MSR WING - User Manual

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Summary

MSR Wing Assembly Instructions

About MSR Wings

Product introduction highlighting MSR Wing's strength and unique design features like parabolic curves and catenary cuts.

Multiple Configurations Using MSRs 7-Point Design

Explains the versatility of the 7-point design, allowing varied angles and heights for customization to suit different environments and needs.

Tension

Emphasizes the critical importance of tensioning the Wing via guyout lines tightly for stability and proper performance, with specific advice for headroom.

Staking

Details the necessity of firmly planting stakes and suggests using larger stakes or rocks for soft ground or high winds to ensure stability.

Paddle & Line Pockets

Describes the function of corner pockets for storing guyout lines and holding items like paddles or hiking sticks, which can substitute for poles.

Use & Care

Preventing Mildew

Warns about the damage mildew can cause to waterproof coatings, emphasizing the need to dry the Wing completely before storage to prevent its formation.

Storing

Provides guidance on storing the Wing in a cool, dry place, out of sunlight, and recommends airing it out every 6 months to prevent odors and deterioration.

Cleaning

Recommends cleaning only when necessary for odors or heavy soiling, suggesting a garden hose or mild soap wash, and strictly prohibiting machine washing or dry cleaning.

Seam Sealing

Explains how to seam seal specific areas if waterproofing issues arise, advising to apply sealer to the inner, coated side and use powder to prevent sticking.

Sun & Ultraviolet Rays

Highlights UV light as a damaging element that can cause fading, loss of strength, and tearing, recommending pitching the Wing out of direct sunlight.

MSR Materials & Workmanship Warranty

Details MSR's warranty for materials and workmanship, outlining conditions for repair or replacement and charges for accidental damage or improper care.

The MSR Wing is a versatile and robust tarp designed for outdoor use, offering shelter from the elements. It is distinguished by its unique 7-point design, which incorporates parabolic curves and catenary cuts in its fabric structure. This design allows for superior tensioning of the entire fabric, making the Wing exceptionally strong and stable, particularly under wind and rain. The more tension and force applied, the stronger and more stable the Wing becomes, ensuring it can withstand challenging weather conditions.

Function Description:

The primary function of the MSR Wing is to provide adaptable overhead shelter. Its 7-point design allows for multiple configurations, enabling users to vary the angle, height, and overall shape to best suit their environment and specific needs. This adaptability makes it suitable for a wide range of outdoor activities, from camping and backpacking to creating protected areas adjacent to shelters, car racks, or tent vestibules. The Wing is designed to shed wind and rain effectively, offering a reliable protective space.

Important Technical Specifications:

While specific dimensions and materials are not detailed in the provided manual, the core technical aspect lies in its "7-Point Design" with parabolic curves and catenary cuts. This design is crucial for its structural integrity and ability to be highly tensioned. The manual emphasizes that the "pointed end" of the Wing should always be used as the highest supported point in any configuration, while the opposite "flat edge" (consisting of three points) can be stretched tightly for attachment to other structures or used as a pole-supported vestibule. The poles, when used, should be angled 15-20 degrees away from the Wing for maximum effectiveness.

Usage Features:

Versatile Configurations: The 7-point design allows for extensive customization of the Wing's shape and height. Users can employ poles at different corners and heights to create various setups tailored to their campsite and weather conditions.
Enhanced Headroom: Adding extra poles to the corners can increase headroom, though this may slightly reduce stability.
Tensioning System: Proper tensioning of the guyout lines is critical for the Wing's performance. For maximum headroom, tension pole-to-pole guyout lines first, then lower non-pole guyout lines. For a lower profile, tension lower guyout lines first, then high point guyout lines.
Paddle & Line Pockets: Each corner of the Wing features "pockets" that serve a dual purpose: storing guyout lines when packed away and accommodating paddles, hiking sticks, or other makeshift supports in place of poles.
Staking Guidance: The manual advises on proper staking, noting that while MSR supplies general-purpose stakes for hard ground, soft or sandy ground, or high winds may require supplementing with rocks or using larger stakes for adequate holding power.
Wind and Rain Shedding: The design ensures that a properly tensioned Wing will not flap in the wind, pocket water, or show visible wrinkles, making it highly resistant to blowing down.

Maintenance Features:

Preventing Mildew: It is crucial to dry the Wing thoroughly as soon as possible after it gets wet. Storing a wet Wing for even 24 hours in warm weather can lead to mildew formation, which permanently damages waterproof coatings and causes irreversible staining. The Wing should be unfolded and aired out, ideally by hanging it outside or turning it inside out, to ensure complete dryness. Machine drying is strictly prohibited as heat can melt the fabric.
Storing: Store the Wing in its stuff sack in a cool, dry area, away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and rodents. To prevent odors and fabric deterioration, it should be opened and aired out at least every six months.
Cleaning: Cleaning is generally only necessary if the Wing develops an offensive odor or becomes heavily soiled. Loose dirt can be removed with a garden hose. For more severe cleaning, hand wash with warm water, a sponge, and a mild, non-detergent soap. Harsh chemicals like dishwashing liquid, detergent, bleach, pre-soaking solutions, or spot removers should be avoided as they can damage waterproof coatings. After washing, rinse thoroughly and line dry. Dry cleaning, machine washing, and machine drying are forbidden.
Seam Sealing: While MSR Wings are highly waterproof, if any issues arise, only the specific problematic area should be seam sealed. The seam sealer should be applied to the inner, coated (shiny) side of the fabric, following the product's instructions. A syringe can be used for accuracy. After drying, baby or talc powder can be applied to prevent sticking.
UV Protection: Prolonged exposure to UV light is detrimental, causing fabrics to fade, lose strength, and eventually tear. This effect is more rapid at higher elevations. Users are advised to pitch the Wing out of direct sunlight whenever possible to mitigate UV damage, which is not covered under warranty.
Warranty: MSR offers a warranty on materials and workmanship to the original owner. Defects in manufacturing will result in repair or replacement at MSR's discretion. Damage due to accident, improper care, negligence, sun degradation, mildew, or normal wear and tear will be repaired at a reasonable charge.