Long-Term Report MSR® FlingTM 2-Person Freestanding Tent
Ryan Christensen October 6, 2006	MSR Fling at Ski Lake near Jackson Wyoming
Reviewer Information:	Backpacking Background:
Name:  Ryan L. Christensen Age:  42 Gender:  Male Height:  6’ 2” (1.9 m) Weight:  235 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.
MSR Fling 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 lb 6 oz (1.5 kg)
Packaged Weight	4 lb (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.   (quoted from MSR website)
MSRP	$269.95 US $39.95 US – optional footprint
Tester’s Measurements
Weight
As Received	4 lb 8 oz (2.04 kg) (everything inside the stuff sack)
Tent Only	2 lb 11 oz (1.22 kg)
Tent Stuff Sack	1 oz (45 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 (1.02 m)
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 is 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 and Field Report via this link: MSR Fling - Test Reports

Fling – Test Conditions:

Since submitting my Field Report, I have used the Fling on two additional backpacking trips in August 2006.  The first of these two trips was to the Palisades Lakes near Swan Valley Idaho.  The second trip was to Ski Lake on the Jackson Pass between Victor Idaho and Jackson Hole Wyoming.

The Palisades Creek Trail that leads to the lower and upper Palisades Lakes is located approximately 50 miles (80 km) southeast of Idaho Falls Idaho and nearly 60 miles (97 km) west of Jackson Hole Wyoming.  The Upper Palisades Lake sits at about 6,800 feet (2,071 m) above sea level.

The first night that we spent in the Palisades Lakes area was the coldest.  The sky was clear, the winds were calm, and the temperature dipped, as there was frost on the ground when I awoke around 6:30 a.m. the next morning.  With no breeze, there was heavy condensation on the inside of the tent.  The next night the temperature was warmer—no frost on the ground but there was heavy dew.  That night there were still no winds and consequently there was significant condensation inside the tent in the morning.

At nearly 8,800 feet (2,682 m) above sea level, Ski Lake is nestled at the base of a peak on the Jackson Pass.  On this trip, like the Palisades Lakes trip, the skies were clear and the winds calm.  However, the temperature was a little warmer.  Again, there was condensation in the tent.

Fling – Testing:

My test plan called for me to test 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]  The MSR 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 inside the tent without bumping into each other in the night.  At least that was my experience with the tent mate I had on my outings.  At my height, 6’2” (1.9 m) I use a long sleeping bag and long sleeping pad.  Consequently, 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 along with much gear in the tent.  Small items fit well, but a pack or anything of significant size in the tent would encroach on the room available for sleeping.  Conversely, the Fling is quite spacious for an individual and his gear.

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.  After pitching the tent numerous times, it now takes me about five minutes to set up.  In my IR, I expressed concern about the tackiness of the pole sleeves.  The tackiness has decreased with use which results in 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.  In fact, with the ridgepole in place I have found that it is not necessary to secure the guy-line at the head-end of the tent in calm to no wind conditions.  Unfortunately, I have not experienced significant winds or rains and have thus been unable to test in these conditions. 

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 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 all but one of my 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 as shown in the two photographs below.

    

DURABILITY:

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

[RESULTS]  As stated in my Field Report, the large hoop pole has bent slightly as shown in the picture to the right.  The pole still works fine and I have not noticed any additional bending in this pole or bending in the other poles.

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 continue to hold up well; no snagging, tearing or punctures.  I am especially impressed with how well the floor has held up since I have pitched the tent in some 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.  Fortunately 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]  I have gotten dirt on the tent.  The tent has gotten dirty with use, 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.

Overall, I am very pleased with the design and performance of the MSR Fling tent.  It is lightweight, easy to set up, and offers great headroom.  There is adequate room for two full-sized adults to sleep in the tent.  Although with two adults in the tent there is minimal room for gear, the Fling provides ample room for an individual and his gear.

The only improvement I could suggest is in the venting.  I experienced substantial condensation inside the tent on all but one of my outings.  A design that incorporates venting into the roof of the tent, similar to ridge venting in homes, might reduce the condensation problem on nights when the wind is still.

Thanks to both MSR and BGT for the opportunity to test the MSR Fling--a great tent!