Whether you’re climbing the biggest peaks on earth or planning a campout with the family, MSR® has the perfect tent for you. MSR tents are built on a foundation of reliability and condition-specific design, delivering just what you need for any adventure.

However, with so many specialized tents to choose from, picking the right one can seem daunting. In reality, finding the right tent is pretty straightforward when you have the right information and a basic understanding of what makes each tent tick. Thus, we present the Ultimate Tent Guide as a beacon to light your way through it all.

Below, you’ll find all of our tent offerings laid out by category. This is your first step in locating the right tent for your needs. Once you’re in the right ballpark, there's a quick overview of each tent model within that category and the design ethos behind them. With that information, you should be able to zero in on a few MSR tents in the accompanying comparison chart. Then check out the individual product pages to make sure you’ve found the best tent for your kind of adventure.

Jump ahead to:
2. Backpacking Tents
3. Bikepacking Tents
4. All-Season Tents
5. Minimalist Tents & Shelters
6. About MSR Tents
7. How to Find the Right Tent for You
8. Staying Warm & Dry in a Tent
9. How to Pack Your Tent
10. Tent Care
11. Tent Accessories

Backpacking Tents

Looking for one tent you can take on a five-night backpack and go car camping with? Or maybe a more specialized one for a thru-hike, canoe trip or a long gravel grind? Our backpacking tents span it all, providing reliable, full-coverage and portable protection in a spectrum of configurations that cover the vast majority of demands on trips from spring through fall.

FreeLite™ 1, 2, 3

If you like the idea of a small, ultralight tent, check out the still-ultralight, semi-freestanding FreeLite tents. Composite Easton® Syclone™ poles and slightly tougher fabrics add durability while still keeping things ultralight. The FreeLite tents also feature extra room inside, plus added vestibule space so you can make the most of it when waiting out a summer storm or escaping a cloud of mosquitoes.

Hubba Hubba™ LT 1, 2, 3

If you've moved on from the "minimalist" part of ultralight backpacking, but still value an ultralight tent, the all new Hubba Hubba LT is for you. An all new geometry adds considerable more head and shoulder room, and we've gone through everything to add those added touches to make tent life better, while keeping ultralight performance a priority. You'll find built-in gear lofts, large, cable-ported gear pockets for tech-friendly organization, updated corner hardware, and split zippers that eliminate tight corners for lasting performance. The body features added mesh in a pattern that affords great ventilation without sacrificing too much privacy on those warm, fly-free nights in the backcountry. The LT tents are also on the cutting edge of sustainability; they are now PFAS-free, and solution-dyed, reducing carbon emissions by at least 80% compared to our previous fabrics. What hasn't changed is the field-proven, easy set-up that all Hubba Hubba series tents are known for.

NEW* Hubba Hubba™ HD 1, 2, 3

Ultralight, foul-weather workhorse. It sounds like an oxymoron, but that is what you get with the all-new Hubba Hubba HD. It’s the perfect match for backpacks with a questionable forecast or spending time in cooler and wetter climates, such as on Washington’s Olympic Coast, New Zealand’s Te Araroa, or in the UK’s Lake District.

We started with the same, roomy geometry of the Hubba Hubba LT, then more than doubled the waterproof coatings on the floor and fly (6000mm and 3000mm, respectively). We also leveled up the floor to a thicker denier nylon (30D) to withstand the added abuse of more tent time. The other big change is that we used just enough mesh in the tent body for excellent ventilation, but the rest is fabric, helping to retain heat or add privacy should you be lucky enough to camp in warm weather with the rainfly off. Oversized rainfly vents keep the air flowing when you need it, and top-venting doors add even more. Inside, you’ll find copious amounts of storage in cable-ported end and overhead pockets, along with a built-in clothesline to dry and store gear. Ultimately, it may be shy of “ultralight” for fair-weather tents, but it’s definitely in a class of its own when it comes to reliable protection in wet places that’s incredibly easy to carry.

Elixir™ 1, 2, 3, 4

Are shorter backpacks with more creature comforts your thing? Maybe you’d rather sacrifice some weight savings for the added durability and space needed for spending a lot of time in your tent. The Elixir tents deliver just that with a little more of everything: space, protection and durability. The Elixirs are built the reliable 70D nylon floors, while a fabric canopy adds warmth and privacy with just enough mesh for great ventilation and visibility when not using the rainfly. Just like the Hubba Hubba tents, the Gear Shed works with the Elixir 1, 2 and 3 tents, adding nearly 27 square feet of added vestibule coverage for gear, bikes and more.

Bikepacking Tents

The ideal tents for your next road or gravel adventure, we've tweaked our most legendary tent design to be more bike-friendly, without any compromise in performance or livability.

Hubba Hubba Bikepack 1 and 2

The Hubba Hubba Bikepack tents take one of the best-selling tent designs of all-time and tweak it to road-ready perfection. Each comes in a slick, handlebar-ready bag, complete with spacers, providing a smart and simple packing solution. If you're already in love with your packing system, each tent is also designed with smaller pole sections to fit easily in panniers, frame bags, and other common bike-sized bags. In addition to all of the legendary features of the Hubba Hubba-series tents, like big interior spaces, freestanding design, sturdy geometry and decades of storm-proven protection, the Bikepacking variety also features a muted rainfly for stealthy camping not far off the gravel when the pickin's are slim.

MSR All-Season Tents

MSR All-season tents (a.k.a. 4-season tents) are our strongest backcountry tents, built to handle the stress of winter snow loads and high alpine winds, yet light enough to carry to the most remote places on earth. Within this category, you’ll find burly MSR tents for mountaineering in any season, as well as lighter options for winter ski touring and snowshoeing excursions. Stronger fabrics, reinforced stitching, virtually indestructible Easton® Syclone™ poles, added room for winter gear and our finest waterproof coatings combine to make these tents you can count when you need them most.

Remote™ 2, 3

When you need the best protection possible for a trip to Denali or winter climbs in the lower 48, the Remote tents deliver. Inside, there’s plenty of room and storage for the added gear involved in winter climbs and technical ascents, while a roomy vestibule and snow-skirted, vented rainfly fend off the elements. It’s all supported by virtually indestructible Easton® Syclone™ poles and, for added peace of mind, multiple reinforced guy points let you batten down the hatches for the biggest storms. Color-coded pole clips make set up fast, and reflective guy lines and guy points make it easier to find your way home after dark.

Access™ 1, 2, 3

The Access tents strike a critical balance between weather protection and lightweight packability for high-mileage ski tours, snowshoeing and weekend winter camping. While still plenty robust for high winds and snow loads, their intended use is ratcheted back slightly to camping in relatively protected areas at or below treeline. This focused design intention allowed us to shave some weight, keeping your pack lighter so you can enjoy turns with a full pack a bit more. Limited mesh in the tent canopy retains warmth inside and works with a vented fly to maintain excellent ventilation.

Advance Pro™ 2

This is the ultimate assault capsule for ultralight alpine ascents.

Front Range Shelter / Front Range Bug/Floor Insert

The Front Range tarp shelter lets parties of four move faster on giant alpine missions and ski traverses with ultralight, all-season protection from the elements. It can be used in any season as a basic shelter for up to four people or used as a gathering space/dining hall on guided trips and extended expeditions where the added elbow room is appreciated. The simple center-pole design is reinforced with our Xtreme Shield™ coating for dependable weather protection in any season. The optional Bug/Floor Insert features a waterproof bathtub floor and mesh canopy that adds the protection you want from wet spring conditions and mosquitoes.

Pro Bivy

There’s just nothing lighter than a Pro Bivy when it comes to all-season protection. Sure, bivys get a bad wrap for their lack of comfort, but they more than make up for that in absolute protection in the worst storms with unbeatable weight and space savings. When those things are absolutely critical—like on serious technical alpine missions or even long winter ski traverses or snowshoes—a bivy is worthy of your consideration. They’re also great for “what if” situations when you plan to be back in a day, but you know you’re pushing your luck. Made of a waterproof and breathable top and a rugged, Xtreme Shield™-coated waterproof bottom for throwing down anywhere, the Pro Bivy will also boost the warmth rating of any sleeping bag in harsh winter conditions.

MSR Tarps and Wings

Our tarp and wing shelters are proven performers that fill unique but common gaps in backcountry shelters. If you need a kitchen at Denali Basecamp or a place for a large group to sit out of the rain or sun while floating the Grand Canyon, there are no better answers than these two favorites.

More About MSR Tents

MSR tents are the stuff of legend. Back in 1973, residents of Seattle were treated to MSR founder Larry Penberthy’s homemade wind tunnel—a tent pitched on a platform on the back of a pick-up truck—hurtling at 60 m.p.h. down the highway. That same kind of scrappy, “real world” testing and design are the way MSR tents have always been built. 

While we dabbled in tent design in those early years with a few offerings, MSR tents really took off when, in 2000, we aquired Edgeworks Designs–makers of the very popular and innovative Moss and Walrus brands of tents in Seattle. Tents like the Zoid and Fusion came from that merger, and just four years later, the first Hubba Hubba tent was released, becoming and remaining one of the best-selling tents in the world. Our expertise in fabrics, waterproof coatings, structural engineering, and, most importantly, how and where people use MSR tents, allows us to design and continually evolve and improve what we offer. As proof, the Hubba Hubba LT 2p of 2025 is over a pound lighter, with over 19 square feet more coverage than the one we offered in 2005. All this was accomplished with the same basic architecture, yet with leaps and bounds of innovation in fabric and materials. 

Photo by Bard Basberg

How To Find the Right Tent for You

Choosing a tent can seem daunting, but answering a quick series of questions will get you started down the right path. 

Trip Type and Destination
When it comes to finding the right tent, the top of the funnel is always identifying the type of trips you do most of the time.

Staying Warm & Dry in a Tent

However, a sloppy pitch job will sag and provide opportunities for this nemesis to invade. And finally, pitch on dry ground, out of the way of storm drainage whenever possible.

Photo by James Barkman

How to Pack Your Tent

There are generally two schools of thought on how to pack your tent properly and, in reality, there’s likely not a shred of hard science to support either of them. With that said, here are two ways that work. Are you a Roller or a Stuffer?

The Roller
The Roller likes things orderly in their lives. Nice, clean and predictable. They’ll swear this is easiest on the zippers and fabric and will make your tent last longer.

Fortunately, the tent roll is a universal trick that works for nearly every tent ever made.  First, spread your tent body out and drape the fly over top, making sure all the fabric is spread evenly and within the bounds of the tent’s base. Then, simply fold in thirds, using the stuff sack as a guide to ensure the width of your final fold matches. Then just place your poles on one end and roll them tightly into the middle as you go for a guaranteed fit into the included sack.

The Stuffer
The Stuffer is committed to minimalism and speed. They may also be slightly less organized than the Roller. They will swear that stuffing reduces the chances of repeated creasing in the same spots on your tent and thus your tent will last longer. They will also proudly remind you that it’s called a “stuff sack” for a reason.

Most stuffers will simply take the tent sack, place the poles in first, then stuff away until the fly and tent are inside too. Minimalist stuffers will leave the stuff sack at home, making it easy to split the tent body, rainfly and poles/stakes out amongst the group. Each person then just uses the fabric parts of the tent to fill any voids in their backpacks, resulting in a solid backpack that carries well. 

Photo by Scott Rinckenberger

Tent Care

Whatever tent you choose, caring for it properly will pay off by adding years to its usable lifespan. Here are some key tips for doing it right.

Pack It Dry
Always dry your tent completely before you pack it away­. Always. This is critical for long-term storage but should be applied between camps on a backpack, and on long drive home in a hot roof box. When breaking camp, take take the time to dry your rainfly by inverting it over your tent as soon as you get out of your tent. Move it into the sun if you can to speed things up, and make sure the floor of your tent is dry too. keep it as dry as you can during your trip, and then hang it over a clothesline when you get home for a couple of days, allowing it to dry fully. Once it's 100% dry, store it in a oversized mesh sack, not the stuffsack. This will allow better airflow and reduce the chances of trapping any moisture inside. Storing a tent wet, or even in a humid environment, can breakdown the fabric coatings and cause mold and mildew to grow, ruining your tent. 

Keep It Clean
Fine dirt, sand and rocks are abrasive and can wreak havoc on tent fabrics and zippers, especially when stuffing and packing. Always dump dirt and debris out of your tent before you pack it up paying special attention to pockets and corners. Also, be sure that the exterior isn’t picking up a lot of dirt as you pack it or roll it, particularly if the bottom is still damp. Occasionally, mud, sap, sunscreen and other contaminants can soil your tent, requiring a thorough cleaning. 

Tent Repair
Ultimately, you might compromise your tent with a puncture or need a zipper replaced. We strongly encourage you to seek out professional repairs for major work like replacing a zipper, but many basic fabric repairs are surprisingly easily done right at home. Keeping your tent going as long as possible will keep it out of the landfill and reduce our impact on the planet.

Photo by Scott Rinckenberger

MSR Tent Accessories

We carry a full complement of tent accessories to boost the performance and extend the lifespan of your tent. First and foremost is the footprint. Used between the tent floor and ground, a footprint is essential to making your tent last. Other things like tent stakes for a variety of conditions, zipper pulls, pole repair sleeves, stake hammers, reflective guy lines and more can make camping easier and help you get the best performance from your tent. Hopefully, this Tent Guide has given you a solid overview of your options when it comes to choosing an MSR tent. If all else fails, drop us a line or swing by your local gear shop to get the answers you need. Good luck and happy camping!

Related Posts:

• Designing MSR Tents—What We Stand For
• How to Choose the Best Backpacking Tent
• Best 4-Season and Mountaineering Tents by MSR

Updated. Originally Published July 13, 2021.