MSR Women's Lightning Explore

MSR Women's Lightning Explore Snowshoes

A lightweight, technically capable women's snowshoe engineered for a narrow gait with 360-degree aluminum traction, Ergo Televators, and a tapered deck that moves naturally with a woman's stride. The Lightning Explore is the lighter, quieter counterpart to the Revo Explore for women who want ultralight performance and agility on variable terrain without giving up serious traction or uphill efficiency.

Why We Carry It
It's the women's snowshoe we recommend for active winter hikers who want the lightest, most agile technically capable pair in the MSR lineup with a women's-specific narrow gait design for long days on variable terrain.

Highlights

• 7075-T6 aluminum 360-degree traction frame with Pivot crampons — Aerospace-grade aluminum traction coverage on all sides of the snowshoe for reliable grip on traverses, icy conditions, and variable terrain both on and off trail. Lighter than the Revo Explore's steel frame without sacrificing the traction coverage needed for challenging conditions.
• Tapered deck at 7.25-inch width for narrow gait agility — A slimmer deck than the men's Lightning Explore at 7.25 inches versus 8 inches for a more natural stride and reduced hip fatigue on long days. More agile movement on variable terrain for women and narrow-gaited hikers.
• TPU-coated nylon deck — A lightweight, quiet deck material that reduces overall snowshoe weight without sacrificing the flex and durability needed for variable terrain. Noticeably lighter and quieter on packed snow than polypropylene alternatives.
• Women's Paradigm binding with straps sized for smaller footwear — A women's-specific binding with stretch mesh that cradles the foot for a pressure-point-free hold across women's footwear sizes 5 to 12. Durable, comfortable, and field-repairable with straps proportioned for smaller boots.
• Ergo Televator heel lifts — A pole-activated heel lift system that engages with a flick of a pole grip without bending down or removing gloves. Reduces calf fatigue and increases traction on sustained steep ascents by keeping the foot in a more natural position.
• Modular flotation tail attachment points — Ready to accept 5-inch MSR flotation tails sold separately for on-demand flotation in deep powder and heavier pack loads. Expands the Lightning Explore's range into more demanding backcountry conditions.
• Two sizes for different load ranges — 22-inch for loads up to 180 lbs and 25-inch for 120 to 210 lbs. Choose based on your body weight and typical pack load for optimal flotation and traction.
• Made in USA from US and imported materials — Domestic manufacturing backed by MSR's quality standards.

Best For

Active women winter hikers and snowshoers who want the lightest, most agile technically capable snowshoe in the MSR lineup with a narrow gait design, 360-degree aluminum traction, and uphill efficiency for variable terrain and challenging winter conditions.

Specs

Frame: 7075-T6 Aluminum
Deck: TPU-coated Nylon
Binding: Women's Paradigm stretch mesh
Footwear Range: Women's 5-12
Gait: Women's narrow
Tail Compatible: Yes (5-inch tails sold separately)
Origin: Made in USA