User Review: MSR Dragontail

Summary

This tent is great because it is lightweight, but I have modified it for UK conditions.

I bought this tent as a lightweight replacement for an old MSR Fusion 2 which I had for some time. The MSR Dragontail is an amazing lightweight visible tent for most conditions in England, Wales and Scotland. It is very large and can easily fit two people, a dog and packs.

I have taken to sleeping inside the tent with a lightweight bivvy bag because I have found that the rain comes in through the ventilation flaps which have 3 toggles for closure (mine is the 2010/11 version, the newer 2012 version has a fine zip to close the vent flaps, this may be better but I would worry about the zips freezing up).

There is a fine piece of rubberized wire or simular (nylon rods?) which creates the rigidity so the vent flap fits flush to the tent fly when closed. I have had to strengthen the rubberized wire (nylon rods). 

Currently I am experimenting with a lenth of rubber tube filled with silicon (Heavy). I did this because when the tent has been packed incorrectly or in a rush the rubberized wire (nylon rods) mishape, which means they do not fit flush to the fly when re-pitched, hence letting the rain in.

The modification improves this issue and allows the flaps to become more rigid and stronger in wind and more durable when packing. Alternatively I think doubling up the rods may also help, if one can get hold of a similar material.

This issue may be a bigger issue in Scotland than parts of the U.S. and other parts of Europe. In Scotland it is very common to get sustained heavy rain from most directions (vertical, horzontal, even rain travelling upwards)

The newer version of the Dragontail may have this issue ironed out.

Love the tent though :)