MSR Twin Sisters Tent 2-Person 4-Season - 2009 BCS

This tent is more than adequate for alpine and winter conditions. I live here in Alaska and this tent is certainly a great buy if you are looking to escape the elements in the colder months. It is light enough to be carried solo and large enough to accomodate 2 + gear. If you learn your gear and know how to pitch this thing tight it will shed snow and wind very well. Architectually this design is much more effective in wind and snow than any 8lb winter dome tent with cross poles. The snowskirts make this thing bombproof. Even with the two trekking poles in the center I find that I have plenty of room to sleep on either side of the supports. I am 6'2 and have TONS of space. If you are looking to use this outside of snow conditions be wary that it is hard to get a tight pitch if you cant stake down the edges at precise places, in the snow it is easy but in rocky ground you are going to have problems. I have experienced condensation but nothing to balk at seeing as this thing only weighs 1lb 12oz. Easily regulated with the double zipper and rear vent. Know what you are buying and you will not regret it.

I'm returning this product after an unpleasant night spent in it on a spring ski tour. At first the light weight and spacious interior aspects of the tent were appealing, but then the wind arrived. Despite digging a pit, building up 4 foot fortress walls, burying the stakes, and piling the skirts with snow the night in the twin sister was anxiety packed in blustery winds. Just as dinner was ready to eat a corner stake blew sending us scrambling to save it. After further reinforcement snow along the skirts, the interior shrank dramatically. Throughout the night we were subject to an indoor snow storm as the winds shook frozen condensation from the sides. In attempting to remove the twin sister from the snow the next morning the snow skirts ripped in several places. Overall this tent would work in emergency situations with a lot of extra work but don't expect a luxury retreat on a multi day tour with it.