MSR Missing Link Review

"I bought this 2-person ultralight tent to keep me (6'3) and my dog comfortable on backpacking trips. Other tents just weren't roomy enough, but now I find enough space next to me and my dog to put all my gear inside as well. You use your own hiking poles to assemble it, rather than standard tent poles. It features an amazing front porch like vestibule that spans its entire length. It's extremely easy to assemble, and stuffs down to smaller than a football. It's a single-walled tent, and it's designed to run condensation down the back wall and out a vent. On extremely wet nights I've had to mop up a wet spot by the vent. I love my Missing Link, but it's not as dry as some other designs, and it demands a lot of space to erect it."

"I am also a rather tall person at 6'4" and I love the space to weight ratio of this tent. It has plenty of room for me and my wife but it's light enough for a huge solo shelter. In spite of the fact that it is not free standing it is very easy and quick to set up, even alone.
However as the first reviewer noted, this is a single wall tent and condensation is a problem. My first trip with this tent was a cold rainy week on the Superior Trail. Most mornings the tent was very wet inside. however it dried out fairly quickly when set up at the end of the day.
My main complaint is that the tent leaks above the mesh at the rear, runs down the mesh and pools on the floor. I wrote to MSR and they said they are aware of this problem and the tent needs to be sealed by the owner. They sent a tube of Sil-net but it seems to me that a $230 tent should be more raintite out of the box. Even so I am looking forward to putting this tent to more use this coming season."

"Like the other reviewers, I've had some trouble with condensation, but only on cold, rainy nights. The restr of the time, the low-high/front-rear venting kept all but a very light condensation from forming. I've never had condensation dripping or running down the walls.

The Link has a great space-to-weight ratio, and is easy to pitch. I've found that it is very beneficial to guy out the back wall of the tent, as it dramatically increases headroom inside. I also tie off the back flap to a tree to let more air into the tent. Make sure you pitch the low end into the wind, otherwise it becomes a very effective sail...!

Overall, I've been satisfied with the performance of this shelter. It's huge for one, comfortable for 2, and sturdy enough to handle 40 mph winds."

"My husband (5'4") and I (6'0") AND our 60 lb. Siberian Husky fit into this tent! plus our clothing bags! The set up is fast and easy.
Condensation was a small problem (we were in Montana 6/04 the week it rained every day in the Beartooth Mtns.), but if the door screen was completely open the problem was reduced, even with three of us. The awning prevented rain from coming in the door screen with the tent pitched door facing east. It did dry out fast, but sagged quite a bit when wet. The awning isn't big enough to stay dry with the tent door closed."

"Not a bad tent. Great design. Loads of room. Condensation is a big problem. especially if you have 2 pers in it and are at the higher elevations during the shoulder seasons when the temp dips. Typical MSR quality, very well built."

"I own a Betamid; both MSR Twin Peaks; and both MSR Trekker Tarps/Tents with inserts. I have also camped and backpacked in A-frame and dome-style tents in years past, but don't own any right now. I decided to try a more "traditional" tent, having used a canvas Baker Tent years ago in Boy Scouts [more years than I would like to admit, actually].

The Missing Link is a loose take-off of the traditional Baker Tent, but is designed with no-see-um netting on door and vents and features a separate doorway with the traditional "flap" shortened into an awning.

My focus right now is toward lightweight backpacking with some weekend outings thrown-in as well.

POSITIVE:
- It's fairly light weight for a tent.
- Can be closed-down and it will keep out the weather
- Has a small awning for limited outside but under-roof activities.
- Every opening has no-see-um net coverage.
- It's kind of a "fun" design and nobody else will have a tent that cost $229.95 and looks just like it...

NEGATIVE:
- Who came up with that Blaze Orange color???
- Condensation is a problem, but less so without occupants and with all vents open/unblocked.
- Seams are supposed to be "factory taped," but several are not and they WILL leak [MSR will send you a tube of sealer if you ask].
- This is a cool weather tent. It's just plain STUFFY and HOT at 75 degrees and above, and there are limited openings to vent the heat.
- Once wet on the inside, it's very difficult to dry it out while on the trail unless you turn it inside-out.
- It really takes up a lot of room for a 1-2 person tent and trail neighbors might not appreciate this (especially with the requirement to guy-out both sides.
- One would expect the price to be less because of the simple design.
- I can't get out of this tent in the morning, even while "duck-walking," without getting my back soaked by the low-hanging front awning.
- I don't understand why the real guy-areas didn't include a low back wall. As it is, the corners of the floor simply taper into space that nobody can use.
- Why does MSR insist upon imprinting their logo top-dead-center on everything they produce? Tacky, and I don't appreciate functioning as an outdoor billboard for the company...

Would I buy another Missing Link? Not as currently designed, especially when there are other better designs for the money.

PREDICTION: This shelter will continue to be sold in "used, like new" condition on Ebay because nobody will take them into the field more than once."

"This tent is an oddball. Its not quick, or versatile...but it often manages to earn a spot in my pack. I enjoy this tents orange looks. I love its big space. I think singlewall tents make more sense. Less is more!
Why not enjoy a tent because its different? This tent is a conversation peice. Im bored with domes. Buckminster Schmuckminster. I also have to mention that this thing has been through some rollin' storms and kept me cozy all night.
This tent will take time to set up well. It is fun time though....good for practicing knots. :) The Missing Link is not ideal for all conditions or terrain because it is not free-standing. You need to keep the screens unzipped to let the air roll through, and it will keep you from getting too clammy.
I don't suggest this if its your only tent. This tent is best-suited for tent enthusiasts....who have patience and take pride in finding a well-suited spot to camp."

"Major Condensation issues make this tent almost unusable except in dry climates.

Great size for the weight if you are planning going into mild weather conditions"

"I have 4 backpacking tents, and this one has been getting used the most. It takes some practice to get used to, but it is well worth it for the space you get and at only 3 pounds. It will easily hold 2 people my size (I am 6'1" 300#) with room in the corners for gear. You do need to call the manufactorer and get the free tube of silicone seem sealer that is needed on the back seam, that for some reason they don't tape. Yes condensation can be a problem, but not after you get used to setting the tent up properly. There are no poles for the tent, you use your two hiking poles, or tie the ends of the tent off to trees on each side. I have found that if you face the low side into the wind and use a small stick to prop up the guy out a few inches above the ground, that i have minimal condensation problems. Also i tie the guy out in the middle of the back of the tent to the same line to increase headroom for the person who is sleeping away from the door. If there are no bugs out, leave the door open a little at the top, to increase ventalation and eliminate condensation. Yes it does take some getting used to this tent, but you can find these tents for less than $200, they weigh 3lbs, have plenty of room for two big guys, have a giant front door with an awning for early morning and late night vistas, and are very stormproof once you seal the back seam."

"I love the size, weight, and easy setup. But, condensation is a BIG issue. Everywhere I have used this tent I have had issues. It's not a setup issue as other reviews have implied. It is a simple issue of physics. Heat rises, and there are no vents near the top of the tent, only at the bottom and of course the door. The airflow through the tent is non existent, so there is nowhere else for the hot moist air to go. On my last trip to AK I had a wet sleeping bag from dripping condensation. Not a pleasant morning! If it were not for this issue I would have rated a 5. Every other aspect about this tent is superb."