A close look at two tents buyers cross-shop. The FreeLite 2 leans on low weight while the X-Dome 2 answers with floor space, so the pick comes down to which you value.
| MSR FreeLite 2 | Durston X-Dome 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| GearScore | 78✓ | 75 |
| Capacity | 2 | 2 |
| Packed weight | 32.0 oz✓ | 44.0 oz |
| Floor area | 29 sq ft | 32 sq ft✓ |
| Space-to-weight | 14.5 /lb✓ | 11.6 /lb |
| Peak height | 39 in | 43 in✓ |
| Doors | 2 | 2 |
| Vestibules | 2 | 2 |
| Price | $500✓ | $519 |
| Type | Ultralight | Ultralight |
Highlighted cells mark the better spec: FreeLite 2 in blue, X-Dome 2 in amber. A blank spec is never counted as a win. GearScore is the overall rating (0 to 100); re-weight it on the full tent comparison. Prices are current MSRP.
Put the MSR FreeLite 2 next to the Durston X-Dome 2 and the trade-offs are clear. The FreeLite 2 wins on low weight and space-to-weight, and the X-Dome 2 pushes back on floor space and headroom.
The FreeLite 2 is 12 oz lighter, better space-to-weight, and $19 cheaper. The X-Dome 2 is more floor area (32 vs 29 sq ft) and taller (43 vs 39 in peak). On the default GearScore the FreeLite 2 leads 78 to 75.
Pick the FreeLite 2 if you care most about low weight and space-to-weight, which makes it the better call for counting grams on long miles. Pick the X-Dome 2 if floor space and headroom matter more to you, or you are focused on comfort and room to move.
The MSR FreeLite 2. It is 12 oz lighter than the X-Dome 2.
The Durston X-Dome 2. It is more floor area (32 vs 29 sq ft) than the FreeLite 2.
The MSR FreeLite 2, 78 to 75 on the default algorithm. You can re-weight the factors to match your trip.
It depends on your priorities. Go with the FreeLite 2 for low weight, or the X-Dome 2 for floor space. The spec table above shows exactly where each wins.