The MSR Freelite 1 is an ultralight double-wall, single-person tent that weighs 1 lb 10 oz. It packs up small and is straightforward to set making it an ideal possibility for automotive tenting or backpacking. The internal tent is well-ventilated, that includes a spacious rectangular flooring plan that accommodates extensive sleeping pads with additional room to spare.
- Kind: Double-wall tent
- Capability: 1 Particular person
- Vestibules/Doorways: 1, aspect
- Minimal Tent Weight: 1 b 10 oz / 737g (precise weight is 1 lb 10.2 oz)
- Construction: Semi-freestanding, two poles
- Inside Dimensions: 87 in x 33 in x 39 in
- Seam-taped: Sure
- Supplies: 15 D ripstop nylon rainfly and flooring, 1200mm PU coating
RELATED: MSR Freelite 2 Tent Overview
Semi-freestanding design
The Freelite 1 is a semi-freestanding tent, that means that a part of the ground should be staked out whereas the opposite half is absolutely supported by the pole set. One of these construction helps cut back the load of a tent by eliminating pole sections, whereas nonetheless making the tent simple to arrange. Whereas it’s not as simple to pitch on a picket platform or decide up and transfer round intact like a totally freestanding tent, the truth that the tent physique hangs below the pole set makes it simple for one individual to arrange, even in windy climate.
The Freelite 1 makes use of a hubbed DAC aluminum pole set with a brief crossbar, leading to near-vertical sidewalls and a barely widened peak. Whereas the second pole makes the tent way more snug, it’s fairly simple to lose, because it’s not connected to the principle pole set, since that will enhance the load of the tent.
Throughout setup, rainfly drapes over the tent poles, and there are velcro strips on its underside you could safe to the poles in windy climate to cut back flapping. The tent additionally comes with a number of very small webbing loops round its perimeter, which you should use to man out the edges and ends of the tent for elevated airflow. These webbing loops are very small, so contemplate threading them earlier than you set off on a visit if you happen to plan on mountain climbing in a windy locale.
The fly corners have lineloc tensioners, which make it simple to rigidity the fly. For the reason that Freelite 1 comes with string-based guyouts fairly than webbing-based ones, it consists of Needle tent stakes that characteristic a hook on the finish. I like these stakes and use them with lots of my different shelters. Sadly, MSR has stopped promoting them or together with them with its newer Hubba Hubba line of tents; nonetheless, replacements can be found from Paria Outdoor.
Supplies and weight
MSR retains the Freelite’s weight low by utilizing skinny, high-tenacity materials: a 15D ripstop nylon fly with silicone and PU coating, and a 15D flooring with a PU coating. The fly and flooring have a reasonably low waterproof ranking of 1200mm (known as the hydrostatic head), so I’d advise in opposition to utilizing this tent in heavy rain as a result of water could bead up on the within and drip on you. Nevertheless, the Freelite is completely fitted to journeys in clear climate while you’ve checked the climate forecast beforehand and your greatest concern is a passing bathe or morning dew. The newer MSR Hubba Hubba LT 1, though heavier, boasts a hydrostatic head of 1800 mm, making it significantly extra waterproof.
Inside area and livability
The MSR Freelite 1 is sort of spacious, boasting a very rectangular floorplan (87 in x 33 in) that has turn out to be a signature characteristic of MSR’s backpacking tent line, together with the MSR Hubba Hubba LT 1 and Hubba Hubba LT 2. The near-vertical sidewalls and minimal inward slope provide you with usable quantity, not only a tall peak.
The only aspect door is generously sized and simple to enter/exit with out gymnastics. Zippers are clean and don’t snag because of considerate rainfly overlap and zipper garages. The vestibule gives sufficient protection for a big pack and muddy path runners. Inside, there are 4 mesh pockets: two within the corners on the head finish of the internal tent, that are excessive sufficient to retailer valuables like a cellphone or glasses with out concern of them being crushed at evening. There are additionally two gear loft pockets within the ceiling the place you may stow a headlamp and different small objects.
Who it’s for
- Backpackers prioritizing low weight however wanting a semi-freestanding, double-wall shelter
- Campers who don’t need the effort of inside condensation
- Solo customers who worth an actual vestibule and a cushty sit-up peak
Not perfect for
- Constant heavy rain
- Those that want two doorways or additional vestibule area
Advice
The MSR Freelite 1 is a thoughtfully executed ultralight solo tent that doesn’t power you to compromise on ease of setup or primary consolation. It’s gentle, packs small, pitches rapidly, and handles average three-season climate. Deal with the materials with care, thoughts your pitch, and it’ll reward you with a dependable, snug shelter that disappears in your pack and feels greater than it seems while you’re inside. For solo backpackers in search of a double-wall ultralight with out the quirks of trekking-pole shelters, it’s a strong decide.
Disclosure: MSR donated a tent for evaluation.
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