Shaving grams off your base weight stops being exciting the moment you have to spend a miserable night in a cramped, stuffy shelter. The MSR FreeLite 1 solves that tradeoff with genuinely livable solo tent geometry wrapped in an ultralight package.

The interior is what sets this tent apart from other ultralight options in its class. A true rectangular floor plan means no awkward foot taper, and 39 inches of peak headroom gives you room to sit up, get changed, and actually relax after a long day on trail. The micromesh tent body maximises airflow to fight condensation on cool Canadian nights, and pulls double duty as a stargazing ceiling when the sky is clear. Tech-friendly corner pockets with cable ports are a small but genuinely useful detail for modern backcountry travellers.

Outside, the semi-freestanding setup is quick and intuitive thanks to MSR's unified hub-and-pole system and DAC NFL aluminium poles. The PFAS-free waterproof coating and taped seams handle the rain, and the cutaway rainfly keeps weight down while still providing a proper vestibule for boots, a pack, or wet gear. The StayDry rain gutter over the vestibule door is a simple feature that makes a real difference when you're crawling in during a downpour.

At just 1 lb 10 oz minimum weight, this is a serious three-season backpacking tent built for people who cover ground.

• Minimum weight: 1 lb 10 oz (0.74 kg)
• Packaged weight: 1 lb 15 oz
• Floor area: 20 sq. ft
• Vestibule area: 8 sq. ft
• Interior peak height: 39 in (1.00 m)
• Packed size: 18 x 4 in
• Capacity: 1 person
• Semi-freestanding, 1 door
• PFAS-free waterproof coating with taped seams
• DAC NFL aluminium poles