Top pick in 2-Person Tents
Ranked #7 of 8 in 2-Person Tents
MSR Elixir 2
A tough, roomy two-door tent with the footprint in the box, for people who care more about durability than ounces.
4.7 · 195 Amazon ratings
Prices change daily, so we link to the listing instead of printing one.
- Minimum weight
- 5 lb 2 oz (2.33 kg)
- Packaged weight
- 6 lb 3 oz (2.82 kg)
- Floor
- 84 x 52 in, 30 sq ft
The verdict
Is the MSR Elixir 2 worth it?
Yes, if you want a first two-person tent that is hard to damage and easy to pitch. The Elixir 2 gives two doors, 30 square feet of floor and a footprint in the box for less than most ultralight tents. The cost is weight: 6 lb 3 oz packaged, heavy for long trips.
It sits in the lower half of our 2-person tent ranking for one reason, and that reason is weight. On most other counts it does well: buyers rate it highly in large numbers, and its fabric is far thicker than the ultralight tents that rank above it.
The 75D polyester floor is rated to 3000 mm, and the fly to 1500 mm. Split between two hikers it is about three pounds each, which is fine for weekends and car-to-camp trips. If you plan to log big miles, a lighter tent will feel better by day two.
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Specs
MSR Elixir 2 specs
From MSR (Cascade Designs)'s published specs.
What's good
What to know
How heavy is the MSR Elixir 2?
MSR lists a minimum weight of 5 lb 2 oz for the tent body, fly and poles, and 6 lb 3 oz for everything in the box, including the footprint and stakes. That is two to three times the weight of the lightest tents in our ranking.
Split between two people, the tent body and poles in one pack and the fly and footprint in the other, it works out to roughly three pounds each, which most weekend backpackers carry without much complaint.
Is the Elixir 2 big enough for two people?
For two average adults on standard 20-inch pads, yes. The floor is 84 by 52 inches with a 41-inch peak, and each person gets their own door and vestibule for boots and packs. Two 25-inch wide pads will overlap at the edges, so wide-pad sleepers should look at a roomier tent.
Can you pitch the Elixir 2 without the inner tent?
Yes. Because the footprint is included, you can pitch the fly, poles and footprint without the inner tent, which MSR calls a Fast and Light setup. It saves weight and works in dry, bug-free weather, but you give up the mesh walls that keep insects out.
Alternatives
What to buy instead of the MSR Elixir 2
Questions
MSR Elixir 2 FAQ
Does the MSR Elixir 2 come with a footprint?
Yes. The footprint is in the box along with 10 stakes, which most tents at any price leave as a separate purchase.
Is the MSR Elixir 2 waterproof?
Yes. The floor is 75D polyester rated to 3000 mm and the fly is 75D ripstop rated to 1500 mm, both with a PFAS-free water-repellent finish. Buyers commonly report staying dry through steady rain when the fly is staked out taut.
Is the Elixir 2 freestanding?
Yes. Its two aluminum poles hold the inner tent up without stakes, though you need to stake the vestibules and guy lines to keep the fly off the walls in wind and rain.
Is the Elixir 2 good for beginners?
It is one of the easiest tents to start with. Color-coded poles and clips show what goes where, and the thick fabric forgives the mistakes most people make in their first season.
Sources
By Tom. Written from published specs, Amazon buyer reviews and AI-assisted research. We have not tested every product ourselves. Updated October 15, 2026.
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MSR Elixir 2