MSR FreeLite 1 Ultralight Backpacking Tent

2025-07-27T20:00:00

Great ultralight tent for multiday kayak trips, has replaced my bivy. Had a rock fall on and breach the tent and tech support took care of me in a super agreeable manner.

Adam F.

Originally posted at

2024-09-22T20:00:00

I recently used this tent on a 5 week bike trip through Europe, and condensation is a MAJOR issue! the inside of the fly was soaked every morning, occasionally dripping on me. So disappointing. Could not leave the fly off entirely due to heavy dew and occasional rain. Otherwise, this tent was comfy, light and held up through most rainstorms. ( leaked one epic night). (senior female user, 5'11'). I also have the Elixir 2 which has vents.

Mary S.

Originally posted at

2024-06-27T20:00:00

I am 5' tall woman - very experienced super UL backpacker I got this tent and like it!!!! * The fly's zipper is at the side of the door which is very convenient to me, but NOT in heavy rain as water can easily get inside when you try getting in\out. Having the zipper on the middle would have been better. * The fly's end at the head is not covering the tent all the way down. It would be better if it went all the way down as when there is moister need to be careful not to touch that wall. - but understand that this would add 0.5-1oz. I can leave with that as I am short * The rest of the fly goes down all the way which is a huge plus to avoid dust\send coming into the tent through the mesh when it is very windy. * It would be best if the walls had a little more fabric (instead of mesh) on the lower sides for warmth. But, again- it might add 1oz. * The tent does not come with Tent Pole Repair Splints which is good to have * The tent is symmetrical where you can sleep in reverse way when the view is not at the door side * Black mesh is a huge plus as can see better through it - this is more important then privacy to me

Shosh

Originally posted at

2023-11-09T19:00:00

So far so good - will be looking toward durability in the next year or so.

Paul O.

Originally posted at

2023-11-09T19:00:00

So far so good - will be looking toward durability in the next year or so.

Beth O.

Originally posted at

2023-09-19T20:00:00

It's small, but I was expecting that. I wanted light, and that's what I got. Intuitive set up. I've only used it 5 nights in the Wyoming Range. No rain during that trip at all, so if it leaks I wouldn't know. Winds were light and variable, so it wasn't a test of ruggedness. Seems well made, and it's gonna be my go to for backcountry hunting. I like the straight zips, no guiding zippers around curves. I had to buy 4 extra UL stakes to properly guy out the fly. I'm 5'5", and this tent would probably be a bit small for any man over 6'2" tall. Also, I can't imagine not using a footprint under an UL tent. This kinda gear is not cheap, and if you want it to last, cough up the dough for the footprint. With the fp, and the stakes I added, it still weighs in at about 2lbs, 8oz.

MICHAEL D.

Originally posted at

2023-06-11T20:00:00

Excellent tent. Very light weight, easy to set up, and holds up well in the rain.

Thomas E.

Originally posted at

2023-06-03T20:00:00

I just took the tent out this weekend for a backpacking trip in the white mountains. It was raining all weekend but not a drop of water got in the tent, completely waterproof. The tent is super light and east to set up quick. The inside space was definitely adequate, I'm 6' and 200 lbs. My long, 25" wide sea to summit inflatable air mattress fit well with a bit of extra room and it has several pockets for my phone, headlamp, lighting and things like that. I upgraded from the elixer-1 (which is also a great tent, never leaks) that I've been using for the past 4 years for weight purposes. I'm really happy with the tent.

Dennis B.

Originally posted at

2023-06-01T20:00:00

Great tent, light and strong! The one who bring you to the end of the world with joy!

Alain

Originally posted at

2023-04-12T20:00:00

This is the first tent I took backpacking and it worked great. Very light weight in my pack. I was a little intimidated by the set up but after doing it at home it was a breeze at camp. Kept me very warm on a breezy below 40 night. Recommend for a solo hiker like me!

Melvin

Originally posted at

2022-12-28T19:00:00

I owned an older generation MSR Hubba (gen 5?) for several years. I very happy with it. I had a high level of confidence in purchasing the Freelite. It has proven to be worthy. The Freelite 1 is easy to set up, watertight, & lightweight as advertised. With stakes, sacks, and building wrap footprint, it comes in at 2.2 oz. Space and comfort for me is just fine. I am 5'7"/ 150 lbs. The rainfly zipper is much improved over my Hubba and other tents I own.

Lenny C.

Originally posted at

2022-10-18T20:00:00

Excellent tent. Never forked out so much for such a lightweight. So, knowing claims made by others about their tents I set it up just before it poured inches of rain the next few days. And the inside stayed home dry. We risk our lives on so called brand names that no longer deliver. Been caught out a couple of times before. MSR you delivered. I now feel safer hiking in sub zero conditions at high altitudes, knowing I've got this lightweight gem in my kit.

Ben

Originally posted at

2022-03-25T20:00:00

I just bought this today, but as there were no other reviews at the time I thought it was worth posting my first impressions after setting it up in my yard. I hope to update this review in a few months. This review is for the 2022 revision, 1 person tent. Any tent seems to be a trade off in weight, durability, size and price. If you?re buying this tent weight should be important to you, otherwise get something more durable and bigger. But if you?re planning on backpacking with this read on. The tent as shipped (excluding only the exterior tag on the bag) is 31.9oz. I?m 5?11? and there?s plenty of head room for me to sit-up and lie down inside. Given the rectangular shape of the tent there is likely enough room for me to put a medium size pack near my feet. There are a couple of stash pockets on the interior which are also nice. The dark green color seems great from my perspective (may help keep the tent a little darker at night, and blend into the woods well). A few minor things that I wish were different: * I?d rather MSR include the mini ground hog stakes, instead of their needle stakes. The weight change would only be about 1 gram per stake, but I think the ground hogs will hold better * I wish MSR would include an emergency tent pole repair/patch sleeve with the tent. I've no idea how likely this is to be needed, however it'd add piece of mind, would cost them next to nothing, and some of their competitors that use the same poles include it * I wish the top of the tent (i.e. where your head is when you?re sitting up) is a little wider. When the mesh door is closed it?s bordering on making me feel claustrophobic * It?s weird MSR doesn?t include one of their baked-into-the-tent guy lines on the side of the tent opposite to where the door is. You?d always want this part staked out, both to keep the fabric taut and as an extra undercover area where you can stash your gear * I don?t believe there is an option to pitch this tent fly first. If it?s raining when you set it up you?ll end up with some water in your tent Overall I?m happy with this tent so far, and picked it instead of its competition (after way too much research) because of it?s relatively light weight and roomy footprint.

Joe D.

Originally posted at