Which tent would you take into the backcountry? MSR Freelite 2: geni.us/9CCOW Nemo Hornet Elite 1p: no longer available (newer version here: geni.us/pATU5u)
I'd take either. Both are excellent tents but Nemo and it's holding company have lots of practice in the marketplace so.....yeah. Solid honest review going over rather detailed info many would not thought of. Thanks.
For me, I'd 100% take the MSR!! For the weight that's only a tiny bit heavier (what 1.2 kg??! Christ that's nothing!!) The design, colours (yes I hate the horrible yellow!! Couldn't ask to me MORE like a sore thumb in nature!) And the price, you can't deny that MSR is far better! For me with the rain gutter is a simple solution: just tap vigorously on the inside of the fly before opening the zipper, and most water should come off. 😁😁👌🏻👌🏻
You're doing a great job of keeping comparisons and reviews pretty balanced. Even as your channel grows you've maintained that and I continue to be impressed.
Been doing that forever. I thought that was self-given. Yeah, you might get your hands a little wet. But I mean, it is camping after all, not a 5 star all inclusive holiday.
Interestingly enough, I now own a hornet. And I was a bit surprised when I tried to do as I wrote before and shake off the rain from my tent. The droplets stick to the SilNylon fabric much more than with other (heavier) tents which I previously owned. And it actually led to me and my sleeping bag getting wetter than necessary just by opening the door.
I don't own the MSR tent, and have no experience with it, but if you shook the fly a bit before opening it, wouldn't that reduce the likelihood of water dripping inside?
Nice comparison! I was loving the way MSR did the door zipper (I HATE reaching out to get the fly zipper on my 2 and 3 person freestanding tents), until you mentioned the water issue. Crazy how thin the fabric is on the Nemo. 7D! I really like the way you do your videos. The information is always spot on, but the video is also engaging. Well done!
Thanks! I was waiting and waiting for this tent to see some rain. I’ve had it for about 2-3 months and only ever saw snow. I recorded everything without ever seeing rain then had to go back and add that because it was too much of a deal breaker. The Nemo is thin but doesn’t seem to be a problem. Thanks as always
@@MyLifeOutdoors This is why you're such a kick butt youtuber. You truly test the gear in as many conditions as possible (even waiting to release a video until you can) and then make sure the video is honest and complete. Love it!
I have the MSR elixir, my beastie has the MSR Hubba Hubba Light Weight 2 and we trade brining them and sharing. Knowing that these tents in 10 years have never failed us, never needed a repair (though I noticed my seam sealer cracking which I'll redo) id get MSR. I've never had a wet night but everyone else in my group has. That's enough of a reason for me.
My first backpacking tent was the MSR carbon reflex 1. It’s light and built well but the height of it was so low that I couldnt sit up in it. I’m glad that they made this model with more head space. I’m blown away that the MSR is cheaper than the nemo by any margin and doubly so that it’s so much less expensive!
great content and I appreciate the video! But just some hopefully constructive feedback: those zoom in "whoosh" transitions are super, super distracting! Literally 9 in the first 30 seconds! I basically couldn't concentrate on anything else. I don't see anyone else saying it so maybe it is just me but I felt like the editing was getting in the way of your content
It's nice to see tent manufacturers starting to make efforts to accommodate two 25 inch sleeping pads in two person tents. This is the biggest deal breaker for me usually.
Nice review. I'm curious if you've figured out a workaround for that rain coming into the Freelite when opening the rain fly. I REALLY like the idea of a square floor, and it amazes me more tents don't have that.
Awesome comparison video. I have the Feelite 1 and I am pretty impressed by it so far. I am a bit concerned about how the water drips in when using the door. But being a 1 person tent, I'll pair it with a tarp in nasty weather anyway. So it's not a deal breaker for me.
If I understand correctly, the Freelite doesn't drip "every time it rains"; it only drips when you open the fly without first thumping it to shake off moisture, yes? (or when it is actively raining, in which case, why are you opening the fly?)
I like the cable hole in the ceiling pocket because I'm able to put my battery up there while I have my phone close to me (watching movies, playing games) while it's still being charged. Great video from a new viewer!
So the free light 2 has a 15 Denier floor and fly verse the Hornets 7/10 Denier fly/floor. Thats a big deal, also the freelight is lighter. I live in CA and se the door and water issue a non issue but, I did just leave the East Coast where it did rain a lot....Tiger Wall would be my choice or even the SaltCreek model, get some awning action going in the rain. Tenets like these even in a small sprinkle your either inside or OUT! I have the Free lite, a lot of negatives to small tents like this, but I rather carry this at 2 pound rather than the average 4 pound fancier bigger ones.
I just don't understand why they claim these are two person tents. I certainly don't want to be stuck in either of those tents with another person. Your channel is great!
To stop the rain coming in when you unzip after a rain, you can slap the interior of the fly to shed that water, then unzip. Should dramatically reduce the leakage.
I got my free lite 2 from an REI garage sale for ~$100. It's done very well on about a dozen trips even though it was "damaged". I've looked all over and can't find any damage, maybe the customer lied on the return slip...
@@MyLifeOutdoors Just tempting myself haha. I have the Zoic 2 and the Hubba 2... eventually I'll give in and press the purchase button on the Freelight 2 to try and save a couple pounds.
Hoping you can help a newbie on a freestanding vs. semi-freestanding tent--love the weigth savings with semi-freestanding, but in my head this is less than idea for rockier camping sites (Yosemite comes to mind)...do you just tie off the corners to a loose rock or something? Or in your experience do semi-freestanding work out pretty well in all kinds of sites? I guess the comparisons would be a Freelite vs. Hubba Hubba, or a Hornet vs. Dagger/Dragonfly.
Heard the issues with the freelite door and rain often enough, and while yeah you could bat away rain the one time you forget and unzip and splatter rain in on your bag and pad and whatever else might be there… seems a shortcoming. However, there are choices for trimming every ounce and then there are those for saving plenty of weight without sacrifice and think the freelite does that better than my hornet. Durability, more floor space and head room, I’d take that when I need another UL tent since I want to minimize replacing.
I have the MSR Freelite-2 and I like it a lot. I have not had it in rain yet, but it seems a simple finger flip would knock off most of the water prior to opening the zipper. I suppose that's a hassle, but for the price, it's light, it's roomy (I can easily pack up my sleep system while inside the tent), I love the mesh pockets on the ceiling, and it packs up easy. That said my only reference point was the Clostnature 1-Person Tent at it is terrible.
Thank you for this review. I got excited in my research for the extra space in the MSR, but that rain issue makes me pause. I am trying to decide on which 2 person tents to get for my family. We are switching from a 1 person and a 3 person to 2 2--person tents now that my boys are older. And them being older means we get more miles in so weight is starting to matter more. ( although them finally carrying all their gear helps my weight immensely).
MSR Hubba Hubba isn’t much heavier and doesn’t have the same problem. Video here: th-cam.com/video/UGQa32MeHiQ/w-d-xo.html If you don’t mind trekking pole tents you won’t find a larger and lighter tent then this: th-cam.com/video/kGvKgYI_aDk/w-d-xo.html
@@MyLifeOutdoors thank you for these videos. looks like I need to be saving my pennies to get that trekking pole tent - if I want to save a decent amount of weight. my 3 person tent isnt too heavy at just about 4 lbs (especially since it can be spread out between us) so I'll need to get something really light to make it worth while.
msr all the way there warranty is the bomb they just repaired a pole on my hubba that is 15 years old for free, there has to be a way to rig that the hubba had its issues as well, can’t wait to lose 2lbs this year 😊thanks for the great gear review been looking for a new tent
Thanks for the review, for the crossbar on the MSR, you just use a hair bobble for women and wrap it around the bars, a few ounces but you don't lose the cross bar.
Great versus video Steven! I would go with the Nemo for sure. Every video that I've seen on MSR tents speak to a poor design or things that people wish they did differently. I don't know anyone who owns an MSR tent and don't plan on owning one in the near future. Crazy how they list 50" rectangular but you couldn't fit those pads in there. In my mind it's hard to beat Big Ag for freestanding or semi-freestanding. Some Nemo tents can make the cut but lack in certain areas.
After watching video of me trying to get those pads in there I think I pinned one to the ground with my hand (without realizing) I need to try again. That 30 inch pad was a friends. I need to get it back and see if I can make it work. Thanks for watching
Good, informative, objective review. For me, I will stay with my Nemo Hornet 2P. I've had it out on the Appalachian Trail and the John Muir Trail in high wind, hail and torrential downpours and it kept me and my gear dry. Having said that, I use it as a solo shelter. Also, when I bought mine the price was $369. That's a lot of bang for the buck and it weighs in at just two pounds. My other backpacking tent is a Tarptent Aeon LI solo made from Dyneema, which weighs just one pound. This shelter also performs well but it costs $535. I love it.
Same! My Nemo has taken a beating and is still going strong. And wow that’s an amazing price! Around the end of the year I was seeing them on sale for steep discounts. I think they were trying to clear out inventory for the new models. Thanks for watching
Can each tent be pitched in the rain without the inside getting wet. To me that is very important I've ordered the x mid pro 2 that can be pitched in the rain without getting the inside wet The biggest problem with that is the foot print. The size of the area needs to pitch the tent. Ive thought about that. Not very practical for rough terrain. But I have ideas that I could do to help the the situation. At least I can pitch the tent fly on its own. In NZed Aotearoa The Land of The Long White Cloud it can rain a lot Nice video Cheers
I thing a "mod" can be add to the freelite to allow rainfly first setup I don't own it so I can't test it but here what i think with watching videos : you can attach a small piece of cord or elastic to the foot end of the fly in the center where there's an attachment point for a guylines
The hole in the mesh pocket is to allow you to have the battery bank stored while laying down doomscrolling your feeds I believe... Or at least it is a possibility with a smaller cord now :)
I own the original Freelite 2p and have it down to almost 2lbs. But I am not a big fan or it or other MSR tents for many rrasons. The changes look promising but the Nemo Dragonfly Bikepack is on my radar.
Hi, don't you have a problem with the uncovered rear of the tent? I have the Nemo Dragonfly, where the fly really doesn't go far on the back and when it rains, I can really feel the back of the tent is damp (sometimes even wet inside) because it doesn't have two walls... I really thought this would be a design flaw most manufacturers would now avoid but apparently, MSR starts doing it too....
For me, Freelite is the only option out there that weights around 1 kg and have a rectangular floor, so I don't have to worry about fitting 2 wide pads inside a tent narrower at the bottom. I agree with water dripping concerns though, but there is an easy workaround. Just shake it a little bit before opening and no problem. Not perfect, but it does the job.
Have you looked at the Mountain Hardware Strato 2p? It’s got 50 inch floor and only weighs 1.08kg if I remember right. th-cam.com/video/CrlGurbtMeY/w-d-xo.html
I love my Nemo Hornet Elite so much that it's now my backup to my Tarptent Stratospire 2. I always have trekking poles out there and the DCF doesn't droop on me like a wet paper towel after rain and condensation..... But the Hornet is a great freestanding tent.
Awesome video! I had an original nemo hornet the green one before the crossbar and quickly sold it bc the walls were so narrow and even with the string that attached to the fly anything heavy that I put in the pocket made the walls close in even more. I’m switching out my old ba tigerwall ul2 for this new MSR. I am not in the rain all that much so I’ll deal with the dripping water. The fly zipper design is great given I always have to get up at night and reach the zipper in the yoga position
We've had a Hubba for years and it has more room than both of these models. Honestly, I'd not take either of these into the back country principally because of lack of shoulder room for two people and also water dropping in through the vestibule. It'd be better to go with a single skin like a Tarptent. Great review. As off track walkers in Australia we appreciate your videos.
I agree that your vid’s are great, but your water splashing test seems a bit extreme- like you drenched the rain fly with a hose and whipped the zipper as fast as you could. Seems like you could slap the door to get a lot of the moisture off, unzip the door slowly, and in extreme cases only open the door ~70%. I’m nervous that your video will have a negative impact on sales and this tent looks legit. Do the fly doors snag like most UL Big Agnes tents? I’m asking because the only other tent in this class is the Tiger Wall Platinum at $600 that also lets water in and the doors snag.
Absolutely LOVED this video! I think the filmography tied with the points you brought up really made it for me. I will say the two piece pole system is PERFECT for me, I cannot stand pole hubs. Very much a preference, but I'm sure I'm the minority. Can anyone say if the cutout of the fly by the head decreases weather protection? Thanks!
Awesome review on both! I actually think I really like that new grey colour 🤩 I’d be very keen on buying that for 2022! Do you reckon Nemo will a few new tents coming this year?
They are updating all their tents with the new fabric. And adding an all new tent called the switch. It’s a multi function tent designed to bridge between car camping, backpacking, and a beach like sunshade. It’s almost 7 pounds 😳
Keep up the good work! I guess it depends on whose specs you go by. The official websites have the MSR always roughly 4-5 ounces heavier and 3" taller, whereas there are online retailers posting that it's 13 oz. heavier in both trail and packed weight, and 1" shorter than the Nemo. Not sure how they get that different of a peak height on their own. I'd tend to lean more toward the manufacturer specs here. As for price, it will depend on where you look. MSR has its tent currently for $410 on its website, whereas it's $500 at many other retailers. The Nemo is pretty standard at $500. It may also be worth noting that the MSR rainfly doesn't cover the entire tent, whereas the Nemo's does. That makes a difference to quite a few people. As always, a person should really check these out and set them up before purchasing. Everyone has his own checklist of musts. And you may find that one is a little more "freestanding" than the other. Both are listed by the manufacturers as "semi-freestanding." I don't see anyone replacing the Nemo with the MSR until the Nemo is falling apart, but when the time to buy/replace comes around, each person has to decide whether - based on how they hike/camp - a little more weight and less rainfly is worth the $90 saved off MSRP. Or it could come down to pockets and a gear loft. People are weird.
So the discrepancies you are seeing are the difference between the 2021 and the new 2022 Freelite. Most retailers haven’t started stocking the new updated freelite. It was both heavier and more expensive than the new one. So make sure you are looking at the right one. The old one has a red and white fly. Where the new one has a kakis color fly.
MSR is suffering from supply chain issues (like everyone seems to be) the new tents are not in stock yet so what you are seeing is the old Freelite. It was both heavier and more expensive. Follow this link to see the new one and sign up for notifications for when it will be in stock: alnk.to/8iOPUsx
I've been looking for a 1-2person lightweight solo-tent to replace my Coleman 3P blackout - And fell in love with the Nemo Kunai 2P, might not be the lightest, but looked promising and managed to get one from abroad (Sold out EVERYWHERE). What is your opinion on that one compared to the Hornet elite/Freelite? Have yet to receive it :) Great channel!
great, informative video, bravo, I'm close to getting Nemo but I have uneasy feeling about those big cut outs in the fly, I understand it helps with ventilation but I try to imagine with cooler weather it will be a lot of condensation from inside. Did it happen to you, is it an issue?
I feel like the Nemo has more at-bats so to speak and would probably go with that. I'm still sloggin around with a 5 pound tent, so in that regard would welcome almost any ultralight tent.
Excuse me if I'm being rude, but I decided that this was the tent for me( freelite new version) . I can't have it, apparently out of stock everywhere. Sadly.
Currently looking into a Lightwave S 10 Sigma UL 4season 1P tent as an alternative to hammock and bivy for when I’m going solo or prefer solitude in my night camp. For anything else I trust my 2P Nemo Dagger
I appreciated the review on both tents and that's great to see MSR step up with a great tent as well. I have to admit I'm a little partial to the Nemo, though. I'm in love with that tent!
a good layer of waterproofing on the freelite 2 fly, would likely take care of the water dripping into the tent, is my guess.... an interesting design and I do love MSR for many items for sure. Will be interesting to see what everyone else thinks of it. First time I've seen it, so thanks for the video and comparison! Hats Off! I can't wait to feel the new material that Nemo is coming out with, and I actually do prefer Grey to the often, bright colors....I find the bright colors hurt my eyes in some way...bright green and bright yellow, gets annoying truly. I feel like some of these companies go out of their way to make their tents stand out from a distance and find Grey blends in with the woods better and isn't such an eyesore when passing by on the trail. In winter I tend to use white tents to blend with the snow, and in summer green to blend with the green surroundings.... it gives me a bit of added security if passer-byes don't spot my camp easily if I'm wandering away, as well for a day hike or paddle as well. I love many mountaineering tent designs but often hate the safety feature of the bright tents similarly........
MSR should have connected the small cross bar to the main tent pole, just like big agnes did with the copper spur imo. That way your tent poles are all one piece. So you don't have to worry about losing the small tent pole. It also makes it much easier to pitch. I personally like the new grey color nemo. I prefer subdued colored tents myself. Their more stealthier and easier on the eyes. Those bright red and orange tents can be kinda bright when your inside. Nemo hornet elite being an exception to bright colored tents. I don't mind those colors. Lastly i think if MSR went with a waterproof zipper on the rainfly instead of using a rain flap it might stop the rain from dripping in. But it may just be that the DWR coating or seam sealing they did in that area is more sparse.? Causing the rain flap to actually absorb the water, rather than repelling it. Might explain the bad dripping? Or the rain fly zipper should be placed up the center of the fly like most tents. Yeah its harder to reach but it keeps the water away from you. Their both great tents! Bottom line. The nemo probably is better. Its more fragile too. Gain one thing lose another! That's backpacking gear for ya! Lol.. Great video man!! Look forward to an update. Hike on!!
I agree they should have found a way to keep it attached. Other manufacturers seem to have figured that out. Oh and the rain only drips in when opening the fly. I do think the center zip on other tents prevents this. Like you say gain one thing loose another. Thanks for watching
They are the stakes that shipped with the tent. And they do appear to be needle stakes. But that is all the info I have. $409 and you get 8 of them plus a free tent 🤣
I think that might work. Or even holding it with one hand as you open it to help water run down instead of in. It’s just an unfortunate side effect to my otherwise favorite feature.
Go look at MSR’s website. Or the Amazon link in the description. Retailers haven’t started stocking the new version. (And they are already out of stock due to supply chain issues.)The old version was both more expensive and heavier. Thanks for watching
@@MyLifeOutdoors Did, MSR shows list at $499.95 but currently has a 15% discount so you can grab one for $424.96. Am I looking at the wrong tent? Doesn't take away at all from the excellent review you provided. TX!
@@wellseasonedhiker you might be looking at the wrong tent. Here is the link: www.msrgear.com/tents/backpacking-tents/freelite-2-person-ultralight-backpacking-tent/11512.html
I'm attracted to the 50" full width, and I'm a big MSR fan. There's another tent out there that's full 50, I think it's called the Stratos, but I can't recall the maker.
Would have been maybe more fair to compare it with the Regular green Nemo hornet because the floor is 15d and fly 10d 👍 in that configuration it's just aliiiitle bit heavier than the freelite, but I understand that you did with what you already own I have a 1p Nemo hornet and the dripping water problem can also sometime happen if your not careful I'm also surprised to learn that the elite version bathtub floor doesn't has a tape in the middle because my regular version has one! It's true that's the unattached pole is really stupid and a headscratcher... The previous hubba has a little piece of plastic to hold everything in place, so does the Tiger wall etc maybe they consider it could be a weak structural point?
Between the two, I like the MSR better in every way, except those rainfly doors. They are a dealbreaker. That’s a lot of water that got in your tent. If I intended to use it mostly as a one person tent with extra room, I’d go for the Hornet if these were the only choices. (I’d honestly go for a less expensive tent, like the REI quarter dome). If I intended to use it mostly for 2 people, I’d look for something different with a 50” wide floor.
I actually had most of this recorded with no rain insight. Then finally got some rain and had to add that info at the last min. It’s a really strange flaw. I love the idea but hate the implication. Thanks for watching
Love your channel. Keep it coming! I think I finally nailed my tent strategy, and I considered the Nemo, new mountain hardwear, among some others. For family trips, nabbed the big Agnes HV UL3 (have you used the ul 1 or 2)? Has sturdy materials. For my solo or trip with just one other person I went all in on the X-Mid pro 2. Dcf but nylon 15d floor, and only was $639. And at that point $500 for a 2-2.2lb nylon tent or Xmid 2p for 22oz was the deciding factor. I plan on having my tents for 10+ years. What's your take or experience with DCF?
I’d love to have an x-mid but Demand for those is just too competitive right now. I have a new DCF tent I’m going to be using in the near future. But until now my experience with DCF is not as extensive as I’d like it to be. Thanks for watching
I have a nemo hornet, terrible design, the exposed part on the back gets soaked wet and the water gets inside. Also you cannot keep the vestibule open to enjoy the rain because it will rain inside the tent
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Which tent would you take into the backcountry?
MSR Freelite 2: geni.us/9CCOW
Nemo Hornet Elite 1p: no longer available (newer version here: geni.us/pATU5u)
I'd take either. Both are excellent tents but Nemo and it's holding company have lots of practice in the marketplace so.....yeah. Solid honest review going over rather detailed info many would not thought of. Thanks.
For me, I'd 100% take the MSR!!
For the weight that's only a tiny bit heavier (what 1.2 kg??! Christ that's nothing!!) The design, colours (yes I hate the horrible yellow!! Couldn't ask to me MORE like a sore thumb in nature!) And the price, you can't deny that MSR is far better!
For me with the rain gutter is a simple solution: just tap vigorously on the inside of the fly before opening the zipper, and most water should come off. 😁😁👌🏻👌🏻
You're doing a great job of keeping comparisons and reviews pretty balanced. Even as your channel grows you've maintained that and I continue to be impressed.
Regarding the dripping issue: I always just shake loose droplets off from the inside before opening my tent. That should mostly mitigate that problem.
Been doing that forever. I thought that was self-given. Yeah, you might get your hands a little wet. But I mean, it is camping after all, not a 5 star all inclusive holiday.
Interestingly enough, I now own a hornet. And I was a bit surprised when I tried to do as I wrote before and shake off the rain from my tent. The droplets stick to the SilNylon fabric much more than with other (heavier) tents which I previously owned.
And it actually led to me and my sleeping bag getting wetter than necessary just by opening the door.
I don't own the MSR tent, and have no experience with it, but if you shook the fly a bit before opening it, wouldn't that reduce the likelihood of water dripping inside?
Nice comparison! I was loving the way MSR did the door zipper (I HATE reaching out to get the fly zipper on my 2 and 3 person freestanding tents), until you mentioned the water issue. Crazy how thin the fabric is on the Nemo. 7D!
I really like the way you do your videos. The information is always spot on, but the video is also engaging. Well done!
Thanks! I was waiting and waiting for this tent to see some rain. I’ve had it for about 2-3 months and only ever saw snow. I recorded everything without ever seeing rain then had to go back and add that because it was too much of a deal breaker.
The Nemo is thin but doesn’t seem to be a problem. Thanks as always
@@MyLifeOutdoors This is why you're such a kick butt youtuber. You truly test the gear in as many conditions as possible (even waiting to release a video until you can) and then make sure the video is honest and complete. Love it!
Stephen,
It’s awesome to see how much you have grown since the summer! These reviews are so good and informational.
Thanks! I’m enjoying making them
I have the MSR elixir, my beastie has the MSR Hubba Hubba Light Weight 2 and we trade brining them and sharing. Knowing that these tents in 10 years have never failed us, never needed a repair (though I noticed my seam sealer cracking which I'll redo) id get MSR. I've never had a wet night but everyone else in my group has. That's enough of a reason for me.
My first backpacking tent was the MSR carbon reflex 1. It’s light and built well but the height of it was so low that I couldnt sit up in it. I’m glad that they made this model with more head space. I’m blown away that the MSR is cheaper than the nemo by any margin and doubly so that it’s so much less expensive!
great content and I appreciate the video! But just some hopefully constructive feedback: those zoom in "whoosh" transitions are super, super distracting! Literally 9 in the first 30 seconds! I basically couldn't concentrate on anything else. I don't see anyone else saying it so maybe it is just me but I felt like the editing was getting in the way of your content
It's nice to see tent manufacturers starting to make efforts to accommodate two 25 inch sleeping pads in two person tents. This is the biggest deal breaker for me usually.
Nice review. I'm curious if you've figured out a workaround for that rain coming into the Freelite when opening the rain fly. I REALLY like the idea of a square floor, and it amazes me more tents don't have that.
You are becoming my go to for gear reviews. Really well done! Keep it up!
Awesome comparison video. I have the Feelite 1 and I am pretty impressed by it so far. I am a bit concerned about how the water drips in when using the door. But being a 1 person tent, I'll pair it with a tarp in nasty weather anyway. So it's not a deal breaker for me.
If I understand correctly, the Freelite doesn't drip "every time it rains";
it only drips when you open the fly without first thumping it to shake off moisture, yes?
(or when it is actively raining, in which case, why are you opening the fly?)
I like the cable hole in the ceiling pocket because I'm able to put my battery up there while I have my phone close to me (watching movies, playing games) while it's still being charged. Great video from a new viewer!
That configuration makes sense! Thanks for that. And thanks for watching
I just got back from 8 days in the BWCA with my original MSR Hubba Hubba. It rained every night and the Hubba Hubba performed perfectly.
That fly zipper - preach!!! Great analysis of both tents
I know you have this tent. Is it doing the same for you? Or does it ever stop snowing up there? 🤣
So the free light 2 has a 15 Denier floor and fly verse the Hornets 7/10 Denier fly/floor. Thats a big deal, also the freelight is lighter. I live in CA and se the door and water issue a non issue but, I did just leave the East Coast where it did rain a lot....Tiger Wall would be my choice or even the SaltCreek model, get some awning action going in the rain. Tenets like these even in a small sprinkle your either inside or OUT! I have the Free lite, a lot of negatives to small tents like this, but I rather carry this at 2 pound rather than the average 4 pound fancier bigger ones.
I appreciate the extra room, but the rain fly….that just seems crazy! I’ll stick with my BA Tiger Wall 👍🏻
I just don't understand why they claim these are two person tents. I certainly don't want to be stuck in either of those tents with another person. Your channel is great!
To stop the rain coming in when you unzip after a rain, you can slap the interior of the fly to shed that water, then unzip. Should dramatically reduce the leakage.
I will be trying this. When I remember. It might be worth not folding myself in half to open the fly. Thanks
I got my free lite 2 from an REI garage sale for ~$100. It's done very well on about a dozen trips even though it was "damaged". I've looked all over and can't find any damage, maybe the customer lied on the return slip...
Good timing on the review. I've had a browser page open to the Freelight product page for about a month 😅
Haha. Have you had it open that long because they are out of stock?
@@MyLifeOutdoors Just tempting myself haha. I have the Zoic 2 and the Hubba 2... eventually I'll give in and press the purchase button on the Freelight 2 to try and save a couple pounds.
@@willyonamountain they updated the hubba too. But I haven’t seen it in person
Hoping you can help a newbie on a freestanding vs. semi-freestanding tent--love the weigth savings with semi-freestanding, but in my head this is less than idea for rockier camping sites (Yosemite comes to mind)...do you just tie off the corners to a loose rock or something? Or in your experience do semi-freestanding work out pretty well in all kinds of sites? I guess the comparisons would be a Freelite vs. Hubba Hubba, or a Hornet vs. Dagger/Dragonfly.
The North Face Solo 12 has the perfect connector for the top cross bar, I love that old tent
Nice review but how do you put these tents up without getting the inside drenched in a rain storm before you get the fly sheet on ?
Killer review with the side by side editing. Thanks for sharing.
Definitely subbed!
Thanks! And glad to have you!
Heard the issues with the freelite door and rain often enough, and while yeah you could bat away rain the one time you forget and unzip and splatter rain in on your bag and pad and whatever else might be there… seems a shortcoming. However, there are choices for trimming every ounce and then there are those for saving plenty of weight without sacrifice and think the freelite does that better than my hornet. Durability, more floor space and head room, I’d take that when I need another UL tent since I want to minimize replacing.
I have the MSR Freelite-2 and I like it a lot. I have not had it in rain yet, but it seems a simple finger flip would knock off most of the water prior to opening the zipper. I suppose that's a hassle, but for the price, it's light, it's roomy (I can easily pack up my sleep system while inside the tent), I love the mesh pockets on the ceiling, and it packs up easy. That said my only reference point was the Clostnature 1-Person Tent at it is terrible.
Thank you for this review. I got excited in my research for the extra space in the MSR, but that rain issue makes me pause. I am trying to decide on which 2 person tents to get for my family. We are switching from a 1 person and a 3 person to 2 2--person tents now that my boys are older. And them being older means we get more miles in so weight is starting to matter more. ( although them finally carrying all their gear helps my weight immensely).
MSR Hubba Hubba isn’t much heavier and doesn’t have the same problem. Video here: th-cam.com/video/UGQa32MeHiQ/w-d-xo.html
If you don’t mind trekking pole tents you won’t find a larger and lighter tent then this: th-cam.com/video/kGvKgYI_aDk/w-d-xo.html
@@MyLifeOutdoors thank you for these videos. looks like I need to be saving my pennies to get that trekking pole tent - if I want to save a decent amount of weight. my 3 person tent isnt too heavy at just about 4 lbs (especially since it can be spread out between us) so I'll need to get something really light to make it worth while.
msr all the way there warranty is the bomb they just repaired a pole on my hubba that is 15 years old for free, there has to be a way to rig that the hubba had its issues as well, can’t wait to lose 2lbs this year 😊thanks for the great gear review been looking for a new tent
Both inner first pitching... time to go back to the drawing board for both.
As of 3-7-24 the Nemo is $500 and the MSR is $280 on Amazon. You heard that right, a $220 difference.
Why didn't you use an extreme shield for the new freelite? / Is there a problem with the extreme shield?
Thanks for the review, for the crossbar on the MSR, you just use a hair bobble for women and wrap it around the bars, a few ounces but you don't lose the cross bar.
MSR has a piece that would keep the cross pole attached, it's on my Hubba Hubba. What if you tap the fly first to remove water before you unzip it?
Great versus video Steven! I would go with the Nemo for sure. Every video that I've seen on MSR tents speak to a poor design or things that people wish they did differently. I don't know anyone who owns an MSR tent and don't plan on owning one in the near future. Crazy how they list 50" rectangular but you couldn't fit those pads in there. In my mind it's hard to beat Big Ag for freestanding or semi-freestanding. Some Nemo tents can make the cut but lack in certain areas.
After watching video of me trying to get those pads in there I think I pinned one to the ground with my hand (without realizing) I need to try again. That 30 inch pad was a friends. I need to get it back and see if I can make it work. Thanks for watching
these are the exact tents i was going between bless you 🙌
Good, informative, objective review. For me, I will stay with my Nemo Hornet 2P. I've had it out on the Appalachian Trail and the John Muir Trail in high wind, hail and torrential downpours and it kept me and my gear dry. Having said that, I use it as a solo shelter. Also, when I bought mine the price was $369. That's a lot of bang for the buck and it weighs in at just two pounds. My other backpacking tent is a Tarptent Aeon LI solo made from Dyneema, which weighs just one pound. This shelter also performs well but it costs $535. I love it.
Same! My Nemo has taken a beating and is still going strong. And wow that’s an amazing price! Around the end of the year I was seeing them on sale for steep discounts. I think they were trying to clear out inventory for the new models. Thanks for watching
Can each tent be pitched in the rain without the inside getting wet. To me that is very important
I've ordered the x mid pro 2 that can be pitched in the rain without getting the inside wet
The biggest problem with that is the foot print. The size of the area needs to pitch the tent. Ive thought about that. Not very practical for rough terrain. But I have ideas that I could do to help the the situation. At least I can pitch the tent fly on its own. In NZed Aotearoa The Land of The Long White Cloud it can rain a lot
Nice video
Cheers
The Hornet cannot be pitched fly first. I don’t believe the Freelite can’t either but I will need to double check to make sure.
I thing a "mod" can be add to the freelite to allow rainfly first setup
I don't own it so I can't test it but here what i think with watching videos : you can attach a small piece of cord or elastic to the foot end of the fly in the center where there's an attachment point for a guylines
The hole in the mesh pocket is to allow you to have the battery bank stored while laying down doomscrolling your feeds I believe... Or at least it is a possibility with a smaller cord now :)
Ive been waiting for this MSR review!
Me too! 😁. It was a fun comparison.
I own the original Freelite 2p and have it down to almost 2lbs. But I am not a big fan or it or other MSR tents for many rrasons. The changes look promising but the Nemo Dragonfly Bikepack is on my radar.
Hi, don't you have a problem with the uncovered rear of the tent? I have the Nemo Dragonfly, where the fly really doesn't go far on the back and when it rains, I can really feel the back of the tent is damp (sometimes even wet inside) because it doesn't have two walls... I really thought this would be a design flaw most manufacturers would now avoid but apparently, MSR starts doing it too....
I’ve never had a problem with that part of the tent. It’s designed to help minimize condensation. It’s never posed a problem for me
For me, Freelite is the only option out there that weights around 1 kg and have a rectangular floor, so I don't have to worry about fitting 2 wide pads inside a tent narrower at the bottom. I agree with water dripping concerns though, but there is an easy workaround. Just shake it a little bit before opening and no problem. Not perfect, but it does the job.
Have you looked at the Mountain Hardware Strato 2p? It’s got 50 inch floor and only weighs 1.08kg if I remember right. th-cam.com/video/CrlGurbtMeY/w-d-xo.html
I love my Nemo Hornet Elite so much that it's now my backup to my Tarptent Stratospire 2. I always have trekking poles out there and the DCF doesn't droop on me like a wet paper towel after rain and condensation..... But the Hornet is a great freestanding tent.
Awesome video! I had an original nemo hornet the green one before the crossbar and quickly sold it bc the walls were so narrow and even with the string that attached to the fly anything heavy that I put in the pocket made the walls close in even more. I’m switching out my old ba tigerwall ul2 for this new MSR. I am not in the rain all that much so I’ll deal with the dripping water. The fly zipper design is great given I always have to get up at night and reach the zipper in the yoga position
I have a cheep 40 dollar tent, Atepa. I would like to love it too but the door opens the same way. And rain gets in. 😩
I have 4 tents - all of them are "Nemo Killer" ! Even the half priced ones. Nemo is absolutely NOT above average(and thats the best i have for them).
We've had a Hubba for years and it has more room than both of these models. Honestly, I'd not take either of these into the back country principally because of lack of shoulder room for two people and also water dropping in through the vestibule. It'd be better to go with a single skin like a Tarptent. Great review. As off track walkers in Australia we appreciate your videos.
Guys I have found both for the same price.
? Wich one will you buy?
What abouy
Msr advance 4 seasons😊
What is the best 3people tent in the market for backpacking? Would be from Z pack or Nemo or other brands?
The only 3 person tent I’ve used is the new Hornet 3p. And I only put 2 people in it. But it’s hard to beat for the weight.
@@MyLifeOutdoors would it be good enough for 2 adult and under 6 years old child?
@@MyLifeOutdoors thanls . it would be a cool video to compare zpacks 3 person tent with ziper VS Hornet Osmo 3 p tent
I agree that your vid’s are great, but your water splashing test seems a bit extreme- like you drenched the rain fly with a hose and whipped the zipper as fast as you could. Seems like you could slap the door to get a lot of the moisture off, unzip the door slowly, and in extreme cases only open the door ~70%. I’m nervous that your video will have a negative impact on sales and this tent looks legit. Do the fly doors snag like most UL Big Agnes tents? I’m asking because the only other tent in this class is the Tiger Wall Platinum at $600 that also lets water in and the doors snag.
Absolutely LOVED this video! I think the filmography tied with the points you brought up really made it for me. I will say the two piece pole system is PERFECT for me, I cannot stand pole hubs. Very much a preference, but I'm sure I'm the minority. Can anyone say if the cutout of the fly by the head decreases weather protection? Thanks!
Thanks. This is a great comment! I’ve used the Nemo for about 3 years now. I’ve had no problems with the cutout. Thanks again
I'm taking BA Tiger Wall UL2 over both.
Awesome review on both! I actually think I really like that new grey colour 🤩 I’d be very keen on buying that for 2022! Do you reckon Nemo will a few new tents coming this year?
They are updating all their tents with the new fabric. And adding an all new tent called the switch. It’s a multi function tent designed to bridge between car camping, backpacking, and a beach like sunshade. It’s almost 7 pounds 😳
Both seem great I’d probably go w/ the Nemo after my all time favorite Sixmoon Designs tarp tent
Keep up the good work!
I guess it depends on whose specs you go by. The official websites have the MSR always roughly 4-5 ounces heavier and 3" taller, whereas there are online retailers posting that it's 13 oz. heavier in both trail and packed weight, and 1" shorter than the Nemo. Not sure how they get that different of a peak height on their own. I'd tend to lean more toward the manufacturer specs here.
As for price, it will depend on where you look. MSR has its tent currently for $410 on its website, whereas it's $500 at many other retailers. The Nemo is pretty standard at $500.
It may also be worth noting that the MSR rainfly doesn't cover the entire tent, whereas the Nemo's does. That makes a difference to quite a few people.
As always, a person should really check these out and set them up before purchasing. Everyone has his own checklist of musts. And you may find that one is a little more "freestanding" than the other. Both are listed by the manufacturers as "semi-freestanding."
I don't see anyone replacing the Nemo with the MSR until the Nemo is falling apart, but when the time to buy/replace comes around, each person has to decide whether - based on how they hike/camp - a little more weight and less rainfly is worth the $90 saved off MSRP. Or it could come down to pockets and a gear loft. People are weird.
So the discrepancies you are seeing are the difference between the 2021 and the new 2022 Freelite. Most retailers haven’t started stocking the new updated freelite. It was both heavier and more expensive than the new one. So make sure you are looking at the right one. The old one has a red and white fly. Where the new one has a kakis color fly.
@@MyLifeOutdoors Yes, the one on the website is going for $410 with the new specs and khaki, not-quite-covering-the-tent rainfly.
I can't find the MSR anywhere for less than $500. They seem to be the same price now. Knowing that, which would you buy?
MSR is suffering from supply chain issues (like everyone seems to be) the new tents are not in stock yet so what you are seeing is the old Freelite. It was both heavier and more expensive. Follow this link to see the new one and sign up for notifications for when it will be in stock: alnk.to/8iOPUsx
I've been looking for a 1-2person lightweight solo-tent to replace my Coleman 3P blackout - And fell in love with the Nemo Kunai 2P, might not be the lightest, but looked promising and managed to get one from abroad (Sold out EVERYWHERE). What is your opinion on that one compared to the Hornet elite/Freelite? Have yet to receive it :) Great channel!
Between them I'd go for the msr but I'm looking at getting a trekking pole tent
Try using some shock cord to attach the small pole to the large one
Shock cords not a bad idea. Thanks! If only MSR had thought of that. 🤔
try 3ful lanshan 1
The REI quarter dome 2 sits well in this category too.
I believe rei is discontinuing those. I have one as well.
great, informative video, bravo, I'm close to getting Nemo but I have uneasy feeling about those big cut outs in the fly, I understand it helps with ventilation but I try to imagine with cooler weather it will be a lot of condensation from inside. Did it happen to you, is it an issue?
A lot of people are concerned about those cutouts but I’ve never had a problem with mine. Thanks for watching
I feel like the Nemo has more at-bats so to speak and would probably go with that. I'm still sloggin around with a 5 pound tent, so in that regard would welcome almost any ultralight tent.
It would be verry nice to have a comparison with the Slingfin Portal 2.
What do you think, which would be better?
I’m not familiar with the Portal but I’d love to check it out. It looks like a bomber tent.
Seems the deciding factor here is rain, and if the Nemo has the same problem with it the MSR has. My REI tent does this.
What tent are you using from REI? I’ve never had a tent do this. At least not this much.
Excuse me if I'm being rude, but I decided that this was the tent for me( freelite new version) . I can't have it, apparently out of stock everywhere. Sadly.
Most tent manufacturers are suffering from supply chain issues. Hopefully it will be available again shortly before summer.
Currently looking into a Lightwave S 10 Sigma UL 4season 1P tent as an alternative to hammock and bivy for when I’m going solo or prefer solitude in my night camp. For anything else I trust my 2P Nemo Dagger
Big agnes tiger wall ul 2 also has the similar form
This would have been great if you showed the packed size. Having 19-22” poles sticking out of the pack is annoying.
I appreciated the review on both tents and that's great to see MSR step up with a great tent as well. I have to admit I'm a little partial to the Nemo, though. I'm in love with that tent!
a good layer of waterproofing on the freelite 2 fly, would likely take care of the water dripping into the tent, is my guess.... an interesting design and I do love MSR for many items for sure. Will be interesting to see what everyone else thinks of it. First time I've seen it, so thanks for the video and comparison! Hats Off! I can't wait to feel the new material that Nemo is coming out with, and I actually do prefer Grey to the often, bright colors....I find the bright colors hurt my eyes in some way...bright green and bright yellow, gets annoying truly. I feel like some of these companies go out of their way to make their tents stand out from a distance and find Grey blends in with the woods better and isn't such an eyesore when passing by on the trail. In winter I tend to use white tents to blend with the snow, and in summer green to blend with the green surroundings.... it gives me a bit of added security if passer-byes don't spot my camp easily if I'm wandering away, as well for a day hike or paddle as well. I love many mountaineering tent designs but often hate the safety feature of the bright tents similarly........
MSR should have connected the small cross bar to the main tent pole, just like big agnes did with the copper spur imo. That way your tent poles are all one piece. So you don't have to worry about losing the small tent pole. It also makes it much easier to pitch. I personally like the new grey color nemo. I prefer subdued colored tents myself. Their more stealthier and easier on the eyes. Those bright red and orange tents can be kinda bright when your inside. Nemo hornet elite being an exception to bright colored tents. I don't mind those colors. Lastly i think if MSR went with a waterproof zipper on the rainfly instead of using a rain flap it might stop the rain from dripping in. But it may just be that the DWR coating or seam sealing they did in that area is more sparse.? Causing the rain flap to actually absorb the water, rather than repelling it. Might explain the bad dripping? Or the rain fly zipper should be placed up the center of the fly like most tents. Yeah its harder to reach but it keeps the water away from you. Their both great tents! Bottom line. The nemo probably is better. Its more fragile too. Gain one thing lose another! That's backpacking gear for ya! Lol.. Great video man!! Look forward to an update. Hike on!!
I agree they should have found a way to keep it attached. Other manufacturers seem to have figured that out. Oh and the rain only drips in when opening the fly. I do think the center zip on other tents prevents this. Like you say gain one thing loose another. Thanks for watching
@@MyLifeOutdoors Weight savings. Hubba Hubba has plastic connector to keep the perpendicular pole in place.
Thanks for the comparison but neither tent for me do to headroom. Lol
Hey, thanks for watching anyway. I’m curious what you would use?
That zipper reaching out to the fly is a huge annoyance for me on tents since I’m short so don’t have a long arm.
After seeing the rain drip in I now know why they make them that way. Can’t have everything 🤷🏼♂️. Thanks as always
Unfortunately none of that extra floor space went to the length. Tent choices are a lot more limited for us tall people.
And I forgot to test that for you on this one. Sorry.
I dont understand the red colour on the msr. This is a nogo for being not see.
@5:22 are those MSR needle stakes? I’ve been looking for a source for those…do they come with the new MSR tent?
They are the stakes that shipped with the tent. And they do appear to be needle stakes. But that is all the info I have. $409 and you get 8 of them plus a free tent 🤣
@@MyLifeOutdoors 🤣 Thanks!
the big flaw on both these tents is the huge cut out in the rainfly. i lean toward the BA tents for this reason.
I barely mentioned it but that is actually for better ventilation. That is more likely to get you wet than this cutout.
That extra head space looks pretty nice. Any amount of batting at the fly before you open it to keep the water out?
I think that might work. Or even holding it with one hand as you open it to help water run down instead of in. It’s just an unfortunate side effect to my otherwise favorite feature.
Looking on line it appears the Freelite 2 is actually $499...so same price as the Nemo. That aside, great review. Super well done!!!
Go look at MSR’s website. Or the Amazon link in the description. Retailers haven’t started stocking the new version. (And they are already out of stock due to supply chain issues.)The old version was both more expensive and heavier. Thanks for watching
@@MyLifeOutdoors Did, MSR shows list at $499.95 but currently has a 15% discount so you can grab one for $424.96. Am I looking at the wrong tent? Doesn't take away at all from the excellent review you provided. TX!
@@wellseasonedhiker you might be looking at the wrong tent. Here is the link: www.msrgear.com/tents/backpacking-tents/freelite-2-person-ultralight-backpacking-tent/11512.html
AH!!! I was. Apparently the older 2019 version (which is what I was looking at) is more expensive (and 11 oz heavier). Go figure.
Like both brands but that rainfly shape is a deal breaker.
I'm attracted to the 50" full width, and I'm a big MSR fan. There's another tent out there that's full 50, I think it's called the Stratos, but I can't recall the maker.
The Durston Xmid 2p is 50" wide
I have a review of the strato but I didn’t talk about floor space 😞. Thanks for watching.
Thank you for a good presentation and review. I am a new subscriber and. Your videos are convey good energy and feel, excellent video editing.
Thank you! I’m glad you are here.
Nemo, I like that grey colorway.
Thanks for the great unbiased review 👍
Awesome review! Thanks!
Would have been maybe more fair to compare it with the Regular green Nemo hornet because the floor is 15d and fly 10d 👍 in that configuration it's just aliiiitle bit heavier than the freelite, but I understand that you did with what you already own
I have a 1p Nemo hornet and the dripping water problem can also sometime happen if your not careful
I'm also surprised to learn that the elite version bathtub floor doesn't has a tape in the middle because my regular version has one!
It's true that's the unattached pole is really stupid and a headscratcher... The previous hubba has a little piece of plastic to hold everything in place, so does the Tiger wall etc maybe they consider it could be a weak structural point?
Thanks for the comment. I’ve actually never used the non elite Hornet. Im equally surprised to learn it has a two piece floor. Thanks for watching
This was so helpful. Thanks you for your efforts!
Thanks for watching
Between the two, I like the MSR better in every way, except those rainfly doors. They are a dealbreaker. That’s a lot of water that got in your tent.
If I intended to use it mostly as a one person tent with extra room, I’d go for the Hornet if these were the only choices. (I’d honestly go for a less expensive tent, like the REI quarter dome). If I intended to use it mostly for 2 people, I’d look for something different with a 50” wide floor.
I actually had most of this recorded with no rain insight. Then finally got some rain and had to add that info at the last min. It’s a really strange flaw. I love the idea but hate the implication. Thanks for watching
Why would trail weight not include the stakes , doesn’t make any sense .
I agree. I think it’s a marketing ploy to be able to advertise lower weight
For me, they're both kind of pricey. I think you can get just as good for less money with other brands.
Certainly can get good quality for less but I don’t think you will find a freestanding tent this light for any less. But I get it. Price is huge.
Get an Xmid
Agree with you on the water dripping in!!! Deal breaker!!!
Love your channel. Keep it coming! I think I finally nailed my tent strategy, and I considered the Nemo, new mountain hardwear, among some others. For family trips, nabbed the big Agnes HV UL3 (have you used the ul 1 or 2)? Has sturdy materials. For my solo or trip with just one other person I went all in on the X-Mid pro 2. Dcf but nylon 15d floor, and only was $639. And at that point $500 for a 2-2.2lb nylon tent or Xmid 2p for 22oz was the deciding factor. I plan on having my tents for 10+ years.
What's your take or experience with DCF?
I’d love to have an x-mid but Demand for those is just too competitive right now. I have a new DCF tent I’m going to be using in the near future. But until now my experience with DCF is not as extensive as I’d like it to be. Thanks for watching
Great review ! Show others how it’s done .
I have a nemo hornet, terrible design, the exposed part on the back gets soaked wet and the water gets inside. Also you cannot keep the vestibule open to enjoy the rain because it will rain inside the tent
is that red river gorge?
It’s actually Louisiana. Backbone trail. I was surprised how beautiful it was.
@@MyLifeOutdoors looks a lot like eastern kentucky!
Great review
Thanks
I thought the new proprietary Osmo fabric for Nemo tents was going to be lighter than the current stuff by 20-30%. Anyone else heard this?
From the info I have it doesn’t seem to be. But I had not heard that till now
Thank`s! I think i by the Nemo now. Greetings from Germany ;-)