Why do actual weights sometimes differ from published weights?

Although we try to be as accurate as possible with our published weights, MSR, like all manufacturers, must make educated guesses as to what the final weights of our tents will be. Because of this, you may notice your tent weighing a few ounces above or below its advertised specs. Such discrepancies are common among tents due to the nature of the product. During the manufacturing process, variations in coatings and fabrics can lead to modest weight differences. In lightweight tents, this equates to a mere ounce or two. In larger tents, it can be a bit more.

 

Here are a few reasons for those weight variances:

 

• Coating variances: The thickness in coatings on tent fabric can vary a bit from one tent to another. Fabrics are produced in batches and called “lots,” and there can be a slight weight difference between lots as well as within lots.
• Fabric variances: Because tent fabric is hand cut in up to 200 layers at once, some pieces may be cut just outside the line, making certain parts slightly larger and thus heavier.
• Scale accuracy: At MSR, weights are determined using our calibrated lab scales, which are more accurate than normal household scales.
• Added products: Brands may decide at the last minute to include more stakes or guy cords, which will add to the packaged weight.

To learn more about how we define tent weights, please visit our blog post on this topic!