MSR NZ — Stoves, Tents, Water Filters and Snowshoes
Mountain Safety Research — Built for the Mountains Since 1969
Mountain Safety Research, better known as MSR, has been engineering gear for serious mountain travellers since 1969. Founded in Seattle by mountaineer and engineer Larry Penberthy, the brand started with a simple goal: make equipment that could genuinely save your life in the alpine environment. More than fifty years on, that focus on technical performance still runs through everything MSR makes — from ultralight backpacking stoves to four-season expedition tents and high-output water purifiers.
MSR gear is used by mountaineers, through-hikers, ski tourers, and backcountry travellers across some of the world's most demanding terrain. In New Zealand's high country — where weather turns fast and remote routes demand self-reliance — that pedigree matters. Browse the full MSR range at Dwights to see what's available for your next adventure.
MSR Stoves
MSR has one of the most comprehensive stove lineups in backcountry gear, covering everything from fast and minimal to expedition-capable. Whether you're cooking for one on a weekend tramp or fuelling a multi-week mountaineering trip, there's an MSR stove built for it.
MSR PocketRocket 2
The PocketRocket 2 is the benchmark ultralight canister stove. Weighing just 73 grams, it screws directly onto a standard isobutane-propane canister and packs down to almost nothing. The four-pot-support design handles a range of cookware sizes, and the adjustable flame control lets you simmer properly rather than just blast at full heat. For day hikes, weekend trips, and fast-and-light travel in New Zealand, the PocketRocket 2 is hard to beat on the price-to-performance ratio. It's a key reason why the best camping stoves in NZ for 2026 consistently feature MSR at the top.
MSR Windburner
The Windburner system takes a different approach — an integrated stove and pot design that traps heat radially around the vessel, giving it exceptional wind performance without needing a windscreen. It's faster to boil in real-world conditions than most canister stoves, and the system components stack together for easy packing. The Windburner is a favourite for alpine starts, winter hut trips, and anywhere the wind is a factor.
MSR WhisperLite
The WhisperLite is a legend. This liquid-fuel stove has been in continuous production for decades because it works — reliably, simply, and in cold conditions where canister stoves lose pressure. The WhisperLite Universal version runs on white gas, kerosene, unleaded petrol, and isobutane canisters, making it the logical choice for international expeditions and long routes where fuel availability is unpredictable.
MSR XGK EX
For true expedition use, the XGK EX is the tool. Designed to function in extreme cold and at altitude, it burns virtually any liquid fuel and produces serious output. It's heavier than the WhisperLite and not the right stove for a weekend tramp, but when conditions are genuinely severe the XGK is what you reach for.
MSR Tents
MSR tents cover a broad spectrum — from ultralight minimalist shelters to bombproof four-season designs. The pole-and-clip freestanding construction that MSR pioneered has become an industry standard, and most MSR tents feature dual doors and vestibules as a baseline. If you're comparing options for a partner trip, our best two-person tents in NZ for 2026 guide covers several MSR models in detail.
MSR Hubba Hubba HD 2
The Hubba Hubba HD 2 is the flagship two-person three-season tent in the MSR range. It uses a DAC pole system with colour-coded clips for fast setup, offers a generous interior for two people with gear, and has two large vestibules for wet-weather storage of packs and boots. The HD designation reflects the reinforced fabric used for durability in heavy use. At around 1.8 kg it's not the lightest option, but it's among the most liveable. For New Zealand tramping conditions — rain, mud, and overnight hut alternatives — it's an excellent shelter.
MSR Hubba Hubba LT
The LT (Lightweight) version trims weight compared to the HD using lighter fabrics, making it more appealing for those counting grams. The geometry and layout are nearly identical, so you get the same liveable interior and dual-door convenience in a lighter package. Worth considering if you're already carrying a heavy pack and want to shave weight on the shelter.
MSR Elixir Series
The Elixir range offers the most accessible entry point into MSR tents. These three-season freestanding tents prioritise ease of use, space, and value. Available in one, two, three, and four-person configurations, they suit campers who want a well-designed shelter without the premium price of the Hubba Hubba line. The Elixir 2 and Elixir 3 are popular choices for NZ family camping and casual tramping.
MSR Access 1, Access 2 and Access 3
The Access series is designed for four-season alpine use — ski touring, winter camping, and exposed ridge camps where snow loading and sustained wind are real considerations. The single-wall construction uses a breathable but robust fabric, and the design sheds wind and snow effectively. The Access 1 is particularly valued by solo ski tourers who want a genuinely capable alpine shelter without the weight penalty of a bomber expedition tent.
MSR Freelite Series
At the ultralight end of the MSR tent range sits the Freelite series. These are semi-freestanding tents that use trekking poles for pitching, cutting weight significantly compared to full pole systems. The Freelite 1 and Freelite 2 are popular in the ultralight and trail-running communities — minimal weight, minimal bulk, still adequate three-season protection for NZ conditions.
MSR Water Filters and Purifiers
Access to clean water in the backcountry is non-negotiable, and MSR has invested heavily in water treatment technology. Whether you're filtering clear South Island streams or treating uncertain water sources overseas, there's an MSR solution for it.
MSR TrailShot
The TrailShot is a compact inline squeeze filter — small enough to fit in a hip belt pocket, fast enough to fill a bottle in under a minute. It filters to 0.2 microns, removing bacteria and protozoa including Giardia and Cryptosporidium. For NZ backcountry use where the main concern is biological contamination from stock or wildlife, the TrailShot is a lightweight and effective option.
MSR Guardian Purifier
The Guardian goes beyond filtration to full purification — it removes viruses in addition to bacteria and protozoa, making it suitable for water sources where viral contamination is a risk. The self-cleaning pump mechanism maintains flow rate throughout the filter's life. It's bulkier than the TrailShot and priced accordingly, but for international travel or high-use water sources it offers a significant margin of safety. Easy to use, easy to maintain in the field, and effective against bacteria and protozoa. A dependable choice for trampers who prefer a proven pump-style filter over inline or gravity-feed alternatives.
MSR Cookware
MSR cookware is designed around the stoves — lightweight, efficient, and built to pack small. Two ranges stand out for most backcountry travellers.
MSR Titan Titanium
The Titan range uses titanium construction to deliver excellent strength-to-weight performance. The pots heat quickly, weigh very little, and are sized for solo to two-person cooking. Titanium doesn't conduct heat as evenly as aluminium or stainless steel, so it rewards attentive cooking, but for boil-and-pour backcountry meals the weight saving is worthwhile.
MSR Windburner Cooksets
The Windburner cooksets are designed as integrated systems with the Windburner stove — the pot dimensions match the burner head for maximum heat transfer and compact packing. If you're running a Windburner stove, the matching cookset is the logical choice. Available in personal (1 litre) and duo (1.8 litre) configurations.
MSR Snowshoes
MSR also makes a respected range of snowshoes covering recreational, trail, and backcountry terrain. The Evo, Revo, and Lightning series use MSR's Ergo Televator heel lift mechanism and modular traction systems to handle variable snow conditions. For New Zealand ski tourers and winter walkers accessing snowy terrain off the groomed trails, MSR snowshoes offer solid performance from a brand with genuine alpine credibility.
Shop MSR in New Zealand at Dwights
Dwights is an authorised MSR dealer, stocking a curated selection of stoves, tents, water filters, cookware, and snowshoes. Whether you're gearing up for a Fiordland traverse, a winter ascent, or a long weekend in the Tararuas, the right MSR kit is available here.
Browse the full MSR range at Dwights and kit out for your next trip with gear that's earned its reputation in the world's harshest mountain environments.