Field Report MSR® FlingTM 2-Person Freestanding Tent
Ryan Christensen August 28, 2006
Reviewer Information:	Backpacking Background:
Name:  Ryan L. Christensen Age:  42 Gender:  Male Height:  6’ 2” (1.88 m) Weight:  225 lb (102 kg) Email address:  bigdawgryan(at)yahoo(dot)com City, State, Country:  Idaho Falls, ID, U.S.A.	I began hiking, camping, backpacking at twelve and continued until 25.  After a hiatus due in part to a bad back I resumed hiking, camping, and biking three years ago.  Now, I share my love for these sports with my teen-age sons.  The past three years, we have hiked or camped nearly every month, in desert, forest, meadow, and mountain; in spring, summer, fall, and winter; in sunshine, rain, wind, and snow.  We began backpacking together the summer of 2005.  I am a lightweight backpacker, but carry a full array of necessary gear.
Product Description
Manufacturer	Mountain Safety Research
Manufacturer Website	http://www.msrgear.com
Year of Manufacture	2005
Type	3 season, single-wall, freestanding dome
Capacity	2 people plus gear
Floor & Vestibule Area	32 sq ft (2.9 sq m)
Interior Peak Height	40 in (100 cm)
Minimum Weight	3 lbs 6 oz (1.5 kg)
Packaged Weight	4 lbs (1.8 kg)
Packed Size	20 x 6 in (50.8 x 15.3 cm)
Material Body	1500mm polyurethane & silicone coated 30D x 246T ripstop nylon
Floor	5000mm polyurethane coated 70D 190T nylon
Warranty	MSR’s Double Guarantee warrants to the original owner, the materials and workmanship of every MSR tent.  If the MSR tent has received proper care, but fails due to a defect in manufacturing, MSR will either repair or replace it at their discretion.  Repairs due to accident, improper care, or negligence, where MSR is not at fault, will be performed at a reasonable charge.  MSR offers a lifetime warranty, to the original owner, on all MSR tent framework.  If a tent pole breaks, MSR will either repair or replace it, free, for the lifetime of the tent.
MSRP	$269.95 US $39.95 US – optional footprint
Tester’s Measurements
Weight
As Received	4 lbs 8 oz (2.04 kg) (out of the cardboard box—everything inside the stuff sack)
Tent Only	2 lbs 11 oz (1.22 kg)
Tent Stuff Sack	1.6 oz (45.4 g)
Three Poles	1 lb 4.9 oz (592.5 g)
Pole Sack	0.7 oz (19.8 g)
Eight Needle Stakes	2.7 oz (76.5 g)
Stake Sack	0.5 oz (14.2 g)
One Owner’s Manual	0.5 oz (14.2 g)
My packed weight	4 lb 4 oz (1.9 kg) (tent, stuff sack, poles, stakes)
Dimensions Interior Height	40 in (100 cm)
Length	80 in (2.03 m)
Width (head)	70 in (1.78 m)
Width (foot)	48 in (1.22 m)
Packed Size	20 x 6 in (51 x 15 cm)

Fling -- Product Description:

The Fling is a member of MSR’s Fast & Light series which MSR claims offers maximum space and minimum weight.  According to MSR, the Fling is its lightest 2-person freestanding tent.  Additionally, MSR claims its "Fast & Light tents offer ultralight options without compromising livability or durability.  And they feature all the details--from bound and seam-taped floors to virtually unbendable Needle™ stakes—of tents weighing twice as much.”  It also has reflective guy-out lines which I think are cool.

The Fling is a 3-season, single-wall, 2-person tent.  It is a variation of the hoop tent--the ridgepole enables the Fling to be freestanding, similar to a dome tent.  This tent is trapezoidal in shape.  The narrower end (foot) measures 4 ft. (1.2 m) across with the wider end (head) measuring 5 ft. 10 in. (1.7 m) across.

For more details, please see my Initial Report via this link: INITIAL REPORT

Fling -- Test Conditions:

As an initial test I setup the Fling in my back yard.  It took me about ten minutes to set up the tent. 

My first field test of the Fling was in June 2006.  I went with my sons and their Boy Scout troop on a campout near Horseshoe Lake located twenty-one miles (34 km) northeast of Ashton Idaho in the Targhee-Caribou National Forest.  As another point of reference, Horseshoe Lake is approximately fourteen miles (22 km) from the Bechler Ranger Station in the southwestern corner of Yellowstone National Park.  Horseshoe Lake is approximately 6,400 feet (1,950 m) above sea level.

I was able to test the Fling during the first week of August 2006 near Stanley Idaho.  Stanley is in central Idaho and is approximately 6,500 feet (1,980 m) above sea level.  I was at Camp Bradley which is a Boy Scout camp located approximately twenty-two miles (35 km) west of Stanley Idaho.   The high temperature during the day was 85 F (29 C) and the nighttime low was 39 F (4 C).  Winds were calm and the relative humidity was 67%.

On August 18 2006, I was able to test the Fling on an overnight trip to Bear Lake which straddles the Idaho and Utah border.  I was near Garden City, Utah which has an elevation of 5,965 feet (1,818 m) above sea level.  The nighttime low temperature was 52 F (11 C).  Winds were calm.

Fling -- Testing:

My test plan called for me to assess the fit, function, and durability of the MSR Fling. 

Fit:

First, after opening for initial examination, can I easily get the Fling back to its packed size of 20 x 6 in. (51 x 15 cm)?  Can I do this repeatedly with ease?  Space is a premium, so this is important to me.

[RESULTS]  When putting the tent away, I have consistently been able to get it back to its packed size.  The Fling easily packs to its original 20 x 6 in (51 x 15 cm) size. 

 

Second, is it roomy enough for two larger individuals to fit comfortably, sleeping without encroaching on one another’s space or touching the tent walls?  At 6 ft 2 in, (188 cm) can I sit up comfortably in the middle of the tent?

[RESULTS]  Yes, two adults fit quite comfortably in the tent without bumping into each other in the night, at least with the tent mate I had on my outings.  At my height, I use a long sleeping bag, and I tend to touch either the foot or head of the tent.  However, I am able to sit up comfortably in the middle of the tent.

Third, MSR claims the “generous floor plan sleeps two with room for gear.”  My initial impression is that there will be minimal space for gear.  However, in addition to two people, I will see just how much gear the Fling can accommodate. 

[RESULTS]  My initial impression has proven true; there is little room for two average to large sized adults to sleep comfortably with much gear in the tent.  Small items are great, but to put a pack or anything of significant size in the tent would encroach on the room available for sleeping.

Function:

The first functional consideration is ease of setup.  How easily can I setup up the Fling with its three poles and eight ultra light Needle™ stakes?

[RESULTS]  Set up continues to be a breeze.  It takes me about six minutes or so to set up now that I have done it several times.  In my IR, I expressed a concern about the tackiness of the pole sleeves.  I have found that the tackiness has decreased with use.  This has reduced set up time. 

Second is stability.  Does the ridgepole make this hoop tent freestanding?  Does the ridgepole truly create a more wind-resistant pitch?  How well does the Fling withstand high winds?  Does it make a difference whether pitched in rocky or in a softer-soil area?  Will the Fling withstand heavy rains and/or snowstorms without collapsing?

[RESULTS]  Yes, with the ridgepole in place, the Fling stands freely, much like a dome tent.  To date, however, I have not experienced significant winds or rains and have thus been unable to test the tent in these conditions.  However, I should have opportunities during the long-term test phase. 

Third is weather resistance.  How well does the lightweight, silicon-treated material shed water and snow?   Does the material sag when wet?  Do the taped seams remain waterproof?  Does the awning provide adequate protection from the elements and enough room for two to prepare food?  Does this tent work well as a three-season tent?

[RESULTS]  As mentioned above, I have not had the opportunity to test the tent in the rain or snow.  The awning provides some protection for two to prepare food as long as they are lying mostly in the tent.  However, I do not know if it is sufficient during inclement weather.

Fourth is ventilation.  Condensation is a typical problem with single wall tents.  Does the strip of mesh around the perimeter provide enough ventilation to prevent condensation in the Fling?  If condensation forms, does it run down the wall and escape to the outside via the perimeter mesh as MSR claims it should?

[RESULTS]  On two of my three outings to date, even with the head-end window covering unzipped, there has been significant condensation inside the tent when I wake in the morning.  Fortunately, the condensation does indeed run down the wall and out the perimeter mesh.

Durability:

First, do the poles maintain their shape and strength, or do they bend during assembly and/or use over time?

[RESULTS]  The large hoop pole has bent slightly as shown in the picture below. This occured after the first use or two under normal conditions. Although it has a slight bend, the pole still works fine. The bend is unnoticeable once the tent is pitched.

Second, how well does the lightweight material resist snagging, tearing, and punctures?  How resistant to abrasion are the awning, body, and flooring materials?

[RESULTS]  The tent materials have held up well thus far; no snagging, tearing or punctures.  I am especially impressed with how well the floor has held up since I have pitched the tent in a couple rougher areas and I am testing it without a footprint.

Third, do the seams remain tight, or do they come undone over time?  Are the seams waterproof and do they remain so over time?

[RESULTS]  Seams still appear to be tight.  There has been no rain or snow to test the waterproofness of the seams.

Fourth, does the tent come with a repair kit?  If necessary, how easily can I repair the tent?

[RESULTS]  The Fling does not come with a repair kit.  I have not had a need to perform any repairs to date. 

Fifth, how soil resistant is the material?  If soiled, how easily can I clean it?

[RESULTS]  The tent has gotten dirty, but nothing permanent.  A damp cloth has been sufficient to clean the dirty spots.

The sixth and final durability question is does the nylon material stretch over time?  If so, does this create problems?

[RESULTS]  I have not noticed any stretch in the material to date.

I will continue monitoring the items listed above as well as any other pertinent issues, which may arise during the test period.  I especially hope for opportunities to test the tent in wind, rain and or snow during the long-term test phase. 

Thanks to MSR and BGT for the opportunity to test the MSR Fling tent.