By Camp Gear Atlas Editorial · September 14, 2026 · Research-based guidance
The useful answer
Choose a beginner backpacking tent by balancing complete carried weight with the actual sleeping layout and a setup you can practice. The current Elixir 2 suits space-conscious short trips, the Elixir 3 adds width for a pair, and the Hubba Hubba LT 2 reduces the shelter load substantially. All require an anchored, properly adjusted pitch.
The shortlist
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Best for short trips with a complete package
MSR Elixir 2-Person Backpacking Tent
Includes a footprint and two doors; its current packaged weight needs to fit the route.
Check on Amazon — MSR Elixir 2-Person Backpacking TentSpecifications & tradeoffsBest for pairs prioritizing floor width
MSR Elixir 3-Person Backpacking Tent
More width supports flexible two-person use, with a substantial carrying penalty.
Check on Amazon — MSR Elixir 3-Person Backpacking TentSpecifications & tradeoffsBest for reducing the backpack load
MSR Hubba Hubba LT 2-Person Backpacking Tent
Two doors and a lower packaged weight suit longer walks, while lighter fabric needs careful handling.
Check on Amazon — MSR Hubba Hubba LT 2-Person Backpacking TentSpecifications & tradeoffs
Your first route sets the buying priorities
A short walk to a quiet campground and a full day on uneven trail place different demands on a shelter. Before shopping, write down how far the first trips will carry the tent, how many capable adults can share its pieces, and the ground where you expect to pitch. That information matters more than deciding whether a product belongs in an ultralight category.
For a beginner, a complete two-door tent can make the campsite routine easier to learn. Each camper can enter from a side, and the fly creates a recognizable separation between sleeping space and stored footwear. These conveniences are useful without requiring the largest available interior. Start with ordinary conditions and a realistic route; none of the tents here substitutes for experience or an appropriate weather plan.
Compare packages on the same basis
Manufacturers may publish minimum and packaged weights. On MSR's current pages, minimum weight describes the tent body, fly, and poles, while packaged weight includes the supplied accessories. If one listing quotes minimum weight and another quotes packaged weight, subtracting the two creates a misleading comparison.
Our shortlist uses the current packaged figures: Elixir 2 at 6 pounds 3 ounces, Elixir 3 at 7 pounds 2 ounces, and Hubba Hubba LT 2 at 3 pounds 6 ounces. These are manufacturer figures, not our measured weights. An optional footprint or different stakes can alter the kit you actually carry. Weigh the final contents before packing for a trip.
The Elixir 2: a complete short-trip starting point
The Elixir 2 is appealing when a pair wants an included footprint, conventional tent organization, and a rectangular sleeping floor. It gives both people a door without requiring them to manage an unusually minimal shelter. We would shortlist it for occasional short trips when simplicity and a more substantial fabric package matter more than the lightest possible load.
Its weight deserves a deliberate decision. Dividing pieces can make each backpack easier to arrange, but it does not reduce the group's total burden. If the next season will involve longer days or only one person carrying the shelter, the alternative below may be more sensible than buying a heavy tent and immediately planning to replace it.
The Elixir 3: more width for two
The Elixir 3 adds floor width that a pair can use for a dog, flexible sleeping arrangements, or less crowded indoor organization. Two campers do not have to fill every inch to justify a three-person category. A comfortable shared shelter can be a reasonable priority on short walks where the load is acceptable.
Three adults should still check pad dimensions carefully. Three wide rectangles can exceed a floor that comfortably holds three narrower pads. If you need the larger version only to make oversized bedding fit, compare the complete sleeping system as well: a different pad shape or width might solve the problem with less overall bulk.
The Hubba Hubba LT 2: lighter without deleting the doors
The Hubba Hubba LT 2 is the option for pairs who know the tent will spend considerable time in a backpack. MSR documents a mesh-focused inner, two doors, and a freestanding structure. The much lower packaged weight gives a concrete reason to consider it instead of paying for a vague category upgrade.
The lighter fabric specification calls for deliberate handling and site choice. Spread the tent where sharp debris will not press into it, keep footwear outside the sleeping floor, and learn the pole arrangement before rushing in bad weather. A more open mesh inner also makes the fly important for privacy. These are manageable ownership choices, but they should be chosen knowingly.
Make a bed plan and a load plan
Inflate both pads and put sleeping bags on them. Measure the widest point, including side rails or pronounced edges. If you share a tent with someone who rolls around, discuss whether a snug fit is acceptable. Do not assume the wider model is always better: more space can mean a larger site requirement and a larger load on every mile.
Next assign the carried components. One person might take the body and fly while another takes poles and stakes, but divide according to the rest of each pack and the group's abilities. Keep the pieces identifiable, and agree that nobody leaves camp until all components are accounted for. A separated tent kit only works if every part reaches the same campsite.
Practice the entire tent, not just the skeleton
At home, pitch the fly, vestibules, and all required lines. Find the vents and learn how to open them from the positions you can reach. Check that the inner stays separated from the fly and that neither door is strained. Take down and repack the shelter once while following the instructions.
The strongest first purchase is the tent that fits the planned trips without an immediate workaround. Choose the Elixir 2 for a complete short-trip package, the Elixir 3 when the extra width has a clear purpose, or the LT 2 when reducing the repeated carrying load is the priority.
Revisit the shortlist
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Sources & further reading
MSR Elixir 2 current product specifications ↗MSR Elixir 3 current product specifications ↗MSR Hubba Hubba LT 2 product specifications ↗MSR Hubba Hubba LT design explanation ↗NEMO Dagger 2P manufacturer manual (2016) ↗Manufacturer specifications and guidance checked September 2026. Model generations and included accessories can change; confirm the exact version before ordering.
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