The MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2 is a great tent for two people. It’s incredibly easy to set up, lightweight and has two doors so you can come and go at night without disturbing your partner. Nearly freestanding, the pole configuration creates an interior space that has near-vertical walls, providing …
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MSR Reactor Pot – 2.5 Liter Review
I became enamored with cook pots that include heat exchange fins this year after watching a friend melting snow with one last winter with far less fuel than me. This led to my changing my cook pot for this winter from a 1.3 liter ultralight titanium pot to a comparatively …
Read More »MSR Snowshoe Guide: How to Choose
MSR makes great snowshoes for winter hiking and backpacking that provide excellent traction and flotation over packed snow and ice in mountainous terrain and powder in higher elevations and drier climates. With an ironclad guarantee, MSR also has a great reputation for replacing snowshoes that fail, something that will save you …
Read More »MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoes Review w/ New Paragon Binding
MSR’s Lightning Ascent Snowshoes are lightweight, durable snowshoes that are ideal for winter hiking and backpacking in mountainous terrain. They’re designed with a unique 360-degree traction system that allows you to walk up slopes or laterally across them without losing your grip. The Lightning Ascents were the first snowshoes to …
Read More »MSR FreeLite 2 Tent Review
The MSR FreeLite 2 is a two-person, double-wall tent that has a trail weight of 41 ounces. Considered a semi-freestanding tent, it has a single-pole system that is quick and easy to assemble. There are two doors with vestibules and the interior of the tent is surprisingly large with 48″ …
Read More »MSR Guardian Water Purifier Review
The MSR Guardian is a first-class water purifier that removes viruses, bacteria, protozoa, dirt and silt from backcountry and international water sources. Weighing just 17.3 ounces, the Guardian has a self-cleaning filter that constantly purges itself while you filter water so you never have to backflush or scrub the filter …
Read More »MSR MiniWorks EX Water Filter Review
The MSR MiniWorks EX Water Filter is a pump-style backcountry water filter that removes bacteria and protozoa from hard to reach water sources. It’s also compatible with wide mouth water bottles and hydration bladders from Nalgene and MSR. If you need additional protection from viruses, try the MSR MiniWorks EX …
Read More »MSR TrailShot Water Filter Review
The MSR TrailShot Water Filter is a highly compact and portable water filter that lets you drink directly from natural water sources like streams, rivers, lakes and ponds. It has an unusual design that’s a lot like a water fountain (with a built-in water filter) so you can hydrate on …
Read More »MSR Reactor Stove System Review
The MSR Reactor Stove System is not the lightest weight backpacking stove available or the most flexible because it can’t simmer, but it boils water really fast and is 40% more efficient than most other pot & canister stove combinations. Those two properties make it a very reliable companion on off-the-grid adventures …
Read More »MSR Carbon Reflex 1 Ultralight Tent Review
The MSR Carbon Reflex 1 is an ultralight double-walled tent that weighs just 1 lb 7 oz. It’s actually a second-generation version of the Carbon Reflex 1, but now 11 oz lighter weight than the earlier generation tent I first tested in 2011. The weight savings come primarily from using …
Read More »MSR WindBurner Personal Stove System Review
The MSR WindBurner is a canister stove system built around the wind-proof and super fuel-efficient radiant burner technology that MSR originally developed for its snow-melting powerhouse Reactor Stove. Unlike conventional backpacking stoves, radiant burners don’t have flames, which makes them impervious to windy weather so that they burn hotter and longer …
Read More »MSR Pocket Rocket 2 Canister Stove Review
The MSR Pocket Rocket 2 is a powerful canister stove with built-in the pot supports, that fold down and away more compactly along the stove stem (see below). This makes it easy to store the Pocket Rocket 2 inside a small cook pot together with a large 8 oz gas …
Read More »MSR Advance Pro 2 Tent Review
The MSR Advance Pro 2 Tent is a two-person, wedge-style tent designed for professional mountaineers who are willing to sacrifice on tent comfort in exchange for light weight and a small footprint. Weighing 2 lbs 14 oz ounces, the single wall Advance Pro 2 includes a pair of Easton Syclone …
Read More »MSR Evo Ascent Snowshoes Review
I started using a different pair of snowshoes a few years ago, switching from a pair of MSR Lightning Ascents to a pair of Evo Ascent Snowshoes, also from MSR. While the Lightning Ascents are great snowshoes for mountainous winter hiking and snowshoeing, I needed a more durable more maneuverable …
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