Back
Our Full Four-Season Tent Reviews
Dec 6, 2024
Best Overall
MSR Access 2 Tent
Pros
Two doors and vestibules
Fast pitch with freeze-resistant poles
Relatively low weight for a winter tent
Cons
Not as wind-resistant as other styles
Key Specs
Best forWinter backpacking
Weight3 lb 10 oz
Capacity2-person
Interior space29 sq ft
EntryTwo doors, two vestibules
I’ve used the MSR Access 2 every winter since 2018. While I don’t get out as much in the winter as I do in other (more pleasant) seasons, I’ve put a good number of uses on the Access 2 and have yet to see noticeable wear and tear. The canopy is built from a sturdy 20-denier ripstop nylon, with the 30-denier floor adding more abrasion and tear-resistance. For comparison, MSR’s Hubba Hubba three-season tent used 20-denier ripstop nylon for the walls and floor, so you’re already getting more durability in the Access through just the face materials.
The floor and fly are both treated with a waterproof XtremeShield PU (3,000mm for the floor), which helps avoid saturation even in heavy precipitation or snow cover. Poles are also an important consideration for winter tents—they have to be built strong to withstand high winds and bad weather, and they have to resist snapping in the cold. The Access 2 uses a hubbed Easton Syclone pole that snaps together quickly and is built with a composite made to resist breaking in sub-zero temperatures.
15Shares
0Comments
9Favorites
20Likes
No content at this moment.