Review for the New MSR Elixir 3 Tent

For the past three years, I have spent most of my nights sleeping on the ground in the MSR Elixir 3 tent. The Elixir has been a great tent that has held up through all sorts of weather and inhospitable campsites. I’ve pitched it on rocks, in the dirt, over moss, and under more than a few sketchy-looking trees. Regardless of how flat the tent pad is—or the lack thereof—at least I can be sure that once the Elixir is up, I have a nice, dry space for sleeping. My Elixir has some battle scars but still pitches taut and keeps us dry. So, when the opportunity came up to test the new version, I was excited to see how it compared to the one I’ve been using.

The new Elixir 3, priced at $530, is relatively similar to the previous version with a few tweaks that improve its function and livability. It comes in a new colour! I’ve come to know and love the MSR red/white, but the new green colour is nice, especially on the inside, where it offers a more neutral feel compared to the previous version. The tent materials have also been updated. They remain some of the more durable tent materials MSR uses but now have increased hydrolysis resistance to keep the tent waterproof for longer. Although this comes with a slight weight penalty, I really appreciate the more durable fabrics used in the Elixir. They provide peace of mind on longer trips, when set up in a suboptimal location, or during windy storms. At only 6 pounds total weight, the tent is still pretty light, considering the durability of the fabrics and the sturdy, spacious pole structure.

Setting up the tent is straightforward. The tent poles are colour-coordinated, as are the tent body grommets and hardware. As long as you match red with red and gray with gray, the Elixir goes up without trouble. The old version also had colour-coded hardware and poles, but the new version has an improved pole hub and new fly hardware that are much easier to fasten, allowing for a tighter pitch. There are also additional guy lines for added security in windy conditions; however, even in winds up to 50 km/h, I never felt the need for extra support.
The Elixir 3 has two roomy vestibules (15 sq. ft.) anchored by a single peg instead of two, like the previous version. This makes setup easier but comes at the cost of slightly less storage space. When paired with the new double-zipper doors, it makes the new version much easier to get in and out of. I don’t have to bend down as much to enter the tent, which is a huge plus.

Inside the tent, there is noticeably more space, with a total of 41 square feet. The high point in the middle, at 41 inches, feels higher, and there seems to be an increase in headroom while lying down in the corners. At 6 feet 1 inch, I could easily change without knocking the roof or sidewalls of the tent. We fit two large sleeping pads and a medium-sized dog without issue, along with extra gear. You could easily fit three 20-inch sleeping pads for three adults if needed, although, depending on the size of your companions, it could get tight. There are several storage pockets located in the tent, including two large ones at the head and foot, as well as four on the roof. The pockets are quite sturdy and have held everything securely without stretching or causing the tent to sag. Small loops in the roof can also support a tent light, gear loft, or drying lines, so there’s no shortage of organization options.

Condensation was never a big problem with the previous version, and the new Elixir handles moisture in a similar way. The fly has two adjustable vents to keep air flowing through the mesh upper. The new single-peg vestibule also seems to improve airflow and keep things dry. I spent some time in the rain, and the new vestibule/door setup keeps the tent door area more covered for dry entry and exit. On cooler nights, there was a small amount of condensation buildup on the inside of the fly, but nothing was saturated or dripping, and by the time we finished breakfast, everything was relatively dry. This is one area where I think the Elixir excels. Even when it gets wet from a few days of rain or a cold night with condensation, the tent dries very quickly. I tend to set it up normally and let the air flow through the open doors, but if you hang the fly on a line and set up the tent body solo, everything dries even quicker. It’s also worth noting that you can pitch the Elixir in “Shelter Mode,” which uses the provided footprint and fly only. This is great if you want to erect a quick storm shelter or lighten your load on a fall hiking trip when bugs are less of an issue.

Looking for something lighter? Although the Elixir is quite light, there are a few similar tents that could help shave extra pounds from your base weight. Enter the Hubba Hubba LT3. Based on the popular Hubba Hubba tent, the LT version is designed for even more weight savings. Priced at $875, it’s more expensive than the Elixir but offers more livable interior space (47 sq. ft.) and weight savings compared to the Elixir 3. The Hubba Hubba LT3 weighs only 4 pounds total, thanks to super-light DAC poles and a full mesh upper that also allows for ample airflow and flyless stargazing options. The Hubba Hubba LT offers a similar pole design and quick, easy setup but uses lighter materials to reduce pack size and weight. The Hubba Hubba LT proves that you don’t have to sacrifice comfort or strain your back for ample sleeping space in the backcountry. It’s our go-to tent for backpacking missions, as seen here in the Newfoundland wilderness.

Having spent dozens of nights in the previous version of the Elixir 3, the new one had big shoes to fill. However, after a few nights and some inclement weather, I’m confident that this new design and fabrics make sleeping in the Elixir 3 even better. A quicker setup, thanks to new poles and hardware, as well as the larger and easier-to-enter double-zipper doors, are noticeable improvements. More interior space and two extra pockets are also welcome additions, especially considering the tent weighs almost the same as the previous version. Plus, if you’re looking for something even lighter and more packable, don’t forget about the Hubba Hubba LT.