf fatigue and improve efficiency when going uphill. At just over 4 pounds per pair, they are relatively lightweight for technical snowshoes, though they carry a maximum user weight of 180 pounds, so heavier users might need to look elsewhere.

Considering their features and performance, these snowshoes are an excellent pick for hikers and mountaineers who want durable, high-traction snowshoes with comfortable bindings and features geared toward steep ascents. However, they might be more than what casual or occasional snowshoers require, both in performance and price.

The MSR Lightning Ascent snowshoes are designed for serious backcountry and mountaineering use, making them a solid choice if you frequently tackle rugged, steep terrain. At 30 inches long and weighing just under 5 pounds per pair, they offer a good balance of size and lightness, helping with maneuverability and reducing fatigue during long hikes. Their frame is made from alloy steel, which provides strong, durable support without being overly heavy.

These snowshoes excel in traction thanks to the 360-degree traction frames and sharp steel crampons, giving you reliable grip on icy or uneven surfaces, especially when crossing slopes. The Paragon bindings comfortably wrap around your boots with a one-piece strap, avoiding tight pressure points while ensuring your feet stay secure. Another useful feature is the Ergo Televator heel lift, which you can flip up to ease uphill climbing and reduce calf strain on steep ascents.

They support a maximum user weight of 280 pounds and fit most men's shoe sizes from 4.5 to 15, covering a wide range of users. While they may be more technical and pricey than casual or beginner snowshoers need, and their 30-inch length is better suited for deep snow and aggressive terrain rather than casual trail walking, these snowshoes provide excellent traction, comfort, and climbing assistance for mountaineering or tough backcountry trips.