cjain Posted May 13, 2003 Share Posted May 13, 2003 After slipping & sliding with my old, heavy Sherpas last weekend, I've decided its time to upgrade. Currently I'm leaning toward the MSR Denali snowshoes & trying to decide between the "Classic" and Ascent" models. Looking at the MSR web site, the only features that the Ascent has that the Classic does not are the (1) heel-lifting device for climbing slopes and (2) "sabre teeth" on the traction bars. The Ascents will run me approx. $160 while I can get the Classics for approx. $80. So... I'm curious to know how useful the extra features are so I can decide whether they're worth paying twice the price for? Has anyone noticed a big difference in performance betwen the Ascents and the Classics? Thanks, Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allison Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 Yep, you want the Ascents. If you can hold off, you will either be able to get the current Ascents on close out or get the new new ones next winter. I've seen them, used them, and they are even better than the new Ascents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 Personally, I went with, and I'd still go with, the classics. Do you really need the extra traction? The classics seam to me to have plenty of grip. This past winter I finally bought a pair (of classics) to replace my old Sherpas. I decided on the classics not only because they were cheaper, but because they are lighter too. I think that the ascents are silly - if you come out with a new snowshoe that has more traction people will automatically assume they need more traction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allison Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 I own a pair of the Classics, and am testing the new Ascents. Having used them both this season, I vastly preferred the Ascents. The lifters really help with fatigue on steep ups, for one thing. The new Ascents are much narrower so your stride is more natural, for another. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b-rock Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 I have the Ascents and I think the 'teeth' are silly, but the heal lifters are nice. Not worth the $80 diference though. But really, just go with skiis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshK Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 Colin said: Personally, I went with, and I'd still go with, the classics. Do you really need the extra traction? The classics seam to me to have plenty of grip. This past winter I finally bought a pair (of classics) to replace my old Sherpas. I decided on the classics not only because they were cheaper, but because they are lighter too. I think that the ascents are silly - if you come out with a new snowshoe that has more traction people will automatically assume they need more traction. I do have to admit, tho, as much as I thought the ascents were crap at first, that the heel lifter bar is pretty nice for long moderate uphill climbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjain Posted May 14, 2003 Author Share Posted May 14, 2003 Allison, just to confirm, the version of the Ascents that you are testing is not currently available for sale, correct? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
To_The_Top Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 One thing that I have noticed with my classics is the rivets have popped out in the front holes connecting the plastic with the teeth in the past, and have required a repair. I recommend zip ties in your bag of tricks, along with duct tape or other useful gear first aid stuff. It seems that the people I have gone with the ascents use less energy on inclines than I do with my classics, but for $80 more I almost wonder if there is another way to get a heel rise for going up inclines, which seem to transfer the floatation over the shoes more efficiently. TTT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allison Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 No the ones I have are coming out in Winter '04. Having said that, the current Ascents are better than the Classics, and they are going to get more better next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toast Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 I've had a set of classics for three seasons now and am quite happy with them. I was envious of the ascents at first, but like Colin, I don't think I really need all that the ascents are cracked up to be. The classic crampon teeth have proved sufficient for me so far. The elevator thingies would be nice on occasion, but then if the snow is firm enough for that to matter, I would prob be walking anyways. Besides, they're kinda cumbersome to flicke the things down and they're a pain to walk in on slight declines with the things up. If you really really want this feature, you could shell out $20 for the BD or G3 heel lifter kits. Just my $0.02. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursa_Eagle Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 I spent the extra cash on the Ascents this past winter and I have never regretted it. The heel lifters are definately worth the extra money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EastCoastBastard Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 I've got a pair of the Ascents and, like a bunch of other people, think that the "sabreteeth" are not terribly useful. I actually had a "tooth" fall off and I didn't notice any difference between snowshoes. The lift things are nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin_Ristau Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 I have the classics, and they have great traction. For a small difference in price, I would probably get the ascents, but not at double the price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rodchester Posted May 14, 2003 Share Posted May 14, 2003 I have the Ascents...happy with them. I'd wait to see if they go "on-sale" now that the season is ending and the line will be changed for next year. I'd bet you'll see some go on sale. Good luck... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleblebleb Posted May 16, 2003 Share Posted May 16, 2003 They're flinging snow shoes for crying out loud. Put em on, attempt to space out completely until you're there, take em off, do something interesting. Alternatively, put em on your pack while doing something interesting. If you pay $80 for pair of heel lifters then I have various stuff to sell you at exorbitant prices. Or, for $80 I'll teach you how to rig your crampons onto the tails of your Denali classics for an impromptu heel lifter at no extra weight, without duct tape or anything other than the crampon straps. If it's a long enough an incline for heel lifters to really make a difference, then spending a couple of minutes tying down your crampons doesn't take too long. All those holes on those snowshoes are way handy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plexus Posted May 23, 2003 Share Posted May 23, 2003 Go with the Ascents. The lifter really is a god send on prolonged steep slopes (think over 1K of 45+ degrees). I got my pair at Second Ascent, as a demo pair they were $90, two small scratches on them when I bought them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lummox Posted May 23, 2003 Share Posted May 23, 2003 i got pink and blue fuzz in my navel. where does this stuff come from? is blue better than pink? o wait. the query was for some other kina navel gazing. snowshoes right? get the ones at the fucking garage sale for $10. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catbirdseat Posted May 23, 2003 Share Posted May 23, 2003 To_The_Top said: One thing that I have noticed with my classics is the rivets have popped out in the front holes connecting the plastic with the teeth in the past, and have required a repair Better yet, bring along a stainless steel, 1" #12 machine screw with a washer and an aircraft nut, or drill out the front rivets and replace them now so they won't break on you, as they did on me. I broke the two front rivets on both snowshoes on the same scramble up Lookout Peak with klenke. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
North_by_Northwest Posted May 24, 2003 Share Posted May 24, 2003 I've had the Ascents for awhile and I like the extra features. I wouldn't pay the $80 price difference for them if I had to do it all over again though. Spend your $bLiNg$ on the removable flotation tails instead, they are more useful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjain Posted October 17, 2003 Author Share Posted October 17, 2003 allison said: Yep, you want the Ascents. If you can hold off, you will either be able to get the current Ascents on close out or get the new new ones next winter. I've seen them, used them, and they are even better than the new Ascents. So... I guess these are the new ascents: http://www.msrcorp.com/snow/denali_evo_ascent.asp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catbirdseat Posted October 17, 2003 Share Posted October 17, 2003 The only difference between the Denali Evo and the Ascents is in the binding and the price- $40 more. I wrote them an e-mail a year ago telling them the Ascents should be beefed up some, but they use all the same basic parts as the Classic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue_morph Posted October 17, 2003 Share Posted October 17, 2003 The classics are fine unless you like to spend more money. If they came out with an Eddie Bauer edition of these snowshoes people would eat em up, but it doesn't make em better. I've seen the heel things blow out on the Ascents anyway. More parts to break or fail is a bad thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boatskiclimbsail Posted October 17, 2003 Share Posted October 17, 2003 In my experience running a college outdoor program and from what other guides in the area I came from have also found, the really really problematic part is the clevis pins that attach the binding to the shoe frame. They for some convoluted reason use an aluminum pin, which after 2 or 3 years of rental use, shears because two stainless plates have been rubbing a groove into it and it becomes a toothpick in the middle. I would sugest heading to your local marine shop and getting 4 stainless clevis pins to replace the aluminum ones for about $3 and maybe an ounce. Both the classic and the ascent have the same problem, both otherwise work fine. I like the heel lifter in the ascent. It's not worth $80 but you can't get it any cheaper. They are all over the place used for cheaper than new classics anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scot'teryx Posted October 17, 2003 Share Posted October 17, 2003 in regards to the rivets pulling out..... I broke mine last year before I found the joys of AT. Anyway, MSR replaced the entire piece for free. They guarantee their products. Just make sure to always carry duct tape... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marylou Posted October 17, 2003 Share Posted October 17, 2003 CBS, you sure about that? Looks like they've been largely redesigned to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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