Logo
    • Login
      • Forgot your password?

    Register

    Backcountry Skiing Guides
    • REVIEWS
      • Ski Gear
        • Skis
        • Boots
        • Bindings
        • Climbing Skins
        • Poles
        • Snowboards
      • Clothing
        • Hard Shells
        • Soft Shells
        • Insulation
        • Mid Layers
        • Base Layers
        • Gloves
        • Socks
      • Accessories
        • Safety Gear
        • Goggles and Helmets
        • Ski Touring Packs
        • Ski Boxes and Bags
        • Sleeping Bags - 4 Season
        • Technology
        • Sunglasses
        • Insoles & Braces
        • Books
      • Off-Season Gear
        • Hiking
          • Rain Shells
          • Day Packs
          • Apparel
          • Footwear
          • Safety
        • Camping
          • Backpacks
          • Sleeping Bags
          • Sleeping Pads
          • Tents
          • Coolers / Cooking
          • Furniture / Storage
          • Lighting / Power
        • Biking
        • Paddling
        • Climbing
        • Mountaineering
        • Running
      • Lifestyle
      • Lodges and Accommodation
      • Nutrition
      • Manufacturers
      • Destinations
      • Training
      • Gear of the Year
      • Pro Skier Interviews
    • FORUMS
    • STORE
      • Guides & Maps
      • Gear Deals
        • Alpine Touring Boots
        • Backcountry Skis
        • Alpine Touring Bindings
        • Backcountry Accessories
        • Off-Season Gear
        • Climbing Skins
    • ROUTES
      • Coast Mountains
        • Callaghan Valley
        • Coquihalla Highway
        • Cypress Provincial Park
        • Duffey Lake
        • Elfin Lakes Squamish
        • Howson Range
        • Shames Mountain
        • Smithers
        • Vancouver Island
        • Whistler/Blackcomb
      • Interior Mountains
        • Bonningtons Traverse
          • Copper Hut Routes
          • Grassy Hut Routes
          • Huckleberry Hut Routes
          • Steed Hut Routes
        • Goat Range
        • Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
        • Kokanee Glacier Park
        • Kootenay Pass
        • Red Mountain Resort
        • Revelstoke
        • Revelstoke Mountain Resort
        • Rossland Range
        • Rogers Pass
        • Trout Lake
        • Whitewater Ski Resort
      • Rocky Mountains
        • Banff National Park
        • Bow Yoho Traverse
        • Fernie
        • Jasper National Park
        • Kananaskis Country
        • Kootenay National Park
        • Lake Louise Ski Resort
        • Sunshine Village Ski Resort
        • Wapta Traverse
          • Balfour Hut Routes
          • Bow Hut Routes
          • Peyto Hut Routes
          • Scott Duncan Hut Routes
        • Yoho National Park
      • Quebec
      • Newfoundland
      • Ontario
      • Yukon
      • Submit A New Route
    • LODGING
      • Coast Mountains
      • Interior Mountains
      • Rocky Mountains
    • VIDEOS
      • 2018/19 Gear Reviews
      • 2017/18 Gear Reviews
      • 2016/17 Gear Reviews
      • 2015/16 Gear Reviews
      • 2014/15 Gear Reviews
      • 2013/14 Gear Reviews
      • 2012/13 Gear Reviews
      • 2011/12 Gear Reviews
      • 2019 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2018 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2017 Outdoor Presscamp
      • 2017 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2016 Outdoor Presscamp
      • 2016 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2015 SIA Show
      • 2014 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2013 SIA Show
      • 2012 Outdoor Retailer
      • Tips and Tricks
      • Backcountry Skiing
    • SAFETY
      • Plan Ahead
      • Equipment
      • Resources
      • Avalanche Skills Training
      • Managing warmth & heat loss
    • ABOUT
      • Advertise
      • Glossary
      • Contact Us
    • REVIEWS
      • Ski Gear
      • Clothing
      • Accessories
      • Off-Season Gear
      • Lifestyle
      • Lodges and Accommodation
      • Nutrition
      • Manufacturers
      • Destinations
      • Training
      • Gear of the Year
      • Pro Skier Interviews
    • FORUMS
    • STORE
      • Guides & Maps
      • Gear Deals
    • ROUTES
      • Coast Mountains
      • Interior Mountains
      • Rocky Mountains
      • Quebec
      • Newfoundland
      • Ontario
      • Yukon
      • Submit A New Route
    • LODGING
      • Coast Mountains
      • Interior Mountains
      • Rocky Mountains
    • VIDEOS
      • 2018/19 Gear Reviews
      • 2017/18 Gear Reviews
      • 2016/17 Gear Reviews
      • 2015/16 Gear Reviews
      • 2014/15 Gear Reviews
      • 2013/14 Gear Reviews
      • 2012/13 Gear Reviews
      • 2011/12 Gear Reviews
      • 2019 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2018 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2017 Outdoor Presscamp
      • 2017 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2016 Outdoor Presscamp
      • 2016 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2015 SIA Show
      • 2014 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2013 SIA Show
      • 2012 Outdoor Retailer
      • Tips and Tricks
      • Backcountry Skiing
    • SAFETY
      • Plan Ahead
      • Equipment
      • Resources
      • Avalanche Skills Training
      • Managing warmth & heat loss
    • ABOUT
      • Advertise
      • Glossary
      • Contact Us

    HOTTEST REVIEWS


    Elan Ripstick 106 Skis Fritschi Xenic 10 Bindings Arc'teryx Nuclei FL Jacket Gregory Targhee 32 Pieps Micro Transceiver Scott Freeguide Boots ZAG SLAP 104 Skis

    VIDEOS YOU'LL LIKE


    Marker Duke PT Bindings Salomon Shift Pro Boots Black Crows 2020 Skis Dalbello Quantum Boots Atomic Shift MNC Binding Scarpa F1 LT Boots New G3 2020 Poles

    NEWSLETTER SIGNUP

    Unsubscribe
    Elan Ripstick Skis
    • Home
    • »
    • REVIEWS
    • »
    • Off-Season Gear
    • »
    • Camping
    • »
    • Tents
    • »
    • MSR Remote 2 Tent Review

    MSR Remote 2 4-Season Tent

    Backcountry Skiing Canada Gear of the Year 2018

    The MSR Remote 2 Tent makes it into the lauded Gear of the Year category because it's a little bomb shelter that'd get you through just about any weather. Well built and hyper-functional, this tent is a 4-season keeper. Nice one MSR.

    The Backcountry Skiing Canada Team.


    MSR Remote 2 4-Season Tent

    The Remote 2, 4-season tent is one of several Mountain Safety Research (MSR) tents we’ve put to the test over the years. If you want to check out some of our other reviews, click away: MSR Nook Tent, MSR Carbon Reflex 3 Tent and the indomitable Mutha Hubba NX 3 Tent. MSR is one of several companies under the Cascade Designs group. To see other product reviews from sister companies, click on through to: WhisperLite Stove, Thermarest, SealLine and the now defunct Hummingbird. 

    It's no secret, we are fans of MSR. When they asked if we wanted to sample some new items from their new "All Season Tents" category, we said "hells ya." The Remote series is positioned for mountaineering, between their Ski Touring Tents and Expedition Tents. This designation makes perfect sense to us. To find out why read on. 

    MSR Remote 2 tent
    MSR Remote 2 tent
    SHOW THE REST OF THE REVIEW / PHOTOS / VIDEOS
    MSR puts together really great videos on their products--tents in particular. Here's one as a warm up to the rest of our review:

    Toughness, Warmth, Comfort, Weight, Security. These are the adjectives that come to mind when I think of winter gear, especially tents. Without just one of these key ingredients, you’re in for some serious trouble and discomfort. The Remote 2 from MSR is trying to tick all those boxes, and, in my opinion (spoiler alert), it passes with flying colours, a high five and a golden star. Why so?

    Toughness
    The fly comes stitched with a 68D Ripstop Polyester, which is rated to 1500mm waterproofness, while the floor is 40D Ripstop Poly with a whopping 10,000mm rating--plus the addition of an optional groundsheet.  MSR is cutting no corners with these stats. I recently had the pleasure of reviewing another new tent from MSR, the Access 2, a tent has its place and I’m a big fan of, but when you compare the rain-flies you can feel the difference. The tighter fabric weave on the Remote 2 is coarser to the touch and considerably tougher feeling.

    Bomber fly with external guy points if the dog is blowing off the chain.

    MSR Remote 2 tent
    Warmth
    Winter camping is cold and, honestly, most of the time I prefer to stay in a cabin. But there are some trips where you have to take a tent, and those, while they can be cold and tiresome, will often end up being some of your most memorable. You simply can't go to some backcountry spots in the winter without a tent, unless you're a big fan of the humble snow cave.

    I want my experience to be as comfy as possible, and along with a toasty sleeping bag and a nice big puffy jacket, the next most important thing required for a good night’s sleep is a warm shelter. The Remote 2 is the warmest tent I’ve had the pleasure of sleeping in. I'm sure there are Arctic, expedition-style shelters out there that are warmer--but they weigh a lot and you'd probably need to take out a loan for purchase.

    The warmth of the Remote 2 is all due to the rainfly's heavy weave and the two mesh panels above the door--which can be zipped closed. I've seen a few winter tents that come with stitched-in windows (mainly used for condensation control) but not all have an option to close them! I'm happy to say MSR have included this feature, it makes your night a lot more pleasant.

    Zipper-closeable mesh windows for added warmth and comfort in winter. 
     MSR

    Comfort
    We all need a little space from time to time. Packing well for the backcountry is an art, and so is organization and optimizing space in camp. Anything that can help with that is welcome. The Remote 2 has a 3.1sq. m floor and an impressive 2.04sq. m vestibule. The interior height is 1.09m at its peak. There are 2 doors but only one large vestibule, but it really is quite big. An external pole that feeds through a sleeve on the fly sits over the vestibule creating impressive vertical space, and, if you peg out your doors properly, there really is a lot of room to move around and, if you desire, cook your food.

    Internal space is good. Note that many tent manufacturers will advertise their tent as a 2-man but in reality, they feel like a 1 ½-man. The Remote 2 qualifies as a true 2-person tent, with a big enough vestibule to store and protect your winter gear. The MSR designers knew that having a one-man tent made little sense for this type of winter activity--travelling with at least one buddy is the only way to go. And why not make a two-person tent commodious enough to keep two people happy, especially when hunkering down for a few days with winter travel gear. 

    See here below how two sleeping bags can fit, with a little extra room to spare. 

    MSR Remote 2 tent
    This shot below gives you an idea of the space offered by the vestibule. 
    MSR Remote 2 tent
    Security
    The pole structure is solid and handles snow loading well. A simple crisscross system with one intersecting pole helps keeps everything stable in high winds. I like the steep walls, which are going to help with snow shedding during a storm. The Syclone poles are made with an aerospace composite (not carbon fiber) and are remarkably light and strong. To the touch, they feel delicate but under loading they do their job.

    Here's a snap of the Syclone pole. BTW- same poles for the Remote and Access series. 
    MSR Remote 2 tent
    Here's a close-up of the crisscross system with one intersecting pole at the tent's top, midpoint. At right, here is one of the stakes provided. Depending on the conditions you are in, it likely makes sense to get a few extra, more heavy-duty stakes. MSR has 'em for sale.
    MSR Remote 2 tent
    MSR Remote 2 tent

    Weight
    There are lighter winter tents out there; I refer especially to the recently reviewed Access 2, which is postioned as more of a "ski touring" tent. In the bomber/extendo winter camping class, the Remote 2 is lighter than most.  

    Backcountry skiing is already far from a minimalist endeavour and once you add a few days food on top of your overnight gear you suddenly feel like you’re moving house using only your backpack. The minimum weight of the Remote 2 is 6lb 8oz. While this might seem heavy, it really is quite understandable and justified. The walls are thick and, with the inclusion of an additional pole for the fly, the pounds are bound to add up a bit. I personally don’t have a problem with it, in fact it’s pretty standard weight for a winter tent.

    Odds are good you’re going to be going with a partner so, if you learn to share the load, things aren’t looking so bad. The pack-ability of this model is also excellent. MSR, with their climbing-rope style bag,  have it dialled. They use the same method across their lines now and with good reason. A simple bag with a drawstring on top and two synching down straps with buckles allow you to get everything squashed in nicely.

    See here the climbing-rope style bag now employed by MSR for all their tents. The bottle of Schmeeearnoff (at 3/4 of a litre) is included for perspective. 

    MSR Remote 2 tent

    Materials:

    Rainfly Fabric - 68D ripstop polyester 1800mm polyurethane & DWR
    Canopy Fabric - 40D ripstop nylon DWR
    Mesh Type - 15D nylon micro-mesh
    Floor Fabric - 40D ripstop nylon 10,000mm Durashield™ polyurethane & DWR

    Features:

    • Robust Design: Unique central-support frame combines with ultra-durable Easton Syclone  Poles to withstand severe conditions and heavy snow loads
    • Reinforced Guy-Out Points: Prevent fabric tears and keep double-wall tent well-tensioned in ferocious winds.
    • Spacious: Larger floor plan and extra headroom create a generous interior for 2 climbers in bulky winter gear, while the large hooped vestibule with snow flaps shelters climbing equipment.
    • Easy Setup: Color-coded pole clips for quick tent set-up in any conditions.
    • Additional Features: DuraShield™-coated fabrics and taped bathtub floor; two internal pockets; multiple reflective guy points.

    Verdict:

    If you’re the kind of person who is seriously in the market for this style of tent then you are probably going to end up in situations where you need it to genuinely hold up the challenges that it promises to tackle. I have to say that after using it I would feel comfortable spending a few days sitting out a storm in this thing. Yes the tent is fairly heavy but (but not compared with other tents in its class) and with that comes reliability and safety. It’s a small price to pay to be confident that you’re not cutting corners and sitting out the night shivering in the cold or even worse, wet. It is also quite large and after a few days that’s key. Room to move and store your excess crap, especially on a long trip can be priceless.

    I can’t really say enough good things about the Remote 2. It’s certainly not for everybody, and it is probably going to be overkill for your lightweight summer trips into the alpine. When you’re feeling confident in the weather holding good for you, you'd take another tent. The price isn’t exactly for everybody either, coming in at $905 CDN. Though when it comes to winter camping I want comfort and I’ll happily pay (literally) for a bomber tent if it means I’m going to be dry and warm and not jammed in like a sardine in a can. If you’re in the market for a solid winter camping tent that doesn’t cut corners then look no further, the Remote 2 kicks ass.

    PROS:

    • Strong, thick walls
    • Warm/bomber
    • Huge vestibule and decent living space
    • Good vertical space
    • Simple, one-person set up
    • Gear loops for line drying
    • Two doors
    • Handy "flaps" along tent edge

    CONS:

    • A couple spare pole splints would be nice
    • Not many storage pockets  inside tent-proper 
    • Stakes are not great in deep snow
    • Paucity of guylines
    • It ain’t cheap, but you get what you pay for

    SPECS:

    Price: $905 CAN
    Colour: red/orange
    Capacity: 2
    Min. Weight: 2.95kg / 6lbs 8oz
    Packed Weight: 3.16kg / 6lbs 15 oz

    Floor/Vestibule: 3.1 + 2.04sq m / 33 + 22 sq ft
    Floor Area: 3.1sqm / 33sq ft

    Livable Volume: 2108 + 1104L / 77 + 39cu ft
    Vestibule Area: 2.04sq m / 22sq ft

    Vestibule Volume: 1104L / 39cu ft
    Interior Peak Height: 1.09m / 43in
    Packed Size: 51 x 17cm / 20 x 7in

    Number of Doors: 2

    RATING: 9/10

    Interior Space   2/2
    Design               2/2
    Features            2/2
    Weight              1.5/2
    Quality/Price    1.5/2

    buy backcountry skiing gear


    Did we miss something? Are we totally out to lunch? Let us know what you think. People like/dislike gear for different reasons so chime in below and we'll get a well-rounded evaluation. You'll need to login or register before you can comment but it only takes a few seconds, then you're good to go.

    • Otto Herkert
      July 7, 2018 07:33
      #
      My fiancée and me bought this tent a few months ago. We used it in the snow for a few days. One of them was snowing heavily (around 50 cm in 12 hours) and it hold really nicely. This summer we will use it at 4000 meters in the Alps, and I am pretty confident we will be very warm and comfortable. Once you set it up properly this tent is really bomber and much warmer than expected.
      But no tent is perfect and this one is no exception. The ventilation need to be improved, and it will be nice if it would have snow flaps all around. The part that bothers me the most is that it only have 9 peg. If you want to use all the anchors provided in the tent you will need 26 in total that you need to buy, apart from more guidelines, and in a tent this expensive it is disappointing. We are also being deceived about the real weight you will have to carry with you.
      Apart from that, I really like this tent, because it offers bomber protection, warmth, plenty of space and all considered a low weight.
      However, I will only buy it again on sales (as we first did), since the need to buy more pegs and snow pegs increase its already high price tag, and I believe it is slightly overpriced.
      • Backcountry Skiing Canada Admin
        July 18, 2018 08:23
        #
        MSR makes some great tents that will hold up to weather but this does come at a premium price for sure, Thanks for your comment and thoughts!

    Leave a Comment:

    Back to the rest of the reviews.


    We built this backcountry skiing community for you, the passionate skier, and hope you enjoy the hard work we put into all the reviews, routes, videos and posts we create. It’s been free from day one but that doesn’t mean it’s not a valuable resource. If you enjoy this web site and value the content we create for you, then please support Backountry Skiing Canada by donating today. Thank you!

    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

    Copyright © 2020-21 Backcountry Skiing Canada. All Rights Reserved. 

    Website by: FROLIX DESIGN