Robert Twentyman

Category: Camping gear

MSR Elixir 2-Person Lightweight Tent Review

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I needed a good-quality, lightweight, tough tent that would be small enough to fit into a dry bag and then into the front hatch of my sea kayak. I wasn’t planning to use it for backpacking, so I felt able to treat myself to a two-person tent even though I was only planning to use it on my own.

I looked at a few different options, but I was already a fan of MSR kit and the Elixir 2 had some great reviews. The price was in the Goldilocks zone and I felt confident choosing it.

I’ve been delighted with it. I must have now used it on about ten different multi-day trips, each of which has involved taking it up and putting it down again every single day.

It’s very easy to work with. I normally lay the separate groundsheet out first and peg the four corners. Next, I lay the inner tent over the groundsheet and add the four corner loops to the existing pegs. Then I put the poles together and, following the colour coding, place them into the corner tabs.

Next, I clip the inner tent onto the poles, add the cross-brace pole across the top, and then it’s simply a case of laying the fly sheet over and pegging out the guy ropes.

I’d say I can put it up from scratch in under five minutes.

If you need to put it up in the rain, just do the groundsheet, then the poles, then the fly sheet — that way the inner stays dry.

In all the times I’ve used it, I’ve only had one pole break. In all honesty, it was probably my own fault — I suspect I didn’t fully engage it before putting it under tension. MSR were ever so good to me: they sent me three spare pole segments by post, free of charge, and included instructions on how to fit them. I’ve still got two spares now; it’s never happened again.

Pros

Lightweight – 2.2 kg (including poles and fly)

Spacious – plenty of room for two people, or one person and a lot of kit

Weatherproof – has handled high winds and rain, completely bomb-proof and dry every time

Tough – well-made; the extra groundsheet means you can pitch on rough ground or beaches without worrying

Excellent customer service – genuinely helpful and responsive

Cons

Packs slightly larger than some ultralight tents, but that’s irrelevant in a kayak

The supplied pegs are light but not very strong — I replaced mine with sturdier ones for the guy ropes

Vestibule space is fine for storage but not ideal for cooking

Overall, I love this tent and I look forward to using it. I never worry about whether it will look after me or not — I have full confidence in it.

If you’d like to see more about it or buy one, here’s my Amazon link.

Here are the MSR Groundhog tent pegs that I added to my tent bag Amazon link.

I note there is an updated version of the Elixir 2, priced a little higher but looks fantastic – here is the link

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

I buy all my own gear and write independent reviews. If you found this helpful,buy me a coffee.

Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this review or spot anything that needs correcting, I’d love to hear from you — just use the comments box below.

22/02/2026
Apple Watch Ultra 3
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TL;DR
- Battery life is the breakthrough — around 42 hours in real use.
- Proper outdoor features: satellite SOS, cellular, waypoints, Backtrack.
- Big, bright screen that’s actually useful.
- Expensive, and large — try one on first.
- If you’re active outdoors, this feels like equipment, not a gadget.
Why I Upgraded

My Apple Watch Series 7 had reached its limit.

Battery life was under 24 hours even when new. If you wanted sleep tracking, you had to plan your charging around bedtime. A 4–5 mile walk drained it heavily. Kayaking often meant leaving it at home and wearing my old Casio G-Shock instead. The screen had also become frustratingly unresponsive when wet.

I looked at alternatives. I briefly considered a Tag Heuer, but I didn’t want to abandon seven years of health data. Rings and other wearables didn’t appeal.

When the new Apple range launched in September, the Ultra 3 ticked every box. I ordered one immediately.

What It’s Like in Real Use

Battery life is the headline. I consistently get around 42 hours. That means full sleep tracking, workouts, mapping, and daily use without thinking about it. I charge it while drinking my first cup of tea at my desk. That’s it.

On a recent 2hr 41min winter hill walk in freezing conditions, the battery dropped from 65% to 47% — an 18% reduction. My old watch would not have survived.

The larger, brighter screen makes mapping, messages and email genuinely usable. The titanium case and sapphire glass feel properly durable. It still deserves care, but this should look respectable after years of normal use.

The Action Button is simple but genuinely helpful. I use it to start workouts. Small thing, big difference when you log at least two sessions a day.

The outdoor features are not gimmicks. Compass Backtrack and Waypoints are genuinely useful in fog, on tidal beaches, or when marking a launch point while kayaking. Cellular connectivity means I can head out without my phone and still feel safe.

Health and Vitals

Sleep tracking is excellent. Apple’s Vitals feature now monitors wrist temperature, breathing rate, heart rate, blood oxygen and more. After a few days it learns your baseline and flags deviations.

It has already proved useful. After a heavy meal and too much wine, I saw a noticeable dip in overnight blood oxygen. Before a cold, it detected a raised temperature before symptoms appeared.

It doesn’t diagnose conditions, but it highlights patterns. Over time, that insight adds value.

The Milanese Loop

I made a mistake ordering the blue Ocean Band. It just wasn’t classy enough for a watch like this.

I replaced it with the natural titanium Milanese Loop and wish I’d chosen it from the start. It’s warm to the touch, light, breathable and looks superb. I’ve only taken it off to charge the watch.

If you like the Milanese Loop, order it with the watch and save yourself £100.

The Quirk

If you wear it in the bath, it congratulates you on a 9cm “dive” and tells you the water temperature. It also triggers Water Lock automatically, which is mildly irritating.

It’s funny the first time.

Downsides
- It’s large. Try one on before committing.
- Apple straps are expensive.
- If you’re mostly sedentary and indoors, this is overkill.
Verdict

Strong recommendation.

If you’re physically active and spend time outdoors, this stops being a smartwatch and starts being equipment. The battery life alone changes how you use it. Everything else builds on that.

If you’re considering one, you probably won’t regret it.

You can see the exact version I use on Amazon via this button:

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I buy all my own gear and write independent reviews. If you found this helpful, buy me a coffee.

Thanks for reading, I’d love to read your comments.
22/02/2026
LED Lenser H7R Core head torch

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My old Black Diamond headtorch was dropped, bounced once, and died. That felt like a betrayal after years of loyal service, so I replaced it with something that looks like it might survive similar treatment.

I’ve been using the LED Lenser H7R Core since 23rd November 2025. Once or twice a day, every day. Mostly walking William in pitch darkness around Cumbria, though I also took it for a 5K run along the canal towpath in Birmingham where it performed admirably in the rain.

What I like about it:

It’s bright. Properly bright. I have driven cars with worse headlamps. On the higher settings it throws a long, clean beam that lights up hedgerows and reveals the reflective eyes of distant sheep who’d rather I didn’t see them.

For dog walking it’s complete overkill, which is fine because you can dial it down instantly using an actual analogue dial. No cycling through strobe-sos-turbo-moonlight modes. Just turn the wheel until it’s right. You can do this with gloves on, which matters when it’s +1 degree and your hands are already cold.

There’s a second dial for focus – wide beam for walking, tight beam for scanning fields. Both dials are large enough to use without looking, which is the whole point of a headtorch.

The power button has a travel lock. Hold it for a few seconds and it won’t turn itself on in your bag. This is exactly the kind of sensible design that makes you trust something.

What’s less good:

Charging isn’t especially fast. The magnetic connector works well but can be knocked off if you’re careless. I charge it overnight and it’s ready, which is all I need.

It’s not the lightest headtorch available, but I’m not counting grams. I’m walking a dog, not running ultramarathons.

Will it last?

Too early to say definitively. The real test will be overnight kayak camping trips this summer – salt air, damp kit bags, general expedition chaos. But it feels properly made. Not flashy, not tactical-for-Instagram, just solid.

So far I’m very impressed with it. If you want a headtorch that works reliably without requiring a phone app or a degree in button combinations, this does that job well.

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21/02/2026