Re: What to look for when you buy snowshoes

Look at the back end of the first snowshoe shown on that link. See how the frame comes around and meets squarely in the back? That is going to drag in the snow. Try to find a pair where the frame ends like these: http://www.rei.com/product/807212 They'll have less drag and help keep your feet going straight.

Uh... I have the MSR Lightning 22".
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE them.
Looks like MSR only makes the ascent now.... which personally
I think is not needed (I've gone up lots o STEEP stuff w/ non-ascent).
Perhaps it helps but I'll take the lightest shoe.

Find the LIGHTEST shoe you can that carries the weight you need.
I'm 155 lbs. and I still went with the 22". Worked great for me
in all kinds of snow conditions...

Have fun

I can second the 22" MSR Lightnings! .... Just check the peektures:

http://picasaweb.google.com/catburro/StarrKing#
http://picasaweb.google.com/yosemite.chick.on/StarrKing#

We had an overnight storm fall on us so we walked out on fresh powder up to our knees. Shoes worked great. So we sank 3 extra inches- I was happy to take that over the extra weight of larger shoes.

Now equiped with new poofy pants thanks to a pre-Santa fund- ready to tackle this year on the shoes.