For dedicated hikers and backpackers in snowy climates, snowshoes are a must-have for winter travel. After purchasing a pair of the MSR Lightning Explore snowshoes and having done several backpacking trips and numerous dayhikes with them I’ve probably accumulated around 100 miles on the snowshoes between 2 seasons, in a variety of conditions, and feel reasonably well-qualified to offer my thoughts on this piece of equipment.

The MSR Lightning Explore Snowshoes 25” Length Men’s Version

Design & Specifications

There are men’s versions and women's-specific models of the MSR Lightning Explore snowshoes available and the MSRP is $340 for both. This review is for the men’s version in the 25” length (22” and 30” men’s are also available; women’s come in 22” and 25”). The men’s 25” snowshoes currently have a listed weight of 3 lb 12 oz total, so just under two pounds per snowshoe. The version reviewed here was listed as 4 lbs. 2 oz. total, but when weighed at the US Post Office in the bustling metropolis of Hamilton, Montana, the weight registered per snowshoe was 2 lbs. 0.8 oz. Given the incredible advantage provided by this piece of gear, I’ve found the weight to be well worth it, even when packing the snowshoes in a few miles before hitting the snowline where they become necessary.

Traction is achieved through MSR’s 360 traction frame, where the entire frame of the snowshoe is actually a crampon of sorts, with an additional underfoot crampon and frame cross bars. My version came with a two-strap binding system featuring a ratchet system to set tension, with additional fine tuning of tension achieved through two red levers per strap, plus Axis Gait technology allowing for toe-in and toe-out adjustment. However, for 2024 MSR updated the binding on the Lightning Explore series to their new Paradigm binding, which is a new 3 strap system without Axis Gait technology, although the traction frame and deck remains mostly the same.

The Lightning Explore features a heel lift bar that can be engaged for uphill efficiency. In the 25” size I tested, MSR rates the snowshoes for 120-220 lbs, or up to 280 lbs with the use of flotation tails that can be purchased separately (which retail for $75) if this additional flotation / weight capacity is desired.

From Left to Right: MSR Snowshoe Without Tail, Optional Flotation Tail, Snowshoe With Tail (Lightning Ascent Model Shown)

Performance & Durability

While two pounds added to each foot isn’t inconsequential, these never felt like ankle weights – the burden seemed evenly distributed and barely noticeable until many miles later. Strapping them to a backpack isn’t exactly the easiest task in the world, but can be done effectively after some trial and error as the options will vary from pack to pack. Just be sure that the serrated edges won’t be coming in frequent contact with either the pack fabric or your jacket fabric, as these can cause significant wear in a short amount of time. MSR makes a nifty snowshoe carrying bag ($50), but even in my most feverish states of gear-lust I haven’t been able to justify purchasing this accessory. Some paracord, bungees, and/or Velcro straps, used with straps on the pack itself, have always allowed me to get the snowshoes where they need to go before putting them on my feet.

First and foremost, the two-strap bindings on these snowshoes are simply brilliant. Once you initially adjust them for your boots you are able to get in and out by unbuckling only the front binding, leaving the heel strap set and in place. For either strap, tightening is as simple as inserting the strap into its matching buckle, then tightening through the use of a low profile lever and ratchet system (the silver lever). Adjustment can be further fine-tuned, in either direction, by clicking the red paddles on either side of the silver lever.

Unbuckling the bindings is easy thanks to a clever release mechanism and the handy loop for the strap. No fine motor skills are involved and this task can be performed without any difficulty while wearing gloves. Properly secured, which takes a bit of trial and error at first, the snowshoes feel like an extension of your boots after a few steps rather than a clunky addition. I’ve been on uneven terrain and precarious positions more than a handful of times and, although I was a bit uneasy at first, I have learned to put utmost confidence in these snowshoes to help me balance and keep my feet firmly planted. I have yet to be disappointed. The binding straps are large enough to accommodate everything but the most bulky mountaineering boot, although I’ve only used them with regular hiking boots.

In addition to the great bindings, I found the Televator heel lift bar to be incredibly helpful with climbing steep slopes and at reducing calf fatigue. This bar can be lifted up using a trekking pole, but takes a bit of skill. Pushing them down is much easier. Once engaged, the heel of your boot will rest against the now elevated bar, leveling your foot somewhat on uphill terrain even as the snowshoe itself is at an angle. I was surprised at how much of a difference this made, both at easing the effort required and at making the uphill hiking feel more natural. The pivot action of the crampon and the design of the snowshoe in general makes using these as intuitive and efficient as possible. I noticed none of the clumsiness regarding snowshoes that I’d been warned about and found that I would often almost forget I was even wearing snowshoes.

Much of this ease of use can be attributed to MSR’s Axis Gait technology, which allows for significant adjustments, through the ability to actually rotate and set the angle at which the binding faces, to account for different strides and angling of feet to ensure the most natural feeling possible and minimize any overlapping of snowshoes that could result in tripping. Unfortunately this has been removed from newer models with the Paradigm binding. They’ve worked fine “out of the box” for me so a lack of this adjustment might not be missed, but I’ve met other hikers with the same snowshoes who were grateful for the ability to make these modifications to better accommodate their particular pattern of putting one foot in front of the other.

From fine powder to super-consolidated snow which rendered them superfluous, I’ve found the traction provided by these snowshoes to meet or exceed any reasonable expectations. The frame provides considerable grip on its own, infinitely more than tubular framed snowshoes, and the crampon points really help when needing to dig in on steep or tricky sections. Only on the loosest, wettest snow on very steep sections did I notice any loss of traction; skis with climbing skins would have been more appropriate given the slope.

Switchbacking with the snowshoes rather than hiking straight up solved the problem. In the majority of conditions, I found the 25” length to provide enough flotation, even with a winter-weight overnight pack adding additional weight. If you’re between sizes given the recommendations, I would suggest sizing up if you plan on doing backpacking trips with these snowshoes. It might be readily apparent, but it is worth pointing out that trekking poles with snow baskets are pretty much a must-have when using these, especially with a pack, to assist with maintaining balance.

As far as durability goes, I’ve hiked on short but gnarly sections of rock and stomped through, over, under, and around some nasty deadfall that stood in my way. I have not noticed the slightest wear or puncture, even when stepping directly on branches that seemed like they’d poke right through. None of the teeth appear to be bent or deformed from travel on rocks, even after slipping and coming down rather hard on the main crampon teeth.

Conclusion

Overall, I’ve found these snowshoes to be ingeniously engineered and exceedingly durable. While the price tag would be hard to swallow for someone who might only use them once or twice per year, they are built to last and are a great investment for the serious winter hiking enthusiast. Like all snowshoes, in certain conditions these will function as little more than Posthole Prevention Equipment. The optional flotation tails that are sold separately can help remedy this, although I have not used them myself. These snowshoes might be a bit overkill if most of your hiking is on level terrain without a pack, but for those who push the limits with a pack in snowy conditions I would highly recommend them.

The MSR Lightning Explore snowshoes retail for about $340. Find a pair here at Backcountry.com and at Amazon.com, as well as here at REI Co-op.

Editor's Note: This review originally appeared in Issue 26 of TrailGroove Magazine. Read the magazine article here for additional photos, pros and cons, and our rating for the MSR Lightning Explore snowshoes.