MSR Access 2 Tent Review

Bottom Line

The MSR Access 2 excels in shoulder-season and light winter conditions, making it a reliable option for ski touring and backpacking. At just over 4 pounds, it balances durability and portability, with highlights like two roomy vestibules for gear storage and a bright red color that’s easy to spot in poor visibility. Its freestanding design and steep walls provide great stability in wind and snow, and the straightforward setup makes it a dependable option for unpredictable alpine conditions.

That said, it has its quirks. Ventilation is limited, leading to condensation in humid or mild weather, and the internal pockets are too small for larger items. Taller users may also find the sloped sidewalls a bit cramped at the feet. While not robust enough for extreme winter conditions above treeline, the Access 2 is more durable than most three-season backpacking tents and handles below-treeline winter use with ease. For similar options, check out our guide to the best four-season tents.

For more options, check out our guide to the best four-season tents.

How We Tested

We tested the MSR Access 2  over several months in Colorado’s mountains and foothills, focusing on the shoulder season conditions where this tent truly excels. Early winter in Colorado is notoriously unpredictable, giving us a mix of classic sunny bluebird days and frigid, windy nights. Along the way, we also endured a few moderate snowstorms, allowing us to thoroughly evaluate the Access 2’s performance in cold and blustery weather.

Comfort

The MSR Access 2 hits a nice balance between comfort and functionality for a lightweight three-and-a-half to four-season tent. With 29 square feet of interior space and two 17-square-foot vestibules, there’s enough room for two people to sleep without feeling squished. We liked the steep sidewalls—they make sitting up and moving around easier, especially when dealing with bulky winter gear. The dual doors and vestibules are a big plus, letting each camper have their own entry and gear stash, so you’re not constantly climbing over each other.

That said, it’s not perfect. The sidewalls slope inward at the bottom, which can feel a bit cramped for taller folks, especially around the feet. The interior storage pockets work fine for small stuff like headlamps but fall short for bulkier items like gloves or socks. On longer trips, the lack of larger storage options might leave you wishing for a bit more organization.

Weight & Packed Size

At 4 pounds, 1 ounce, the MSR Access 2 is pretty light for a double-wall, four-season tent. It’s versatile enough for backcountry skiing, peak bagging, and longer backpacking trips without feeling like a burden. Sure, it’s not ultralight, but it’s light enough for most adventures.

The packability is also a win. This tent fits neatly into most backpacks, leaving plenty of room for the rest of your gear. Unlike bulky expedition-style tents, the Access 2 packs down to a size that’s easy to manage and carry.

Weather Resistance

The Access 2 is built for cold and snowy conditions, making it a solid choice for shoulder seasons and mild winter adventures. Its sturdy pole structure and steep walls handle snow and wind well, and during testing, it held strong in moderate gusts and uneven terrain. The 20D ripstop nylon rainfly with a DWR finish does a good job keeping things dry in light snow or rain, though it’s not bulletproof in wetter conditions.

We did notice a few downsides. Ventilation is decent for a four-season tent but still led to some condensation, especially in warmer temps. It’s better than single-wall tents but not as airy as a typical three-season option. During one multi-day test pitched on melting snow, some seepage came through the floor—this could’ve been avoided with a footprint (sold separately). The Easton Syclone poles handle wind well, but above 40 mph, they’ll bend unless the tent is fully guyed out, which requires extra stakes and guy lines you’ll need to buy separately.

Overall, the Access 2 performs well in the cold, dry conditions it’s meant for, with a few quirks to keep in mind for more challenging weather.

Ease of Setup

Setting up the MSR Access 2 is easy and pretty intuitive. The pole structure might take a minute to figure out on your first try, but after that, it’s smooth sailing. The poles come fully connected with a hub system near the head and foot and a rotating hub for the center cross pole. The tent body clips onto the poles, so there’s no need for fussy pole sleeves. The rainfly goes on easily, and the MSR Groundhog stakes work great in dirt. For snow, though, you’ll want to grab some snow-specific stakes like MSR Blizzard stakes.

During testing, we found the setup quick—even with gloves on—but attaching the rainfly grommets to the pole ends was a little tricky in freezing temps. While the included stakes don’t perform well in soft snow, using skis or other gear as anchors worked like a charm.

Durability

MSR has a solid rep for making tough tents, and we had high hopes for the Access 2—and it mostly delivered. The rainfly and tent body are made from lightweight 20D ripstop nylon with a DWR coating, while the 30D nylon floor has a Durashield treatment for extra durability. These materials held up well during testing at snowy basecamps and rocky campsites in Colorado. That said, we did run into one issue: after a few days pitched on snow in moderate to high winds, we noticed a small tear in the rainfly where it rested on a pole. We’re not sure what caused it, but it’s worth keeping an eye on.

The Easton Syclone poles are designed to bend under heavy snow and wind loads instead of snapping. They worked well for us, but reviews online seem mixed.

Overall, the Access 2 feels durable for how lightweight it is, but using a footprint (sold separately) is a smart move to protect the floor on rough or wet ground. Like any ultralight tent, handling it with care will help it last longer.

Versatility

The MSR Access 2 does a great job in specific conditions but isn’t the most versatile tent out there. It’s designed for shoulder-season and light winter use, making it a great pick for ski touring, cold-weather backpacking, and below-treeline mountaineering. Its double-wall construction and semi-freestanding design strike a nice balance between weather protection and portability, giving it an edge over heavier expedition-style tents.

That said, it’s not the best choice for warm or wet climates. Ventilation is limited, so you’ll likely deal with condensation in humid conditions. If you’re heading somewhere with lots of rain or extreme weather, you’d want a sturdier single-wall tent with stronger poles. While the Access 2 is roomy enough for two in cold weather, its smaller interior and vestibules can feel tight on gear-heavy trips or longer adventures.

In colder, drier conditions and for shorter alpine trips, the Access 2 delivers. But if you’re looking for a tent that handles warm weather or extended basecamps, there are better options out there.

Should You Buy the MSR Access 2?

This tent walks the line between a traditional three-season backpacking tent and a true four-season winter shelter, performing well in some areas but falling short in others.

The MSR Access 2 performs best in shoulder season and mild to moderate winter conditions. It’s an excellent option for colder backpacking trips or ski touring below treeline. While it carries a four-season designation, it’s not an expedition tent—it’s a lightweight backpacking tent optimized for use in cold weather.

If you frequently winter camp or embark on overnight ski tours, this tent is a solid choice. However, if you need a bombproof expedition tent for extreme conditions or a highly breathable backpacking tent for warmer weather, you might want to consider other options better suited to those specific needs.

What Other Four-Season Tents Should You Consider?

If you’re considering the MSR Advance Pro 2, here are a few other four-season tents worth exploring. If you want more options, check out our full four-season tent gear guide. 

Samaya 2.0 Review: For ultralight enthusiasts, the Samaya 2.0 offers full waterproofing and high-tech materials that outperform the Access 2 in extreme alpine conditions. It’s lighter and packs smaller but sacrifices some livability with its snug, minimalist design. A great option for fast-and-light trips in harsh environments.

NEMO Kunai 2 Review: The Kunai 2 balances weight and weather protection, making it another solid option for shoulder seasons and light winter use. It’s slightly heavier than the Access 2 but offers a more storm-worthy design, better ventilation, and a more spacious interior for gear-heavy trips.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 2 Review: If you’re all about going ultralight, the Ultamid 2 is a solid pick. It’s crazy light and super versatile, especially in alpine conditions when you add the UltaMid insert. Keep in mind, you’ll need trekking poles to set it up, and there’s a bit of a learning curve. But once you get the hang of it, its weather resistance and packability are hard to beat for ultralight backpackers and mountaineers.