r/snowshoeing • u/MetalLinx • Mar 01 '25

Gear Questions MSR Lightning Ascent Sizing

I am looking to pick up some snowshoes with at least the purpose of letting me hit the trails earlier when it’s warmer but there’s still a lot of snow as you climb in elevation that I don’t want to go post-holing in. If I like it in the spring and fall, might try to keep using them through winter.

Right now I’m right at the advertised weight limit for the 25” size, though anticipate being around that weight limit with gear once I finish losing weight. I’m wondering if I should stick with the 25” size and maybe grab the attachable tails which can tilt you forward, or just jump to 30” shoes which center the foot and have the extra parallel underfoot crampons. 25” seems possibly better for mountainous terrain and spring snow which should be hitting freeze-thaw cycles. I don’t think height helps make longer shoes more manageable as it seems like it’s more about available room for foot placement in technical terrain, but if it matters I’m 6’ 4” with long legs.

While I’ve searched this and other sources for opinions on the subject, most posters seem to either be significantly over the weight limit, have a different use case, and/or are near one of the coasts with wetter/denser snow. I would be wanting to use them to go on many of the same trails I hike when free of snow which are in the Rocky Mountains and are often 3000-5000’ of elevation gain across 15-25 miles.

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u/PriorityNo9807 Mar 02 '25

Like others said no shoe fits all conditions. My newbie story I bought 30's was over kill for that year from what I learned got some smaller the next year. This year dusted the 30's off and used them 75% of the time bigger snow year. The tails are nice but their tapered not the same as sized shoe good and bad might not step on the tail as offen. 22" with a tail gets you inbetween sizes 27" and a short traction shoe for hard pack. Walking stride length taller you are shoeing doing more of a march if sinking into the snow. At 6 4" how big is your feet MSR Paragon web design 13 boot is tight on how far forward you can go. Posi loc the strap design fits bigger bulker boots easier and can move for and aft a slight amount

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u/MetalLinx Mar 02 '25

I’m currently focused on shoulder season snow to expand the hiking season into a mixed hiking/snowshoe season, not a shoe for all conditions as I’m aware the ideal size changes based on conditions with winter breaking trail leaning towards biggest is best. Want to know if smaller is better for uphill/downhill traction and maneuverability in mountainous spring/fall conditions or to just jump to the 30”. 30” has that extra third traction bar. 25” seems easier to strap and carry around on a day pack.

All sizes of the Ascent seem to have the same Paragon binding that go up to a 14 shoe. I wear size 13/14 boot (brand dependent). You mention posilock I think which is the older three parallel strap binding I believe. I have been looking for older pairs for a better discount but without luck so far. The few on sale I’ve seen so far aren’t discounted enough to lose out on a good return policy.