MSR Freelite 1 Tent Review

The MSR Freelite 1 is an ultralight double-wall, single-person tent that weighs 1 lb 10 oz. It packs up small and is simple to set making it a great option for car camping or backpacking. The inner tent is well-ventilated, featuring a spacious rectangular floor plan that accommodates wide sleeping pads with extra room to spare.

• Type: Double-wall tent
• Capacity: 1 Person
• Vestibules/Doors: 1, side
• Minimum Tent Weight: 1 b 10 oz / 737g (actual weight is 1 lb 10.2 oz)
• Structure: Semi-freestanding, two poles
• Interior Dimensions: 87 in x 33 in x 39 in
• Seam-taped: Yes
• Materials: 15 D ripstop nylon rainfly and floor, 1200mm PU coating

RELATED: MSR Freelite 2 Tent Review

Semi-freestanding design

The Freelite 1 is a semi-freestanding tent, meaning that part of the floor must be staked out while the other half is fully supported by the pole set. This type of structure helps reduce the weight of a tent by eliminating pole sections, while still making the tent easy to set up.  While it’s not as easy to pitch on a wooden platform or pick up and move around intact like a fully freestanding tent, the fact that the tent body hangs under the pole set makes it easy for one person to set up, even in windy weather.

The Freelite 1 utilizes a hubbed DAC aluminum pole set with a short crossbar, resulting in near-vertical sidewalls and a slightly widened peak. While the second pole makes the tent much more comfortable, it is quite easy to lose, as it’s not attached to the main pole set, since that would increase the weight of the tent.

During setup, rainfly drapes over the tent poles, and there are velcro strips on its underside that you can secure to the poles in windy weather to reduce flapping. The tent also comes with several very small webbing loops around its perimeter, which you can use to guy out the sides and ends of the tent for increased airflow. These webbing loops are very small, so consider threading them before you set off on a trip if you plan on hiking in a windy locale.

The fly corners have lineloc tensioners, which make it easy to tension the fly. Since the Freelite 1 comes with string-based guyouts rather than webbing-based ones, it includes Needle tent stakes that feature a hook at the end. I love these stakes and use them with many of my other shelters. Unfortunately, MSR has stopped selling them or including them with its newer Hubba Hubba line of tents; however, replacements are available from Paria Outdoors.

Materials and weight

MSR keeps the Freelite’s weight low by using thin, high-tenacity fabrics: a 15D ripstop nylon fly with silicone and PU coating, and a 15D floor with a PU coating. The fly and floor have a pretty low waterproof rating of 1200mm (called the hydrostatic head), so I’d advise against using this tent in heavy rain because water may bead up on the inside and drip on you. However, the Freelite is perfectly suited for trips in clear weather when you’ve checked the weather forecast beforehand and your biggest concern is a passing shower or morning dew. The newer MSR Hubba Hubba LT 1, although heavier, boasts a hydrostatic head of 1800 mm, making it considerably more waterproof. 

Interior space and livability

The MSR Freelite 1 is quite spacious, boasting a truly rectangular floorplan (87 in x 33 in) that has become a signature feature of MSR’s backpacking tent line, including the MSR Hubba Hubba LT 1 and Hubba Hubba LT 2. The near-vertical sidewalls and minimal inward slope give you usable volume, not just a tall peak.

The single side door is generously sized and easy to enter/exit without gymnastics. Zippers are smooth and don’t snag thanks to thoughtful rainfly overlap and zipper garages. The vestibule offers enough coverage for a large pack and muddy trail runners. Inside, there are four mesh pockets: two in the corners at the head end of the inner tent, which are high enough to store valuables like a phone or glasses without fear of them being crushed at night. There are also two gear loft pockets in the ceiling where you can stow a headlamp and other small items.

Who it’s for

• Backpackers prioritizing low weight but wanting a semi-freestanding, double-wall shelter
• Campers who don’t want the hassle of internal condensation
• Solo users who value a real vestibule and a comfortable sit-up height

Not ideal for

• Consistent heavy rain
• Those who need two doors or extra vestibule space

Recommendation

The MSR Freelite 1 is a thoughtfully executed ultralight solo tent that doesn’t force you to compromise on ease of setup or basic comfort. It’s light, packs small, pitches quickly, and handles moderate three-season weather. Treat the fabrics with care, mind your pitch, and it will reward you with a reliable, comfortable shelter that disappears in your pack and feels bigger than it looks when you’re inside. For solo backpackers seeking a double-wall ultralight without the quirks of trekking-pole shelters, it’s a solid pick.

Disclosure: MSR donated a tent for review.