Gear Review
MSR Carbon Reflex 2 Tent 2-Person 3-Season
Ultralight Doesn't Mean You Have To Give Up Comfort
By Sean Chism
Ranked #192 - 3-Season Tents
September 14, 2009
The MSR Carbon Reflex 2 is an ultralight tent that will cut weight from your pack, but doesn't mean you have to give up comfort! It is a two man tent that weighs as much as most solo tents. With two people the floor space is cramped, but has ample head room. For one it is like having a double wide trailer in your pack. While not freestanding it is just as stable as any tent I've ever tested. The poles are carbon fiber so they require more care when handling them, but if cared for they will last forever. This tent is expensive, but has a level of craftsmanship unlike any other tent on the market. Details like 10,000mm coating on the floor is unheard of, and dual coatings on the fly mean this may be the last tent you buy! While only having one door can be a challeng with two people, but the zippered access to the rear vestibule is a very usefull feature. Also for the guys out there the rear door is an excellent place to relieve yourself in bad weather. If you can get this tent on sale you can't go wrong, but it is worth the regular full price.
View Details: MSR Carbon Reflex 2 Tent 2-Person 3-Season
Helpful Votes: 4 Yes
Tech Specs:
- Material:
- [fly] nylon; [floor] nylon
- Freestanding:
- no
- Doors:
- 1
- Poles:
- 2
- Pole Material:
- carbon fiber
- Floor Dimensions:
- 84 x 50 in, 29 sq ft
- Interior Height:
- 40 in
- Vestibule Space:
- (total) 14 sq ft
- Ventilation:
- mesh walls
- Trail Weight:
- 2 lb 13 oz
- Recommended Use:
- camping
- Manufacturer Warranty:
- lifetime
Change me.
2 Comments Last Reply: July 18, 2010 By: Sean Chism
Just about a year into this tent, and I have to say that it has held up well. No problems with durability. the tent itself is in like new condition, and the poles have showed no signs of porblems. I was worried when I bought this tent that the poles wouldn't hold up, but after a year of hard use they are in perfect condition. I now feel that carbon fiber poles are perfectly safe, and will last just as long a aluminum ones. You still don't want to step on them or through them down on a rock, but I would want to do that to any tent pole.
Helpful Votes: 2 Yes
Updated Review: I used this tent to camp at the 5,842' summit of Mount Sterling in the Smoky Mountains. The wind was howling, the temperatured dropped to 0 degrees, and there was 1-2 feet of snow. In those conditions it wasn't the most desirable tent, but it was more than adiquate. It shed the wind, kept us dry, it was a little cramped for two with winter gear(1 would be perfect),and as one would expect it doesn't hold heat in well. I wouln't feel safe with more than 4 inches of snow load. A serious three season tent that can handle the accasional freak snow storm, but could be used in winter is some milder climates
Helpful Votes: 8 Yes