Which is better for two people?

The Flash Air 2. It has two doors, two vestibules and a 52-inch-wide floor. The Elixir 1 is a solo tent.

The Elixir 1. Its 75D floor and 68D fly are much thicker than the Flash Air 2's 20D fabrics, so it resists abrasion and UV better over many seasons.

Is the Flash Air 2 worth stepping up to over the Elixir 1?

Only if weight is your priority. It saves roughly two pounds and adds a second door, but you give up freestanding setup and floor toughness.

Which handles rain better?

The Elixir 1 has a 3000mm floor coating and a full-coverage fly. The Flash Air 2 relies on a hybrid single-wall design, which is lighter but more prone to condensation inside.

Can the Flash Air 2 stand without stakes?

No. It is non-freestanding and needs staking and tension. The Elixir 1 stands on its own poles before you stake it out.

Which is easier for a beginner?

The Elixir 1. Freestanding poles and a single door make the pitch simple, and its higher owner rating reflects that.

REI Co-op Flash Air 2 Tent vs MSR Elixir 1 Tent

These are different tents for different jobs. The Flash Air 2 is a two-door, two-person shelter for ounce-counters who accept a non-freestanding pitch and thin fabrics. The Elixir 1 is a heavier, sturdier solo tent with a stronger floor and a far larger review base, and owners rate it higher. Buy the Flash Air 2 to save weight on long trips; buy the Elixir 1 for durability and easier pitching on shorter ones.

Choose the Flash Air 2 if you backpack long distances and count every ounce, and you want two doors and two vestibules for two people.
Choose the Elixir 1 if you hike solo, want a freestanding tent that pitches fast, and value a tougher floor and a proven track record.

Prices

REI Co-op Flash Air 2 Tent: $224.99 at eBay (checked today)
MSR Elixir 1 Tent: $185.00 at eBay (checked today)
Difference: the MSR Elixir 1 Tent is $39.99 cheaper than the REI Co-op Flash Air 2 Tent today

What separates them

	REI Co-op Flash Air 2 Tent	MSR Elixir 1 Tent
Capacity	Two-person, 28.72 sq ft floor, 52 in wide at the head	One-person, 18 sq ft floor, 30 in wide
Weight	2 lb 6.5 oz minimum, 2 lb 13.65 oz packed	4 lb 1 oz trail, 5 lb 2 oz packed
Doors and vestibules	2 doors, 21.18 sq ft total vestibule	1 door, 8 sq ft vestibule
Setup	Non-freestanding, needs stakes and trekking poles or a pitch that relies on tension	Freestanding with poles, stands up before staking
Floor durability	20-denier ripstop nylon, thin and light	75D taffeta polyester with a 3000mm coating
Peak height	46.85 in	39 in
Owner ratings	3.8 of 5 from 35 ratings	4.5 of 5 from 204 ratings
Packed size	6.9 x 17.9 in	48 x 13 cm

Specs compared

Spec	REI Co-op Flash Air 2 Tent	MSR Elixir 1 Tent
Seasons	3-season	3-season
Number Of Doors	2 doors	1
Carry Bag	Yes (stuff sack)	Yes
Trail Weight	2 lbs. 6.5 oz. (Min. weight)	4 lb 1 oz
Packed Weight	2 lbs. 13.65 oz.	5 lb 2 oz
Floor Area	28.72 square feet	18 sq ft
Peak Height	46.85 inches	39 in
Length	88 inches	88 in
Packed Size	6.9 x 17.9 inches	48 x 13 cm
Width	52/42 inches (head/foot)	30 in
Vestibule Area	21.18 square feet	8 sq ft
Floor Fabric	20-denier recycled ripstop nylon (bluesign appr…	75D taffeta poly 3000mm polyether urethane & PF…

Show all 32 specs

Spec	REI Co-op Flash Air 2 Tent	MSR Elixir 1 Tent
Canopy Fabric	20-denier nylon mesh	20D nylon micromesh
Rainfly Fabric	20-denier recycled ripstop nylon (bluesign appr…	75D ripstop poly 1500mm polyether urethane & PF…
Mesh Material	20-denier nylon mesh	Breathable mesh, 20D nylon micromesh
Vestibule	Yes	—
Style	Backpacking	—
Construction Highlights	Hybrid single-wall construction	—
Number Of Poles	4	—
Setup Type	Nonfreestanding	—
Setup Method	Non-freestanding	—

REI Co-op Flash Air 2 Tent vs MSR Elixir 1 Tent

Prices

REI Co-op Flash Air 2 Tent vs MSR Elixir 1 Tent

Prices

MSR Elixir 1 Tent

What separates them

Price history

Prices at every store