MSR Entry 2 Tent Evaluation

Backside Line

The MSR Entry 2 excels in shoulder-season and lightweight winter circumstances, making it a dependable choice for ski touring and backpacking. At simply over 4 kilos, it balances sturdiness and portability, with highlights like two roomy vestibules for gear storage and a shiny purple shade that’s straightforward to identify in poor visibility. Its freestanding design and steep partitions present nice stability in wind and snow, and the easy setup makes it a reliable choice for unpredictable alpine circumstances.

That mentioned, it has its quirks. Air flow is restricted, resulting in condensation in humid or delicate climate, and the inner pockets are too small for bigger objects. Taller customers might also discover the sloped sidewalls a bit cramped on the toes. Whereas not strong sufficient for excessive winter circumstances above treeline, the Entry 2 is extra sturdy than most three-season backpacking tents and handles below-treeline winter use with ease. For related choices, take a look at our information to one of the best four-season tents.

For extra choices, take a look at our information to one of the best four-season tents.

How We Examined

We examined the MSR Entry 2  over a number of months in Colorado’s mountains and foothills, specializing in the shoulder season circumstances the place this tent really excels. Early winter in Colorado is notoriously unpredictable, giving us a mixture of basic sunny bluebird days and frigid, windy nights. Alongside the best way, we additionally endured a couple of average snowstorms, permitting us to totally consider the Entry 2’s efficiency in chilly and blustery climate.

Consolation

The MSR Entry 2 hits a pleasant stability between consolation and performance for a light-weight three-and-a-half to four-season tent. With 29 sq. toes of inside area and two 17-square-foot vestibules, there’s sufficient room for 2 folks to sleep with out feeling squished. We favored the steep sidewalls—they make sitting up and transferring round simpler, particularly when coping with cumbersome winter gear. The twin doorways and vestibules are a giant plus, letting every camper have their very own entry and kit stash, so that you’re not continually climbing over one another.

That mentioned, it’s not good. The sidewalls slope inward on the backside, which may really feel a bit cramped for taller of us, particularly across the toes. The inside storage pockets work tremendous for small stuff like headlamps however fall brief for bulkier objects like gloves or socks. On longer journeys, the shortage of bigger storage choices may depart you wishing for a bit extra group.

Weight & Packed Dimension

At 4 kilos, 1 ounce, the MSR Entry 2 is fairly gentle for a double-wall, four-season tent. It’s versatile sufficient for backcountry snowboarding, peak bagging, and longer backpacking journeys with out feeling like a burden. Certain, it’s not ultralight, however it’s gentle sufficient for many adventures.

The packability can be a win. This tent matches neatly into most backpacks, leaving loads of room for the remainder of your gear. In contrast to cumbersome expedition-style tents, the Entry 2 packs right down to a measurement that’s straightforward to handle and carry.

Climate Resistance

The Entry 2 is constructed for chilly and snowy circumstances, making it a strong alternative for shoulder seasons and delicate winter adventures. Its sturdy pole construction and steep partitions deal with snow and wind effectively, and through testing, it held sturdy in average gusts and uneven terrain. The 20D ripstop nylon rainfly with a DWR end does an excellent job conserving issues dry in gentle snow or rain, although it’s not bulletproof in wetter circumstances.

We did discover a couple of downsides. Air flow is respectable for a four-season tent however nonetheless led to some condensation, particularly in hotter temps. It’s higher than single-wall tents however not as ethereal as a typical three-season choice. Throughout one multi-day check pitched on melting snow, some seepage got here via the ground—this might’ve been prevented with a footprint (bought individually). The Easton Syclone poles deal with wind effectively, however above 40 mph, they’ll bend until the tent is totally guyed out, which requires further stakes and man strains you’ll want to purchase individually.

General, the Entry 2 performs effectively within the chilly, dry circumstances it’s meant for, with a couple of quirks to bear in mind for tougher climate.

Ease of Setup

Establishing the MSR Entry 2 is straightforward and fairly intuitive. The pole construction may take a minute to determine in your first strive, however after that, it’s easy crusing. The poles come totally related with a hub system close to the top and foot and a rotating hub for the middle cross pole. The tent physique clips onto the poles, so there’s no want for fussy pole sleeves. The rainfly goes on simply, and the MSR Groundhog stakes work nice in grime. For snow, although, you’ll wish to seize some snow-specific stakes like MSR Blizzard stakes.

Throughout testing, we discovered the setup fast—even with gloves on—however attaching the rainfly grommets to the pole ends was a little bit difficult in freezing temps. Whereas the included stakes don’t carry out effectively in gentle snow, utilizing skis or different gear as anchors labored like a allure.

Sturdiness

MSR has a strong rep for making powerful tents, and we had excessive hopes for the Entry 2—and it largely delivered. The rainfly and tent physique are produced from light-weight 20D ripstop nylon with a DWR coating, whereas the 30D nylon flooring has a Durashield remedy for further sturdiness. These supplies held up effectively throughout testing at snowy basecamps and rocky campsites in Colorado. That mentioned, we did run into one difficulty: after a couple of days pitched on snow in average to excessive winds, we seen a small tear within the rainfly the place it rested on a pole. We’re unsure what brought on it, however it’s price keeping track of.

The Easton Syclone poles are designed to bend underneath heavy snow and wind masses as a substitute of snapping. They labored effectively for us, however opinions on-line appear blended.

General, the Entry 2 feels sturdy for a way light-weight it’s, however utilizing a footprint (bought individually) is a great transfer to guard the ground on tough or moist floor. Like every ultralight tent, dealing with it with care will assist it last more.

Versatility

The MSR Entry 2 does an important job in particular circumstances however isn’t probably the most versatile tent on the market. It’s designed for shoulder-season and lightweight winter use, making it an important choose for ski touring, cold-weather backpacking, and below-treeline mountaineering. Its double-wall building and semi-freestanding design strike a pleasant stability between climate safety and portability, giving it an edge over heavier expedition-style tents.

That mentioned, it’s not your best option for heat or moist climates. Air flow is restricted, so that you’ll doubtless cope with condensation in humid circumstances. In the event you’re heading someplace with a lot of rain or excessive climate, you’d need a sturdier single-wall tent with stronger poles. Whereas the Entry 2 is roomy sufficient for 2 in chilly climate, its smaller inside and vestibules can really feel tight on gear-heavy journeys or longer adventures.

In colder, drier circumstances and for shorter alpine journeys, the Entry 2 delivers. However when you’re searching for a tent that handles heat climate or prolonged basecamps, there are higher choices on the market.

Ought to You Purchase the MSR Entry 2?

This tent walks the road between a conventional three-season backpacking tent and a real four-season winter shelter, performing effectively in some areas however falling brief in others.

The MSR Entry 2 performs finest in shoulder season and delicate to average winter circumstances. It’s a wonderful choice for colder backpacking journeys or ski touring beneath treeline. Whereas it carries a four-season designation, it’s not an expedition tent—it’s a light-weight backpacking tent optimized to be used in chilly climate.

In the event you incessantly winter camp or embark on in a single day ski excursions, this tent is a strong alternative. Nonetheless, when you want a bombproof expedition tent for excessive circumstances or a extremely breathable backpacking tent for hotter climate, you may wish to take into account different choices higher suited to these particular wants.

What Different 4-Season Tents Ought to You Take into account?

In the event you’re contemplating the MSR Advance Professional 2, listed below are a couple of different four-season tents price exploring. In order for you extra choices, take a look at our full four-season tent gear information. 

Samaya 2.0 Evaluation: For ultralight lovers, the Samaya 2.0 gives full waterproofing and high-tech supplies that outperform the Entry 2 in excessive alpine circumstances. It’s lighter and packs smaller however sacrifices some livability with its comfortable, minimalist design. A terrific choice for fast-and-light journeys in harsh environments.

NEMO Kunai 2 Evaluation: The Kunai 2 balances weight and climate safety, making it one other strong choice for shoulder seasons and lightweight winter use. It’s barely heavier than the Entry 2 however gives a extra storm-worthy design, higher air flow, and a extra spacious inside for gear-heavy journeys.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 2 Evaluation: In the event you’re all about going ultralight, the Ultamid 2 is a strong choose. It’s loopy gentle and tremendous versatile, particularly in alpine circumstances while you add the UltaMid insert. Be mindful, you’ll want trekking poles to set it up, and there’s a little bit of a studying curve. However when you get the cling of it, its climate resistance and packability are exhausting to beat for ultralight backpackers and mountaineers.