MSR® Debuts Minimalist FlyLite™ Tent for Weight-Conscious Backpackers
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Today’s multi-day backpackers and thru-hikers want minimalist shelters with full-weather protection. For 2015, MSR answers the call with the new FlyLite tent, a two-person tent built for ounce-counters. At 1 lb. 9 oz. (710 g), it’s the lightest full-protection shelter MSR has ever made.
Built upon MSR weight-saving technologies and livability features, the single-wall tent design efficiently utilizes two standard trekking poles for support as opposed to being weighted down by carrying traditional tent poles. A single ultra-light mini-pole adds structure to the rear of the tent, and can be swapped out for a trekking pole.
“As with all MSR tents, livability is prioritized in the FlyLite design,” said Terry Breaux, tent designer for MSR. “Despite the FlyLite’s minimalist construction, the tent has ample head and elbow room that enables two people to comfortably sit upright and face each other without feeling cramped.”
The FlyLite tent features vertical walls and a 29-square-foot floor space that result in a spacious 72-cubic-foot interior. A large attached awning provides extra rain protection over the door and is designed at a height that allows dwellers an unobstructed view while sitting. Awning-covered vents on all four sides minimize condensation by increasing air circulation, while the strong, DuraShield-coated nylon fabrics (10D on the walls and 20D on the floor) deliver twice the performance of traditional fabrics without adding weight. The FlyLite tent is detailed with taped seams and reinforced stress points to offer lasting protection.
The new MSR FlyLite tent will debut at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market in August 2014 and will be available at retail stores in January 2015.
About MSR® (Mountain Safety Research®)
Seattle-based MSR has been engineering standard-setting high-performance outdoor equipment since 1969. A commitment to quality manufacturing and innovation ensures customers are outfitted with the finest, most reliable gear available for outdoor adventures. MSR product lines include: stoves, fuel, cookware, water treatment and hydration systems, shelters, snowshoes, snow tools, and backcountry poles. The majority of MSR products are made in the company’s Seattle, U.S.A. and Cork, Ireland manufacturing facilities. For more information, visit www.msrgear.com.
