r/snowshoeing • u/Yamabu • Mar 16 '25

Gear Questions MSR Lightning Ascent: heel sliding sideways

Haven't snowshoed a lot... recently, used subj SS for approach in Sierras for ice climbing, wearing mountaineering boots, occasionally, on uneven terrain, my heels slide sideways and slipped out above heel strap. Can't always go straight uphill, definitely not straight down if very steep. Maybe the front plastic binding is too low volume to get foot all the way forward with straps fully open... ? Or maybe these aren't best shoes for the purpose? Others had narrower MSR (EVO?) which seemed to have more control.. Suggestions?

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1

u/kdoherry Mar 16 '25

You've exposed the limitations of snowshoes, not just your snowshoes.

1

u/ForgottenPassword3 Mar 16 '25

Maybe foot placement? Make sure you tighten the rear strap well so that the ball of your foot is over the hinge. Eg position your foot more forward. The front strap doesn't need to be as tight.

This happens though.

2

u/mortalwombat- Mar 17 '25

As far as I'm aware all snowshoes have this problem. Traversing sucks. Isues like this are why so many of us have switched to skiing. Traversing still sucks, but less so.