If choosing the right snowshoe has seemed a bit daunting in the past, things just got a lot easier with the updated MSR Explore series of snowshoes. Thanks to the all-new Paradigm binding, the Explore series hits the sweet spot for most users, delivering comfort, reliability and performance for intermediate to advanced snowshoers. Let’s take a look at how the Paradigm binding, when paired with one of our three frame options, can offer the ideal performance characteristics for such a wide swath of snowshoers.

What Hasn’t Changed: MSR Snowshoe Decks & Frames

The first thing you should notice when shopping for MSR snowshoes is that each series of snowshoes (Trail, Explore and Ascent) is built with a unique binding. Within each series, that binding is matched with three deck/frame options–the Evo™, Revo™, and Lighting™–each offering specific performance characteristics.

Evo™ Deck

The Evo deck represents the latest evolution of where it all began for MSR snowshoes in 1995. This injection-molded deck revolutionized snowshoeing by allowing traction to be molded directly into the deck and long traction rails to be mounted along the length of the snowshoe. These delivered the most traction of any snowshoe built to date, changing expectations of traction forever. Though they’ve “evo”-lved for better ergonomics and increased durability, the essential design still has holding power almost thirty years later. They remain a fabulous and economical choice for both new users and those who are hard on their gear.

Revo™ Hybrid Deck/Frame

The Revo takes things up a notch in performance from our entry-level Evo™ snowshoe decks, offering a hybrid deck/frame construction. Built on the base of the injection-molded Evo deck, it moves the vertical steel traction rails to the edge of the deck, delivering superior traction in challenging situations like side-hilling, and steeper, more varied terrain. They’re also a bit lighter overall, which makes them better suited to longer, overnight and all-day snowshoeing trips. They’re ideal for newer to intermediate users who want a snowshoe they can grow into, or for people who need more performance and prefer this style deck.

Lightning 360° Traction™ Frame

The pinnacle of MSR frame design is the Lightning 360° traction frame. It creates our lightest and most aggressive snowshoes, delivering a full 360 degrees of traction on the outermost edge of the snowshoe. Forged from a laser-cut piece of aircraft-grade aluminum, this perimeter of traction is the first thing to touch the ground with every step. It bites into snow and icy crusts across any type of terrain–something you’ll instantly appreciate after using snowshoes with round tubes for edges. The Lightning frame was the second giant leap in snowshoe design by MSR, and they remain the top choice of polar explorers, mountaineers and long-distance snowshoers.

The Revo and Lightning frame options in the Explore series also include our Televator™ heel lifts. The Televator bars can be lifted with the handle of your snowshoeing pole and bring your heel closer to a neutral position on steep terrain. It’s an absolute thigh and calf-saver on steady climbs and simply folds out of the way when not needed. Optional modular flotation tails, available for all frame options, make deciding on the right snowshoe length easier (hint: size down and get a pair of tails), allowing your snowshoes to adapt on the spot to the conditions you find.

As you might have noticed, we talk about a wide range of performance conditions for each of these decks. This is where pairing them with the right binding comes into play. So, let’s take a look at why matching them with the new Paradigm binding in the Explore Series of snowshoes delivers a range of performance that works for so many snowshoers.

What’s New: The Paradigm™ Binding

If the frame or deck of a snowshoe is like the tires you put on your car, then the binding is like the suspension and steering systems that control the tires and the second step in choosing the right snowshoe. Some bindings, like the Paraglide™ bindings in our Trail Series, are tuned for comfort and easier, more predictable driving (mellow terrain), while others are tuned for more aggressive control (steep climbs and unpredictable snow conditions), like the Paragon™ bindings in our Ascent Series.

The Paradigm binding, then, is the happy place in between. We’ve carved out a place between our least and most aggressive bindings to create one that delivers all-day comfort, plenty of stability and control, and excellent traction without excess weight or complexity. The result is a binding that really hits that sweet spot of performance for most people with the following benefits:

Comfort

Whether you’re kicking steps up a steep mountain slope or walking groomed trails at the local Nordic area, comfort is key to any snowshoe outing. That’s why we brought our stretch mesh forefoot into the Paradigm binding. It’s been in our other bindings for years, proving itself to effectively distribute pressure over the surface of a wide range of footwear, delivering all-day comfort regardless of how or where you snowshoe.

Control

Similar to our most aggressive Paragon binding, the Paradigm snowshoe binding offers three points of adjustment for maximum control. One on each side of the stretch mesh offers optimal security and adjustment, and a dedicated heel strap firmly secures your foot within the binding platform, with boots up to size 13 (Men’s U.S.).

Ease of Use

Here, we took cues from the user-friendliness of our Paraglide snowshoe binding, incorporating the same intuitive and reliable roller-cam buckles found in our Trail Series. With easy-to-grab loops on the ends of each strap, adjustment is just a firm tug, and push-button release keeps getting in and out of your shoes fast and easy in any conditions.

Traction

A two-point crampon under the binding’s toe complements the traction of your chosen deck. Its hard-wearing Martensite steel provides more bite into hard snow and crust than the broader crampon found in the Trail Series, but its teeth are shorter and afford easier walking than the more aggressive ones found in the Ascent Series.

Reliability

Being built to last is an MSR design principle that’s in our DNA. However, advanced and intermediate snowshoers demand a binding that is field-maintainable so they can address worn-out parts days away from the trailhead. The Paradigm’s adjustment straps attach by threading them through a buckle, instead of being riveted directly to the binding. This allows a quick and easy fix for one of the most common wear points on a snowshoe.

In a Nutshell: A Very Broad Appeal

The Explore Series of snowshoes is the real “quiver of one” when it comes to performance. If you are spending most of your time on steep terrain in the mountains or maybe only take a few strolls a year on established trails, then the Ascent and Trail Series (respectively) could be your cup of tea. However, if you dabble in it all, or are looking for a snowshoe that you can grow with as your adventures evolve, then the Explore Series is very worthy of your attention. Just choose the frame that leans in the direction you prefer, and you’ll have many great winters of adventures to look forward to.

For more information, check out or comprehensive guide to all MSR snowshoes.

Related Posts:

• How to Choose the Right Snowshoes
• Perfecting Binding Fit