Mountain Safety Research Lightning Snowshoes

Initial Report
January 28, 2006

Tester Information

Name: Raymond Estrella
Age: 44
Gender: Male
Height: 6' 3" (187.5 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 (888 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.

Company supplied selling points: (from web-site.)
Unrivaled Traction
Total-Traction frame delivers unprecedented 360° grip.
Ultralight
The lightest snowshoe in its category.
Maximum Flotation
30" Lightnings are ideal for heavy loads in deep powder.
User-Friendly
Step-on binding fits a variety of boots and is fast, secure, and easy to use.
Stable Support
True Hinge™ steel crampon enhances foot stability and minimizes heel drift,
resulting in more efficient gait mechanics and less expended energy.
100% Waterproof
Materials won’t soak up water and freeze; straps remain easy to use in all conditions.

Product description

The MSR Lightnings (hereafter referred to as shoes) came with a 4.5 by 50’ (11.25 x 125 cm) piece of stiff glossy card-stock going around the shoes at the bottom, with the ends meeting at the hole in the shoes where the crampons are. The card stock is held together at that point with a plastic toggle. The card-stock has the name, MSR logo and size listed on the front. On the back are a sizing chart and the company’s selling point printed in six languages.

Two large rubber bands with MSR’s name and logo printed on them secure the shoes in addition to the card-stock. Attached to one of the bands was an instruction manual, also printed in six languages. The manual gives very simple to understand instructions along with pictures for the use of the shoes. It also contains a sizing recommendation chart, and tips and techniques for use.

The shoe is made up of a one-piece gray powder-coated aluminum frame. The 3/32’ thick, 1 3/8” high(2 x 32 mm) frame is set on edge and has a continuous series of saw tooth–like serrations running the entire length. Two pieces of the same material act as cross braces, one running just under the swiveling crampon at the ball of the foot, and the other half-way between that and the rear end of the shoe.

A dark gray urethane material acts as the deck. It is held on by 24 stainless steel tabs going from the frame to, and riveted through, the deck. On the upper surface of the deck near the front is the MSR logo. At the rear is the Lightning name and the admonition to “respect dangerous terrain“ and “patent pending“.

The binding consists of a nylon foot bed with three rubber-type straps, two that go over the laces of ones boot. And one strap at the back that goes around the heel and ankle. This binding looks to be easier to use than their previous offerings. The straps are of the same design as their other shoes. They have a row of adjustment holes running most of their length. The strap passes through a stamped steel buckle. A hooked tooth protruding from the buckle goes through one of the holes, attaching the binding to the boot. The excess strap can then be slid into a sliding steel clip, keeping it from flapping around.

The buckle is cut out on the side allowing the strap to be slid side-ways into the buckle, instead of having to be threaded through as on my other shoes. I like this design.

Towards the front of the shoe is an opening in the deck. A swiveling steel plate is attached to the binding foot-bed at this point. On the bottom of the plate are two stamped crampon teeth. The hinged plate allows toe section of the wearer’s foot to bite in to the snow, and roll down as the snowshoe stays (hopefully) anchored in place on the surface of the snow. Here is a picture of the snowshoes in my office.

Testing

These shoes will go on a couple 2-3 day winter backpaking trips to our local mountains. They will also see use in Minnesota’s Buffalo State park in February and March. And they will go on a 7 to 10-day, 66 mile trek to White Mountain, CA at the end of January.

I will check to see how well they can support a full winter load, as well as the ease of use when unencumbered on day hikes. The traction claims will be verified in a variety of conditions. As I do a lot of mountaineering I will use them on inclines during approach hikes. I will see how they do climbing without the Televator heel-lift system that my MSR Denali EVO Accent’s have.

Side stability is especially important to me. While traversing on a pair of conventional style snowshoes a couple of years ago, the heel slid down-hill. The twisting to my knee tore my meniscus, resulting in surgery. With the 360 degree teeth that should be a thing of the past.

I will report on the ease of use with the simplified binding system, and whether they will hold the shoe securely. I will use them with Leather Mountaineering boots, plastic-doubles, and Pac-boots to see how they work across the spectrum of winter footwear.

The durability of the deck will be watched closely also. Even on ski/skin trips I take snowshoes at least to stamp out a packed and level tent site. This puts a lot of stress on the deck as I keep my pack on as I stomp down the snow. Will the rivets hold?

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