MSR Carbon Reflex 3 Tent Review

Dropping two full pounds from my current tent weight to use a sub-five-pound three-person double-wall tent all summer sounded too good to be true. How did MSR's lightest 3P shelter work for the Estrella family?

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b>re·flex

[adj., n. ree-fleks; v. ri-fleks]

-adjective

Physiology, noting or pertaining to an involuntary response to a stimulus.

When I was asked if I would like to test the new Carbon Reflex 3 with my children, I had an involuntary response. I yelled "heck yes!" Letting me drop 2 full pounds (0.91 kg) from my current tent weight to use a sub-5-pound three-person double-wall tent all summer sounded too good to be true. See how MSR's lightest 3P shelter worked for the Estrella family.

ARTICLE OUTLINE

Introduction
Specifications
Design and Features
Performance
Assessment
Dare to Compare
What's Good
What's Not So Good

# WORDS: 2110
# PHOTOS: 7

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Viewing 9 posts - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)

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May 10, 2011 at 3:37 pm #1273618

Addie Bedford
BPL Member

@addiebedford
Locale: Montana

Companion forum thread to:

MSR Carbon Reflex 3 Tent Review

May 10, 2011 at 8:59 pm #1735230

Warren Greer
Spectator

@warrengreer
Locale: SoCal

Would be even nicer if it was a bit lighter. Nice review Ray.

May 10, 2011 at 9:08 pm #1735232

Pedro Arvy
BPL Member

@pedroarvy
Locale: Melbourne

What is the purpose of these reviews?
If it is to decide whether a tent is suitable as a long term purchase this review falls way short.

You should be testing this tent on hikes where there are several days continuous rain and over multiple tips. In addition, add some real strong winds for good measure. It seems that any tent would have performed well in the conditions mentioned in this review.

Reviews like this are pretty worthless for a long term purchase.

This is more like a "first opinion" than a proper review.

May 10, 2011 at 9:08 pm #1735233

Dan @ Durston Gear
BPL Member

@dandydan
Locale: Canadian Rockies

Nice review and nice tent. People wanting a true 3 person tent should be very happy with this tent. I have the Big Agnes Fly Creek UL3 which is much lighter (~3.4 lbs) but the CR3 looks a lot bigger. The Fly Creek UL3 is a great choice for two people looking for a bit more elbow room, but the CR3 looks great for hosting 3 actual people.

May 10, 2011 at 9:49 pm #1735238

Paul Hatfield
BPL Member

@clear_blue_skies

Could you please list the BPL Measured Height?

May 10, 2011 at 10:21 pm #1735246

Bob Bankhead
BPL Member

@wandering_bob
Locale: Oregon, USA

Peter:

Murphy's 14th Law of Backpacking states that if you are properly prepared for the worst Mother Nature can throw at you, she'll be on vacation at the time and you'll have nothing but sunshine and fair temperatures.

The corollary states that if you cut corners for the sake of saving weight – well, Mother Nature can be a real female canine and as they say, "It's not nice to fool Mother Nature.

Besides, would your kids want to go out in the yucky rain and wind that keeps them inside the tent with (YUCK) Dad all the time?

At least they got in a good wind and bug test.

I thought the review was well done. You would probably prefer the 3 part reviews that are standard at BackPackGearTest.com as they cover a much longer time frame and involve multiple outings……….but without the kids.

May 11, 2011 at 1:49 pm #1735471

Warren
BPL Member

@icensnow
Locale: New England, USA

Thanks Ray, a great review. I've been looking at 3p backpacking tents and this review is a big help in figuring out which way to go.

May 11, 2011 at 3:11 pm #1735501

Steven Nelson
BPL Member

@slnsf
Locale: Northern California

Ray –

Did you ever get a chance to pitch it in the rain? We're looking for a tent to share with the kids, too – but I lean toward external-pole (or sleeved-pole) models that keep the inner dry if you have to pitch when precipitation is falling.

How would you compare this to the Tarptent Hogback (4-person, but not dissimilar in layout)?

Thanks for the helpful review,
Steve

May 20, 2011 at 5:41 am #1738872

Raymond Estrella
Member

@rayestrella
Locale: Northern Minnesota

Paul, the height is as stated by MSR.

Steve, I plan to be using the Hogback this summer with the kids but at first glance I would say the Hogback has more room, certainly more area.

No we never got to use it in any rain to speak of, sorry. I have reviews of rain gear that have barely seen any rain on hold. I can't control that Peter, you may need to talk to the Big Guy… ;-)
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