Are you considering which are the main differences and similarities between Big Agnes Blacktail Vs MSR Elixir?
When going camping or backpacking, you might need a particular tent type that can satisfy all of your demands. For example, it needs to be small enough to pack down, albeit many interior spaces to live conveniently.
Moreover, a tent that is waterproof and weatherproof should be privileged.
When choosing between the Big Agnes Blacktail and MSR Elixir, it might get tricky for some people. For this reason, this article is included to show you a full comparison table between them.
Big Agnes Blacktail Vs MSR Elixir: What Is The Best One?
According to many reviews and research, MSR Elixir is rated as a better tent for most backpackers and campers than the Big Agnes Blacktail.
That means the product of MSR Elixir is well-produced with a helpful footprint, a lot of storage pockets, a gear shed, and a vast vestibule.
On the other hand, suppose you want a more lightweight tent for traveling easier, picking up the Big Agnes Blacktail is my recommendation.
Big Agnes Blacktail
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Big Agnes Blacktail is lightweight and affordable
Key feature
You might be pretty familiar with the Big Agnes brand for some who often have backpacking and camping adventures. The company is well-known for producing great ultralight tents.
Of course, different from its most popular items like Fly Creek or Copper Spur, the Big Agnes Blacktail would not disappoint you in the price aspect.
That means it is for four or only two people; the ultralight tent requires only around $250 to $300. Moreover, the tent has a long-lasting life, high resistance to harsh weather, and impressive storage space.
Of course, if you like many people taking part in your camping trip, you need your tent to have easy access. The ultralight Big Agnes Blacktail can satisfy the demands cause it offers two doors and an easy-to-pitch feature.
On the other hand, compared with others, the product of Big Agnes might have a few more pounds coming from its trail weight.
Pros
- Affordable
- Easy access with two doors
- High gear storage with two vestibules
- Easily and quickly pitch
- Well ventilate
Cons
- Heavier than some expect
MSR Elixir 1-person
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MSR Elixir is well-produced with a helpful footprint
Key feature
As its name indicated, the MSR Elixir comes in the smallest size in the MSR Elixir series. In 2008, the brand slightly modified the tent when adding a different footprint.
That means it becomes more valuable with better-protected floors. Furthermore, the canvas comes with an excellent double-hub design and a well-built feature. You might be surprised with the high-level craftsmanship, combing with a reasonable price.
Nevertheless, the MSR Elixir 1-person may not be as lightweight as its counterpart. The brand luckily offers a large protected area for one person to compensate for the downside. Besides, suppose you have more gears than expected, use the MSR Gear Shed to be compatible with the tent.
Pros
- Footprint available
- Versatile and reliable
- Freestanding
- Equipment shed and many storage pockets included
- A huge vestibule
- Impressive double-hub design
- Complete coverage fly
Cons
- Less lightweight
Big Agnes Blacktail Vs MSR Elixir Comparison
Suppose you have already known the main features of the Big Agnes Blacktail Vs. MSR Elixir, let’s take a deeper look at their similarities and differences below.
Similarities
When it comes to the discussion about the two products’ similarities, the weight might be the first and easy-to-notice feature.
That is to say, both weigh around 2.1 kg, making them suitable for those who are seeking lightweight tents for their backpacking trips.
Moreover, the tents also offer similar waterproof and weather resistance due to their well-taped seams combined with solid frames. They are excellent 3-season tents, well-made for most usual weather conditions.
Differences
There are four main features between the two tents, including the materials, ventilation, and pitching.
Materials
First and foremost, the Big Agnes Blacktail and MSR Elixir materials have slight differences that you should keep in mind.
Concerning the product of Big Agnes, it contains a polyester mesh inner tent and a breathable polyester. The features ultimately protect users from annoying biting insects and increase the ventilating level.
Furthermore, the tent’s waterproof rating is 1500 mm, rooting from the high-quality polyurethane coating and 68D polyester of the rainfly and floor.
That means the material is robust enough to avoid most tears and wear. What’s more, you would be satisfied with the press-fit aluminum poles. That makes them sturdy and solid to face any harsh elements of the external conditions.
Regarding the MSR Elixir, it contains a particular dual-hubbed poles system. Except in loving stories, two is always better than one. Significantly, the two poles of the MSR Elixir drastically increase the tent’s structure.
The item becomes even stronger with another brow pole. It enhances the shoulder and volume level while going up the side walls simultaneously.
Moreover, there are 7000-series aluminum poles with the color-coded feature included. They come together, making the tent stronger, more durable, and easier to set up than its counterpart.
(Cre: bigagnes)
The aluminum stakes are built-in, helping it firmly attach to the ground, even on windy days.
The tent’s floor is well-made with a 3000mm polyurethane, DWR, and a 70D taffeta nylon. That means you would be delighted with its durability.
More than that, the canopy has DWR, combined with a 40D ripstop nylon and a 20D nylon micro-mesh. The reasonable fabric makes the tent lightweight, as many expected.
Hence, the MSR Elixir might lightly outweigh the Big Agnes Blacktail in the aspect of the material.
Ventilation
MSR Elixir vent comes with an excellent ventilating level due to its well-equipped fly and inner tent. That means, on the narrow sides of the inner tent, there are mesh sections and a vent on the fly as well.
That helps you avoid the condensation. Besides, you can also partly or entirely open the vestibules based on your needs and adjust the airflow.
The Big Agnes Blacktails’ ventilation rating is relatively high due to a vast internal mesh canopy. The rainfly and the top have a large gap enough to produce ample airflow inside your tent. Plus, the two vents included in the ceiling prevent you from condensation.
Suppose you are upset about the low level of the ventilation inside the tent; think about unzipping the standard vent provided on the doors of the vestibule. That makes your tent cooler, but the option also helps you prevent the wet drops of a sudden rain at night.
In short, I would pick up the MSR Elixir as the winner in the aspect of ventilation. Many built-in vents and the combination of the inner tent and the fly make it suitable for even the hottest days in your camping time.
(cre: msr)
Pitching
The next comparing feature is the pitching and taking down ability. In this case, the Big Agnes takes only around two minutes while its counterpart needs approximately five minutes to place on the ground.
For more details, the product of the Big Agnes offers a freestanding design, helping users reduce the staking step to set up the tent. Plus, feel free to move it anywhere before opting for the best secure spot, which is especially useful on the hard ground.
Due to a more complex structure, the MSR Elixir might take longer to set up the canvas. However, there is still hardly any difficulty in pitching it; thanks for the instructions included on the bag. Also, the color-coded parts of the tent, such as the grey and red grommets, the grey and red poles, the red vestibule, and the grey main fly, are another plus for the easy-to-setup level.
Suppose you want more details about the two items, have a look at the videos below:
Big Agnes Blacktail
MSR Elixir
FAQs
1. Is Big Agnes a good brand?
Of course, the Big Agnes is a highly rated company due to its excellent sleeping pads, outdoor apparel, tents, and sleeping bags.
Before giving them to the customers, the company also offers an extensively specialized testing process, increasing their reputation.
2. What is the waterproof level of the MSR tents?
When measuring the waterproof level of most outdoor garments, people often use the water column test as a standard rating.
That means the products of MSR have a 1500mm rating on the water column test. It also comes with a durable outer rainfly made of ripstop polyester.
3. How much is too heavy with a backpacking tent?
In most cases, you should pick up a lighter tent than three pounds. That helps you carry it around with no difficulty while ultimately minimizing the weight.
However, keep in mind that weight is not the only aspect you should consider when choosing a tent.
Conclusion
To sum up, above is a quick comparison between Big Agnes Blacktail Vs MSR Elixir.
In short, Big Agnes Blacktail combines well between a comfortable space, affordability, and a lightweight. I highly recommend it for hiking, especially in the backcountry. Some of its highlighted features include two vestibule, two doors, and a durable package.
The MSR Elixir is rated as a livable tent for solo campers and backpackers. It offers high-quality materials and excellent ventilation, a vast vestibule, a breathable mesh, and a solid canopy fabric.
While each has its benefits and disadvantages, the MSR Elixir might be more useful in the aspect of long-lasting life, privacy, warmth, and ventilation.
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