MSR® Tents:Engineered for Living

When MSR® developed the original Mountain Tent in 1973, we set a standard for engineering shelters that provide both bombproof protection and practical living accommodations. Our engineers continue to design and build shelters that perform to this demanding standard. When you’re in an MSR tent, the engineering shapes the experience. Explore the tent below to learn more.

Weather Protection

DuraShield™ coated fabrics offer lasting performance and taped seams provide waterproof protection when the forecast deteriorates.

Rugged Construction

Easton® and DAC® poles, high-tenacity fabrics and fabric reinforcements provide strength and durability that stands up to season after season of rugged use.

Stay-Dry Doors

MSR® tents are designed to channel falling water away from the door, keeping the interior dry even when the door is open.

Intelligent Vestibules

MSR® vestibules are designed to provide storage space that is usable, while keeping the entrance within reach of the tent door.

Fly & Footprint Setup

Many MSR® tents have an optional pitching option using only the fly, poles and footprint. This minimalist setup allows MSR tents to perform as ultralight summer shelters.

Livable Volume

Vertical walls and optimized pole geometries provide the greatest possible headroom and volume, meaning you have more space to sit up and turn around.

Ventilation

Breathable fabrics and aligned vents manage airflow and condensation in all weather conditions.

Drip-Free Roof

Fabric panels at the top of the tent body prevent condensation from dripping into the tent in wet and humid weather.

Easy Set Up

Ingenious hub and pole systems, color-coded parts, and easy-to-use clips make MSR® shelters effortless to set up.

Large Doors

All MSR® tents have spacious doorways designed to allow easy entry and exit for all occupants. Each door offers direct access to sleeping areas, so you don’t have to crawl over your tent mate in the night.

Room for Every Occupant

MSR® tents provide each occupant with plenty of room for a 20” (51 cm) wide mattress and enough elbow room and space to sit upright facing each other.

Personal Storage

Individual pockets are positioned at optimal locations to give each occupant their own personal storage space.

Superior Accessories

MSR® offers a complete line of accessories to customize the livability of your tent, from interior lighting and storage to add-on vestibules that turn your backpacking tent into a base camp.

Durable Floors

Ripstop nylon floors resist abrasion and MSR® Durashield™ coatings offer lasting waterproof performance.

Tech Terms

Minimum Weight - ASTM standard F 1934-98

This is a standardized measurement of the combined weight of the tent body, tent fly (if applicable), and tent poles.

Packaged Weight - ASTM standard F 1934-98

The weight of the tent as packaged at retail, including the tent body, fly, and poles, as well as any other items that may be included, such as tent stakes, seam sealers, guy lines, instructions, stuff sack, etc.

Interior Peak Height - ASTM standard F 1935-01

A standardized measurement of the usable headroom in a tent, as measured from the floor to the high point of the ceiling with a simple fixture that simulates an average user’s head.

Flame Retardancy – CPAI-84

All MSR® tents are built to CPAI-84 flame retardant standards. This does not mean your tent is fireproof. MSR strongly recommends you keep all sources of heat and flame at a safe distance from your shelter.

Denier and Thread Count (ex. 40 D x 238T)

Denier and thread count are standard measurements used to indicate the strength and durability of a fabric. Fabrics given higher numbers are typically stronger and heavier. Those given lower numbers are usually lighter and less durable.

Water Column (ex. 5,000 mm DuraShield™ coating)

Water column is the standard measurement of waterproof performance. The rating represents the amount of water pressure a coating can withstand before it is compromised. Higher numbers mean greater storm protection and abrasion resistance, but increased weight.

Fabrics

High-Tenacity Nylon

MSR® tents are made of nylon fabrics, including high-tenacity nylon, that provide superior performance. These nylons offer greater strength than polyester fabrics of a similar weight.

Ripstop

Ripstop is a reinforcing technique that makes nylon fabrics stronger and more resistant to tears. Thicker threads woven into a fabric at regular intervals reinforce the lighter threads that make up the body. The heavier threads create a high strength-to-weight ratio and prevent small tears from spreading. Ripstop fabrics are used on all MSR® rain flies and fabric canopies.

Breathable Laminate

Some MSR® shelters are made with a 2-layer waterproof membrane that allows vapor to pass through. This particular laminate was chosen for high breathability and low weight. The breathable membrane is laminated to a ripstop nylon for strength and durability.

Micromesh

MSR® tents use a lightweight mesh fabric chosen to provide excellent breathability while also keeping out even the smallest insects. This mesh is dark in color so it is optically clear from inside the tent, improving your view and allowing the tent to feel more spacious. Each mesh panel is engineered into the body of the tent to offer optimal ventilation, views and weight savings, while minimizing drips.

Construction

DuraShield™

MSR®’s DuraShield coating is specifically formulated for waterproof performance and long life. It is a durable, high-performance coating with strong resistance to long-term moisture damage. Tests show DuraShield coatings last twice as long as the polyurethane coatings used on most tents. DuraShield coatings are found on all MSR shelters except those with breathable laminates.

DWR

Durable water repellant finishes are applied to all rain flies to prevent water absorption. MSR®’s silicone coatings cause water to bead up and roll away rather than soak into the fabric, minimizing packed weight during inclement weather. The effectiveness of a DWR coating will fade with time and use, but can be replenished with MSR Shelter Wash & Restore.

Reinforced Stress Points

MSR® tents use a number of reinforcements to increase strength, abrasion and tear resistance without adding significant weight. These reinforcements consist of bar tacked stitching or an additional layer of fabric sewn or heat welded to the main fabric of the tent.

Taped Seams

Every seam has tiny openings where the fabric comes together and stitches pass through the material. In wet conditions these openings can allow water to pass through otherwise waterproof fabrics. MSR® uses a hot tape process to seal the seams in our rain flies and floors for complete waterproof performance. All MSR tents, wings and tarp shelters have taped seams.