How to Choose a Backpacking Tent
MSRÂ Elixir 3 Tent with Footprint
This product is not available. Good news: we have a newer version.
The 3-season MSR Elixir 3 Tent blends generous living space with light backcountry performance to create a durable, comfortable wilderness shelter for you and a couple backpacking buddies.
Shop newer version- Lightweight design weighs in at just 5 lbs.—or set up in fast and light mode (rainfly, poles and included footprint) for only 4 lbs. 4 oz.
- Unique pole geometry optimizes head and elbow room for livable space and fits two 25 in. wide mats (not included); adaptable rainfly allows for excellent view
- 2 large doors and vestibules offer easy access
- The MSR Elixir 3 Tent features a freestanding design with color-coded poles, clips and webbing for easy setup
| Best Use | Backpacking |
|---|---|
| Seasons | 3-season |
| Sleeping Capacity | 3-person |
| Minimum Trail Weight | 5 pounds |
| Fly / Footprint Pitch Weight | 4 lbs. 4 oz. |
| Packaged Weight | 6 lbs. 13 oz. |
| Packed Size | 8 x 20 inches |
| Floor Dimensions | 84 x 68 inches |
| Floor Area | 39.5 square feet |
| Vestibule Area | 8.75 + 8.75 square feet |
| Peak Height | 41 inches |
| Number of Doors | 2 doors |
| Number of Poles | 3 |
| Pole Material | DAC aluminum |
| Pole Diameter | 9.3 millimeters |
| Canopy Fabric | 20-denier nylon micromesh / 40-denier ripstop nylon |
| Floor Fabric | 70-denier coated nylon |
| Rainfly Fabric | 68-denier coated ripstop polyester |
| Footprint Included | Yes |
| Design Type | Freestanding |
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GoBig
Anchorage, AK, United States
MSR Elixir 3
9 years ago
I have had my Elixir 3 for about a month, and have used it three times. So far I have no complaints. I bought this tent specifically for canoe tripping so I knew I would only be carrying it relatively short distances on portages. I wouldn't call this model a lightweight backpacking tent, but the size and weight are manageable for most activities. I chose the Elixir 3 over other MSR tents and the Northface Triarch 3 because it has a much heavier nylon floor and fly. I took the weight penalty for durability. A nice thing about this tent is it's a turn key operation. The tent came with a foot print, stakes, and even extra guy lines. The only thing I bought extra was the loft Perhaps MSR has changed the design since some of the earlier reviews? There are four loops for attaching the loft, so that was easy. The tent comes standard with two large cargo pockets. I haven't needed more than one so far (glasses and cell phones) The tent is super comfortable for two people with plenty of spare room for small packs, extra gear, or shoes. Three people would fit, but it would be cozy. With two, you each get your own door. (No climbing over a person to get out) The zippers are smooth and quiet. I haven't had any issues with nylon getting caught in zippers as sometimes happens with tents. I have only experienced light drizzle so far, and it stayed bone dry. I look forward to trying it in some serious rain. The bath tub style floor, and fully taped seams look up to the task.
Yes , I recommend this product
Big Bopper 23
Union, KY, United States
Solid Replacement Tent
8 years ago
Needed a second tent for a South Dakota trip, with the Boy Scouts. Many years ago, I bought a MSR Fusion 3 tent, and it has served me well for many years. So I decided to buy a second MSR tent, the Elixir 3, the twist, my 13 year old son is using the tent. Over a weekend shake down backpacking trip, he was able to successfully set up and tear down the tent, while only once seeing the tent set up. The poles being attached together took me some getting use to, he had no problem. The tent is a little heavy, but he was able to carry it, with his other supplies, wherever we went. I have two boys so the 3 person tent is a better option for my family's needs. Plus side for him, the Fusion 3, I had to backpack was much heavier than the Elixir 3. I appreciate MSR color coding the pole sides of the tent (red and gray), helps tremendously with setting up the tent, and the double entry, and double vestibules are a real plus, for not waking the other person, for that late night bathroom trip.
Yes , I recommend this product
esnowberger
Kirkland, WA
Sturdy, user- friendly tent
10 years ago
I bought this tent for backpacking and solo car camping trips. I have used six times now. I did lots of research when shopping for a backpacking tent, and decided on this one because of the features for the price. The pole design is sturdy and the tent is very easy to set up. It takes me less than 5 minutes to get the tent up and staked. The tent design gives you nice, vertical walls, making for lots of shoulder room inside. When staked out properly, it's stood up beautifully in 35 MPH winds all night, and I was nice and cozy inside. The "bath tub" is nice and deep, and has kept me and my gear dry in torrential overnight on the coast. It's a little bit heavier than some backpacking tents, but the extra weight is well worth it for how sturdy this tent is.
Yes , I recommend this product
xcuzzi
San Diego, CA, United States
just picked up my new Elixer 3
10 years ago
Just picked up my new Elixer 3. My wife and I will use it for backpacking. We set it up in the living room and it went up easily and seems roomier than I expected for the dimension that were quoted. We have not used it yet but I was disappointed in the number/size of storage pockets inside the tent. Our previous REI tent had 9 small pockets, upper and lower in each corner and one above the door. The Elixer has only two (very large) pockets. I really liked smaller pockets for stuff like sunglasses, chap stick, phone, etc. I can only imagine fishing around in those large pockets to find a chapstick or whatever. The upper pockets were nice to put my headlight in to illuminate the whole tent. We are going to try and find a "gear loft" to hang in the tent somehow to help with storage of small items.
Yes , I recommend this product
JMaret
Escalate Ut
Poor zippers and fly
9 years ago
I guide in southern Utah and have about 200 nights in this tent since I bought it last year. The door zippers have always been sticky due to the door shape. One year later all door zippers have major issues. Also the fly become UV faded and brittle very quickly. Don't buy this tent if you plan to use it a lot. Other than the zippers and fly it's a well designed tent that could be improved with better materials. Sadly it waited almost exactly a year to fall apart now I am stuck with it I guess.
No, I do not recommend this product
Don1
St Paul, MN
Rainfly leaks after several uses (3 years old)
3 years ago
After about 4-5 camping trips (tent about 3 years old), the rainfly has lost its waterproofing and water leaks through. This happens both through the seams and fabric. I originally thought it was only the seams and re-sealed all the seams, but the next time camping, water still leaked through the fabric. Looking at other reviews on the MSR website, this is a common issue. Would not recommend
Age:25–34
No, I do not recommend this product
Profil3
Southern Pennsylvania
3 umpa lumpas or 1 scoutmaster
9 years ago
A good performing tent that can be easily set up by one person. No way you are getting three people in here unless they are all under 120 lbs. But 2 adults could reasonably fit or 1 scoutmaster and a full set of gear.
Travis
McKinney, TX, United States
Great value
8 years ago
This is a great value for those who aren't wanting to spend a huge amount of money on a Big Agnes. MSR makes great stuff, and the elixir is no exception.
Yes , I recommend this product
TRXvaulterGIRL
Port Hueneme, CA, United States
HUMUNGOUS 2 Person & 1 Dog Tent
8 years ago
Picked up a new MSR Tent from REI for our family outings. The Elixir 3 is huge! This tent is going to be awesome for family trips. We will have more than enough room for ourselves and our gear inside the tent. It is a great deal. It comes with the tent, footprint and stakes included. Oh and did I mention it is HUGE! I ordered it online and it arrived the next day. It is a bit much to carry around on my own with all my other gear when backpacking, but if I'm not going a long distance I'm sure I could make it work if I had to. There are only a few disadvantages I see thus far after just setting it up at home. There aren't a lot of storage pockets inside. Yes, the two big left and right pockets will hold a lot, but I prefer having more pocket options throughout the tent. That way I don't have to basically get halfway inside to grab something quickly. The two main poles are permanently attached, so placing them can be a bit tricky by yourself. My tent went flying when I tried to place the last two ends. Lastly, the extremely thin paracord-looking tie-down on the edges. I'll eventually replace those with something more reliable. Overall, I am excited to use this tent when we go to Joshua Tree next month.
Yes , I recommend this product
GetCamping
Maine
Wet floor. Disappointed.
8 years ago
My husband and I were impressed initially with the set up and quality of materials. We set it up in our yard, using the included footprint and staking it out at all corners and guy-out points. We liked the vent system as it seemed very well done and well placed. Unfortunately, after only 1 night of rain, there was a lot of kick-back from the ground and the lower edges of the floor had some wetness on all 4 sides and in the corners. I had not read any reviews about issues like this so I was surprised. After drying it out, I tested it again in a few nights of rain with the same wet results. Not a ton of water, but enough that my down bag or gear would have been wet had I had any at the inside edges of the tent or in the vestibule areas. The rest of the tent floor was dry. In addition, the vestibules and doors seemed quite small (difficult getting in and out of) and the zippers needed to be opened/closed with both hands so the material would not catch/get stuck. In all fairness, this was my first tent purchased for backpacking vs. car camping so I don't really have any frame of reference in terms of zippers and door size for these smaller, lighter tents. I also noticed that the design near the bottom of the tent was odd on both of the sides where the doors were located. Seemed to lay in a way that might have contributed to the moisture accumulation despite being fully staked and gutted-out (the material would not stay taut--seemed to bulge out a bit/slightly loose all along the bottom). This did not seem to be a user error in set up however this certainly could be the case. After doing more research, I may try a polyester vs. nylon tent material for more repellant properties (perhaps with one of the marmot 3p tents) and see if I have more luck. The floor of our inexpensive Coleman tent that we have used for years continues to remain dryer than the floor in this tent. Not impressed with the Elixir 3p with footprint. I will be returning this tent this weekend for another option thanks to REI's excellent return policy. Thanks REI!
No, I do not recommend this product