MSR Access4-season~$800

MSR

MSR Access

No citable rating — see why we hide some.

The Access exists for the trip that is winter but not an expedition: ski touring, hut-to-hut, spring alpine. It uses Easton Syclone composite poles, which flex rather than snap under a snow load, a solid nylon inner instead of mesh, and a 3000 mm floor — but only 58 ounces in the two-person, which is a normal three-season weight. The two doors and 17.5 square feet of vestibule are unusually generous for the category; the 1200 mm fly is the compromise that keeps it light.

14.5 sq ft each· standard

Floor area per person

14.5 sq ft

Standard — 14 to 17 sq ft each — the normal two-pads-and-no-spare-room fit

Weight per person

29 oz

from the trail weight of 3 lb 10 oz

Peak height

42 in

Approx. price

~$800

Pads: 25.0 in of floor width each — 2 × 25 in pads fit.

Length: a 84 in floor leaves room for a sleeper up to about 6ft 6in once you allow six inches for a foot box and a pillow.

Best for
Ski touring and spring alpine trips where a full expedition tent is more weight than the conditions justify.

The size run

One design, 3 capacities. The numbers at the top of this page describe the 2; every size has its own figures below.

SizeSleepsFloor areaSq ft eachVestibuleTrail weightPacked weightFloor L × WApprox. price
1119 sq ft19.09 sq ft3 lb3 lb 8 oz84 × 33 in~$680
2229 sq ft14.517.5 sq ft3 lb 10 oz4 lb 1 oz84 × 50 in~$800
3341 sq ft13.717.5 sq ft4 lb 6 oz5 lb 1 oz84 × 70 in~$920

Specifications

Type
4-season
Floor area per person(estimated)
14.5 sq ft (standard)
Floor area
29 sq ft
Vestibule area
17.5 sq ft
Peak height
42 in
Packed weight
4 lb 1 oz
Weight per person(estimated)
29 oz (trail weight)
Packed size
18 x 6 in
Pad fit(estimated)
2 × 25 in pads fit
Fits sleepers up to(estimated)
6ft 6in tall
Doors
2
Vestibules
2
Freestanding
freestanding
Poles
carbon
Wall type
double wall
Fly fabric
20D ripstop nylon, 1200 mm polyether urethane and silicone
Floor fabric
30D ripstop nylon, 3000 mm polyether urethane and PFAS-free DWR
Approx. price
~$800

Features

  • Easton Syclone composite poles that flex under snow load
  • Solid 20D nylon inner rather than mesh
  • 3000 mm 30D floor with PFAS-free DWR
  • Two doors and 17.5 sq ft of vestibule
  • Freestanding, for pitching on snow with deadmen
  • Sold in 1, 2 and 3 person on one Syclone pole design

In its favour

  • 58 oz makes winter shelter carriable on a ski tour
  • Syclone composite poles are the most snow-load-tolerant pole in this catalog
  • Two doors and two vestibules, which most four-season tents at this weight drop
  • 3000 mm floor keeps meltwater out under a warm body
  • Sold in three sizes, so a winter party of three does not have to carry two tents

Against it

  • 1200 mm fly is low for a tent that will sit under wet snow
  • 84 in floor length is short once you are sleeping in a down jacket
  • $800 for the 2-person, and $920 for the 3
  • Solid inner means condensation management depends entirely on the vents

Written from the published specification sheet, not from owner reports.

What owners report

No owner discussion has been collected for the MSR Access yet. Rather than summarise sentiment nobody expressed, this section stays empty until there is something real to read — the methodology page explains where these come from and why some tents have none.