MSR Entry 2 Tent Evaluate

Backside Line

The MSR Entry 2 excels in shoulder-season and lightweight winter circumstances, making it a dependable choice for ski touring and backpacking. At simply over 4 kilos, it balances sturdiness and portability, with highlights like two roomy vestibules for gear storage and a shiny purple shade that’s straightforward to identify in poor visibility. Its freestanding design and steep partitions present nice stability in wind and snow, and the easy setup makes it a reliable choice for unpredictable alpine circumstances.

That mentioned, it has its quirks. Air flow is restricted, resulting in condensation in humid or delicate climate, and the inner pockets are too small for bigger gadgets. Taller customers may discover the sloped sidewalls a bit cramped on the toes. Whereas not strong sufficient for excessive winter circumstances above treeline, the Entry 2 is extra sturdy than most three-season backpacking tents and handles below-treeline winter use with ease. For related choices, try our information to one of the best four-season tents.

For extra choices, try our information to one of the best four-season tents.

How We Examined

We examined the MSR Entry 2  over a number of months in Colorado’s mountains and foothills, specializing in the shoulder season circumstances the place this tent really excels. Early winter in Colorado is notoriously unpredictable, giving us a mixture of basic sunny bluebird days and frigid, windy nights. Alongside the best way, we additionally endured a number of average snowstorms, permitting us to totally consider the Entry 2’s efficiency in chilly and blustery climate.

Consolation

The MSR Entry 2 hits a pleasant stability between consolation and performance for a light-weight three-and-a-half to four-season tent. With 29 sq. toes of inside area and two 17-square-foot vestibules, there’s sufficient room for 2 folks to sleep with out feeling squished. We favored the steep sidewalls—they make sitting up and transferring round simpler, particularly when coping with cumbersome winter gear. The twin doorways and vestibules are an enormous plus, letting every camper have their very own entry and kit stash, so that you’re not consistently climbing over one another.

That mentioned, it’s not excellent. The sidewalls slope inward on the backside, which might really feel a bit cramped for taller of us, particularly across the toes. The inside storage pockets work nice for small stuff like headlamps however fall brief for bulkier gadgets like gloves or socks. On longer journeys, the dearth of bigger storage choices would possibly go away you wishing for a bit extra group.

Weight & Packed Measurement

At 4 kilos, 1 ounce, the MSR Entry 2 is fairly gentle for a double-wall, four-season tent. It’s versatile sufficient for backcountry snowboarding, peak bagging, and longer backpacking journeys with out feeling like a burden. Certain, it’s not ultralight, nevertheless it’s gentle sufficient for many adventures.

The packability can also be a win. This tent suits neatly into most backpacks, leaving loads of room for the remainder of your gear. Not like cumbersome expedition-style tents, the Entry 2 packs right down to a measurement that’s straightforward to handle and carry.

Climate Resistance

The Entry 2 is constructed for chilly and snowy circumstances, making it a stable alternative for shoulder seasons and delicate winter adventures. Its sturdy pole construction and steep partitions deal with snow and wind properly, and through testing, it held robust in average gusts and uneven terrain. The 20D ripstop nylon rainfly with a DWR end does a superb job conserving issues dry in gentle snow or rain, although it’s not bulletproof in wetter circumstances.

We did discover a number of downsides. Air flow is first rate for a four-season tent however nonetheless led to some condensation, particularly in hotter temps. It’s higher than single-wall tents however not as ethereal as a typical three-season choice. Throughout one multi-day check pitched on melting snow, some seepage got here by way of the ground—this might’ve been prevented with a footprint (offered individually). The Easton Syclone poles deal with wind properly, however above 40 mph, they’ll bend until the tent is absolutely guyed out, which requires additional stakes and man traces you’ll want to purchase individually.

Total, the Entry 2 performs properly within the chilly, dry circumstances it’s meant for, with a number of quirks to remember for more difficult climate.

Ease of Setup

Organising the MSR Entry 2 is straightforward and fairly intuitive. The pole construction would possibly take a minute to determine in your first attempt, however after that, it’s clean crusing. The poles come absolutely linked with a hub system close to the top and foot and a rotating hub for the middle cross pole. The tent physique clips onto the poles, so there’s no want for fussy pole sleeves. The rainfly goes on simply, and the MSR Groundhog stakes work nice in grime. For snow, although, you’ll need to seize some snow-specific stakes like MSR Blizzard stakes.

Throughout testing, we discovered the setup fast—even with gloves on—however attaching the rainfly grommets to the pole ends was a bit difficult in freezing temps. Whereas the included stakes don’t carry out properly in gentle snow, utilizing skis or different gear as anchors labored like a appeal.

Sturdiness

MSR has a stable rep for making robust tents, and we had excessive hopes for the Entry 2—and it principally delivered. The rainfly and tent physique are constituted of light-weight 20D ripstop nylon with a DWR coating, whereas the 30D nylon ground has a Durashield therapy for additional sturdiness. These supplies held up properly throughout testing at snowy basecamps and rocky campsites in Colorado. That mentioned, we did run into one difficulty: after a number of days pitched on snow in average to excessive winds, we seen a small tear within the rainfly the place it rested on a pole. We’re undecided what induced it, nevertheless it’s price maintaining a tally of.

The Easton Syclone poles are designed to bend beneath heavy snow and wind masses as a substitute of snapping. They labored properly for us, however opinions on-line appear blended.

Total, the Entry 2 feels sturdy for the way light-weight it’s, however utilizing a footprint (offered individually) is a great transfer to guard the ground on tough or moist floor. Like several ultralight tent, dealing with it with care will assist it last more.

Versatility

The MSR Entry 2 does an important job in particular circumstances however isn’t essentially the most versatile tent on the market. It’s designed for shoulder-season and lightweight winter use, making it an important choose for ski touring, cold-weather backpacking, and below-treeline mountaineering. Its double-wall building and semi-freestanding design strike a pleasant stability between climate safety and portability, giving it an edge over heavier expedition-style tents.

That mentioned, it’s not your best option for heat or moist climates. Air flow is restricted, so that you’ll seemingly cope with condensation in humid circumstances. For those who’re heading someplace with numerous rain or excessive climate, you’d desire a sturdier single-wall tent with stronger poles. Whereas the Entry 2 is roomy sufficient for 2 in chilly climate, its smaller inside and vestibules can really feel tight on gear-heavy journeys or longer adventures.

In colder, drier circumstances and for shorter alpine journeys, the Entry 2 delivers. However when you’re searching for a tent that handles heat climate or prolonged basecamps, there are higher choices on the market.

Ought to You Purchase the MSR Entry 2?

This tent walks the road between a standard three-season backpacking tent and a real four-season winter shelter, performing properly in some areas however falling brief in others.

The MSR Entry 2 performs greatest in shoulder season and delicate to average winter circumstances. It’s a superb choice for colder backpacking journeys or ski touring beneath treeline. Whereas it carries a four-season designation, it’s not an expedition tent—it’s a light-weight backpacking tent optimized to be used in chilly climate.

For those who ceaselessly winter camp or embark on in a single day ski excursions, this tent is a stable alternative. Nonetheless, when you want a bombproof expedition tent for excessive circumstances or a extremely breathable backpacking tent for hotter climate, you would possibly need to take into account different choices higher suited to these particular wants.

What Different 4-Season Tents Ought to You Take into account?

For those who’re contemplating the MSR Advance Professional 2, listed below are a number of different four-season tents price exploring. If you would like extra choices, try our full four-season tent gear information. 

Samaya 2.0 Evaluate: For ultralight fans, the Samaya 2.0 gives full waterproofing and high-tech supplies that outperform the Entry 2 in excessive alpine circumstances. It’s lighter and packs smaller however sacrifices some livability with its cosy, minimalist design. An awesome choice for fast-and-light journeys in harsh environments.

NEMO Kunai 2 Evaluate: The Kunai 2 balances weight and climate safety, making it one other stable choice for shoulder seasons and lightweight winter use. It’s barely heavier than the Entry 2 however gives a extra storm-worthy design, higher air flow, and a extra spacious inside for gear-heavy journeys.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 2 Evaluate: For those who’re all about going ultralight, the Ultamid 2 is a stable choose. It’s loopy gentle and tremendous versatile, particularly in alpine circumstances whenever you add the UltaMid insert. Take note, you’ll want trekking poles to set it up, and there’s a little bit of a studying curve. However when you get the grasp of it, its climate resistance and packability are laborious to beat for ultralight backpackers and mountaineers.