The camping experience will never be complete without a perfect tent. A tent is not only a living space but also a place where people enjoy unforgettable moments through talking, eating, playing, etc. Therefore, there is a need to find the most suitable tent for your adventure.
This article is aimed at comparing Naturehike and MSR – two well-known outdoor brands on the market. You may think all tents look the same. But actually, they are not! Let’s dig in to see their similarities, differences and how they fit you in your trip.
Which is the best one?
As a person who has joined in many camping experiences, I still find it hard to choose between Naturehike vs MSR. In my opinion, the final answer should be based on your needs and wants.
I can buy tents from two brands and flexibly pick a single one for a specific occasion. When I go camping with a group of 10 people, MSR tens would be my option. Besides, as we usually camp in the winter, we think that an MSR tent with more full mesh options will bring us more warmth and insulation.
If you are not willing to spend much on a tent, I recommend you choose Naturehike since its price is more affordable. On hot days, I can also enjoy more fresh air thanks to the big mesh.
Similarity
Being two different brands doesn’t mean that Naturehike vs MSR don’t share any common features.
Firstly, these two brands make people fall in love with their huge and functional vestibules (if that tent design has vestibules). Those vestibules stretch closely to the ground to fully protect the tent and add more storage space. If you have dirty stuff, you can leave it outside the tent and under the vestibules to keep the interior clean and fresh.
Secondly, whenever their tents have vestibules, they are truly big and helpful. They are not small like the porch of other brands you usually see on the market. Their vestibules extend far to the ground. Therefore, you can expect to have more storage space for your stuff.
Thirdly, Naturehike vs MSR tents is not as diverse as other brands I used to see. Currently, they have about 35 models available on their websites. They don’t offer a wide array of colors or shapes.
One interesting shape I find in Naturehike tents is the glamping style just like a pyramid, Though Naturehike tents are not too diverse, one interesting shape I see in Naturehike is its pyramid tents. This aesthetic style truly reminds me of the prehistoric period.
Difference
Capacity
One big disadvantage of Naturehike is its small capacity. Its biggest capacity is only for 4 people at one time, while MSR can accommodate maximally 10 people with its H.U.B High-Altitude Utility Base Camp Tent.
MSR H.U.B High-Altitude Utility Base Camp Tent
(Cre: MSRGear)
If you have the idea of camping with your big group of beloved ones, MSR would be a better option for a bigger room and extra comfort.
Price
It is clear that Naturehike is more economical than MSR. While MSR prices start from about 170$, Nature attracts its users at the lowest price of about 90$. Additionally, the gap between different types of MSR tents is fairly big, while Naturehike prices just gradually increase.
Therefore, if you want to save money for other things on your trip, I would suggest you buy a Naturehike tent. With a low budget, you will not have many options in MSR.
Weight
A tent below 1 kg? Yes, it is real. For a backpacking option, MSR has some types that are surprisingly below 1kg such as Thru-Hiker Mesh House 1/2 Trekking Pole Shelter.
This weight is super ideal for any campers who don’t want to carry a heavy tent along the way. Although this product line is light, it is still equipped with a 1200mm waterproof floor.
(Cre: MSRGear)
In contrast, Naturehike light tents are heavier and bulkier, about more than 1.5kg.
Waterproof
MSR is a brand that has many special technologies for the tent to resist water. Usually, we see the 2019 Xtreme Shield coating technology that is totally different from the standard on the market. Xtreme Shield is claimed to work at the molecular level to hold up against heat and water. So, it can avoid the early sign of degradation that other normal coatings have.
Moreover, the waterproof coating of some premium MSR tents can go up to 10000mm (Remote 2 Two-Person Mountaineering Tent). Besides, their seams are carefully stitched and sealed to ensure the long-term performance of the tent.
Though Naturehike’s maximum waterproof index is not as high as MSR’s, it is still very famous for its incredible waterproof index of 3000 to 4000mm. A fabric with a thick layer of waterproof coating can help your tent fight against rainwater strongly. When you unluckily face heavy rain, you don’t need to worry about leakage.
As you can see above, both tents are good at waterproofing. Therefore, you can find much positive feedback about their ability to protect you from unexpected rain. You will feel safer and more pleasant while staying inside the tent.
Mesh
When you have a look at all Naturehike tents, you will see that this brand is fond of the entire mesh design. As a person who loves stargazing, I’m fond of this design.
Whenever I take the rainfly off, I can fully enjoy the sky and stars. In addition, the large mesh is a big plus for better ventilation. However, in colder months, it cannot protect you from the coldness. So, it is recommended that you bring your own sleeping bags or heat bags to keep you warm enough.
Naturehike Mongar 2 with full mesh
(Cre: East Coast Gear Reviews)
On the contrary, MSR has both full and limited mesh. The half mesh or just a little mesh can provide better warmth and more privacy. MSR Access 3 is a recommendation for you on colder days.
FAQs
1. How can I define the term “waterproof” in my MSR tent? What does the “mm” rating mean?
Waterproof MSR tents mean that the brand covered the fabric with an exceptional layer of polyurethane. The seams also prevent water from entering the tent.
You can often find “mm” in the specification of our products. “mm” means millimeters. This refers to the waterproof ability of the coating. For example, a 1500mm coating can withstand a 1500mm column of water for more than one minute before a single drop might appear through the fabric. Please note that this number is not the thickness of the fabric or the coating layer.
A high “mm” index is not always good. If the coating layer is too thick, the tent will be heavier and more rigid to a point that it can be vulnerable to tearing. And an ultralight tent should have less coating. In general, an ideal coating needs the balance so that it can easily stand dynamic factors such as wind or guy-out points.
2. How long will a tent last?
In reality, the life span of your tent depends on many factors. Some common factors are as below:
How you use it: you need to learn carefully to use, protect, clean and store it in a careful way.
The numberof times you use it: if you go camping regularly, your tent will wear out faster.
Weather conditions: you cannot expect a tent that is usually used in high winds or snow to live longer than a usual one.
3. What is special about MSR’s Easton Syclone carbon fiber poles?
Easton Syclone Poles are the advanced secret to ultralight but durable poles. They are made from composite materials, which make them so flexible, resilient and unbreakable in windy or harsh conditions.
Conclusion
As you can see from my detailed comparison, I guess you can make your wise decision between Naturehike vs MSR now.
A camper who wants a cheap tent with many opportunities for stargazing thanks to the large mesh, Naturehike can be your next companion.
If not, you can choose MSR for mesh diversity and bigger capacity.
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