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MSR Elixir 3 Review

A roomy tent for three that's ready to face the elements, but its weight and bulk outweigh its benefits
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MSR Elixir 3 Review (Spacious and well-protected, the MSR Elixir 3 is a well-built backpacking tent; it's just heavy compared to modern...)
Spacious and well-protected, the MSR Elixir 3 is a well-built backpacking tent; it's just heavy compared to modern designs.
Credit: Arthur McMahon
Price:  $390 List
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Manufacturer:   MSR
Arthur McMahon
By Arthur McMahon ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  October 23, 2026
74
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#6 of 13
  • Livability - 35% 8.7
  • Weather Resistance - 25% 8.1
  • Weight - 15% 4.0
  • Packed Size - 15% 5.6
  • Durability - 10% 8.7
List Price: $390

Our Verdict

Echoing designs of the past, the MSR Elixir 3 feels almost stubbornly unconcerned with the modern race to make backpacking tents lighter. MSR designed this tent with a large rectangular floor that easily fits three typical sleeping pads side by side, two large doors with spacious vestibules, and strong, abrasion- and storm-resistant materials. At over 7 pounds, it's heavy, and when packed down, it's big enough to completely fill the main compartment of a mid-sized backpack. You'll want to share the carry load, for sure, but you and your trail buddies will surely be comfortable and well protected.
REASONS TO BUY
Spacious
Durable materials
Strong wind and rain protection
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy
Relatively bulky

Compare to Similar Products

(change comparison)
 
msr elixir 3
This Product
MSR Elixir 3
Awards  Editors' Choice Award
Your First Backpacking Tent
 Best Buy Award
Best Value for Beginners
 
Price $390 List
Check Price at REI		$399 List
Check Price at REI		$220 List
Check Price at REI		$260 List
Check Price at REI		$150 List
Check Price at Backcountry
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Bottom Line This tent can comfortably fit three backpackers and their gear, though the weight and bulk will have to be split among the groupThis jack-of-all-trades tent gets the basics right, making it an excellent choice for first-time backpackersEven if it's a bit heavy, this 2-person tent is comfortable, durable, and easy to set upThis affordable tent is one of the largest we tested, which makes it a comfortable option for anyone just getting into backpackingA basic backpacking tent that's more like a roomy one-person tent rather than the two-person size advertised
Rating Categories  MSR Elixir 3 REI Co-op Half Dome 2 The North Face Storm... The North Face Storm... Kelty Grand Mesa 2
Livability (35%)
8.7
8.2
7.9
8.6
6.3
Weather Resistance (25%)
8.1
7.0
7.0
7.1
6.8
Weight (15%)
4.0
6.8
5.7
4.4
7.0
Packed Size (15%)
5.6
5.7
7.3
5.2
8.0
Durability (10%)
8.7
7.5
7.7
7.7
7.8
Specifications MSR Elixir 3 REI Co-op Half Dome 2 The North Face Storm... The North Face Storm... Kelty Grand Mesa 2
Listed Size  3 person 2 person 2 person 3 person 2 person
True Capacity  Very spacious for two people and gear;
Fits three people with a moderate amount of gear		 Very spacious for one person and gear;
Fits two people comfortably with moderate amount of gear		 Very spacious for one person and gear;
Fits two people with a moderate amount of gear		 Fits two people very comfortably with gear;
Very tight for three people with very little gear		 Comfortable for one person and gear;
Fits two people with a very small amount of gear
Measured Minimum Trail Weight  5.90 lbs 4.83 lbs 5.61 lbs 6.20 lbs 4.31 lbs
Number of Doors 2 2 2 2 1
Footprint Included?  Yes Yes No No No
Measured Packaged Weight  7.14 lbs 4.95 lbs 5.88 lbs 7.10 lbs 4.81 lbs
Measured Floor Area  41.0 sq ft 31.8 sq ft 30.6 sq ft 39.7 sq ft 30.6 sq ft
Measured Packed Size  21 x 8 in 22 x 7.5 in 20 x 6.5 in 22 x 8 in 16.5 x 7 in
Measured Peak Height 43 in 42 in 43 in 46 in 43 in
Measured Vestibule Area  14.4 sq feet on each side 9.2 sq ft on each side 9.8 sq ft on each side 10.8 sq ft on each side 6.0 sq feet (one vestibule)
Number of Pockets 6 6 4 4 3
Gear Loft?  Yes No No No No
Number of Poles 2 1 4 4 2
Pole Diameter  9.02/9.5 mm 8.7 mm 8.5 mm 8.5 mm 9 mm
Pole Material Aluminum DAC featherlite NFL aluminum Aluminum Aluminum Aluminum
Number of Guy Points 5 4 4 4 7
Rain Fly Material 75D ripstop polyester 40D ripstop nylon, 20D nylon mesh 75D polyester, 1200 mm PU coating 75D polyester taffeta 68D Polyester
Inner Tent Material 20D nylon micromesh, 40D ripstop polyester 40D taffeta nylon 40D polyester mesh, 75D polyester taffeta canopy, 75D polyester 1500 mm floor 75D polyester taffeta 68D polyester

Our Analysis and Test Results

The spacious MSR Elixir 3 easily keeps a trio comfortable on the trail.   Credit: Arthur McMahon

Likes


Equipped with a heavy-duty polyester rainfly and body, an included footprint, and strong aluminum poles, the MSR Elixir 3 is one tough backpacking tent. Bumps and scratches will hardly leave a mark, and wind and rain will bounce right off this tent while you sleep.


MSR certainly ranked strength highly when designing the Elixir 3, but they also prioritized comfort and livability. With 41 square feet of floor area and a boxy interior space, there is plenty of room for three adults to sleep side-by-side, sit, and even kneel inside this tent.

The boxy shape makes for ample interior space, and the sturdy poles and thick rainfly provide substantial protection.   Credit: Arthur McMahon

Everyone in your group will also have plenty of storage spots to claim. The two vestibules add nearly 29 square feet of covered storage space, plus six decently sized interior pockets and a useful gear loft, making it easier to organize gear inside.

The tent doors and storage vestibules of the Elixir 3 are absolutely enormous.   Credit: Arthur McMahon

Dislikes


We don't really have any grievances as far as the actual use of the MSR Elixir 3. It's spacious, easy to set up, and holds up well in foul weather. Compared to other modern tents, it's not even all that expensive. The problems only show up when you have to pack and carry it.


On our scale, the Elixir 3 clocked in at a hefty 7.14 pounds. Even after paring it down to the absolute minimum trail weight, we still recorded 5.9 pounds. That's a lot for one person to carry – it'll make up a sizeable percentage of your backpack's total weight if you carry it on your own.

Shaking it out, those pounds show in how the Elixir 3 sags toward the ground.   Credit: Arthur McMahon

And it doesn't pack down small, either. At 8 inches thick and 21 inches across, carrying this tent is like hauling one of those large car camping chairs into the backcountry. Hopefully you're sharing this tent with one, if not two, other backpackers, and hopefully they'll split the load with you so you don't have to pack it out on your own.

That's one hefty sack to fit in your pack.   Credit: Arthur McMahon

Should You Buy the MSR Elixir 3?


The Elixir 3 may be a good option if you often venture out with one or two backpacking buddies. As long as you can divvy up the load, you'll have a tent with solid weather protection and extra elbow room. However, there are other, more modern tents that are just as big, but weigh half as much

What Other Backpacking Tents Should You Consider?


The REI Co-op Half Dome 3 is directly comparable to the Elixir 3, though the popular Half Dome 3 offers slightly more floor space and headroom. Both tents are an ideal middle ground for a small group of backpackers. Cut back to a tent like the The North Face Stormbreak 3, and you lose out on some weather resistance and durability. Upgrade to a tent like the SlingFin Portal 3, and you maximize weight savings and packability without any compromise – but the Portal 3 is as good as it gets, so it's almost twice as expensive as the Elixir 3.
—Arthur McMahon

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