My Complete Denali solo expedition gear list: www.aaronlinsdau.com/solo-denali-gear-list/ My books on this topic: Lost at Windy Corner (what it's like to be alone on Denali): amzn.to/2EEZN0K Adventure Expedition One (how to expedition): amzn.to/3xhG0gE
I think one solution for these problems is to laminate harder " plastic" over those skinny easy wear spots - additionally I think Shoe Goo might be a better choice than tape - if you coated the top and bottom of that fabric and make it a bit thicker at the edge - that stuff is bullet proof. I would imagine it would also encase that little tiny attachment point to be sure pins and nuts don't fall out. Signed: A guy who's never worn snowshoes in San Diego...but I was recently looking at the exact same shoes since winter isn't going to end in the Sierra this year. So thanks for the great info. Cheers all
I have a pair of ascents like your first pair without heel lifts, but mine came with heel lifts and the same set of silver fangs on them. I have never had a problem with them. Guess they have the good hypalon decking as well. But your second pair you showed I see has damage from what looks like the strap buckle catching on the hypalon as your foot moves through the boot opening. This happened on a pair of my plastic MSR Evo ascents. Maybe your boots are very wide, like mine were. I just had to be careful when I placed my boot into the binding, so it doesn’t catch on the side. Kind of crappy I know. Maybe some thick seam sealer would work better and look better than duck tape. I recently bought a set of the new Paragon bindings for $40 US each from MSR, but have yet to try them out for durability. You can also purchase the red mesh straps separately as well, for $45 a set. I actually got mine from Amazon. I have seen videos of people with broken hinges even. It seems like older MSR snowshoes were definitely more durable. I’m 6’2” 230 lbs , probably 260lbs with my day pack and my Lightning ascents are 9”x30” so they are going to take a pounding when I get out on them, hopefully the new bindings hold up, but if not I’ve still got my old ones. I’ve also found that the metal parts the straps fit into leave permanent indentations in my boots that look like cut marks.
Yes, the new position of the heal lifter damaged my $1000 Millet boots. Not happy. I added a gob of shoe goo to the boots to reduce the damage. Wish I could go back in time and buy the older style w/lifters.
Hey man. Great little video here, i just came accross you.. I also have an old original pair of the Lighting Accent WITH heal lifter. Like that beautiful Lime Chemical green color. Whatever it has been 18 or 20 plus years i dont really remember the timing anymore. Still in half descent condition, plenty of abuse, i have always been a Heavy guy 280 plus. I was in Love MSR. My uncle and i multple MSR, tents, stove, cook wear, 3 different water filters. But i just cant believe in those Snowshoes any more. Too many problems, and where the heck are they getting off on 400 to 550 plus for Snowshoes. Sorry but i am going Atlas or Tubbs this year. And thats gonna be pair 7 or 8 in 25 years. Anyways great review 👍
Aaron - I really appreciate your hands on wisdom, advice, and suggestions. While you say you like the MSR Ascent and they are one of the best "out there", how can you be comfortable with the risk of field failure given the issues and concerns you pointed out? I was preparing to buy that exact snowshoe, but I am now second guessing that decision. I think it has been 8 months since you shot that video, do you have a recommendation for a better snowshoe now? Can you report on how your Gorilla tape held up? Just a suggestion in the spirit of someone that thinks very highly of your work and experience - please consider holding the camera on any item long enough so that someone unfamiliar with the item can observe it properly, and as you pan through items and compare them be sure to slow down a bit and name each item. In this video you often pan through rather quickly and refer to items as "this" or "that" without calling out "this" or "that" with a descriptive identifiable name. In your video it was very hard, sometimes impossible to keep up with which item you were discussing as you moved the camera (too) quickly between them as you were critiquing a feature. I love your content and respect your knowledge and experience, but as far as this particular video goes, I had a very hard time following it.
Virtually everyone on Denali uses the classic plastic MSR snowshoes (2024). Only saw a few pairs of Lightning Ascents. The new deck is simply too delicate. I'll work on a future video, thank you for the critique.
I had a pair of Lightning Ascents and was very underwhelmed by them. The foot opening is too narrow for wider boots, my Sorel Conquests caused the binding buckles to tear the decking like yours. Another problem is your heels, and therefore a lot of your weight, rest directly on that paper-thin decking and the top of the braking bar directly underneath. They DID glue a small second piece of the paper-thin decking on as a reinforcement, at least. As you said, the strap-type bindings can cause hot spots on your feet, and on steep downhills can allow your boots to slide forward in the bindings. Tightening the straps takes care of this, but now there’s even more chance of hot spots. And I’m with you about not trusting that Paragon binding mesh at all! The traction-framed snowshoes I much prefer, and recommend to anyone in the market, are GV Mountain Extremes. Their bindings are much more comfortable, with a molded toe stop on the foot plate and 2 wide ratcheting straps over your foot. The ratchets are easy to use with gloves or mittens on, and can be put on or taken off in seconds. GV’s decking is much thicker and much stronger than MSR’s, I had to use my snowshoes as traction boards under my stuck Jeep once and the spinning tires slightly abraded the decking but there was no penetration. The frames were bent but 5 minutes with pliers & Vise Grips had them back to normal. Your heels rest on serrated cleats that stick up maybe 1/4” through openings in the decking, and these are riveted to a braking bar so you can directly stamp into packed snow or ice. I’ve had my GVs going on 8 winters now, and had to send them back for warranty repair twice (I’m very hard on them!) I’d email them, they’d reply within 2 business days, and within 2 weeks of shipping them I had them back. You can’t even get a call or email from MSR that quickly! The GVs are built like tanks, weighing about 8oz more than same-sized MSRs, and don’t accept tails. Lastly, but definitely not least, the Mountain Extremes cost a little more than half what Lightning Ascents do.
The original MSRs were super strong. I climbed up bare rocks with them and they held together. The new decks are so thin, they tear like nothing. Total failure.
Thank you for the video! I have a pair of MSR Lightning Ascent that looks like your 2nd pair. How did yours fail? It's not super clear from the video. Did the fabric tear from the deck rivet? I'm also curious how well the gorilla tape hold up to the abrasion of snow.
You missed the root cause of the failure of your decking. And the new paragon binding fixes that. The decking was tearing from the first "buckle" (over your toes) hitting the decking when your toe rocks forward. I have the same pair and it is almost torn through on both of my "women's" (more narrow) pair. The new paragon binding does not have that buckle and will not hit the decking. Note that the tearing is not in other locations. I have another failure - on the under side back by the heel. The decking is reinforced by a smaller second piece of decking. The metal cross piece cut through the added (2nd piece) of decking and is now working on the main decking part. I like your analysis of the metal toe spikes. I did break one on my pair (but I still use them).
Great video, as always! Are these 30 inch snowshoes? What is your opinion on getting 25" snowshoes and the 5" extension? Is it mostly versatility vs robustness vs transportability? Would like to hear your opinion on this as longer MSR snowshoes help with heavy packs.
just thought, not that I ever used one but. What about getting a 3d printer machine and make your own snow shoes, or at least my be replace broken parts of the snowshoe? if people can duplicate a working gun a snowshoe should be easy.
Man ! That new web design looks scary . Pretty strange that they sold the straps for the old design so you could have a spare(s) . But that weak assed looking web , doesn't have a spare option ? Ain't liking that new design ! I have had a pair of L.A for about 8-9 yrs now . Have thought recently about getting some Tubbs . Be safe out there folks .. bg
![สาวเมืองเพชร - ธีเดช ทองอภิชาติ [Official MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kEt7F9PvO3I/mqdefault.jpg)
My Complete Denali solo expedition gear list: www.aaronlinsdau.com/solo-denali-gear-list/
My books on this topic:
Lost at Windy Corner (what it's like to be alone on Denali): amzn.to/2EEZN0K
Adventure Expedition One (how to expedition): amzn.to/3xhG0gE
I think one solution for these problems is to laminate harder " plastic" over those skinny easy wear spots - additionally I think Shoe Goo might be a better choice than tape - if you coated the top and bottom of that fabric and make it a bit thicker at the edge - that stuff is bullet proof. I would imagine it would also encase that little tiny attachment point to be sure pins and nuts don't fall out. Signed: A guy who's never worn snowshoes in San Diego...but I was recently looking at the exact same shoes since winter isn't going to end in the Sierra this year. So thanks for the great info. Cheers all
Great suggestion - I'll have to try it. Thanks!
Both the red Paragon web and the back strap are field replaceable. I ordered the replacement kits and bring as backup on longer trips.
I have a pair of ascents like your first pair without heel lifts, but mine came with heel lifts and the same set of silver fangs on them. I have never had a problem with them. Guess they have the good hypalon decking as well. But your second pair you showed I see has damage from what looks like the strap buckle catching on the hypalon as your foot moves through the boot opening. This happened on a pair of my plastic MSR Evo ascents. Maybe your boots are very wide, like mine were. I just had to be careful when I placed my boot into the binding, so it doesn’t catch on the side. Kind of crappy I know. Maybe some thick seam sealer would work better and look better than duck tape. I recently bought a set of the new Paragon bindings for $40 US each from MSR, but have yet to try them out for durability. You can also purchase the red mesh straps separately as well, for $45 a set. I actually got mine from Amazon. I have seen videos of people with broken hinges even. It seems like older MSR snowshoes were definitely more durable. I’m 6’2” 230 lbs , probably 260lbs with my day pack and my Lightning ascents are 9”x30” so they are going to take a pounding when I get out on them, hopefully the new bindings hold up, but if not I’ve still got my old ones. I’ve also found that the metal parts the straps fit into leave permanent indentations in my boots that look like cut marks.
Yes, the new position of the heal lifter damaged my $1000 Millet boots. Not happy. I added a gob of shoe goo to the boots to reduce the damage. Wish I could go back in time and buy the older style w/lifters.
Try TSL Symbioz Hyperflex, the evolution in snowshoe design.
Nice, Would definitely have to get a large (27" length) for any crevasse safety and travel in deep snow.
Hey man. Great little video here, i just came accross you.. I also have an old original pair of the Lighting Accent WITH heal lifter. Like that beautiful Lime Chemical green color.
Whatever it has been 18 or 20 plus years i dont really remember the timing anymore.
Still in half descent condition, plenty of abuse, i have always been a Heavy guy 280 plus.
I was in Love MSR. My uncle and i multple MSR, tents, stove, cook wear, 3 different water filters.
But i just cant believe in those Snowshoes any more. Too many problems, and where the heck are they getting off on 400 to 550 plus for Snowshoes. Sorry but i am going Atlas or Tubbs this year.
And thats gonna be pair 7 or 8 in 25 years.
Anyways great review 👍
My old ones had a way stronger deck. I climbed up rocks on Mt. Whitney and barely a thread pull. The new ones - not so much.
Aaron - I really appreciate your hands on wisdom, advice, and suggestions. While you say you like the MSR Ascent and they are one of the best "out there", how can you be comfortable with the risk of field failure given the issues and concerns you pointed out? I was preparing to buy that exact snowshoe, but I am now second guessing that decision.
I think it has been 8 months since you shot that video, do you have a recommendation for a better snowshoe now? Can you report on how your Gorilla tape held up?
Just a suggestion in the spirit of someone that thinks very highly of your work and experience - please consider holding the camera on any item long enough so that someone unfamiliar with the item can observe it properly, and as you pan through items and compare them be sure to slow down a bit and name each item. In this video you often pan through rather quickly and refer to items as "this" or "that" without calling out "this" or "that" with a descriptive identifiable name. In your video it was very hard, sometimes impossible to keep up with which item you were discussing as you moved the camera (too) quickly between them as you were critiquing a feature. I love your content and respect your knowledge and experience, but as far as this particular video goes, I had a very hard time following it.
Virtually everyone on Denali uses the classic plastic MSR snowshoes (2024). Only saw a few pairs of Lightning Ascents. The new deck is simply too delicate.
I'll work on a future video, thank you for the critique.
I had a pair of Lightning Ascents and was very underwhelmed by them. The foot opening is too narrow for wider boots, my Sorel Conquests caused the binding buckles to tear the decking like yours.
Another problem is your heels, and therefore a lot of your weight, rest directly on that paper-thin decking and the top of the braking bar directly underneath. They DID glue a small second piece of the paper-thin decking on as a reinforcement, at least.
As you said, the strap-type bindings can cause hot spots on your feet, and on steep downhills can allow your boots to slide forward in the bindings. Tightening the straps takes care of this, but now there’s even more chance of hot spots. And I’m with you about not trusting that Paragon binding mesh at all!
The traction-framed snowshoes I much prefer, and recommend to anyone in the market, are GV Mountain Extremes. Their bindings are much more comfortable, with a molded toe stop on the foot plate and 2 wide ratcheting straps over your foot. The ratchets are easy to use with gloves or mittens on, and can be put on or taken off in seconds.
GV’s decking is much thicker and much stronger than MSR’s, I had to use my snowshoes as traction boards under my stuck Jeep once and the spinning tires slightly abraded the decking but there was no penetration. The frames were bent but 5 minutes with pliers & Vise Grips had them back to normal.
Your heels rest on serrated cleats that stick up maybe 1/4” through openings in the decking, and these are riveted to a braking bar so you can directly stamp into packed snow or ice.
I’ve had my GVs going on 8 winters now, and had to send them back for warranty repair twice (I’m very hard on them!) I’d email them, they’d reply within 2 business days, and within 2 weeks of shipping them I had them back. You can’t even get a call or email from MSR that quickly!
The GVs are built like tanks, weighing about 8oz more than same-sized MSRs, and don’t accept tails.
Lastly, but definitely not least, the Mountain Extremes cost a little more than half what Lightning Ascents do.
The original MSRs were super strong. I climbed up bare rocks with them and they held together. The new decks are so thin, they tear like nothing. Total failure.
Thank you for the video! I have a pair of MSR Lightning Ascent that looks like your 2nd pair. How did yours fail? It's not super clear from the video. Did the fabric tear from the deck rivet? I'm also curious how well the gorilla tape hold up to the abrasion of snow.
You missed the root cause of the failure of your decking. And the new paragon binding fixes that. The decking was tearing from the first "buckle" (over your toes) hitting the decking when your toe rocks forward. I have the same pair and it is almost torn through on both of my "women's" (more narrow) pair. The new paragon binding does not have that buckle and will not hit the decking. Note that the tearing is not in other locations.
I have another failure - on the under side back by the heel. The decking is reinforced by a smaller second piece of decking. The metal cross piece cut through the added (2nd piece) of decking and is now working on the main decking part.
I like your analysis of the metal toe spikes. I did break one on my pair (but I still use them).
The old design was far superior and the deck way tougher.
Good to know. TY
Welcome!
“Paragon” binding mesh repair kits are available from MSR. $34.95
Great to know, thanks!
Great video, as always! Are these 30 inch snowshoes? What is your opinion on getting 25" snowshoes and the 5" extension? Is it mostly versatility vs robustness vs transportability? Would like to hear your opinion on this as longer MSR snowshoes help with heavy packs.
I used the 25" shoes. The 30" are pretty awkward for me. I've not tried the tail extensions but have never felt the need for them.
just thought, not that I ever used one but. What about getting a 3d printer machine and make your own snow shoes, or at least my be replace broken parts of the snowshoe? if people can duplicate a working gun a snowshoe should be easy.
Only issue might be how brittle the 3d printed parts become in cold environments
@@jakbro5633 DMLS 3D Printing
Metal 3D printing in stainless steel and aluminum materials
Regular 3D printed plastics won't take the beating.
Everybody loves Raymond!
I do get that a lot. I need to add more humor to my segments.
New sub! Liked
Thanks for the sub!
Man ! That new web design looks scary . Pretty strange that they sold the straps for the old design so you could have a spare(s) . But that weak assed looking web , doesn't have a spare option ? Ain't liking that new design ! I have had a pair of L.A for about 8-9 yrs now . Have thought recently about getting some Tubbs . Be safe out there folks .. bg
Mine survived but it's definitely not an inspiring design.
The MSR straps are absolute garbage..totally disntigrate after a few years...total junk!
Not the best...