Mountain Safety Research Fling Tent

Field Report
September 26, 2006

Tester Information
Name: Raymond Estrella
Age: 46
Gender: Male
Height: 6' 3" (193 cm)
Weight: 210 lb (95 kg)
Email address: rayestrella@hotmail.com
City: Huntington Beach
State: California
Country: USA 

Backpacking Background: I have been hiking for over 30 years, all over the state of California. I have also hiked in Washington, Minnesota, Nevada, Arizona, and Idaho. I hike year-round, mostly in the Sierra Nevada, and have logged 321 miles (517 km) with a pack on my back so far this year.  As I start my 4th decade of backpacking I am making the move to lightweight gear, and smaller packs.

The Product

Manufacturer: Mountain Safety Research, Inc. (MSR)
Web site: www.msrcorp.com
Product: Fling
Year manufactured: 2006
MSRP: $269.95 (US)
Size: 2 person
Packaged weight (complete) listed: 4 lb (1.8 kg) Actual weight: 4 lb 5.3 oz (1.96 kg)
Minimum weight (body & poles) listed: 3 lb 6 oz (1.5 kg) Actual weight: 3 lb 7.3 oz (1.57 kg)
Interior height listed: 40 in (102 cm) Verified accurate but can change with setup
Length listed: 80 in (203 cm) Verified accurate but can change with setup
Width (foot & head) listed: 48 and 70 in (122 & 178 cm) Verified accurate but can change with setup
Packed size listed: 20 x 6 in (51 x 15 cm) Verified accurate
Color tested: Sunset (What I call MSR ultra-light orange)
Warranty: (quoted from company web site) “MSR warranties the materials and workmanship in every MSR tent we make to the original owner. If your MSR tent has received proper care, but fails due to a defect in manufacturing, the tent will be repaired or replaced at our discretion.

For a detailed description of the Fling, please see my Initial Report.



Field Conditions

Since my Field Report was posted I have used the Fling in the following locations.

San Gorgonio Wilderness at Limber Pine Bench (see above), elevation 9360’ (2853 m). The low for the night was 50 F (28 C) and it had just rained and hailed so the ground was very wet.

In August I took it for three nights in the east side Sierra Nevada. The temps at night ranged from 31 to 39 F (-1 to 4 C) at 10,000’ to 11,000’ (3050 to 3350 m) elevation.

 
Observations

The Fling continues to impress and aggravate me. The only thing bugging me is the awning/beak. Maybe if I was more limber than I am now I could get into it without hitting the ground. But it is impossible for me to get into the tent without getting my knees dirty. I liked it much better in the snow. If I was a bit shorter it would help a lot. If there was a zipper running at an angle through one side of the beak it would give a lot more room to get into the tent. Something like this. I started bringing a foam sit-pad to use at the entrance (see below).

The beak should not be thought of as a vestibule either. It pretty much just keeps rain off the window/vent. If I want to make sure that my boots stay dry they come in the tent. Wind driven rain will get under it.

Everything else is quite positive. The head room is completely spoiling me. I can not remember the last time I did not hit my head on my tent before I started testing the Fling. I bring everything in with me and still have room to spare. This is the card tent when Dave and I hike together. (He sleeps in his own tent, thank you.)

Set up is fast and easy. I can have it up in less than 5 minutes. I always use the center pole as that allows me to forgo attaching the front guy line. This makes for less tripping hazards. I will stretch it out if it is a windy night.

On the trip to the Sierra Nevada I had it set up two nights within 150’ (46 m) of Bubb’s and Wright creeks. The first night I experienced zero condensation, the next I awoke to frozen condensation on my mustache and was surprised to see nothing on the tent walls. I was beginning to think I would never see wet walls with this tent. Here is a picture taken near Wright Creek, note the blue pad in front of the door.



On my third night near Rock Creek Lake I set up in the boulders about 80’ (24 m) above the lake where I figured I would be very dry. A good breeze was blowing so I used the extra guy lines I had attached earlier this year. With the breeze blowing I did not open the front window as I figured the sides and end vent would be sufficient. I woke up again to wet mustache and condensation on my Lucid bag. This time Mother Nature gave me a wet slap in the face. The tent walls were covered inside with condensation. I opened the front window all the way and went back to sleep.

The next morning was cold and clear with no wind. The tent was even worse than earlier. This gave me my first opportunity to observe the claim that condensation should go to and through the side mesh rather than puddle on the floor. I purposely ran my finger down the wall in a few places to make it run. The water will go down to the mesh, if it is pulled away from the side enough. In one area that I did my test it ran part way down the side then dripped off onto my bag. I wiped the walls down with my pack-towel getting an amazing amount of water from them in the process.

Overall I have been impressed with the Fling. One condensation event out of all the times (and wet places) I have used it qualifies as a winner in my book. The floor-space plus head-room to weight ratio makes it a very good choice for two people looking to share a roomy tent. I have really enjoyed the massive amount of space as a solo tent. I feel that it can be pushed into 3+ season use, although I would not take it on a full-on winter trip (which the manufacturer does not recommend anyway).

Pros: Huge space, great head room, excellent ventilation

Cons: Heavier than listed, sticky pole sleeves, beak a hassle for tall people.