Seattle-based MSR’s Habitude 6 family tent pitches inner-first, with no single unit-pitch option. I suspect it’s designed with North America’s drier states in mind: the inner’s fine mesh ceiling makes a speedy set-up essential in our damper climate, to avoid the inner getting wet before you can attach the fly sheet.
John Manning’s verdict
The Habitude 6 is well-designed and well-made: with no inner space division, it’s one for a close-knit family (beware if you have grumpy teenagers!), familiar friends or use as a basecamp.- Great space to weight ratio
- Well-made
- Quality
- Complex pole systems
- inner first pitch
| Quick specs | |
|---|---|
| Price: £550 Weight (g/kg): 6.35kg (7kg) Berth: 6 Pitching: Inner-first Flysheet : 68D ripstop polyester 1,500mm Polyurethane & DWR Inner: 68D taffeta polyester & DWR Groundsheet: 68D taffeta polyester 10,000mm Polyurethane & DWR Poles: 3x 7000 Series Aluminium, diameter: 11mm Pegs: 9 x MSR Hook tent stakes Porch dimensions: W: 250cm, L: 130cm, H: 170cm (JM’s measurements) Bedroom dimensions: W: 254cm, L: 305cm, H: 195cm (MSR measurements) Overall inner dimensions: W: 254cm, L: 427cm, H: 195cm (MSR measurements) URL: www.msrgear.com |
Fortunately, the well-ventilated Habitude pitches quickly with just nine alloy stakes (stylishly colour-matched to the tent fabric). The tent’s three colour-coded poles are spidery, gangly contraptions (I feared we might put someone’s eye out), each consisting of two shock-corded sectional alloy poles connected at a plastic hub: one spans the apex, while the other two support the opposing sides. Complicated but efficient, it creates a rigid, huge inner space, easily big for four to chill in (the tent’s designed for six). If you’re staking out the supplied guylines, stake use needs to be judicious as all nine supplied are required to pin the tent down; carrying a few spares might be advisable.
That the inner space is fully utilisable is down to the tent’s near-sheer walls: with little sloping fabric, floorspace is maximised. The disadvantage is that the single porch is quite shallow, with barely space to sit in, let alone cook within. While good for a little gear storage, it’s also the tent’s only door, so can’t be blocked. The flysheet doesn’t extend to the ground so there’s a danger of draughts. The tent’s well-protected external vents cannot be accessed from within, so any adjustment has to be from the outside, hopefully when it’s not raining. Inside, however, the bathtub-style floor means the inner is well tanked.
The floor fabric is soft and silent, ventilation through the mesh ceiling and mesh inner door is excellent, and 11 wall pockets are useful for storing smaller and frequently used items of gear. Eight fabric loops in walls and ceilings are great for hang-lines, lanterns and other items.
The Habitude 6 is well-designed and well-made: with no inner space division, it’s one for a close-knit family (beware if you have grumpy teenagers!), familiar friends or use as a basecamp on a campground.
