How to Choose a Backpacking Tent
MSR FreeLite 3 Tent
This product is not available. Good news: we have a newer version.
The lightest semi-freestanding, full-featured backpacking tent for 3 in the MSR lineup, the 3-season FreeLite 3 tent comfortably fits 3—or 2 with room for extra gear.
Shop newer version- 2 large doors for easy access
- Micromesh canopy for maximum ventilation and moisture control
Imported.
View all MSR Backpacking Tents| Best Use | Backpacking |
|---|---|
| Seasons | 3-season |
| Sleeping Capacity | 3-person |
| Minimum Trail Weight | 2 lbs. 15 oz. |
| Fly / Footprint Pitch Weight | 2 lbs. 5 oz. |
| Packaged Weight | 3 lbs. 7 oz. |
| Packed Size | 6 x 18 inches |
| Floor Dimensions | 84 x 68 inches |
| Floor Area | 39.5 square feet |
| Vestibule Area | 17.5 square feet |
| Peak Height | 39 inches |
| Number of Doors | 2 doors |
| Number of Poles | 1 |
| Pole Material | 7000-series aluminum |
| Pole Diameter | 8.64 millimeters |
| Canopy Fabric | 10-denier nylon micromesh |
| Floor Fabric | 15-denier ripstop nylon |
| Rainfly Fabric | 15-denier ripstop nylon |
| Footprint Included | No |
| Ultralight | Yes |
| Design Type | Semifreestanding |
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James B
Oklahoma City
Big and light
5 years ago
I like the fact that it can actually fit 3 people. Its just over 3lbs which was lighter than my two person tent. I've used this tent 10 times so far and it has held up well and kept me dry even in the worst rainstorm. The vestibules can be a little awkward to set up and zip/unzip but once you realist to stake one side down, it works out well. The rainfly itself can be awkward to set up at first and then making sure it is tight so the rainfly doesn't touch the tent fabric. I have never had any condensation issues as it is vented well. I purchased the floor and was happy I did because it is thin fabric but so far so good.
Age:35–44
Yes , I recommend this product
spencercraft
midwest
Returned It After Misery In The BackCountry
9 years ago
I want to start this review by saying that I've long loved and appreciated MSR products. However, after testing this tent out with 3 people in the backcountry (Montana's Beartooth-Absaroka wilderness), I was forced to return this tent. This is because the tent has some serious flaws. I appreciate that it's light. That part of the tent is truly amazing and the one reason we paid so much for it. But it simply fails in many ways in the back country. 1. The tent is awkwardly cramped for 3 people, with the people on the sides licking mesh all night long. 2. The tent leaks with condensation on the fly, as the fly always drapes onto the mesh. As you surely know, all tents since the 1970s have struggled with this problem of the fly touching the tent. All I've tried have solved the problem. This tent just doesn't work to keep you dry even in mild conditions due to this touching of fly to mesh. The people on the sides get dripped on constantly once condensation forms. 3. And then there are the vestibule zippers, which are almost painfully hard to reach and unzip when the vestibules (tiny as they are) are closed. This would not be so bad if the vestibule was not constantly getting stuck in the tent's zippers -- even when the vestibule doors are secured via the hard-to-open lashing points. So we were pretty miserable using this tent in the backcountry. Even 2 people would find this a sad excuse for a tent, given the water and access issues. I'm now going to try another lightweight tent -- perhaps a Marmot this time.
No, I do not recommend this product