The North Face Mountain 25 Tent MSR Elixir 2 Tent with Footprint
Head-to-head comparison: specs, scores and expert verdict
The North Face
The North Face Mountain 25 Tent
Best for: Extreme weather mountaineering and winter expeditions.
MSR
MSR Elixir 2 Tent with Footprint
Best for: Versatile, durable adventure camping basecamp.
Our Take
Both are backpacking tents, so this is a direct apples-to-apples comparison.
The MSR Elixir 2 Tent with Footprint adds a included footprint — a meaningful structural difference.
The MSR Elixir 2 Tent with Footprint also offers significantly more vestibule space — 24 sq ft versus 8 sq ft.
Both score 8.4 overall, though the The North Face Mountain 25 Tent wins more individual scoring categories.
The main tradeoff: the MSR Elixir 2 Tent with Footprint leads on value for money despite trailing overall.
The MSR Elixir 2 Tent with Footprint also has a price edge — $560 less at $199 versus $760.
Your best pick will come down to personal priorities, so check the full specs comparison below.
🏆 Our pick: The The North Face Mountain 25 Tent scores higher overall.
Score Comparison
Pros & Cons
The North Face Mountain 25 Tent
- Stable geodesic dome design
- Eight internal storage pockets
- Dual entry front vestibule
- Hefty trail weight
- Slow pole-sleeve setup
MSR Elixir 2 Tent with Footprint
- Vertical walls create massive headroom
- Tough 68D fly handles abuse
- Color-coded clips make setup fast
- Heavier 6lb weight for backpacking
- Bulky 20x7 inch packed size
Full Specs
| Spec | The North Face Mountain 25 Tent | MSR Elixir 2 Tent with Footprint |
|---|---|---|
| Tent Type | Backpacking, Geodesic | Backpacking, Dome |
| Capacity | 1 person | 1 person |
| Seasons | 4 Season | 3 Season |
| Est. Price | $760 | $200 |
| Weight | 9 Lbs 13 Oz | 6 Lbs 3 Oz |
| Min Trail Weight | 8 Lbs | 5 Lbs 2 Oz |
| Floor Area | 32.3 ft² | 29.0 ft² |
| Vestibule Area | 8 + 3 Sq Ft | 24 Sq. Ft |
| Peak Height | 41 | 41 |
| Doors | 2 | 2 |
| Floor Dimensions | 86 X 54 In | 84 X 50 In |
| Pole Material | DAC Aluminum | Aluminum |
| Floor Fabric | 70D Coated Nylon, 10000 Mm PU Coating, Water Resistant Finish | 70D Taffeta Nylon 3000mm Polyurethane & DWR |
| Rainfly Fabric | 40D Nylon, 1500 Mm PU/Silicone Coating, Water Resistant Finish | 75D Ripstop Polyester With 1500mm Polyether Urethane And PFAS Free DWR |
| Setup Time | 10 Mins | 5 10 Mins |
| Warranty | Limited Lifetime | 3 Year Limited Warranty |
| Made In | Imported | Imported |
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