How to Choose a Backpacking Tent

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Enjoy ample space for you and 2 of your best backpacking buds with the MSR Elixir 3 tent. It features 2 large doors and 2 spacious vestibules, plus color-coded elements for simple setup.
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View all MSR Backpacking TentsBest Use | Backpacking |
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Seasons | 3-season |
Sleeping Capacity | 3-person |
Minimum Trail Weight | 5 lbs. 14 oz. |
Fly / Footprint Pitch Weight | Unavailable |
Packaged Weight | 7 lbs. 1 oz. |
Packed Size | 8 x 20 inches |
Floor Dimensions | 84 x 68 inches |
Floor Area | 39.5 square feet |
Vestibule Area | 6 + 6 square feet |
Peak Height | 41 inches |
Number of Doors | 2 doors |
Number of Poles | 2 |
Pole Material | 7000-series aluminum |
Pole Diameter | 9 millimeters |
Canopy Fabric | Ripstop nylon/nylon mesh |
Floor Fabric | 70-denier coated nylon |
Rainfly Fabric | 68-denier coated ripstop polyester |
Footprint Included | Yes |
Design Type | Freestanding |
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Elixir 3 is a high-quality, reliable tent for long trips that allows you comfortably spend the night in a variety of conditions. Perfectly does the work in a rain and in a wind conditions, during frosts and in a strong heat. Ideal for two, in a storm you can safely arrange things inside the tent without loss of comfort. When using the tent for three inhabitants, vestibules are spacious enough to accommodate everybody's gear. The tent is comfortable for tall people. The sleeping area is longer than in the elixir 2 due to the additional fixing points of the inner awning on poles. I'm 6'3" and no canopy touches. Opening the outer door from the side is very convenient, no need to reach for the zip. When opened under the rain keeps dry vestibule. Having spent more than 30 nights in the tent on bicycle trips, water trips and hiking, it can be noted that the zippers are strong and smooth, all seams are very high quality. Pockets are very suitably located in the ends and at the top. The tent hasn't been torn out from accidentally touched guy lines. When spending the night in hot conditions it is easy to provide access of fresh air leaving part of the rainfly thrown back. When spending the cold night, all the condensate settles on the rainfly, which can be easily shaked off in the morning in the form of frost, from breathing ice doesn't form on the canopy. The free-standing design allows you to install the tent on any surface: rocky, sandy or even in a barn, it's not a problem. The tent is suitable for three adults, but in this case there is very little extra space in the tent. The use for three inhabitants is reasonable only if it's necessary to reduce the weight of the gear or to spend only a few nights. I would recommend elixir 3 for use by a couple on long journeys when you can't predict all the weather changes and overnight conditions. The elixir 3 is not afraid of harsh conditions and ready for many kinds of different situations. In need to spend some long time sheltering from bad weather, you will have a lot of space inside and a comfortable working area to arrange the necessary things. Due to the solid construction of the tent, it's not the lightest, but when divided among it's inhabitants, can't be called heavy.
I bought this tent for backpaking in september and after few uses (in national park campground), we notice some ""holes"" at one seam in the inner chamber (see the attached pictures). I am really precautious, especially with a new product at this price... The chamber was never too much taut. We contact our french distributor which recognized a possible defect. The distributor sent the chamber to european MSR warranty and they sent it back with the comment that for them, no defects were present on the chamber... After less than ten assemblies of our elixir, I am very disappointed... First and last time I buy MSR product.
I have taken this tent out twice on canoe trips and both times it rained, and both times the tent leaked. The fly leaked pretty bad as the rain intensified, but still couldn't hold up in the lighter rain. I was laying in my sleeping bag with my headlamp on just watching all this water drip onto the screen and into the tent. As the water would run down the fly, it seeped into the side of the tent as well even through the fly was tight. Is is the perfect size and looks great, but the rain fly does absolutely nothing. You are better off bringing a garbage bag for this purpose. For a tent of this price, this must be fixed.
We bought two of these tents for our scout group as the majority of our tents were well worn out, and i can say that i am seriously considering replacing my personal tent with an MSR tent. This tent was my first experience of a decent poles on the inner design and i can say all my concerns have been wrong, the tent is easy and fast to pitch (i was mainly concerned about the inner getting wet while pitching in the rain) the parts separate up nicely to fit in multiple bags ideal for group hiking, which was exactly what we were looking for, while still retaining comfort Definitely an awesome tent!!!
Last month i had the opportunity for testing this tent. The setup was very easy also without light in the night. The climate inside of the tent was over the whole night OK. The ventilation system works well. (+) a lot of place for two people and their backpack (+) easy and fast setup (+) very light (-) price Over all a really good tent in very good quality.
I bought my tent six weeks ago, I have read a lot and a lot of reviews about the perfect trekking tent. And believe me, there is a lot reviews. I bought the MSR elixir for 3 persons. I was surprised about the weight. The package was to light. But everything was there. Last weekend we went out hiking for the first time with this tent. It took us about 15 minutes to put it up. It was huge! The night after it took us under five minutes to put it up. I love this tent, I hope it will follow me around the world. Thanks MSR! Cheers/ Johan the swede from Denmark.
This tent has performed very well under extreme conditions. I have slept soundly through rain storms, vicious wind, and while it is a 3-season tent, it even handled a blizzard quite well. Gaze at the stars on a warm night, or use the included rainfly to add shelter from the elements. This tent sets up in 2 minutes, the color coated tabs make it easy for first timers and kids too. Biggest vestibules out there, for plenty of gear storage. I personally think it is great for sleeping 2, but certainly could squeeze in a third hiker in a pinch. Packs up small, weighing less than 5 lbs. I will use this tent for the next decade, so it was well worth the price.
I have had my Elixir 3 for about 5 years. I take very good care of my gear was very disappointed when i noticed the waterproofing was tarting to flake off. I did not have time to worry about it before a kayak camping trip so i repacked it and hoped for the best. As always it was easy to set up and we settled in for the night. Later in the night it started raining and we woke up to a tent with 1/4 in of water in the bottom and all our gear soaked. I have other tents that i have had for ten years and they sill perform like new. I have always been a MSR fan but i think i will have to look elseware if there gear cant even last 5 years.
Researched since last August until March if this year looking for a tent that would keep the sand flies out. Read every review and purchased the MSR Elixir 3! Used for the first time this week and I'm now writing a review at home on what was suppose to be day 3 of 5. First night uneventful, sand flies stayed on the opposite side of the screen and I slept like a baby! Loved the tent! Last night on day 2 and only second day every using, we had a light rain and after 30 minutes we had rain water dripping into the tent from the top, through the fly at 0330 in the morning! Trying to call MSR today, but could only leave a message...
this was our first camping experience and our first tent. I didnt want to cheap out and wanted something roomy, lightweight and water proof. Carefully researched many tents and decided on the Elixir 3. We did get caught in a wild rain storm. Rain was hitting the tent so hard that we couldn't hear ourselves talk. But stayed dry inside. No water from the top or bottom. So much rain that we could feel the water flowing under the tent floor and still dry inside. Very happy with the purchase, would buy again.