Why We Like The Access 2 Tent: 2-Person 4-Season
Details
- Light and strong 4-season tent for winter backcountry trips
- Nylon Ripstop fabric is lightweight and tear-resistant
- Water-resistant fly and floor won't succumb to snow
- Easton Syclone poles resist breakage and reduce weight
- Resists snow-loading to avoid collapse from heavy snow
- Two doors for easy access and exit
- Item #MSQ000J
- Material
- [rainfly] 20D ripstop nylon, DuraShield polyurethane, silicone, [canopy] 10D ripstop nylon, 10D polyester micromesh, [floor] 30D ripstop nylon, DuraShield polyurethane, DWR coating
- Capacity
- 2-person
- Season
- 4
- Wall Type
- double
- Freestanding
- yes
- Poles
- Easton Syclone
- Number of Doors
- 2
- Number of Vestibules
- 2
- Vestibule Space
- 17.5sq ft
- Interior Height
- 42in
- Floor Dimensions
- 84 x 50in
- Floor Space
- 29 sq. ft
- Packed Size
- 18 x 6 in
- Footprint Included
- sold separately
- Trail Weight
- 3lb 10oz
- Packed Weight
- 4lb 1oz
- Manufacturer Warranty
- limited 3 years
Reviews
Q&A
Overall Rating
4 based on 16 ratings
Review Summary
What do you think about this product?
View
Selecting an option will reload the available reviews on the pageJuly 10, 2023
My new favorite!
Loving this tent so far! It's super lightweight, has double entry with sizeable vestibule space, is easy to pack, and the stuff sack makes an excellent pillow (after adding your extra clothes of course).
Originally reviewed on a Cascade Designs brand site
June 29, 2023
I don't love it
-a lot of condensation -the pole broke after one season of use and can't be fixed -so many strings
Originally reviewed on a Cascade Designs brand site
July 5, 2022
What about the poles?
Has MSR done anything to address the innumerable issues owners have had with the poles? I really want to love this tent but every review forum I can find there are a slew of owners who have noted the plastic pole inserts breaking or the pole ends splitting from modest use. No doubt the Syclone material is great stuff in terms of the mid section of the poles but if the plastic inserts are breaking and/or the Syclone material is prone to delaminating at the pole ends where the inserts reside then something simply has to be done I'd think?? Any changes in the works to address this??
Originally reviewed on a Cascade Designs brand site
April 20, 2022
Light, Condensation Issues, Bad Poles
I have the original version of this tent. Bought this tent for ski traverses as this tent is intended for. It works alright in a windy fall alpine environment, but when there is little wind or the temperature is much below zero degrees C there are many condensation issues. This tent provides an excellent lesson in the water cycle to any mountaineers who care to use it in winter conditions. Also had the poles break on my second trip out with this due to poor construction and weak pole material. Though I got replacement parts, I would be very hesitant to take this tent on any serious expedition. There are more robust lightweight options out there. This tent could be greatly improved by providing poles that can stand up to winter conditions and providing roof and fly venting to better manage condensation. I have two TNF winter tents that manage condensation exceedingly well with their vents.
Originally reviewed on a Cascade Designs brand site
March 23, 2022
Bad poles and worse service.
I was extremely excited to use this tent. After a couple of camping trips I really liked it. However when I took it into colder temperatures one of the plastic pole tips broke, with little stress put on it. Makes you wonder why they put plastic pole tips on a 4-season tent. After sending my poles in and waiting for a couple months they were sent back and they were said to be fixed but nothing was changed and the tip was still broken. I wanted to love this tent, it is beautiful and well made but the poles and Cascade Designs (parent company) service is terrible. Especially for this tent costing what it does.
Originally reviewed on a Cascade Designs brand site
August 18, 2020
Great for summer, looking forward to winter!
I recently used this tent in the summer and it did not get as hot inside as other tents I have used, which was very nice. It also withstood heavy rain without anything in the tent or vestibule getting wet. The size is perfect for one person if you need space to put your stuff. The tent was very easy and quick to pitch, but folding the poles back up was a bit tedious.
Originally reviewed on a Cascade Designs brand site
July 8, 2019
Quiver of One!
One tent that does everything - really. Short of full-blown exposed mountaineering conditions, this tent is about the perfect all season tent. Condensation has never been an issue for me with this tent. Pay attention to the relative humidity, what you're pitching on, vent high and low - adjust your fly tension and just make sure air is getting in and venting out. Spend enough time in the outdoors with your tent and you'll figure it out. This is a great tent that bridges the gap between backpacking and mountaineering tents.
Originally reviewed on a Cascade Designs brand site
February 27, 2019
Excellent lightweight tent
As a full-time mountain guide for Colorado Mountain School I have spent years guiding and camping in many different environments and feel pretty savvy with pitching a tent. When I read the description of the MSR Access 2 tent stating that it is easy to set up I figured the best test was to have someone who has never camped before attempt the process of pitching the tent. My client from Italy had not only ever camped but had never even seen a tent before our camping 101 class. I gave him the tent without any instructions how to proceed, but he managed to put the tent up without any difficulties and kept saying ""this is easy"". It helps that the stuff sack has very clear pictures depicting the process. Mission accomplished! For my client's first night sleeping in a tent I let him explore the luxury of sleeping solo in there. He was so very pleased with how lightweight and packable the tent was and the comfort and roomie feeling inside that he is looking to get one for himself even if it is considered a two-person tent. It was fairly warm during our camping experience and in the desert heat it did ventilate sufficiently but not great. The mesh vents are pretty small but camping without the fly would be the preferred option when in warmer temperatures. The next testing environment was at 11,000 feet in the Gore Range in Colorado, where I was teaching a beginning mountaineering course. The inside of the tent is very comfortable for two but there is not much extra room inside for gear storage. This is not of great concern as there are two vestibules that are large enough for backpack storage and for cooking.There are two mesh pockets inside the tent big enough for storing small items (phone, headlamp, lip balm etc.) but they are not quite big enough for larger items such as socks and gloves. The tent is fine for two people sleeping head to foot but the sidewalls are not that steep so the tent body tends to hit the sleeping bags.
Originally reviewed on a Cascade Designs brand site
July 2, 2018
True backcountry pass
This lite weight 4-season tent is superb, I've had it for over a year now doing ultra-lite backcountry caming in the Canadian rockies and western United States throughout winter, I never have to worry about the conitions its gotten me through monsoon rain, wind storms and even a -21 degree night, super easy to set up in the dark and/or snow. Summer in the Canadian Rockies doesn't get very warm so havnt had much of a chance to test it in warmer conditions but it handles single digits and below perfect, MSR gear loft is a must so convenient for extra gear in winter.
Originally reviewed on a Cascade Designs brand site
June 28, 2018
2 person light enough for 1
Early days yet but so far it's been a great combination of light weight, 4 season performance and internal space. I don't think I'd push it in full on mountain storms but for 4 season backpacking it hits a sweet spot for me.
Originally reviewed on a Cascade Designs brand site
Need Expert Advice?
Our Gearheads Can Help