This morning, many of us woke up to yet another dumping of snow—and that’s a good thing! Instead of longing for spring or hiding indoors we’re celebrating with one last winter-loving, gear-reviewing snowshoe adventure. This time we’re floating atop deep snow on a pair of purple MSR Revo Ascent Women’s Snowshoes from the masters of outdoor gear, LiveOutThere. Built light and lean for the experiences and aspiring outdoorswomen, these snowshoes were put to an hours long trail test under a warm winter sun. Let’s get trekking!
MSR Revo Ascent Women’s Snowshoes
Made by leading snowshoe and outdoor gear makers, MSR, the Women’s Revo Ascent boasts ultimate grip and durability all packed into a low-profile design. This is achieved via MSR’s ExoTract™ deck featuring a frame of flexible serrated teeth. The deck’s choppy and grippy shape is designed to provide comfort, stability, and traction on ice or snow and across elevations.
The light-weight metal frame houses durable, injection-molded plastic foot bed, and a reinforced toe ready to stand up to stomps, torsion, and even accidental kick contact with rocks or trees.
For extra lift and support during steep climbs, MSR has added the Ergo™ Televator heel-lifts at the rear of the frame. Easily flipped up with a hand or pole, the Televator gives snowshoers break from gravity by reducing the climb angle of their feet and positioning them to save energy while attacking a difficult hill.
What Makes Them Female Friendly?
A triple strap binding in the front known as the Posilock™ system features three adjustable urethane straps designed to comfortably fit small and/or narrow feet. MSR has also designed these snowshoes with an overall narrower footprint to allow for easy strides and to limit awkward gate manoeuvring around a bulky frame.
The Test: Through the Valley and Over the Mountain
If you haven’t tried snowshoeing, here’s what to expect: a peaceful yet athletic float over gorgeous nature trails draped in picturesque snow. For our Revo Ascent test we hiked through woods of Gatineau Park. Our test takes place days after a whopping 50cms of snow is dumped atop the 160cm already lining the ground. In other words, conditions are perfect!
The hike is a winding trail across deep snowy fields, through winding wooded trails, and over slippery hills.
What We Loved
The Revo Ascents are a grab-and-go kind of snowshoe. Within minutes of arriving at the trail, we were strapped in and on our way. The flexible and rubbery three strap Posilock™ bindings are easy to manipulate with a gloved hand and didn’t freeze or unsnap during the hike.
The ride and fit were comfortable making it easy to glide over snow with zero adjustments or foot pain. The stayed secure gave excellent traction even when running and allowed us to move easily over deep snow during an off the trail interlude.
While the toothy frame was enough to hold us on the uphill, it was the Steel Torsion2™split teeth crampon that saved the day on the down hills. This big red bucktooth crampon bit into snow and ice to give stability and prevent sliding down steep slopes– a great feature for beginners.
If We Could Change One Thing
While thePosilock™ bindings in the front are designed to ensure a secure and reliable fit for smaller feet, the triple strap design swallows up short feet. The system is terrific at providing personalized fit and comfort for average and especially long, feet but could leave smaller snowshoers fussing with a flapping front strap on the trail.
Rating
4.5/5. The MSR Revo Ascents provided lightweight comfort and easy movement over varying conditions and elevations. Aspiring and experienced snowshoers looking for a deal on the these or any other outdoor gear and apparel can get 10% off when they sign up for a handy lifetime membership with LiveOutThere.com.
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