The MSR Habitude 4 is a freestanding tent designed for four, which combines excellent proportions inside with a compact, rectangular footprint to squeeze it onto smaller pitches. It pitches inner-first, with three split poles, to create a semi-geodesic type structure.
The first pole runs corner to corner on the living area, whilst the remaining two pull out and strengthen the sides, hooking into ‘beaks’ front and rear, to create a very roomy sleeping space. There are three guying points on the sides and rear, plus two pegging points on the porch. As a consequence, the flanks of the tent are nicely resistant to cross winds but the corner poles seem more prone to flexing.
I would prefer to see adjustable guying points for the corners as opposed to fixed lines, but I was pleased to note four additional guying points on the fly, which should help matters considerably.
The nine pegs supplied are strong and well-made, and the zips are equally robust.
Inside the sleeping space are 11 stash pockets of various sizes plus numerous hang loops. The inner is made of a high cut groundsheet, solid taffeta and mesh zones, and the fly is also cut high to improve ventilation. However, in certain conditions, we experienced a little dripping from condensation, from the PU-coated fly and through the mesh inner.
There’s a single door to a porch that’s more than ample for cooking and gear. The fly is a darker, teal colour which allows for less disturbed sleep with excitable youngsters.
Our family enjoyed the MSR Habitude 4 – it’s roomy, robust and a reasonable weight for a group tent. Given it is freestanding and pitches inner-first, I think it’s ideal for cycling tours and beach camping in less rainy weather; but I’d definitely add those guylines first for security on more exposed sites.
Flysheet: 68D ripstop polyester, 1500mm polyurethane & DWR | Inner: 68D taffeta polyester & DWR | Groundsheet: 68D taffeta polyester 10,000mm hydrostatic head polyurethane & DWR | Poles: 3 aluminium 7000 Series | Pegs: 9 supplied, a further 4 needed for extra guylines (not supplied) | Porches: x1 (unfloored), 140x125cm, sloping roof | Inner: 1 living area, approx. 233x233cm, height 185cm.
Price: $600 | £590
Weight: 12 lb. | 5.44kg
More info: msr.com
