Quick product review of two snowshoes from MSR: Ascent EVO & Lightning Ascent.
To summarize, I found the EVO light, easy to put on and worked very well in the wet heavy snow I tried them on. The traction gripped well on inclines. As a general all purpose snowshoe, this worked very well.
The Lightning on the other hand, didn’t float as well in the same wet, heavy snow. While the traction was superb, I felt that I was sinking much lower than the EVO. The heavy duty construction is for more extreme conditions and if you have more ice type terrain to hike, then this might be the better choice.
EVO Details
http://cascadedesigns.com/msr/snowshoes/ascent/evo-ascent/product
All-terrain traction combines with our new, über-secure PosiLock™ AT bindings and energy-saving Televator™ heel lifts to let the Evo Ascent snowshoes take you anywhere you want (or need) to go. The rugged traction of our UniBody™ decks and Pivot™ Crampons deliver top-notch security, while Modular Flotation tails allow a single pair of snowshoes to provide flotation across a broad range of snow conditions.
Unibody™ Traction: Steel traction rails and brake bars molded directly into snowshoe decks provide a secure and lasting grip.
Secure Attachment: Two-piece, independently conforming PosiLock™ AT bindings create our most secure, freeze-resistant attachment, regardless of footwear.
All-Condition Adaptability: Modular Flotation tails allow you the maneuverability of a smaller, primary snowshoe with the added, on-demand flotation of optional, 6-inch (15-cm) tails.
Uphill Efficiency: Televators™ reduce fatigue, increase traction on the steeps and engage easily with glove-friendly pull-tabs.
Weight per pair 4 lbs / 1820 g
Width 8.2 in / 20.3 cm
Length 22.2 in / 56.5 cm
Binding type PosiTrack AT
Televator X
Gait Unisex/normal width
Footwear size range 4.5 M/5.5 W – 15 M/16 W / 35.5 – 49.5
Load Up to 180 lbs / Up to 80 kilos
Load w/ tails Up to 250 lbs / Up to 114 kilos
Lightning Ascent Details
http://cascadedesigns.com/msr/snowshoes/ascent/lightning-ascent/product
Now compatible with the all-condition adaptability of our Modular Flotation tails, our most aggressive snowshoes are built on a solid foundation of our advanced, 360° Traction™ frames and deliver a level of ultralight security that tubular frames simply can’t—especially on traverses. New, dual-component, PosiLock™ AT bindings offer our most secure attachment, while aggressive steel cross members, Pivot™ Crampons and new, easily-engaged Ergo™ Televators back you up with every step.
Unrivaled Traction: 360° Traction frames and Pivot crampons deliver advanced, edge-to-edge grip, delivering unmatched traction and security on any terrain, in any conditions.
Secure Attachment: Two-piece, independently conforming PosiLock™ AT bindings create our most secure, freeze-resistant attachment, regardless of footwear.
All-Condition Adaptability: Now available with Modular Flotation tails to allow you the maneuverability of a smaller, primary snowshoe with the added, on-demand flotation of optional, 5-inch (13-cm) tails.
Uphill Efficiency: Ergo™ Televators reduce fatigue and increase traction on the steeps with an ergonomic design that engages with a simply flick of a pole grip.
Weight per pair 3 lbs 12 oz / 1710 g
Width 8 in / 20 cm
Length 22 in / 56 cm
Binding type PosiTrack AT
Televator X
Gait Unisex/normal width
Footwear size range 4.5 M – 15 M / 35.5 – 49.5
Load Up to 180 lbs / Up to 80 kilos
Load w/ tails Up to 250 lbs / Up to 109 kilos