Yes, gentle posters, yet another new piece of equipment to add to my winter gear pile.
After sliding 50 ft. down a steep mountanside and landing hard in a bunch of saplings W/ my 30" Atlas snowshoes I decided I'd get the MSR Lightning Ascent 30" 'shoes.
I was at the big wintersports convention here in 'Vegas last winter and got to look at all the major snowshoes on the market, including Atlas' best. I decided on the MSR Lightning series for the great lateral traction they have as well as the heel lift support for long climbs.
Luckily REI had a 20% sale in Boulder, Colorado when I was visiting last week so I got one of their last pairs of 30" 'shoes. Pricey but durable and truly a great 'shoe. I tried the shorter ones last year. They STICK on steep traverses!
Can't wait for snow. Also replaced the stolen pair of G3 205 cm. climbing skins for my Asnes Combi Combat skis. I hope the thief chokes on the ones they stole last year at the Avy I course. Dirtbags abound.
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"There are no comfortable backpacks. Some are just less uncomfortable than others."
Registered: 07/31/08
Posts: 94
Loc: Michigan, just N of detroit
I own 3 pair of MSR snowshoes among others, and I think they are the best on the market, the hollow tube frame snowshoes don't handle bending very well because the tube collapses and is never the same, the traction on others cannot compair to MSR's, I have a pair of lightnings ascents and 2 pair of evo ascents and love them, I almost hate my atlas they throw snow on my back and make noise, I do like my tubbs a little bit, I take people out with me and always have enough for most of them, well let me know how you like them this winter, happy shoeing
BM the hollow tube frame snowshoes don't handle bending very well because the tube collapses and is never the same, ____________________________________________________________
my tubular framed snow shoes are 30" long and I can set either end on a rock and bounce on them. Did I mention that I made them myself from brazed thin wall electrical conduit, and yes, do not braze galvanized steel indoors. Jim
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These are my own opinions based on wisdom earned through many wrong decisions. Your mileage may vary.
Registered: 07/31/08
Posts: 94
Loc: Michigan, just N of detroit
I am only saying that the composite MSR and flat walled lightnings hold up better, my store rents them and I see first hand what fails and what takes the beating of rental.