WHY The MSR EVO ASCENT Are The Best SNOWSHOES!

[@martymorissette]

⭐FREE Winter Camping Gear Checklist ⭐ martymorissette.com/wintergearchecklist

[@swiftypaddler]

You nailed it! Can’t agree more; they have been my go to “climbing” snowshoe for years, taking me up Marcy, Algonquin, Cascade, Big Slide and more in the Adirondacks. The “Televator” lifts are probably the “killer feature” that brings me back to these time & again when going up steep, icy routes. 👍🙂 You know your gear dude!

[@martymorissette]

Thanks Ron! We've probably walked many of the same trails with these snowshoes!!!!

[@hikingwithtoxy3201]

Funny how i had watched this video last year while shopping for snowshoes and did end up buying these and love them!!. Then i got to meet you last weekend... cheers and nice speech!!

[@martymorissette]

Thanks man that’s super kind! Glad we got to cross path!

[@FullaTeeth]

OK, I am going out into the fresh Lake Tahoe snow that finally fell on us last night. Thank you!

[@martymorissette]

Have fun!

[@MTNPANTS]

This review is great! Thank you so much I recently went on a hike in foot deep snow with my usual crampons and it was brutal so much more snow than I usually hike in.

[@martymorissette]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@TheJohnnyBE]

Great, thorough review. As someone with OCWHD (Obsessive Compulsive Winter Hiking Disorder) I always recommend First Timers RENT or borrow snowshoes before they buy. I started out renting the EVO Ascents and hated the bindings. I have a Tailors Bunion on my right foot that never really bothered me until I wore the EVOs because it was right under the most forward strap. I also found the 3 separate straps a PITA when in severe Winter Conditions while switching in and out of spikes or crampons. I currently use Tubbs Flex VRT. I love the comfort and ease of the BOA Bindings, and the crampons and rails, with two extra on the tails, are killer. Some of my hiking buddies have switched from MSR to Tubbs and been happy about it. That said...I also have many who LOVE their MSRs and will never switch! I've seen Lighting Ascents with the new Paragon Bindings but not on the EVOs. I hope to try them this Winter. What I do like about MSR is that you can carry spare straps or bindings in case they get damaged on a hike. Until I switch, I'll carry zip ties and duct tape. ; ) Happy Winter Hiking!

[@martymorissette]

Thanks and yup! very true!

[@manuelramirezmagic]

Thank you! 🙌

[@PaoloFrancesco99]

I'm watching this after finding used military surplus Denali Ascents online for my family (basically the same shoe). They even have the tails. You are confirming the reasons I went with this. And they must be tough and functional if the military use them. And did you say Adirondacks? That's where we'll be. I can't wait to enjoy the beauty of winter. Subscribed.

[@martymorissette]

yup the dacks. If trails aren't broken it's defenitly a lot of work but in the dacks you often get packed trails and it's awseome

[@PaoloFrancesco99]

@@martymorissette Thanks. Speaking of broken-in trails, as a summer 46er I'm curious about your comparison of hiking the peaks in winter on broken trail vs. summer conditions. One friend mentioned that moving over broken-in snow is a benefit of winter compared to some of the nasty summer conditions of the often muddy, rocky, root-bound portions. Of course the cold and weather can be a hazard in winter, but how does snow shoeing the winter peaks with fine to fair weather conditions compare to summer hiking in terms of effort? I'll start slow on other trails and hopefully work my way up to the High Peaks.

[@BackcountryExposure]

Before I got my skis I was considering these. Great info man!

[@martymorissette]

thanks Devin! I did see your skies and you won't regret them at all! Different tool for a different job! I love my skies! as well! It's a great way to travel fast in the winter time! Just depending on the trail you may find snowshoes more interesting then skies...

[@FreakofNature1]

Great gear review Marty, Super thorough!❄☃

[@FreakofNature1]

Super cool how it can go from trail to deeper powder with the detachable tail design!

[@martymorissette]

Thanks my friend! and yes I was skeptical at first and didn't like it the first time around... but last year I used them a lot and they were key!!!!!

[@itsme2927]

Great video! I'll subscribe! I'm on a budget and the evo 22 are in my price range but with little gear I'm over the weight rating. Any advice?

[@martymorissette]

I am as well for mine… but these snow shoes are for well traveled trails. Not to cross massive fields

[@itsme2927]

Wow, Thank you for the quick reply!! Much appreciated! How would you describe a massive a field?

[@martymorissette]

Well if you have deep unbroken snow and you are mainly traveling across flat terrain that’s not the best snowshoe. These are mountain snow shoes to climb

[@itsme2927]

Gotcha thanks!

[@mm-hw1ms]

Except for the fact that the straps crack and fall apart easy as they freeze, dry out and become brittle. They should have used leather or some other more durable material for the price of these shoes.

[@martymorissette]

that is a fair point but it did take 3-4 seasons for the first strat to break and I just bought now ones....

[@PatriciaLogan-m4v]

How much

[@UnlikelyHiker]

I use the lightening ascent. They are great, but heavier. I’ve been considering the Evo Ascent. I hike in the Adirondacks and these snowshoes are absolute key. I didn’t know you hiked around here. Such an incredible area isn’t it?

[@martymorissette]

Yeah for the DAKS honestly they are absolutely amazing! and yes when the borders are open and I can easily go to the USA without needing to take a 200$ test.... I try to go as much as I can. I have old videos of me on the great range... they are terrible videos lol but I have proof! haha

[@bengrenon01]

excellent review!

[@martymorissette]

Thanks!

[@doudoulebowski5467]

Hi! Thank you dude! It's ok for snowboard shoes?

[@martymorissette]

You would have to test them

[@doudoulebowski5467]

@@martymorissette👌🏽

[@joshuamoore1091]

Hey friend, thanks a bunch for sharing this video. I've been highly confused on what I need out of a snow shoe and I think this video helped me decide. So I have one question, I'll be packing out at about 250/260lbs, what size is would you recommend?

[@martymorissette]

It depends what you will do… if you are planning on crossing open fields get the hood aboriginal style snow shoes or something massive! If you are going to travel on established trails and climbing peaks with them then the msr are great! I walk around at 230 to 250 depending on the expedition with my show shoes and they do what I need them to do. But I would never cross massive lakes with them with a pack on my back

[@cmcg1190]

Awesome... The most helpful review I've seen- and I've seen a lot :). One question, how are descents with these?

[@martymorissette]

Thanks Chris! Like anything else with agressive crampons you want to be carefull. I don't like going down with the tails... I find the extra length is really challenging... but I get around pretty well.

[@cmcg1190]

@@martymorissette Gracias amigo

[@loganpowell724]

I’m new to snowshoeing, when I’m picking out the size of my snowshoes for my weight, should I add about 40 pounds to account for my backpack? Or is that not necessary?

[@martymorissette]

Yes if you plan on crossing deep deep snow if you plan to hike on established trails not as important

[@duper1025]

Just bought these, a lot to do with your review, love them and agree with everything you said! Some people don’t care but I do… Point #6: these are not made in China! Made in the US!!!

[@martymorissette]

Glad I could be of help!!! :)

[@duper1025]

@@martymorissette I took them out to a local hill and engaged the ‘heel elevator’ wow!!! I live in Canada very close to the Gatineau Park and will be putting some kilometres on these. Also looking forward to going to Lake Placid and hiking Mt. Marcy. Thanks for the info on these MSRs Marty!!

[@martymorissette]

@@duper1025 yeah the gat hills are my training ground as well! I climbed Marcy in January 18 years ago with these exact snow shoes! They didn't have the elevators then though..... It's a real game changer!

[@shawnr6117]

I looked at them on MEC and their weight rating is too low for me, without a backpack full of gear. Not to mention that the price is almost 2 1/2 times what I paid for the whole kit that I bought this year

[@martymorissette]

like I said, I walk around at around 220 - 230 pounds with my pack and I think they work beautifully! You do pay quite a bit for them... but considering I've been rocking mine for over 14 -15 years... I think it's a well worth investment. Performance and Quality is pricy!! :)

[@TaCtiCaL323]

​@martymorissette You've been using this particular snowshoe for that long? Thats impressive and says alot actually.

[@tonedeafsinger3936]

Great if you have 2" of snow.

[@martymorissette]

you would be suprised!

[@tonedeafsinger3936]

@@martymorissette I mean, we have 60" of loose snow. Most of the "fast shoes" just sink 10+".

[@martymorissette]

@@tonedeafsinger3936 yup I’m this case that’s not the snowshoe you want lol you will want to go with the classics webbed ones!!

[@tonedeafsinger3936]

@@martymorissette What would you recommend?

[@martymorissette]

@@tonedeafsinger3936 if you actually have that much fluff snow and you are just trying to cross fields and open lakes… go with traditional snowshoes!

[@RS-hj7ow]

ive used them for 15 years, and i can assure you they are fare fare fare from the best, those straps are the biggest pain in the dick when it cold. oh.... snap that all winter use with them, the straps are hard as fuck and really shitty to deal with, check our the tubbs, they are the cats ass

[@martymorissette]

The straps do get stiff at -30 but it’s never been hard enough for me to complain about it I guess 😂 I have yet to try a modern version of the Tubbs but for having looked at them I’m sure they are just as great!

[@BackcountryForward]

Firstly, I'm jealous of your property! Dang it's beautiful there. This review was SUPER helpful! I've always been one to buy lower tier snowshoes and use them till they busted... but you've convinced me to upgrade. Great video man, and a solid edit! Keep Moving Forward

[@martymorissette]

Yeah man, these will be the last pair you buy for sure! I am pretty lucky out here... Can't really complain!

[@octaviusmigtonius2965]

I tried both the evo ascent and lightning ascent, and I prefer the evo ascent.

[@martymorissette]

Same!