MSR Front Range with Insert

Floorless shelters are all the rage today. That said, I good floor is hard to beat. Why not have the best of both worlds? With the MSR Front Range you will have options for any adventure!

MSR Front Range with Insert
Just the Facts:

Front Range™ 4 Person Ultralight Tarp Shelter

So compact and light, it’s hardly noticeable in your pack, the Front Range tarp shelter lets parties of four move faster on giant alpine missions and ski traverses, with all-season protection from the elements. Supremely versatile—it makes a featherweight dining hall too—this ultra-simple shelter is boosted with our Xtreme Shield™ coating for long-term durability. Whether you’re taking advantage of spring’s longer days or building a winter basecamp, the ultralight Front Range makes these sufferfests a little more Type 1 fun. The optional Bug/Floor Insert adds protection for mud and mosquito season.

Featherweight: Hyper-efficient tarp shelter sleeps four but is ultralight even for two, with a 5’ 4” peak height for gearing up easily.
Quick Setup: Frameless, floorless design pitches with ski/trekking poles or 5-foot accessory pole (sold separately); ski straps included for easy assembly.
Easy Access: Zippered door rolls back completely on both sides for sweeping views and easy entry.

Versatile: Light enough to carry as a solo shelter, dining hall, or emergency shelter. Optional Bug/Floor Insert available for wet & buggy terrain.
Durable: Steep canopy sheds snow and water and features Xtreme Shield waterproof coating for long-lasting durability.
Includes: Front Range tarp shelter, (2) straps for ski/trekking pole assembly, stakes, guy lines, stuff sack, setup instructions.

Tech Specs:

Size:

Color:

Orange

Capacity:

Minimum Weight (Standard):

1 lbs 10 oz

Minimum Weight (Metric):

0.74 kg

Packaged Weight (Standard):

2 lbs

Packaged Weight (Metric):

0.91 kg

Floor Dimensions (Standard) in:

108 x 108 in

Floor Dimensions (Metric) cm:

274 x 274 cm

Floor Area (Standard):

81 sq. ft

Floor Area (Metric):

7.52 sq. m

Tent Volume (Standard):

144 cu. ft

Tent Volume (Metric):

4078 liters

Interior Peak Height (Standard):

64 in

Interior Peak Height (Metric):

162 cm

Packed Size (Standard):

12 x 5 in

Packed Size (Metric):

30 x 13 cm

Number of Doors:

Freestanding:

Rainfly Fabric:

20D ripstop nylon 1200mm Xtreme Shield™ polyurethane & silicone

Country of Origin:

Imported

Front Range™ Bug/Floor Insert

Adding the protection you need in wet or buggy terrain, this Bug/Floor Insert lets you make the most of summer trips in the ultralight Front Range Tarp Shelter. It includes a durable bathtub floor and a full micromesh canopy for airflow and ventilation. Up top, its cone keeps the rainfly off the mesh to prevent drips from condensation. With room to comfortably sleep 4, this spacious tent body also works as a standalone shelter for small groups on warm-weather missions.

Added Protection: Micromesh body with durable waterproof bathtub floor adds bug/mud protection.
Easy Setup: Pitches with ski/trekking poles or 5-foot accessory pole (sold separately); ski straps included for easy assembly.
Dry Inside: Gap between fly and mesh prevents drips & boosts ventilation.

Easy Access: Large, zippered door matches fly.
Includes: Tent body, (2) straps for ski/trekking pole assembly, stakes, guy lines, stuff sack, setup instructions.

Tech Specs:

Color:

Orange

Capacity:

Minimum Weight (Standard):

1 lbs 15 oz

Minimum Weight (Metric):

0.88 kg

Packaged Weight (Standard):

2 lbs 5 oz

Packaged Weight (Metric):

1.04 kg

Floor Dimensions (Standard) in:

88 x 88 in

Floor Dimensions (Metric) cm:

223 x 223 cm

Floor Area (Standard):

53.5 sq. ft

Floor Area (Metric):

4.97 sq. m

Tent Volume (Standard):

83 cu. ft

Tent Volume (Metric):

2350 liters

Interior Peak Height (Standard):

56 in

Interior Peak Height (Metric):

142 cm

Packed Size (Standard):

12 x 5 in

Packed Size (Metric):

30 x 13 cm

Number of Doors:

Freestanding:

Mesh Type:

15D nylon micro-mesh

Floor Fabric:

30D ripstop nylon 3000mm Xtreme Shield™ polyurethane & DWR

Country of Origin:

Imported

My Story:

Covid. Yeah I’m sure you know exactly what I mean by that. So this was a very interesting year for most of us outdoors types. Sure we were hit with restrictions the likes of which we have never seen but with that came an abundance of free time. Well, for most people anyway. My day job actually got busier and thus I had to watch in envy as nearly everyone I know added trip after trip to their new empty schedules. Even though work was crazy I was determined to get out of the house as I had gear to test. So, I loaded the family and some new testing items and we hit the lake.

When we arrived my kids informed me that they would be testing the new MSR tent. We had some discussion about it but in the end I chose to keep the girls happy and let them have their way. When we began setup I realized I had forgotten a center pole. I was in a bad way as this was a very imperative part. Not to be discouraged I sent the girls into the woods to find a stick long enough to serve as the center pole. This is the beauty of the Front Range. If I had forgotten the poles for a dome style tent we would have been in really bad shape but the versatility of the Front Range allows for ingenuity. This option also provides a weight saving option for backcountry use when the need arises. that would cut the weight to only 1Lb 10oz. for the shelter alone or 4.5 lbs for the shelter and insert. Pretty dang acceptable for a 4 person shelter.

Setup of the Front Range Tarp was a two part deal as we also used the bug/floor insert. The setup is very simple and takes only a couple minutes. You simply stake out the corners and add the center pole. Now the insert is standing you only need to throw the Front Range Tarp over the top and stake out the corners and middle points.

Once the Front rage was standing tall the girls loaded their gear. During the summer months it is great to have the bug insert as it keeps the creepy crawly stuff away from you. When you camp by water this typically means mosquitoes and I think we can all agree those suckers suck!

The Front Range is advertised as a 4 person shelter and while I think you could make it happen it seems more appropriately sized for 3 people. My daughters and their friend range from 5’ 5’’ to 4’ 10’’ and they told me that a 4^th person would have made things too tight. So, that is a good thing to keep in mind. I am 5’ 9’’ and I was able to comfortable lay in the shelter without having netting on my face or my feet pressing against the back. So, overall I think it is a great tent that would work wonderfully for two people with gear or 3 people comfortably spaced.

I love the versatility of the tarp and insert and the myriad of options it creates for whatever type of adventure you are planning. For our testing we used this in a campground but it future will certainly involve some backcountry adventure. I really think you will love this setup and would recommend it for anyone in the market for a floorless shelter option.

NOTE: I have tested plenty of shelters and one thing that is always a concern is condensation. The colder the weather the more this seems to become a problem. EVERY shelter will develop condensation. With single-wall design you will notice it more than those with liners. It is created through our breath, vegetation, ground moisture and temperature influx. You are going to have to deal with this. At times it will be very inconvenient. This is not unique to the Front Range Tarp. In fact, this is going to happen with every shelter from every manufacturer. So, be aware of this and plan accordingly. I find it annoying to see people down rate a product due to this completely unavoidable and natural issue. Here is a helpful tip from the experts at MSR- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEmJl9IpzWc

Find it Here:

https://www.msrgear.com/tents/all-season-tents/front-range-4-person-ultralight-tarp-shelter/13119.html

https://www.msrgear.com/tents/all-season-tents/front-range-bugfloor-insert/13120.html

What can be done better?

The Front Range and Bug/Floor Insert perform as advertised and work as a versatile shelter option. I would not change anything thus far. I will update if anything comes up after more use.