Elixir™ 2-Person Backpacking Tent

I have that tent and use it for car camping. It is a very high quality tent, and comfortable for two people. Have been using it regularly for about 4 years now and it is holding up well. The tent weighs 5-6 lbs, which is fairly light and small as a car camping tent (doesn't take up much space in the car), but is quite heavy for a backpacking tent. It still could be used as a backpacking tent, but it is worth considering if you can find something a bit lighter. There are good options out there for sturdy freestanding tents in the 3 lb range. You'd likely be happier carrying one of those, rather than the Elixir.  Big Agnes makes some nice backpacking tents that are popular, but the lighter weight ones tend to be a bit more expensive than the Elixir. See if you can find one on sale? Cost vs weight is a factor to consider, depending on your budget and use case.

I have an elixir 2 and hubba nx 1 and rarely use them. Subpar tents where you’re paying for the brand name. I have a xmid 1 solid which I much prefer but it’s by no means a 4 season tent. Maybe look at the new Fjern Stormgrotta when it’s back in stock. It looks like it can take a beating and you can’t beat it for £160.

MSR, any of them, own the elixir 2 (from 2019 and passed on my 2016 to my mom, both going strong), both backcountry and front, recently picked up the habitude last spring (doesn’t look like they make it anymore), it has been great for front country camping. Looking to get free lite 3 next for backcountry and retire my elixir.

I had a Half Dome Plus for almost 25 years and it served me well, but I just replaced it with an MSR Elixir 2 after returning a flimsy-feeling Nemo Aurora 2. Perhaps you should look at the Elixir 3.

MSR Elixir 2 person version. I have one and I love it. I also have a very experienced friend (has done 8k and 7k summits, and trekked pretty much all over the world) who claims that this is the best overall tent for mountain hiking. It ticks all your requirements. MSR has many rather similar models. I also have Hubba Hubba and we like it, but it's not higher altitudes - it is lighter but less sturdy (different pole setup) and colder (more mesh).

I have MSR Elixir and I think this is suitable. Trekking tents are always a compromise - weight vs space vs strength. We are going to Sarek in February / March. What is your destination...? The more visited trails (Kungsleden, Helags-Sylarna area) have the luxury of retreating to a STF cottage in case of a serious storm or incident.

MSR Elixir has double pole structure and is thus rather sturdy in winds. Double entrance comes handy in blizzards. The setup is reasonably easy. It is not very lightweight though. I have done Abisko-Nikkaluokta three times in winter. Here is some advice: \- Take more time than suggested. 8 days is ideal in my opinion. More than that and you will get bored with the snow. Less than that and you cannot do the interesting side trails. \- Start from Katterjokk or Riksgränsen, not Abisko Tourist station, and spend your first two days in the valley west from Kungsleden, at the border of Norway and Sweden. Why so? Less crowed. No snowmobile track. Much more serene. \- Do a detour to Nallo. Either from Alesjaure (Alesjaure - Vistas - Nallo - Sälka) or from Tjäktja (Tjäktja - Nallo - Sälka). \- Do a detour to Tarfala, from the Kebnekaise base station. \- Explore options to summit Kebnekaise - I have not been at the summit in winter, but it should be possible, the Kebnekaise mountain station would know. \- Spend one night in a STF house with sauna. This is part of the Lappish experience that you cannot get in tents. Unna Allakas, Vistas, Sälka have saunas IIRC. Part of the fun is making the firewood yourself and heating the place up. The main route (Abisko - Singi - Nikkaluokta) has become so popular that skiing on it does not do the neighbourhood proper justice. Side valleys give you the real feeling. No snowmobile tracks, no large guided groups, just you.