MSR Elixir 2

Protection: 4.7

Built-in rain gutters along the fly door keep you from getting wet when crawling in and out. The double-crossing pole configuration along with the spreader pole over the doors stabilized the tent against 25-mph winds outside of Fruita, Colorado.

Livability: 4.5

“The two 8.75-square-foot vestibules offer plenty of space for rainy-day cooking and storage,” said one tester after a wet trip in the Adirondacks. Near-vertical walls and sufficient headroom throughout (40 inches at the peak) make up for the smaller-than-average, 29-square-foot floor. Two large pockets run the full length of each end.

Ventilation: 3.7

Even with two vents on the full-coverage fly, testers found a small amount of condensation buildup after cold nights. “Strategically placed fabric panels at the top of the canopy protect you from any falling condensation, however,” says one tester.

Durability: 4.5

The included footprint (8 ounces) adds protection and versatility (see sidebar, right) to the 70-denier nylon floor. This tent also has the thickest poles in the test (9.3 mm).

Overall Score: 4.3

The Scale: 1=save your money – 5=perfect gear.

*Overall score is not an average of others scores; It’s a gut-level assessment of performance and value.

$249; 4 lbs. 10 oz.cascadedesigns.com/MSR