MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoes Earn Design Distinction Award

Seattle-based manufacturer of snow shoes and backcountry gear, Mountain Safety Research, has been awarded a Design Distinction award in the consumer products category in I.D. Magazine’s 2005 Annual Design Review for its MSR Lightning Ascent snowshoes. The award will be featured in the magazine’s July/August 2005 issue.

The I.D. Magazine Annual Design review is one of the largest and most prestigious juried design-recognition programs in the United States. The Design Review showcases the best American and international designs in Consumer Product sectors including Equipment, Furniture, Environments, Graphics, Packaging, Concepts and Student Projects.

Cascade Designs (parent company of MSR) winter sports product specialist, Bill Forrest, stated “Innovation is what makes us come to work every day. We’re honored to receive this award, which validates the years of dedicated work that went into designing the next generation of snowshoes.”

The MSR Lightning Ascent snowshoe took an innovative approach to frame design. The patent-pending design features an unparalleled 360-degree traction that is able to reduce over a half pound of weight off the average adventure and backcountry snowshoe. Available in both men's and women's versions, the MSR Lightning Ascent enables men and women to make snowshoeing more comfortable and natural.

Besides snow shoes, the MSR product line includes camping stoves, water filters and purifiers, cookware, tents, climbing gear, camping towels, fuel and related accessories.