Gear Review: MSR Lightning Axis Snowshoes

MSR Lightning Axis Snowshoes with Modular Flotation

It is snowshoeing season here and while I like snow, I hate my old snowshoes. I needed snowshoes that worked with my natural gait, offered more than just forward traction and was easier on the body going uphill. MSR’s Lightning Axis fits my requirements and a lot more. They adjust to my natural gait so I’m not tripping over the snowshoes with each step. They offer superb traction and gripping no matter what angle the trail slopes.

Toe Crampon Detail

MSR’s Lightning Axis is one of MSR’s latest snowshoe designs. The Lightning Axis are similar to their Ascent line in many ways. The Lightning Axis features a 360 degree All-Terrain traction frame made from aerospace-grade aluminum. There are two cross bars featuring additional traction across the foot and a crampon located on the toe pivot. The binding sits on a pin pivot and features the new Axis technology. Axis allows the entire binding to be rotated either right or left to match with a natural gait allowing the snowshoes to track straight even if the foot doesn’t. It can rotate a maximum total of 22 degrees which translates to seven slots for the pin to fit into. The deck material is a flexible material with multiple attachment points to the frame.

Binding Heel Clip	Removable Binding Instep Clip
Binding Toe Clasp	Excess Strap Pin

The Lightning Axis features a Speedlock Comfort binding system which is an improvement over the older style binding. While it looks a little bulky and complicated, it is really easy to set and forget. The binding features three points of attachment; at the toe, instep and heel. The instep and heel binding straps are similar to the old style straps but with a few improvements. The instep strap can be removed if desired, but like the toe, it is easy to set and forget. The instep strap feeds through a metal slot, hooks on a pin, then the excess strap is pushed down onto another small pin to prevent flapping and loosening. The heel strap is similar to the instep but the heel strap wraps around a hook rather than feeding through a slot. The small metal pins located on the strap help keep the excess strap from flapping and are a great feature. They do take a little work to push through the small holes in the strap but I have never had the strap loosen, come off the pin, or fall off the hook while snowshoeing. The toe binding has a large metal clasp that locks the teeth of the two pieces of plastic webbing together. To size the toe, the clasp is moved into the open position and the straps, once pulled apart, can be adjusted before sliding the clasp back to lock the teeth together. Along the topside of the strap are numbers making it easy to ensure both snowshoes are set to the same size. MSR suggests sizing the straps with the footwear, then moving the strap two sizes smaller for a snug fit. I’ve set it once and I haven’t had to readjust it at all since. All straps are wide and easy to grasp while wearing gloves.

Televator Retracted

Deploying the Televator with Trekking Pole

Televator Deployed

The Lightning Axis are equipped for all terrain conditions with easy to deploy Ergo Televators. A Televator, when in use, is a raised metal bar that the heel rests on when going uphill, making it easier going uphill with the snowshoes. Televators really save the calf muscles on uphill sections. The Ergo Televators, when not in use, lay flat against the decking of the snowshoe and do not interfere with foot placement. MSR’s Ergo Televators have been designed to be easy to deploy. They feature a raised center section that is not only easy to grasp with gloved hands, but is even easier to lift with the handle of a trekking pole for easy on-the-go deployment. Now, I can deploy the Televators on the go, I don’t even need to ask for help. To retract them, I can knock them back with the point of my trekking pole and they snap back down in place.

Modular Flotation	Hook on Snowshoe for Modular Flotation
Detail of Flotation attachment	Flotation attached to Snowshoe

Modular flotation has been one of the greatest features MSR has added to their line-up. The modular flotation adds an additional 5 in. (12.5 cm) of length to the snowshoes, creating better flotation. In fresh powder, the modular flotation gave me the extra flotation I needed to keep going. The modular flotation is sold separately from the snowshoes as a snowshoe accessory. It is easy to pop on and remove while on the go. Each piece is small enough to stow in a pack or hang from the outside of the pack. I actually found that pulling on the flotation is easier done while wearing the snowshoes than trying to pull them on while holding the snowshoes. The modular flotation couples to the back of the snowshoe around a small raised hook with a webbing loop pulled up over the back of the frame to lock the modular flotation in place. They are certainly much easier to remove while wearing the snowshoes. So when I am following a packed trail up to a field of powder, I generally stow the modular flotation until I need it. In really powdery snow and with the modular flotation, I tend to sink down to just above the ankles or even a little more if I am running. The kickback I experience in really powdery snow depends on the modular flotation. Without the flotation, the kickback is about mid-thigh height. With the modular flotation I have had the kickback come up about waist high.

Axis Location

Detail of Axis pull cord stowed

Detail of Axis slot numbers

Snowshoes in use at Donut Falls

While I tend to have a straight gait when it comes to foot placement, the Axis system on the bindings allows the bindings to be rotated either to the left or right. This ensures that the snowshoes track straight causing less interference between each step no matter what direction my feet tend to naturally point. The Axis system only moves the bindings and doesn’t adjust the deck or frame of the Lightning snowshoes. On the binding, where the foot sits, is a small webbing loop that is attached to a pin. Pulling up on the loop disengages the pin allowing the binding to swivel. The pin snaps back down when the binding lines up with a hole underneath. The strap is kept out of the way in a little slot in the binding attaching to a small rubber pin that the end cap of the webbing fits around.

Snowshoes during a trek in Wasatch Mountains

The Lightning Axis have been a breeze to use in all kinds of snow conditions. Utah normally receives nice powdery snow, but this winter we have seen just about everything in a short period of time, from wet packed snow to loose dry powder. On harder packed snow, the 360 degrees of traction proved invaluable in gripping the snow and allowing me to keep my feet under me. The traction grips quite well no matter which way I tackle the slope. I’ve used the Lightning Axis on numerous trails in both the Wasatch and Uinta Mountains. Going uphill I have found that there is noticeably less strain on my feet and legs with the Televators engaged. With the deep powder we have been receiving recently, I have had no issues with flotation whether running or hiking. Given all the use the snowshoes have received they are still in very good condition. The toe crampon shows little sign of wear and the paint on the frame, while showing a few bare spots, is still in excellent condition.

MSR’s Lightning Axis snowshoes with modular flotation are a great snowshoe. No matter the terrain or how deep the powder I have encountered with them, they have kept me afloat and moving forward. The snowshoes are well designed and the design well thought out. They adjust to my natural gait and the Televators, being so easy to deploy, have been a pleasure to use. Overall, I have really enjoyed using the Lightning Axis snowshoes.

Manufacturer	MSR - Mountain Science Research
Sizes	22, 25, and 30 available
Price (MSRP)	size 22 - $239.95 size 25 - $239.95 size 30 - $269.95 Lightning Tails - $49.95
Weight (per pair)	size 22 - 4lb (1.8 kg) size 25 - 4lb 3 oz (1.9 kg) size 30 - 4lb 12 oz (2.2 kg)

This story was originally posted January 13, 2011.