At £569.99 the MSR Freelite 2 is an expensive tent, but overall this is a great option for ultralight backpacking without big compromises in comfort.
The MSR Freelite 2 is an exceptionally lightweight 2 person tent. There is a lot to like here but there are some inevitable compromises to keep the weight so low.
James Roddie recommends
There is a lot to like here but there are some inevitable compromises to keep the weight so low.- extremely lightweight
- spacious for weight
- expensive
- condensation/dripping issues
| Quick specs | |
|---|---|
| Price: $464.95 / £569.99 Weight: 1.05kg (including stuff-sack) Pitching: Inner and flysheet separately (Inner first) Flysheet: 15D ripstop nylon 1200mm polyether urethane & silicone Inner: 10D polyester micro-mesh and 15D ripstop nylon 1200mm polyether urethane Groundsheet: 15D ripstop nylon 1200mm polyether urethane and PFAS-free DWR Poles: DAC NFL 8.7mm aluminium Pegs: 10 MSR needle pegs Porches: 2 Inner dimensions: 127cm (W) x 213cm (L) x 100cm (H) cascadedesigns.com |
I was pleasantly surprised with overall spaciousness. The internal width of 127cm and length of 213cm are very similar to those found in considerably heavier 2 person tents. The floor is rectangular as opposed to tapered, and this really helps with space for two sleeping mats. The maximum height is 100cm. As the cross pole is shorter compared to many tents with a similar design, the inner walls taper tightly towards the roof. As a result, apart from in the apex of the tent, headroom feels quite cramped for two people.
The design is symmetrical and semi free-standing, so pitching is very fast and intuitive. To keep the weight down, the main hub-pole attaches at two points at the head and only one point at the foot. I really liked that the corners at the foot of the tent are reinforced to make them semi-rigid, and this helps in getting a taut pitch.
The profile is wide with large sidewalls. You really need to pitch this tent foot-first into strong winds, or you’ll find the sidewalls warping inwards.
After rain, I found that water drips into the inner when you open the flysheet doors. This is due to the taper of the inner and the positioning of the doors, and I don’t see how this can be avoided.
The flysheet doesn’t cover the majority of the head of the tent, in order to save weight. Instead there is a large waterproof panel in the inner. This does a great job of keeping rain out, but it is unfortunately susceptible to condensation.
At £569.99 this is an expensive tent, but overall this is a great option for ultralight backpacking without big compromises in comfort.
Testing conditions
James tested these tents in a variety of conditions in Spring in the Scottish Highlands. Conditions included moderately strong winds, clear nights with heavy dew, and some periods of heavy rain. James is 180cm tall with average width shoulders. All tents were weighed on James’s own scales.
This review was first published in the September 2025 issue of The Great Outdoors.
