While specializing in lightweight and technical equipment, MSR's gear is designed for a wide range of outdoor enthusiasts from novice to expert mountaineers.

MSR began as a newsletter in 1969 that covered topics around mountaineering safety.

[1] In 1973, Larry Penberthy (1916–2001)[2] developed the MSR Model 9 camp stove, a design which used white gas and was relatively fearsome in cold weather.

Cold weather mountaineers loved it because it was great for melting ice and snow into water.

[4] In 2000, MSR merged with Edgeworks, the manufacturer of Moss, Walrus and Armadillo tents.