Here is how these two tents compare on the numbers. The FreeLite 3 takes a modest overall edge, led by low weight, but the Tiger Wall UL3 has its own case.
| MSR FreeLite 3 | Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL3 | |
|---|---|---|
| GearScore | 79✓ | 77 |
| Capacity | 3 | 3 |
| Packed weight | 38.0 oz✓ | 42.0 oz |
| Floor area | 38.5 sq ft✓ | 38 sq ft |
| Space-to-weight | 16.2 /lb✓ | 14.5 /lb |
| Peak height | 43 in✓ | 42 in |
| Doors | 2 | 2 |
| Vestibules | 2 | 2 |
| Price | $570✓ | $580 |
| Type | Ultralight | Ultralight |
Highlighted cells mark the better spec: FreeLite 3 in blue, Tiger Wall UL3 in amber. A blank spec is never counted as a win. GearScore is the overall rating (0 to 100); re-weight it on the full tent comparison. Prices are current MSRP.
The MSR FreeLite 3 against the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL3 is a study in priorities. The FreeLite 3 wins on low weight and floor space, and the Tiger Wall UL3 pushes back on value.
The FreeLite 3 is 4 oz lighter, more floor area (38.5 vs 38 sq ft), and better space-to-weight. Their GearScores land within a couple of points (79 vs 77), so neither runs away with it.
Pick the FreeLite 3 if you care most about low weight and floor space, which makes it the better call for counting grams on long miles. Pick the Tiger Wall UL3 if you would rather save the difference.
The MSR FreeLite 3. It is 4 oz lighter than the Tiger Wall UL3.
The MSR FreeLite 3. It is more floor area (38.5 vs 38 sq ft) than the Tiger Wall UL3.
They are nearly tied at 79 and 77 on the default algorithm, so re-weight the score to your own priorities to break the tie.
It depends on your priorities. Go with the FreeLite 3 for low weight, or the Tiger Wall UL3 for the price. The spec table above shows exactly where each wins.