Gear: Sleek, comfy tents
MSR is the Porsche of backpacking tents. These beauties, a brand of Cascade Designs, are sleek and comfy with cutting-edge construction that maximizes space and sturdiness while minimizing weight.
The new top-of-the-line double-occupancy model is the Carbon Reflex 2, which weighs just 3 pounds, including poles, stakes and rain fly -- lighter than many one-person tents. You get an airy body with twin double-zippered doors front and aft and a solid water-resistant polyurethane-coated floor.
The precisely aligned moss-green rip-stop nylon rain fly has twin vestibules to match the doors. Holding it all up are two flexible carbon-fiber poles. This is not a free-standing tent (MSR opted to save the extra weight), so you’ll need to use the included stakes. All this comes at a price, and you’ll spend some more to get the optional custom-fit “Footprint” ground tarp, which protects the floor from water and abrasion, and earns its keep.
MSR Carbon Reflex 2 tent is $499.95; matching Footprint ground tarp is $39.95; at www.msrtents.com. Info: Cascade Designs; (800) 531-9531.
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