MSR Habitude 6 Tent Evaluate

Backside Line

The MSR Habitude 6 is a spacious household or group tent crafted from high-quality supplies, providing a formidable peak peak of 6’4” – tall campers, rejoice! With 83 sq. ft of ground area, it comfortably accommodates a household of 4 and may sleep six when you don’t thoughts a comfy setup. Identified for its sturdy gear, MSR has designed the Habitude 6 to resist the weather nicely, boasting wonderful waterproofing. Nevertheless, given its peak peak, it’s finest to pitch this tent in a sheltered spot if excessive winds are anticipated.

That mentioned, there are a number of downsides. The one-door design is limiting as a second door would cut back the effort of stepping over sleeping campers at night time. Air flow will also be a problem if the rainfly isn’t absolutely guyed out since condensation might construct up, however securing the fly tightly helps alleviate this. Lastly, we want to see extra stakes included – additional ones are wanted to totally make the most of the extra guylines supplied with the tent.

This tent’s value level locations it within the premium class, however given all its benefits, we imagine it nonetheless provides nice worth for these on the lookout for a high-quality tent full of options.

We examined the MSR Habitude 6 over two months of late fall tenting within the mountains and foothills of Colorado with our household of 4. Regardless of the season, we lucked out with largely dry climate, although we did expertise some fairly intense wind at occasions—good for placing the tent’s stability to the take a look at. With two children in tow, we received to see how nicely the Habitude 6 dealt with actual household tenting life, from gear group to late-night toilet runs.

Curious about studying extra in-depth critiques of a few of our favourite tents? Take a look at our gear information to the Finest Tenting Tents of 2024.

Consolation

The Habitude 6 delivers excellent spaciousness and luxury, that includes a beneficiant 6’4” peak peak and a big door for straightforward entry and exit, even accommodating these with mobility challenges. We discovered it supplied ample area for our household of 4, with additional room for gear and even an array of youngsters’ toys. Actually, who wants 14 monster vans? Luckily, the dome-style design and taut pole construction maximize usable area, which allowed usto stroll round and alter garments comfortably while not having to crouch close to the partitions.

The Habitude additionally contains a modest entrance vestibule, offering additional storage for gear, a sheltered cooking area in unhealthy climate, or, in our case, room for much more toys.

With out the rainfly, the tent has loads of mesh for air flow, letting in recent air whereas permitting sizzling, stagnant air to flee. When the fly is on, it’s important to man it out absolutely and open the kickstand vent to take care of correct airflow; in any other case, condensation can construct up in a single day.

Sturdiness

The saying goes, “you get what you pay for,” and the Habitude 6 is a major instance. Though this tent comes at a premium value, it’s backed by sturdy, high-quality supplies you can anticipate to final by many tenting seasons. The 7000-series aluminum poles are constructed not just for longevity but in addition for higher stability in windy situations.

The rainfly, cover, and ground are all constructed from 68D polyester—ripstop for the rainfly and taffeta for the cover and ground. “D” stands for denier, indicating cloth thickness, and on this case, these supplies are exceptionally sturdy. Although the technical specs might not resonate with everybody, the standard is clear. From the physique cloth and mesh to the rainfly and zippers, each element feels strong. With sufficient time spent in tents, you begin recognizing the standard by really feel, and this one passes that take a look at simply. The zippers function easily each time. Even after quite a few solo and household tenting journeys—and with little children who’re famously onerous on tents—the Habitude 6 has held up with out a hitch, making it a reliable selection for frequent use.

Climate Resistance

MSR is well-known within the out of doors business for its wonderful tent weatherproofing, and the Habitude is not any exception. The sturdy rainfly performs admirably, holding up nicely by each torrential downpours and regular showers. The bath-style ground has additionally proven spectacular resistance to water intrusion. Nevertheless, as with all tents, it’s finest to make use of a footprint or floor tarp; sadly, a footprint isn’t included with the tent and have to be bought individually. General, you’ll be able to depend on this tent to maintain you dry in most situations.

There may be, nonetheless, some room for enchancment. The rainfly’s design leaves elements of the sidewalls uncovered, which may change into a problem in sturdy, sideways rain. Although we haven’t skilled any leaks, extended publicity to heavy rain may result in potential seepage. Moreover, on account of its tall peak peak, the Habitude might wrestle in excessive winds. If extreme climate is anticipated, it’s finest to pitch this tent in a sheltered location.

Ease of Setup

Giant tents just like the Habitude 6 are sometimes identified for sophisticated setups as a result of quantity of fabric they require and the necessity for sturdy development to resist the weather, particularly in windy situations.

Luckily, the Habitude 6 is refreshingly straightforward to pitch for its measurement. Coloration-coded nook toggles enable for easy pole attachment, taking the guesswork out of the setup. We had been capable of pitch the Habitude solo; although, as with most giant tents, an additional set of arms hastens the method.

The tent makes use of three pole units for the interior construction: a protracted pole set for the principle dome and two shorter pole units for both sides wall. The tent physique attaches to those poles with plastic hooks, which we favor over the generally finicky pole sleeves discovered on older or inexpensive designs. The hooks make setup a lot faster and hassle-free, contributing to a easy setup expertise total.

Options

The Habitude 6 consists of all of the options you’d anticipate from a $600 tent. The colour-coded poles and toggles make setup a breeze, and as soon as it’s pitched, you’ll discover a formidable 11 inside storage pockets to stow additional gear. Moreover, quite a few gear loops inside are perfect for hanging gadgets like headlamps or moist gear to dry in a single day. The tent additionally has a single kickstand vent on the rear of the rainfly to assist with air flow, although a second vent on the entrance could be a welcome addition.

A singular function is the built-in “porch gentle” above the entry door, which is helpful for getting into and exiting the tent while not having a headlamp. When the rainfly is deployed, you’ll be able to retailer additional gear within the modest entrance vestibule. Though we admire the added gear storage, the vestibule feels small for a tent of this measurement. Additionally, the tent has just one door and due to this fact just one rainfly entrance; a second door would improve accessibility.

Ought to You Purchase the MSR Habitude 6 Tent?

The MSR Habitude 6 is a wonderful selection for households or teams looking for a well-made tent that may face up to the weather. The quite a few inside storage pockets are particularly useful for households with youngsters who typically convey alongside small toys, knick-knacks, and different treasures. This tent additionally works nicely as a basecamp choice, the place additional gear may be needed for prolonged day hikes, climbing journeys, or fishing excursions.

Though the worth level generally is a disadvantage, the Habitude is a worthwhile funding for frequent campers. It might not be the best choice for individuals who solely camp a few times a 12 months, however for avid campers who want a sturdy, long-lasting tent, the MSR Habitude 6 may very well be precisely what you’re on the lookout for.

What Different Tenting Tents Ought to You Take into account?

For extra choices, please see our full information to the finest tenting tents.

The North Face Wawona 6:  For those who’re on the lookout for a big basecamp-style tent, the Wawona 6 is unquestionably value contemplating. It prices $100 lower than the Habitude 6, provides a barely bigger inside footprint, and boasts a fully large entrance vestibule. Though it’s product of equally high-quality supplies, it has a barely decrease peak peak and a extra advanced setup course of.

Kelty Wi-fi 6:  For those who’re on the lookout for a spacious 6-person tent with out a $500+ price ticket, the Kelty Wi-fi 6 may be an amazing match. At simply $280, it’s a well-made funds choice with a barely bigger inside and decrease peak peak than some pricier fashions, providing a beneficiant quantity of room total. You’ll miss out on some options, but it surely’s a strong selection for the worth.