Mountain Safety Research
Fling Tent
Initial Report
June 8, 2006

    My camping, hiking and backpacking experience has included trips varying in length from one day hikes to two-week trips. My experience hiking began with my father when I was about six years old. We hiked along the river pathways in northeastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania. While enjoying the outdoors with my friends and family, I spend time hiking, geocaching, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and camping.
Although I am not a lightweight backpacker, I am trying to 'lighten up' as much as possible.

Product Information:
Fling Two Person Tent
Manufacturer: Mountain Safety Research, Inc. 
Web site: www.msrcorp.com
Weight as advertised: 4 lb (1.8 kg)
Weight as measured: 4.5 lb  (2.04 kg)
Advertised packed size: 20 x 6 in (51 x 15 cm)
Measured packed size: 20.5 x 6 in (52 x 15 cm)
Inside measurements as advertised: 32 sq ft (2.9 sq m)
This measurement is accurate, but can change depending on setup configuration.
Advertised height: 40 in (100 cm)  At the entrance of the tent.
This measurement is also accurate, but can change depending on setup configuration.
Body materials: 30D x 246T ripstop nylon 66, 1500-mm polyurethande and silicon-coated
Floor materials: 70D x 190T nylon, 5000-mm polyurethane coating
Year manufactured: 2006
MSRP: $269.95 (US)
Color: Sunset

Product Description:
   
    The Mountain Safety Research, Inc. (MSR) Fling is a single walled, 2-person tent made of Silicon-treated materials and seam taping that claims to offer waterproof security.  It is part of MSRs Fast & Light series. The tent is may be used either as a free standing or staked tent.   The tent is advertised as 'Silicone-treated materials and seam taping offer waterproof security, while innovative side vents ensure great airflow and allow condensation to escape.'  The fabric has a silicone coating on one side and a polyurethane coating on the other side.  It has seam taping on the polyurethane side.
    The poles are DAC Featherlight aluminum that measure 75 in (191 cm) for the foot-end pole, the head-end pole measures 122 in (313 cm) and the ridgepole is 147 in (372 cm).  The four tie-down lines have a reflective surface and are placed with one on each side of the tent.   There are eight Needle stakes that are 6.25 in (16 cm) in length.  The 'beak' is a 'V' shaped overhang on the front of the tent that provides a cooking or sitting area according to the web site.   There are also two fairly large pockets on the inside walls of the tent.

Initial Impressions:

    The MSR Fling tent arrived with poles and stakes all neatly within the tents stuff sack.  The tent's fabric is surprisingly thin and when held up to the light allows light to filter through.   The zipper on the door works smoothly allowing easy access to the inside of the tent. I set up the tent in my yard in order to measure it and check out the ease of set-up.  I was surprised when I climbed inside to find that it offers more room than I expected looking at it from the outside.  I will be testing it with my husband to see how comfortable it is for two 'full sized' people.  The tent appears as advertised on the web site and at this point I haven't found any concerns related to workmanship - the seams are straight and even.  The zipper works smoothly and there are no obvious imperfections in workmanship.  The opening is nice and large allowing easy access.  I will say that this is probably the easiest tent to set up that I've ever used.  It took under four minutes and that included looking at the poles and the fabric of the tent.

Test Locations, Conditions and Time Frame:

     Living in Northern New England I have the good fortune of being able to experience at least 4 seasons (sometimes within days of each other!) and some of the best outdoor areas around.  During the winter we can usually count on snow, cold and more snow. Spring is making an early appearance.   During the next 4 months our temperature range will typically run from the current average of 62 degrees F (17 C) up to 85 degrees F (29 C).  The last six weeks have been very rainy and that appears to be continuing.  Typically, July and August are on the dry side.
     I spend more time camping and hiking during the summer, than in the winter when I tend to snowshoe and cross country ski and have fewer overnight trips.  On the weekends I head off into northern Maine, Vermont or New Hampshire, either with friends or my kids or both. 
    While hiking in northern New England, many of the trails are unimproved, meaning that I spend lots of time climbing over rocks and brush.  

Test Plan:

      During June I will be spending three night out with my children to celebrate the end of the school year.  We will be hiking into a fairly secluded spot to camp and fish.   We will also be spending a long weekend in Vermont camping out with extended family members.  From our camping spot we will be hiking in the Green Mountains of central Vermont.  During July, I will be taking a seven day trip to Ohio to hike and camp with some friends from high school.  This trip will include spouses and children.  We will be camping along the Grand River in northeastern Ohio.
     Other than these planned trips, I am usually out camping at least one weekend a month and sometimes set up a tent in the 5000 acre wildlife management area behind our house, just to get 'away'.     I will be using the Fling on all these occasions to ascertain the useability and durability of this tent.
      
Some of the things to be considered while testing:

Usability:

 How many adults 'really' fit in the tent?  Is it a comfortable fit?  What about gear?  Will two pairs of boots, backpacks and            assorted other 'stuff' fit in the tent?  
   
One thing I am going to be looking at closely is;  what happens inside the tent, when its raining outside?  Will it leak?  How much rain will it take before it leaks? Will condensation become a problem?  Is there enough ventilation?  Will there be a noticable difference with two people inside the tent?  What if it is a cool night after a hot day?  Will that cause moisture to build up?  
        
How useful is the 'beak' (vestibule)?  Will two people really fit underneath?  Are the pockets useful for holding a flashlight or other small objects?  Do the vents work as designed?
      
Will two adults using sleeping pads fit inside the tent?  Will my husband, who is 6' 4" ( 1.93 m) be able to sleep comfortably,or will he take space from me?

Durability: 

How does the tent hold up to regular use?  Are the fabrics, zippers, stake-out lines, stakes and poles sturdy enough?  Will rough           ground puncture the floor?  What effect does regular wear and tear have on the tent?   Does the waterproofness last?  


    I am looking forward to testing the Fling - it appears to be a well constructed, light-weight tent.  Testing this summer will help answer the above questions, and expose any concerns.  Thanks to backpackgeartest.org and MSR for the opportunity to test this tent!  Above picture taken from the MSR website.