I love winter time snow adventures. Using a pair of snowshoes you can get in to places that are inaccessible in the summer and otherwise impassable in the winter. And really it is just super fun. After years of use on my old snowshoes I wanted to try something new. The MSR Revo Ascent Snowshoes are about as advanced as snowshoes can be. Eschewing the traditional bent tubing and fabric for molded plastic and steel teeth. These changes make a more rigid and reliable snowshoe.
To start off lets talk about the binding, what is in my opinion the most important part of the snowshoe. MSR has been using their own rubber strap style binding for years and this is my first snowshoe using that style binding.
The MSR Revo Ascent has 4 straps to adjust that can fit any style boot from running shoes all the way through insulated Baffin Shackleton pack boots.
My decade old set of snowshoes had a ratcheting binding which I really liked. I was skeptical to say the least with a rubber strap. I mean, how could this work? And how would it work with mittens on? I’m happy to say I was blown away with how easy these were to put on while wearing gloves or mittens. My foot never popped out and I could take them on and off with big mitts on.
The only slight nit to pick with the binding was the tails would pop out of the keeper every once and a while. That didn’t affect the performance I just noticed it. But they kept my foot in place with a variety of boots from hiking boots to huge Baffin boots.
The traction on the MSR Revo Ascent is amazing. The main cleat bites in hard snow and the ridges on the deck dig in on the climbs. The aggressive teeth of the sides of the Revo Ascent are great when on off camber trails.
I really like these snow shoes, light weight, no balled up snow in the cleats and an easy to use binding. MSR also makes these in the USA along with a good deal of other goods like Thermarest pads and Platypus bottles. If you are looking at snow shoes that can fit any boots and work for on trail, off trail and mountaineering pick up the Revo Ascent from MSR.
MSR says: http://www.cascadedesigns.com/msr/snowshoes/ascent-snowshoes/revo-ascent-snowshoes/product
- External Traction: Aggressive perimeter teeth of ExoTract deck provide advanced traction, especially on traverses, while split teeth of Torsion2™ crampons better distribute forces for more continuous contact in harsh conditions.
- Durable: Injection-molded plastic deck withstands abusive conditions, plus adds unique torsional flex for a deep purchase.
- Ultimate Foot Security: Two-piece, independently conforming PosiLock AT bindings create our most secure, freeze-resistant attachment, regardless of footwear.
- All-Condition Adaptability: Add-on Modular Flotation tails allow you the maneuverability of a smaller, primary snowshoe with the added, on-demand flotation of optional, 5-inch (13-cm) tails.
- Uphill Efficiency: Ergo Televators reduce fatigue and increase traction on the steeps with an ergonomic design that engages with a flick of a pole grip.