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Four-season protection without abandoning backpacking weight
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 precious energy on the climb and descent. The interior is spacious for delayering, and the strong frame resists overnight snow loading. Quick to set up, the tent offers 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.
Our Verdict
The Access 2 fills a useful gap for two people who want to backpack year-round, including winter, without carrying a much heavier expedition-style shelter.
MSR reinforces its familiar hubbed structure with a transverse pole and Easton Syclone poles, creating a freestanding tent that is considerably more supportive in wind and snow than a conventional three-season backpacking design. The largely solid inner reduces draughts, blocks spindrift and creates a noticeably more protected sleeping space in cold conditions.
At just over 1.6kg, the weight is one of its biggest strengths. Split between two people, it becomes a very manageable shelter for winter backpacking, ski touring and year-round mountain trips.
This isn't an expedition or summit tent built for prolonged exposure to the most severe conditions. The flysheet sits higher from the ground than on heavier winter shelters, reflecting the Access's emphasis on lower weight and better year-round practicality.
The flysheet vents are also welcome, improving airflow and helping reduce condensation inside the solid inner.
- Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear
Features
- Ultralight Warmth: Limited mesh on the tent body keeps in all that hard-earned warmth on 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: Unified hubbed poles make tent quick to pitch in cold environments.
- Additional Features: Rainfly vents reduce condensation; Xtreme Shield™ waterproof coating for long-term durability; two doors; two internal pockets; multiple guy points.
- Includes: Tent body, rainfly, poles, stakes, guy lines, easy-load, wide-mouth stuff sack, setup instructions.
Specifications
Weights
- Flysheet weighs: 488g
- Inner tent weighs: 598g
- Poles weigh: 554g
- Total weight: 1640g (excluding pegs and bags)
- Pegs x8 weigh: 114g
Tech Specs
- Capacity: 2
- Doors: 2
- Pack size: 55cm X 15cm
- 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)
Materials & Construction
- Poles: 1 Easton Syclone
- Rainfly: 20D ripstop nylon 1200mm XtremeShield polyurethane & silicone
- Canopy: 20D ripstop nylon / 10D polyester micromesh
- Floor: 30D ripstop nylon 3000mm XtremeShield polyurethane & DWR
