The MSR FreeLite 2 is among the lightest 2-person double-wall tents available on the market. It additionally has a roomy, absolutely rectangular flooring, an easy-to-pitch semi-freestanding design, and supplies the superb climate safety we’ve come to rely upon from MSR through the years.
However how does the FreeLite 2 stack up in opposition to the opposite prime tent contenders? Can it really sleep two individuals comfortably? Will its light-weight supplies maintain up over time? And finally, is it definitely worth the pretty vital funding?
We put the FreeLite 2 to the check in rugged situations to see how nicely it performs in comparison with the best-selling tents on this widespread class.
Fast Specs
MSR FreeLite 2
Good Stability of Weight & Livability for Solo Hikers
Worth:
$450
Weight:
2 lb. 5 oz.
Dimensions (LxWxH):
84 x 50 x 39 in.
Kind:
Semi-freestanding
Flooring Space:
29 sq. ft.
Vestibule Space:
7.5 + 7.5 sq. ft.
Pockets:
3
Packed Dimension:
18 x 4.5 in.
Execs
- Ultralight
- Roomy for one
- Two doorways/vestibules (a perk for solo hikers)
- Handy pockets
- Rainfly gutter prevents drippy entry
Execs
Light-weight
The FreeLite 2 weighs 2 kilos, 5 ounces, making it one of many lightest 2-person double-wall tents available on the market. The closest competing ultralight tents within the semi-freestanding class are the Massive Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 and NEMO Hornet OSMO 2 – each of which we additionally like. You’ll discover all three tents on our record of the Finest Backpacking Tents for barely completely different causes.
The FreeLite 2 is exceptionally straightforward to hold on path when cut up with a associate, however it’s additionally an excellent possibility for solo hikers since its weight is comparable (if not lighter) to most of the prime one-person tents available on the market. For instance, the Massive Agnes Copper Spur HV UL1 weighs in at 38 ounces, and the MSR Hubba Hubba 1 suggestions the size at 39 ounces. All three of those shelters are comparable in weight and worth, however the FreeLite 2 has way more inside house.
You possibly can go even lighter by choosing a non-freestanding ultralight shelter or tarp, however these varieties of tents have some downsides which are dealbreakers for some backpackers – you’ll need to handle inside condensation and they’re a bit extra cumbersome to pitch.
Compact
Saving house is almost as vital as saving weight whenever you’re backpacking since a streamlined, non-bulky load is much more snug to hold. With the tent poles stashed in an exterior pocket, the physique and fly of the FreeLite 2 compress down very small. This makes it straightforward to stow away, even within the environment friendly 40-50 liter backpacks we sometimes use.
Roomy For One
The FreeLite 2 is designed as a two-person tent, however it really shines as a solo shelter. This tent has a totally rectangular flooring that doesn’t taper on the foot, so there’s loads of house to accommodate a large sleeping pad and any gear you need to stash securely contained in the tent.
The FreeLite has fairly commonplace dimensions – with an 84-inch size and a peak top of 39 inches – so it’ll be a comfortable match if you happen to’re taller than 6 toes. However the further house – a few foot on both sides of your pad – makes this tent really feel surprisingly spacious whenever you’re flying solo.
Straightforward to Pitch & Snug
The FreeLite is a semi-freestanding tent, which suggests it depends on a easy pole body and 4 stakes on the corners for construction. Semi-freestanding tents are good as a result of they supply an excellent stability of weight financial savings, consolation, and ease of use. Not like a totally freestanding tent, you’ll at all times have to stake out the corners of a semi-freestanding tent for a correct pitch, however we at all times stake our tent corners anyway.
Two Doorways & Vestibules
One other helpful characteristic of the FreeLite is its twin doorways and vestibules. Having two doorways is just about important in our e-book when sharing a tight-fitting backpacking tent with a associate, however it’s additionally a perk for solo hikers. Most one-person tents solely have one door and vestibule, however with the FreeLite you’ll get one on both sides of the tent for full air flow, views, and storage.
Reliable Climate Safety
The FreeLite has not allow us to down throughout testing in harsh climate situations. Even in a torrential multi-day downpour within the Wallowas, we felt assured on this tent due to its absolutely waterproof, seam-taped fly, double-wall design, and steep dome form that sheds water like a champ.
Understand that the FreeLite is an ultralight shelter made for three-season situations and at all times do your greatest to pitch it on excessive floor in fairly sheltered websites. When you do this, you’ll be pleased with its efficiency.
Rainfly Gutters
The FreeLite’s vestibule doorways have small channels to direct rain away from entry factors. This helps stop water from dripping onto you and your gear when getting into and exiting the tent. Small particulars like this actually matter within the backcountry when it’s vital to maintain your camp garments and sleeping bag dry.
Good Worth
The FreeLite 2 presently retails for $450, which is aggressive with the equally geared up NEMO Hornet 2 and Massive Agnes Tiger Wall UL2. When you’ll put it to good use, a high-quality tent just like the FreeLite is nicely definitely worth the funding because it’ll final for years of journey.
Cons
Tight for Two
The FreeLite 2 will work high-quality for 2 individuals who don’t thoughts getting up shut and private, however we like more room in our 2-person tents. Many hikers even bump as much as a light-weight three-person tent for the additional sleeping pad and kit cupboard space.
Tents with longer forehead poles throughout the highest really feel extra spacious for 2 hikers sitting aspect by aspect for the reason that sidewalls are extra vertical, much less slanted, and maximize house on the head and shoulders. The FreeLite has a comparatively quick forehead pole, which is why we prefer it higher for solo use. When you largely plan to sleep two individuals in your tent and also you’re on the lookout for a bit extra headroom, the Tiger Wall UL2 is an efficient possibility, as is the very spacious NEMO Hornet OSMO 3.
Pitch Wants Consideration
Semi-freestanding fashions just like the FreeLite 2 perform greatest with a taut pitch. As a result of nylon tent materials stretch out a bit when chilly and moist, you’ll need to be sure that to re-tighten your guylines in hostile climate situations. And not using a taut pitch, semi-freestanding tents usually tend to blow round within the wind.
Heavier than Some
The FreeLite is an extremely light-weight backpacking tent however it’s heavier than a number of the main non-freestanding shelters. A brilliant streamlined tent just like the Zpacks Duplex weighs solely 18.5 ounces (not together with trekking poles and stakes). For some hikers, it’s nicely value coping with the drawbacks of a non-freestanding tent to cut back pack weight by over a pound. Nevertheless, the FreeLite is an efficient stability for many who prize comfort and weight financial savings equally.
Storage Pockets Missing
The pockets within the FreeLite are pretty primary, which is fairly typical for ultralight tents. There are triangular pockets on the head and a small gear loft on the prime of the tent. They’re satisfactory, and provide some group for a cellphone, headlamp, and many others., however they’re fairly minimal. We’d favor a big prime pocket just like the one on the Tiger Wall to stuff extra clothes or gear and stick with it off of the ground. Although we want the FreeLite had barely higher pockets, we are able to’t knock it an excessive amount of since these issues would all add weight to the design.
Condensation
The FreeLite is a minimalist tent and its rainfly lacks strutted air flow ports to cut back weight. Not having built-in vents restricts the tent’s condensation management capabilities. The rainfly doorways unzip from the highest and backside which helps flow into air, nonetheless, such vents aren’t optimum throughout heavy rainfall.
Backside Line
The MSR FreeLite 2 is a wonderful selection for anybody trying to cut back their pack weight with out sacrificing the conveniences and climate safety of a semi-freestanding double-wall tent.
We actually like this mannequin to be used on solo adventures, and it’s one among our favourite 1-person tent selections. The FreeLite’s specs are aggressive with a number of the hottest 1-person tent choices, however it has way more room for sleeping and kit storage.
We really feel that the FreeLite 2 can be a bit cosy for a lot of mountaineering pairs as a result of steep slant of its sidewalls. That mentioned, if you happen to’re okay with extra restricted headroom, the absolutely rectangular flooring house of the FreeLite supplies sufficient room for 2 to lie down and sleep comfortably.
The FreeLite ticks quite a lot of bins for us: It’s versatile sufficient for every kind of journeys and gives an excellent combo of consolation, weight, ease of use, and reliable climate safety. General, we view this as a high-quality possibility. If it’s the precise match for the kind of backpacking shelter you’re on the lookout for, we expect you’ll like it.
