UOG TOP PICK - MSR Access Series 4 Season tents - full 4 season, two skin, very light - We've singled out MSR's Access series tents as one of our top recommendations because MSR have achieved a full four season tent in a very lightweight package, the innovative pole structure is brilliant for shedding the wind.

The Access 2 Tent is the ultimate two-person tent for winter backcountry touring. The four-season tent is warm enough for frigid winter nights, yet impressively light and strong.

MSR says:

Built to be the ultimate shelter for backcountry skiers, splitboarders and snowshoers, the Access 2 tent is lighter than a mountaineering tent, but warmer than our backpacking tents. Limited mesh on the tent body offers greater warmth on frigid nights, while the light and packable design saves you preciousenergyon the climb and descent. The interior is spacious fordelayering, and the strong frame resists overnight snow loading. Quick to set up, the tentoffers the protection needed for camping in less severe conditions, such as those near tree-line—making it perfect for accessing the bowls, ridges and powder fields above.

MSR's Access 2 Tent is a 4 season tent at a 3 season weight, MSR have achieved this by adding a transverse pole to their now traditional dual hub structure to create a very stable structure and by 'beefing up' the key areas of the tent that would be strained in bad weather.

In addition to improving the pole structure MSR are also using tougher poles, they flex more and are therefore able to bend with the wind.

The flysheet isn't cut as close to the ground as on other 4 season tents but in use this is manageable, the inner tent is made from a solid fabric with mesh only being use sparingly - this means that the inside is protected from wind and spindrift, though gear in the porches will get covered in snow.

If you would like a footprint for this tent you will need the MSR Universal 2 Footprint (sold separately).

- Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear

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Help and advice:

Ultralight Warmth: Limited mesh onthe tent body keeps in all that hard-earned warmthon cold nights, while the light design keeps you nimble while skiing, riding or hiking
Easton® Syclone™ Poles: Cutting-edge composite materials resist breaking in challenging winter conditions
Robust Frame: Central-support frame optimizes interior space and resists snow loading
Quick Setup: Perfect for cold environments
Additional Features: DuraShield™-coated fabrics and taped bathtub floor; two doors; two internal pockets; multiple guy points

Flysheet weighs: 538g
Inner tent weighs: 554g
Poles weigh: 530g
Total weight: 1622g (excluding pegs and bags)
Pegs x8 weigh: 108g
Pack size 51cm X 11cm
Floor + vestibule: 2.69+1.62 sq m (29+17.5 sq ft)
Livable volume: 1586+481 L (56+17 cu ft)
Interior peak height: 1.07m (42 in)
Poles: 2 Easton Syclone
Rainfly: 20D ripstop nylon 1200mm Durashield polyurethane & silicone
Canopy: 20D ripstop nylon / 10D polyester micromesh
Floor: 30D ripstop nylon 3000mm Durashiled polyurethane & DWR
Suitable Footprint: MSR Universal 2 Footprint (sold separately)

Showing our 1 review for MSR Access 2 Tent. Write a review ›

Review Summary - 5 out of 5 based on 1 rating.

May 4, 2018 | Steve Scott

A dependable balance

For comparison, we have an MSR Elixir 2 (Car Camping) and a Mountain Hardware Ghost UL 2. The Elixir is excellent in every regard except weight. The Ghost is super lightweight but you wouldn't want to spend weeks in it with a second person, and I'm not sure how good it would be in heavy winds. We needed a solid, dependable tent with decent livability for the Patagonian "summer", able to deal with heavy winds and with a sensible weight. The Access has filled that gap very nicely, and I have no hesitation using it in all conditions and for extended periods with two people in it. Not found much by way of quirks or limitations yet, it does what it says on the tin. We did go for safety orange, now we find ourselves using it for wild camping, so perhaps I might choose differently next time.