MSR Lightning Axis Snow Shoes

I prefer traveling by skis in the backcountry, but I needed a pair of light, rugged snowshoes for climbs in Alaska with non-skiing partners. The Axis shoes have worked really well in tough backcountry conditions. I tested them thoroughly on climbs of various 13ers and 14ers in Colorado, and they got the job done for me on Mt. Fairweather in Alaska.Once you get used to the buckle system, they are really quite easy to adjust, even in the field. I need to size them for either my regular mountaineering boots or my beefier double boots, depending on conditions, and it's easy and reasonably quick to adjust the buckle accordingly. However, I do feel that a ratchet on the main buckles would have been a better design, making them easier to put on, cinch up, and hold securely -- regardless of the boot -- which is why I give these shoes four stars instead of five.What I like about the Lightning Axis: - easy to strap on (once you get the hang of it), even with mitts - very easy to remove, even with mitts, and in freezing and wet conditions - excellent traction, even while traversing on slopes. The integrated crampons and serrated edges grip hard snow really well. - the versatile 25" size works well on packed snow and trails, while breaking trail in fresh powder, and with a pack - adjusting the main toe strap is easy to do, even in the field, once you understand how it works (though normally you can set it and forget it) - the climbing bar is effective and easy to engage and disengage - they are rugged, but lightWhat I would change: - although the strap system is fairly straightforward, it still takes a bit more effort than I would like to strap in tightly and securely. You definitely need to use the middle strap for a snug fit and secure fitting. I believe a ratcheting buckle system would be even more secure and would make the shoes easier and quicker to put on. It would also be easier to switch between my two very different size boots.Overall, the MSR Lightning Axis is a well-designed shoe that works great in the backcountry.Edit Dec 2013: I've had these shoes two years now after reasonably heavy use (including an ascent of Denali) and just sent one of my shoes in for a repair, as one of the bindings unexpectedly (and intermittently rotates) for no apparent reason, even though the locking pin is engaged. Not sure if this is a design flaw, but will post an update after dealing with Cascade Design / MSR's customer service.Edit Jan 2014: Cascade Designs replaced the binding promptly, with no hassle -- fine customer service!

These snowshoes are very light and similar to the MSR Lightening Ascents. I feel the Axis is better in a couple of ways.First, for casual snowshoeing on relatively flat terrain and gentle slopes, the Axis has two harnesses for securing your boot--the front wide strap near the toe and the back strap that secures the heel. You actually only need to unbuckle the rear one to put these shoes on and off--the fronts you set once and leave it. Easy as pie! Not pictured in the stock picture is a midstrap (included) if you want even more security (similar to the mid-strap of the MSR Lightening Ascents).Secondly, the Axis is so named because the foot position can be adjusted to match your natural walking orientation of your feet. So if you walk with your toes slightly outward, you can adjust the angle so the snow shoes will be parallel to eachother. Neat and it works! It may take some fiddling to find the right angle but once you do, you will find this level of customization to be worth it--really minimizes the shoes banging into each other on occasion from not being parallel when you walk.Lastly, I feel you should go ahead and order the  MSR Lightning 5 inch Snowshoe Tails . I didn't and in 12+" of virgin snow, I was sinking a little too much for my liking and would have liked the added floatation the tails provide.In summary, I would recommend these shoes to beginners on up--I do not hike in difficult terrain so can't speak to their capability in the mountains. But for a little more than the cost of a beginner set of shoes, these snowshoes have excellent performance and appear to be built to last. The customizable features are what sets the Axis apart. Check the size guide. If two sizes have a range that has your weight, I would get the larger of the two to handle deeper snow.

I had some trepidation about purchasing these snowshoes because of some negative feedback about the bindings. Most of the negative reviews seemed to stem from not using the optional but included 3rd strap. I always used the 3rd strap but never could get the binding to fit snug. I tried different boots, different settings on the front toe strap, and lastly different settings on the staps themselves from uncomfortably tight, moderately tight, to just snug. The problem with the binding was that after some moderate walking ,half mile or so, my boots would edge over to the frame of the snowshoe. If I didn't readjust the binding the bottom of my boot would actually be on top of the frame. That positon was uncomfortable to walk and I most certainly didn't want to readjust the binding every half mile or so. Ok so enough about the binding, it sucks, why the 3 star rating instead of a 1? I purchased two sets of these shoes. One for me and the other for my wife. She has no problem with the binding. Her boots stay exactly where they are suppose to be. The decking material is awesome, very durable. The traction on these things in nothing short of spectacular. I was worried about the toe crampon only having two teeth but these shoes really dig into whatever you are climbing. In my opinion the teeth should be stronger. I bent one from stepping on a hidden stone. I have stepped on plenty of hidden stones with other brands of snowshoes without bending the crampon. Just to give a comparison I purchased a set of Tubbs Flex Alp to replace these. Visually it looks like the Tubbs would have similar traction or better but they don't. These MSR's rock for traction. The other thing I noticed was how evenly the shoe would feel in the snow. My ankles didn't twist and I used my poles for support much less with these shoes. I really liked these snowshoes I just couldn't get the binding to properly adjust. I was comtemplating trying the Lighting Ascent but I had a pair of redfeathers with a very similar 4 strap binding which I didn't care for. I'd buy another set of MSR's in a heartbeat IF they come out with a better binding.

他社のに比べて装着・脱着がかなり簡単です。装着が簡単なので外れるのか不安でしたが、まったく問題はありませんでした。雪が深くパウダースノーの場所で使用しましたが浮力も問題ないです。下りで傾斜のかなりキツイ場所でもしっかりグリップしてくれました。重さもさほど気にならないので、満足できました。ただお値段がもう少し安いと嬉しいてすね。スキーより高いので辛い価格でした。

歩きやすいし、ヒールリフターも手袋はいた状態でのセットが簡単です！その点は満足ただ、ビンディングが付けづらいですね。手袋はいた状態では時間がかかってしまうし、手袋とると手が寒くて付けられないし...そこさえ改良していただければ文句なし!!改良されたモデルが出る頃には慣れちゃってるかもしれませんが（笑）

慣れてくると非常に簡単に装着できて雪山で重宝しています。横滑りにはちょっと弱い気がします。

先日、雪山で使ってみました。登山靴では30ｃｍくらい沈むところで快適に歩くことができました。