Mountain Safety Research Lightning Snowshoes

Field Report
March 24, 2006

Tester Information

Name: Raymond Estrella
Age: 45
Gender: Male
Height: 6' 3" (193 cm)
Weight: 210 lb (95 kg)
Email address: rayestrella@hotmail.com
City: Huntington Beach
State: California
Country: USA 

Backpacking Background: I have been hiking for over 30 years, all over the state of California. I have also hiked in Washington, Minnesota, Nevada, Arizona, and Idaho. I hike year-round, mostly in the Sierra Nevada, and put 555 miles (894 km) on my boots last year.  As I start my 4th decade of backpacking I am making the move to lightweight gear, and smaller packs. As far as this test goes, I also own MSR Denali EVO Accent’s and Tubbs Sierra 36 snowshoes, and have been snowshoeing since 1992.

The product

Manufacturer: Mountain Safety Research Inc. (MSR)
Web site: www.msrcorp.com
Product: Lightning snowshoes
Size tested: 30” (75 cm)
Year manufactured: 2005.
MSRP: $249.95 (US)
Weight listed: 3 lb 14 oz (1736 g)
Verified weight: 3 lb 14.8 oz ( 1759 g)
Size listed: 8 x 30 in. (20 x 76 cm)
Verified size: 8 x 30.5 in. (20 x 76.25 cm)
Warranty: (from web-site.) MSR Snowshoes are guaranteed against defects in materials and workmanship without time limit.

Please see my Initial Report for a thorough description of the Lightning snow shoes.

Field Conditions

I used the Lightning’s on a January backpacking trip to the Bristlecone Pine Forest in California, where the temps while hiking ranged from 13 to 30 F (-1 to -11 C). On that trip we had winds of 30 mph (48 kmh). (All readings were taken with a Kestrel 4000 Pocket Weather Meter.) We were at elevations ranging from 7,500’ to 10,600’ (2,250 to 3,231 m) above sea level. The snow ranged from 8 to 48 in (20 to 120 cm) in depth.

In February I used the Lightning’s at Buffalo State Park in Minnesota, where the snow consisted of 9 in (23 cm) of very dry powder, on top of a packed base around 2’ (61 cm) and a temp of 20 F (-7 C) Here is a picture from Buffalo.

At the beginning of March I took them up Rock Creek in the Eastern Sierra Neveda. It was snowing very heavily; there was 12-15 in (30-37 cm) of new snow on an indeterminate base. It was 20 F (-7 C).

Observations

So far I have been very impressed with the Lightnings. The bindings are much easier to use then my other shoes. The slotted buckle allows for a faster, less difficult time putting the snow shoes on. Between that, and one less strap I estimate that I can put them on in half the time of my other snow shoes. I used them with Koflach plastic-double climbing boots, and La Sportiva Makalu’s, leather mountaineering boots in California. Columbia Bugaboo pak-boots were worn with the Lightnings in Minnesota.

The traction is excellent. Had I owned these two years ago, I would not have needed surgery on my knee. Because these shoes do not slip. In the Bristlecone Pine Forest I was on drifted snow that had a hard frozen layer 2 to 3 in (3 to 8 cm) thick. Underneath the frozen layer was snow with the consistency of sugar. The toothed frame bites into the hard stuff very well. And it holds wonderfully also. Having the frame on edge makes it less prone to sliding out on the hard stuff. It bites in quickly instead of slipping.

They float very well also. When I would break through the drift snow on foot, I would sink three feet (1 m) into it. With the Lightning’s on, about six inches. (15 cm) I would use the shoes to stomp out a spot for my tent each afternoon. The deepest I would sink was about 8 or 9 in (20 to 23 cm) even with a 65 lb (29 kg) pack on.

During the Minnesota testing, the snow is quite different from the California snow described above. The northern part of the state usually stays below freezing all day for long periods of time. The wind blows quite a bit also. Because of the constant low temps, the snow is very dry. There is not enough humidity in the air to cause it to bind together. So it tends to blow around and collect in the more protected areas. Once it does warm up enough to pack, it is there for the duration.

The Lightning’s sank most of the way through the 9 in of powder at Buffalo State park. Sometimes I would feel them coming into contact with the packed snow underneath, where they held firm. Even sans snowshoes though, I only punched a few inches into the underlying pack. Here is a picture of them on powder, over pack.

While at the park I noticed a large man-made hill formed by the Park Service clearing snow from the parking lot. It ran the length of the parking lot, and formed a slope of about 40 to 50 degrees. The snow was very firm, with about 6 to 8 in (15 – 20 cm) of new snow covering it. I would not normally be in snow shoes in a situation like this, I would opt for crampons. But since it was a controlled situation, and I could not fall far, and I had my SUV and a phone there, I decided to really test the traction of the Lightning snow shoes.

After 20 minutes I was impressed again. (And made enough tracks that I am sure there were some puzzled Park Service people the next time they came in.) I walked straight up with no problem. The frames gripped very well. I had some slippage backward as the deck would float a bit before the toothed frame made contact with the packed snow.

That floating effect was much more pronounced while descending. Enough so that a couple of times I felt close to falling. At no time did it fail to grab though. I would not recommend that anyone use these (or any) shoes in this situation.

They really shine while traversing, the part that I am most concerned with after my knee problem. These are the best snow shoes I have ever used for walking sideways on a slope. They did not slip once. There was the floating effect, but not nearly as pronounced as straight up or down the slope. This is because the shoe, being somewhat level on my foot, is contacting the slope with one side first. This allows the uphill side of the frame to make contact with the pack before the rest of the decking fills with the powder above.

The decking is showing no signs of wear at this time. All the rivets look good. I bang the frames together to remove snow, and have seen no chips or wear yet from this abuse.

I would like to thank Mountain Safety Research and Backpack Gear Test for allowing me to participate in this test.

Wearing the Lightnings on 12 in (31 cm) of fresh snow near Rock Creek.