How to Choose a Backpacking Tent
MSR FreeLite 2 Tent
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Lighten your pack without sacrificing tent space with the ultralight, semifreestanding MSR FreeLite 2 tent, designed for hikers who make the most of 3-season adventures without being weighed down.
Shop similar products- Updated design is half a pound lighter than the previous version of the FreeLite 2—minimum trail weight is only 2 lbs.
- True rectangular floor (no foot taper) and 39 in. of headroom (3 in. more than before) make the tent spacious and livable for 2 people on ultralight backpacking trips
- Micromesh tent body minimizes condensation, keeps out the bugs and lets in the stars on clear nights
- Waterproof bathtub-style floor protects from the elements
- 2 no-curve tent doors keep you from having to crawl over your tent partner in the middle of the night, and they feature zippers that are easy to use with one hand
- Zippers zip closed to a single point so you always know where to open the doors, even in the dark
- DuraShield™-coated rainfly and floor and taped seams keep the elements outside where they belong
- Cutaway rainfly saves weight and features large vestibules for storing any gear you don't want inside
- Easy in-and-out vestibule doors have StayDry™ rain gutters to keep water from dripping onto you and your gear
- Unified hub-and-pole system and symmetrical, semifreestanding design make setup super quick
- Super-strong, lightweight DAC NFL aluminum tent poles stand up to use and the elements
- Interior pockets and overhead gear loft pockets are perfect for headlamps, sunglasses and other quick-access items
- New tech-friendly pockets feature cable ports at the corners for headphone and charging cords
- Reinforced patches, stitching at guy points and locking anodized stake loop grommets boost durability
- Includes tent body, rainfly, poles, stakes, guylines, stuff sack and setup instructions
Imported.
View all MSR Backpacking Tents| Best Use | Backpacking |
|---|---|
| Seasons | 3-season |
| Sleeping Capacity | 2-person |
| Minimum Trail Weight | 2 pounds |
| Packaged Weight | 2 lbs. 5 oz. |
| Packed Size | 4.5 x 18 inches |
| Floor Dimensions | 84 x 50 inches |
| Floor Area | 29 square feet |
| Vestibule Area | 15 square feet |
| Peak Height | 39 inches |
| Number of Doors | 2 doors |
| Number of Poles | 2 |
| Pole Material | DAC NFL aluminum |
| Pole Diameter | 8.7 millimeters |
| Floor Fabric | 15-denier ripstop nylon with a 1,200 mm Durashield polyurethane coating |
| Rainfly Fabric | 15-denier ripstop nylon with a 1,200 mm Durashield polyurethane coating |
| Footprint Included | No |
| Ultralight | Yes |
| Design Type | Semifreestanding |
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Most Helpful Favorable Review
Wish I could have tried it out - defective
Merchant3 years ago
I purchased this tent as a 2 door upgrade from my Big Agnes Fly Creek and was excited to try it out. Once it arrived I put it all together and it just wasn’t filling out properly for some reason which was frustrating. I finally realized it was because the two
pronged part of the tent poles were each missing at least one whole section of pole making it too short and causing the fabric to be baggy in the back. Really disappointed. I considered exchanging the tent, but there’s none in stock currently and honestly this level of a quality check error concerns me. I will likely go with the tiger wall instead.
Merchant
6 people found this review helpful
Most Helpful Critical Review
Wish I could have tried it out - defective
Merchant3 years ago
I purchased this tent as a 2 door upgrade from my Big Agnes Fly Creek and was excited to try it out. Once it arrived I put it all together and it just wasn’t filling out properly for some reason which was frustrating. I finally realized it was because the two
pronged part of the tent poles were each missing at least one whole section of pole making it too short and causing the fabric to be baggy in the back. Really disappointed. I considered exchanging the tent, but there’s none in stock currently and honestly this level of a quality check error concerns me. I will likely go with the tiger wall instead.
Merchant
6 people found this review helpful
Customer Images
Backcountry Pilgrim
California
Light and Spacious - but Use with Caution
1 year ago
As described, I bought it for the floorplan and weight. Great weight for a larger 2p - barely noticed it at all. The 50"x50" rectangular floor exactly fit my Big Agnes 2p sleep pad which is why I got a no-taper tent. There are two drawbacks so far. First, the floor is 15d and I got two holes the very first use. (No, I did not use a groundsheet - I've had another 15d tent in exactly the same place and it was fine but I think the weight of two people did it in). Second, major condensation. I didn't even pitch the fly and my bags had to be toweled off numerous times during the night. My other tent (also with a 15d floor) is a Dyneema single wall and I had less condensation. Weird.
Yes , I recommend this product
Merchant
Wish I could have tried it out - defective
3 years ago
I purchased this tent as a 2 door upgrade from my Big Agnes Fly Creek and was excited to try it out. Once it arrived I put it all together and it just wasn’t filling out properly for some reason which was frustrating. I finally realized it was because the two pronged part of the tent poles were each missing at least one whole section of pole making it too short and causing the fabric to be baggy in the back. Really disappointed. I considered exchanging the tent, but there’s none in stock currently and honestly this level of a quality check error concerns me. I will likely go with the tiger wall instead.
Age:25–34
Weight:125–150 lbs.
Height:5'4"
No, I do not recommend this product
Raj
Bellevue
Truly lightweight, easy set up. Needs TLC!
1 year ago
Bought it solo camping. Wanted a 2 person tent to be able to keep my pack and other things inside without feeling cramped. This tent works well, roomy, rectangular. Easy set up. Has extra guylines to help keep the rainfly taut in windy conditions. I used it to camp at the Lunch counter on my Mt Adams trip in July of this year and then again at high camp on Mt Shuksan climb. Kept me warm inside even when the temp was in the 40s. Held up fine even with moderate wind gusts. The base is thin, so I did use a footprint. Both campsites were dry and rocky so didn’t want any punctures. The material is fairly thin which makes it light but I worry about durability. The storage bag already has some holes. Recommend storing the poles separately since the end of the poles can puncture through.
Age:55–64
Weight:150–175 lbs.
Height:5'10"
Yes , I recommend this product
SectionHiker
Awesome Upgrade over Previous Model
3 years ago
Love the weight reduction and rectangular floor plan. I measured the inner tent dimensions and both ends are 50" across, so suitable wide 25" sleeping pads. But honestly, this tent is so lightweight I plan to use it as a solo shelter. The updated mesh inner is a joy to use with gear lofts and lots of pockets. They should just sell the inner tent by itself! The door zippers are bi-directional so they can be vented and the new color scheme is calming and blends into the forest quite well for privacy. I wish the cross-pole was connected to the lengthwise one to prevent loss, but I guess you just need to be careful not to lose it.
Originally posted on a Cascade Designs brand site
Jacob O.
Big upgrade from my old tents
2 years ago
The Freelite 2 is pretty fantastic. I've had it out in some pretty nasty weather so far and it's kept me dry the whole time. It pitches tight with no sag and no wrinkles, the door zippers don't snag and the rainfly doesn't drip water directly into the tent when you open it in the rain. The weight is right for two people and there is enough room in the tent for two adults. The square floor makes it easy to pitch and gives a bit of extra room inside. The fly covers the tent incredibly well and it stands up to heavy rain and wind. Overall a great light tent to take into the backcountry.
Originally posted on a Cascade Designs brand site
Kirsten O.
No complaints!
1 year ago
So light! So easy to set up! No complaints! It is super spacious for just me, but I can see that there will be enough room for two of us when I bring my husband along next time (but packs will have to go out in the vestibules).
Originally posted on a Cascade Designs brand site
LEE R.
Excellent 2 person backpacking tent.
2 years ago
MSR provides another exceptional product with this tent. We bought it intending to start backpacking this year and we just got back from our first trip. Had a heavy downpour and we stayed completely dry as well as our gear in the tent and in the vestibules. It’s big enough for two people as long as you are comfortable getting close, would be plenty big for one and all of your gear. It does how ever fit two 25” wide sleeping pads which is great. Sets up and packs down very easy, incredibly light, and very well made. Highly recommend.
Originally posted on a Cascade Designs brand site
jmsing
Washington State
Great tent! 6 years of use!
1 year ago
I've used this tent for 6 years. It's amazingly light, it's held up to years of abuse in the cascades. It's got a few holes in it now, i just cover those up with tape. I was looking for a new tent, but worried it wont be as reliable as this one. This is a SMALL tent, it's tight but works for 2 people.
Age:35–44
Weight:150–175 lbs.
Height:5'11"
Yes , I recommend this product
Randy
Love this tent
3 years ago
Got this tent to upgrade from my r.e.i half dome 2. So far have had it out 6 time including a 6 day trip. This tent is seriously awesome. Myself and 2 dogs fit with plenty of room. Great construction and quality. It being so light weight for the size is the best feature. Look forward to years of use.
Originally posted on a Cascade Designs brand site
Randy P.
Impressed
1 year ago
This is my first "good" tent, having previously used a cheap Amazon one-person tent, so my reference point is pretty low. That said, the tent packs up quickly, and it is light. With my single use, it set up quickly and easily. Please make sure you keep track of the poles because one is mingled in with the others in the sleeve, but it is not attached so that it will fall out. After set up, the interior is roomy enough for a pad and gear for one person. I would not want to share the tent with anyone unless I was very familiar with them, but it is large enough to pack up the sleep system while staying dry inside the tent if necessary. I would not want to set it up in the rain because you must set up the tent before the fly, and the tent body is about 70% mesh. The pockets inside are unique and placed in the right spots. You can place your phone in one of the top pockets and lay there watching videos just like you were at home. It's excellent, and I enjoyed it on the FIRST and so far only outing.
Originally posted on a Cascade Designs brand site
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