What an excellent review of this tent! Thank you. I am looking into buying it for my first winter-camping adventures and hope it will serve me well. Your comments below were super helpful, especially about the condensation. I will check out some more of your videos for sure.
Wish they did a mesh inner for summer and the solid one for winter. I'm on a bit of a minimalist drive at the moment and I'd love to have one truly solid reliable tent that could do anything and everything in one package ^_^
Excellent review! Some online reviews will ding the MSR Access for not being a "bombproof" expedition tent but this ignores the design concept and intended use of this particular tent. The Access is designed to be a "tree line" 4 season tent which means it's designed to fill a particular niche. It's strong enough and designed for 4 season use but delivers that capability with a 3 season pack weight. Ummm.....Yes please! In other words it's a 4s tent designed for mortals like me! I'm not a mountaineer.....I don't climb 8,000 meter summits....I don't make camp on narrow mountain ledges in high alpine storms.....I don't establish "base camps" for summit attempts......but I DO solo backpack, snowshoe, nordic ski, and wild skate in the mountains in winter. That means I need a tent with a pack weight that I don't have to split with a partner, but a tent that can still shed winter winds and snow loads while I'm sleeping or out exploring for the day.....and the Access fits the bill perfectly. My Access 2 is only slightly more than 1lb heavier than my Hubba NX1 but can take snow and wind loads that would flatten my Hubba NX1. Similarly, at less than half the weight of most 2 person "expedition" tents it's a viable solo option for me. That's precious lbs when solo backpacking. I could have saved another lb. by going with the Access 1 but it's a comfort to have the extra room to pull a bunch of gear inside the with me with and still have room to maneuver on those long winter evenings when the sun sets early. It's pole design, guy out points, fabric & mesh utilization, etc are all such that it fills a niche between ultra lightweight double wall 3 season tents which can weigh in around 2-4lbs....but cannot take heavy wind or snow loads....and the more bomber "expedition" tents that use heavier materials and extra poles to handle above tree line winds and snow loads but often weigh in between 7-10lbs. The Access improves overall weatherability and snow load capability over a 3S tent without taking on all the extra weight one might expect in a full blown expedition tent. Basically a 4S pole design using 3S fabric weights. At 4lbs for the 2 person version you get a VERY light and solo packable design that you can be comfortable taking where you wouldn't even consider taking your two pole/all mesh 3 season backpacking tent. It should also be noted the version in this video is the original design. Call it version 1. The newer version 2 tent includes vents at both ends of the fly to increase air flow between the tent body and rain fly in order to address some of the condensation critiques that were leveled at the Access version 1. Used in accordance with its design principle, the MSR Access is an absolute gem!!
wow, thats a damn good looking tent!!! Thanks for sharing mike. I've got several Hillebergs, my Tarra being my favourite. i know its thrown around a lot, but the Tarra REALLY is a bomber tent. Ive some experience of other mountain tents as have owned a North Face VE-25, RAB Summit Mountain, Mountain Hardwear EV2 to name a few.I went out in it on one occasion where max gusts of 92mph were recorded at the meteorlogical office for that area that night, and it barely moved. The inner material shakes, but a not very well known fact is they're designed that way so the poles take the tension, not the fabrics which would tear and give out. Whilst i utterly love my Hillies, I've always yearned after a tent that could take some welly but is lightweight. As soon as i got an email off MSR a few months back telling of the Access and Remote tents i began keeping an eye out for them. MSR have released several vids, but they're action edited rather than user edited (showing the nitty gritty). this is where your vid comes in. Thankyou for taking the time to make it, being honest and giving a REAL birdseye on it. i think the Access 2 would fit in perfectly what I'm looking for. Once again, thank you mate, cracking vid. keep doing what your doing cos its good. All the best fella Dean Cooling Wales, UK.
this is more a (semi) mountain tent.. the MSR remote is the one made for actual mountaineering. the access is an inbewteen..for winter camping but not really made for hardcore mountaineering.. ive been using the MSR fury for over a decade now myself..that tent pitches tight and doesnt even flex in 60 mph winds..but sadly MSR stopped making it after 15+ years..although the remote seems like a worthy replacement i couldn't say without trying it. the weight is identical to the FURY. but has side entry and looks to be larger for wind to catch compared to the old FURY front entry narrow style...the FURY could fit on a ledge..i dont think the MSR remote could. i think thats what the new advanced pro tent is for.
David, sorry, just a bit late to the party as only just found the channel 😂 I agree, great video and excellent delivery big thumbs up from me👍 This looks like a brilliant tent for the U.S. market but imho and 50+ years experience a bit of a non-starter for us Brits! This goes for any tent that doesn’t pitch fly first or at the very least fly/inner together. I appreciate like all things it comes down to personal preference, but what we get plenty of here in the U.K. during winter is Rain😂and there’s nothing worse than faffing about with a whole lot of nylon in driving rain, ending up with a wet inner before being able to get out of the elements. And just one more thing, if you believe all you read this little tent suffers badly from condensation. Another reason to be weary of this type of shelter. Hope this finds you safe and well, kind regards Clive from deepest Dorset
I agree with other comments. This is an outstanding tent review. I like that you cut to show the tent staked and guided out in the wind and snow....reality. As for the tent...wow this IS the best one man tent I have seen in this category, which as I understand as 4 season but one step down from taking it to the top of the world somewhere...This is a great looking tent. thanks
What about condensation?? I've had lots of problems with condensation on the inside of the them during winter, due to poor ventilation. Did... or Do you have any condensation problems with this tent?? Also... what the price??
So now you've tested all 3 MSR 1p tents. I just bought the Hubba NX, with footprint it weighs 3lbs... this Access 1 is only 8 ounces more. Should I return the NX and get the Access? My concern is the weakness of the NX poles and the Access had 3 more inches of girth and is taller. any input would be greatly appreciated. subbed.
Hey Wiskeyfox, Thank you for watching. You can't go wrong with the Hubba NX. It is in my opinion, it's one of the best all around tents on the market. Yes there are lighter, larger, smaller, taller, whatever variation of tents you want to find but it's one of the easiest to set up, most livable and well thought out tents that I have found. I like many tent out there but I keep coming back to the Hubba tents. It's also a three season tent with ventilation that you may not want if you are on a winter trip. You can of course us it in the winter but it will not hold in the warmth or handle a snow load like the Access 1. So if you are going to have just one tent the Hubba is a great choice. With that said, I would not recommend the Access for warmer weather trip as there is a serious lack of ventilation. Its great in the winter because it holds in the heat and blocks the wind but if could be miserable on a warmer trip. I have not used the Access in anything above 35 but you would be very warm. I'm thinking something like a sauna. I'm also east coast so we have the humidity out here that makes ventilation something we really like. So in short, Hubba NX for three season and mild winter. Access 1 for winter trips. I hope that helps. Happy Trails Mike
ok, thank you for the advice. have you taken a look at the MSR Advance Pro 2P? It's barely 3 pounds and is much much bigger than the other tents we talked about... you could just leave the front door open for ventilation or improvise a mesh door. what do you think? check out their video on MSR's website.
The Advance Pro 2 is a bad ass tent but it was deigned for a serious alpinists. Unless you are planning on climbing mountains that require that type of tent than I would not recommend it. It's single wall with limited ventilation, nearly no mesh and no vestibule. Also imagine the rain that would enter the tent as you climbed in and out during a good rain. If you are headed to the Himalayas for summit assaults then it is the tent for you. Otherwise I would stay clear of it. What part of the country are you hiking in?
For the Florida winter conditions you should happy with the Hubba NX. With the humidity and mild temps, the Access 1 may be more that you need and feel a bit hot and stuffy. If you are moving to Colorado the Access would be a great option for the winter trips. All three tents fit into different categories so it just depends on what you will be doing for that specific trip. The Hubba NX is you best option for the best all around if you have just one tent. The Access would be a good addition to the gear selection if you are going out in cold winter conditions. Hope this helps. HAPPY TRAILS!
Hey Mike, thank you for the Review. Is it possible to take a huge backpack inside the tent? I do not prefer to leave the backpack outside in Winter. Only the shoes.
Hey FilmFanLocation, Thank you for watching. I guess it would depend on how much stuff you still have in your pack when you bring it inside. I always bring my pack in the tent but there is next to nothing left in it after I unpack. I'm a side sleeper and I usually lay my pack over the head of my sleeping pad and it gives my pillow a little lift to help align my neck. Sometimes I will stand the pack up on its side and lay it against the side of the tent near my legs and with the side poles of the Access it helps support the pack. You can always lay it under the foot end of your pad for more insulation. Those are some places to put the pack but after you have a pad in the Access 1 there is not enough room to lay the pack flat next to you. Hope this helps. HAPPY TRAILS! Mike
Have you any chance to use this tent in summer in mountains of ~2000-2500 meters height? Does it suitable for hot weather (like 25 C degrees)? I mean the inner tent has almost none mech therefore it has no such good breathability like Hubba NX... And also if use it as 3 season for up to 3000 meters height mountains (Norway, Italy Dolomites, etc.) is it good enough or it's too expensive for such conditions?
I would not use this tent in warm weather. I think my cut off for the tent would be at about 10 C degrees and I could us a sheet to sleep in at that point. It was designed for use in winter conditions and the lack of ventilation is great for that but it would turn into a sauna in warm temps.
I never used the tent in the summer. I'm assuming it would resemble a sauna and I would not recommend it. I was designed to be used in winter conditions.
In your opinion, what tent would you recommend a pregnant woman to have; if she had to live in that tent for, not only a long period of time but, in crazy weather such as snow rain ect. What would you pick?
Are you talking about a tent for all four seasons? What part of the world are you talking about? How much stuff would you have? Do you have to carry the tent? There are many things I would have to consider before recommending a tent and these are just a few.
Hey David, This tent has such a breathable fabric on the tent body that I had next to no condensation in the tent. Its an amazing fabric. There is always the chance of the condensation freezing on the tent body and rain fly if you are out in temps that are low enough. Just the nature of winter camping. Hope this helps. HAPPY TRAILS Mike
if pitched right the condensation will stay on the fly and not the inner tent.. i have the MSR Fury mountaineering tent and its same with that tent. just dont push the inner tent into the fly or you will get the inner tent damp. ALL tents condensate in winter id put all the $ in the world on that fact....and if its cold enough even your sleeping bag gets a layer of ice from the condensation build up on the shell also..thats just how it is winter camping..thats why double wall tents are used.
Hi Maga. I'm just going off assumption here, but i assumed, when i saw it, that they were saving weight and also thinking of air circulation, as the Access series aren't full on mountain tents. they're bringing out the Remote series for that sort of thing. Again, an assumption, but I'm thinking maybe MSR assumed users would bank up snow around the skirt if it was needed, where as having a skirt and using it in 'wet' snow would cause a big condensation issue were skirts attached stopping air circulating up under the skirt. could be completely wrong, but that what came to mind. The Remote series all have skirts on them. Any way, hope you don't mind me commenting. All the best Dean Cooling Wales, UK.
MSR is one of those companies that I love. I will have another review on another new MSR product around the end of the month. The Trailshot Microfilter!!
This is probably one of the best review on UA-cam. No music no messing around with time and very detailed. Thank you for sharing the video.
Awesome! I've been checking this tent out the last week or so. So nice of you to take on the cost and make this vid happen. THANK YOU!
What an excellent review of this tent! Thank you. I am looking into buying it for my first winter-camping adventures and hope it will serve me well. Your comments below were super helpful, especially about the condensation. I will check out some more of your videos for sure.
Wish they did a mesh inner for summer and the solid one for winter. I'm on a bit of a minimalist drive at the moment and I'd love to have one truly solid reliable tent that could do anything and everything in one package ^_^
im torn between this and the hilleberg akto as my dream tent.
Tarptent Scarp.
You are right. I was thinking the same thing
The Fast and Light setup can be purchased for it. You could also get a bug net.
@@robalan57 dude I don’t think you need to reply to a 3 year old comment on an old video...
Cheers though 🤷🏻♂️
Excellent review!
Some online reviews will ding the MSR Access for not being a "bombproof" expedition tent but this ignores the design concept and intended use of this particular tent. The Access is designed to be a "tree line" 4 season tent which means it's designed to fill a particular niche. It's strong enough and designed for 4 season use but delivers that capability with a 3 season pack weight. Ummm.....Yes please! In other words it's a 4s tent designed for mortals like me!
I'm not a mountaineer.....I don't climb 8,000 meter summits....I don't make camp on narrow mountain ledges in high alpine storms.....I don't establish "base camps" for summit attempts......but I DO solo backpack, snowshoe, nordic ski, and wild skate in the mountains in winter. That means I need a tent with a pack weight that I don't have to split with a partner, but a tent that can still shed winter winds and snow loads while I'm sleeping or out exploring for the day.....and the Access fits the bill perfectly. My Access 2 is only slightly more than 1lb heavier than my Hubba NX1 but can take snow and wind loads that would flatten my Hubba NX1. Similarly, at less than half the weight of most 2 person "expedition" tents it's a viable solo option for me. That's precious lbs when solo backpacking. I could have saved another lb. by going with the Access 1 but it's a comfort to have the extra room to pull a bunch of gear inside the with me with and still have room to maneuver on those long winter evenings when the sun sets early.
It's pole design, guy out points, fabric & mesh utilization, etc are all such that it fills a niche between ultra lightweight double wall 3 season tents which can weigh in around 2-4lbs....but cannot take heavy wind or snow loads....and the more bomber "expedition" tents that use heavier materials and extra poles to handle above tree line winds and snow loads but often weigh in between 7-10lbs. The Access improves overall weatherability and snow load capability over a 3S tent without taking on all the extra weight one might expect in a full blown expedition tent. Basically a 4S pole design using 3S fabric weights.
At 4lbs for the 2 person version you get a VERY light and solo packable design that you can be comfortable taking where you wouldn't even consider taking your two pole/all mesh 3 season backpacking tent.
It should also be noted the version in this video is the original design. Call it version 1. The newer version 2 tent includes vents at both ends of the fly to increase air flow between the tent body and rain fly in order to address some of the condensation critiques that were leveled at the Access version 1.
Used in accordance with its design principle, the MSR Access is an absolute gem!!
wow, thats a damn good looking tent!!! Thanks for sharing mike. I've got several Hillebergs, my Tarra being my favourite. i know its thrown around a lot, but the Tarra REALLY is a bomber tent. Ive some experience of other mountain tents as have owned a North Face VE-25, RAB Summit Mountain, Mountain Hardwear EV2 to name a few.I went out in it on one occasion where max gusts of 92mph were recorded at the meteorlogical office for that area that night, and it barely moved. The inner material shakes, but a not very well known fact is they're designed that way so the poles take the tension, not the fabrics which would tear and give out. Whilst i utterly love my Hillies, I've always yearned after a tent that could take some welly but is lightweight. As soon as i got an email off MSR a few months back telling of the Access and Remote tents i began keeping an eye out for them. MSR have released several vids, but they're action edited rather than user edited (showing the nitty gritty). this is where your vid comes in. Thankyou for taking the time to make it, being honest and giving a REAL birdseye on it. i think the Access 2 would fit in perfectly what I'm looking for. Once again, thank you mate, cracking vid. keep doing what your doing cos its good.
All the best fella
Dean Cooling
Wales, UK.
this is more a (semi) mountain tent.. the MSR remote is the one made for actual mountaineering. the access is an inbewteen..for winter camping but not really made for hardcore mountaineering.. ive been using the MSR fury for over a decade now myself..that tent pitches tight and doesnt even flex in 60 mph winds..but sadly MSR stopped making it after 15+ years..although the remote seems like a worthy replacement i couldn't say without trying it. the weight is identical to the FURY. but has side entry and looks to be larger for wind to catch compared to the old FURY front entry narrow style...the FURY could fit on a ledge..i dont think the MSR remote could. i think thats what the new advanced pro tent is for.
David, sorry, just a bit late to the party as only just found the channel 😂 I agree, great video and excellent delivery big thumbs up from me👍 This looks like a brilliant tent for the U.S. market but imho and 50+ years experience a bit of a non-starter for us Brits! This goes for any tent that doesn’t pitch fly first or at the very least fly/inner together. I appreciate like all things it comes down to personal preference, but what we get plenty of here in the U.K. during winter is Rain😂and there’s nothing worse than faffing about with a whole lot of nylon in driving rain, ending up with a wet inner before being able to get out of the elements. And just one more thing, if you believe all you read this little tent suffers badly from condensation. Another reason to be weary of this type of shelter. Hope this finds you safe and well, kind regards Clive from deepest Dorset
I agree with other comments. This is an outstanding tent review. I like that you cut to show the tent staked and guided out in the wind and snow....reality. As for the tent...wow this IS the best one man tent I have seen in this category, which as I understand as 4 season but one step down from taking it to the top of the world somewhere...This is a great looking tent. thanks
Excellent review I was pondering on the access 1 or 2 this video made my mind up for me. Thanks
Thank you for watching and I'm glad the video helped. Happy Trails.
Great review, practical information introduced in a logical order!
Thanks
Great review - super helpful! Thank you!
Really good info about assess 1. Thanks
Do you still use this? I would have loved to see actual footage during the storm!!! Any updates on this.. if you still use it for winter?
She's ok. She's beautiful
What about condensation?? I've had lots of problems with condensation on the inside of the them during winter, due to poor ventilation. Did... or Do you have any condensation problems with this tent?? Also... what the price??
I heard the same thing.
Thank you for this great review! Not yet sure I see the value for a $500 price tag
So now you've tested all 3 MSR 1p tents. I just bought the Hubba NX, with footprint it weighs 3lbs... this Access 1 is only 8 ounces more. Should I return the NX and get the Access? My concern is the weakness of the NX poles and the Access had 3 more inches of girth and is taller. any input would be greatly appreciated. subbed.
Hey Wiskeyfox, Thank you for watching. You can't go wrong with the Hubba NX. It is in my opinion, it's one of the best all around tents on the market. Yes there are lighter, larger, smaller, taller, whatever variation of tents you want to find but it's one of the easiest to set up, most livable and well thought out tents that I have found. I like many tent out there but I keep coming back to the Hubba tents. It's also a three season tent with ventilation that you may not want if you are on a winter trip. You can of course us it in the winter but it will not hold in the warmth or handle a snow load like the Access 1. So if you are going to have just one tent the Hubba is a great choice.
With that said, I would not recommend the Access for warmer weather trip as there is a serious lack of ventilation. Its great in the winter because it holds in the heat and blocks the wind but if could be miserable on a warmer trip. I have not used the Access in anything above 35 but you would be very warm. I'm thinking something like a sauna. I'm also east coast so we have the humidity out here that makes ventilation something we really like. So in short, Hubba NX for three season and mild winter. Access 1 for winter trips.
I hope that helps.
Happy Trails
Mike
ok, thank you for the advice. have you taken a look at the MSR Advance Pro 2P? It's barely 3 pounds and is much much bigger than the other tents we talked about... you could just leave the front door open for ventilation or improvise a mesh door. what do you think? check out their video on MSR's website.
The Advance Pro 2 is a bad ass tent but it was deigned for a serious alpinists. Unless you are planning on climbing mountains that require that type of tent than I would not recommend it. It's single wall with limited ventilation, nearly no mesh and no vestibule. Also imagine the rain that would enter the tent as you climbed in and out during a good rain. If you are headed to the Himalayas for summit assaults then it is the tent for you. Otherwise I would stay clear of it. What part of the country are you hiking in?
Florida, but i only go out in the winter and wanted something to keep me warm at night. also, potentially i'll be moving to Colorado.
For the Florida winter conditions you should happy with the Hubba NX. With the humidity and mild temps, the Access 1 may be more that you need and feel a bit hot and stuffy. If you are moving to Colorado the Access would be a great option for the winter trips. All three tents fit into different categories so it just depends on what you will be doing for that specific trip. The Hubba NX is you best option for the best all around if you have just one tent. The Access would be a good addition to the gear selection if you are going out in cold winter conditions. Hope this helps. HAPPY TRAILS!
Hey Mike, thank you for the Review. Is it possible to take a huge backpack inside the tent? I do not prefer to leave the backpack outside in Winter. Only the shoes.
Hey FilmFanLocation, Thank you for watching. I guess it would depend on how much stuff you still have in your pack when you bring it inside. I always bring my pack in the tent but there is next to nothing left in it after I unpack. I'm a side sleeper and I usually lay my pack over the head of my sleeping pad and it gives my pillow a little lift to help align my neck. Sometimes I will stand the pack up on its side and lay it against the side of the tent near my legs and with the side poles of the Access it helps support the pack. You can always lay it under the foot end of your pad for more insulation. Those are some places to put the pack but after you have a pad in the Access 1 there is not enough room to lay the pack flat next to you. Hope this helps. HAPPY TRAILS!
Mike
Thank you for the detailled Information. That was very helpful. I guess, I will buy this Access 1 tent to use it during the next Winter period.
So no way to set up the outer tent first or both together when it rains?
Have you any chance to use this tent in summer in mountains of ~2000-2500 meters height? Does it suitable for hot weather (like 25 C degrees)? I mean the inner tent has almost none mech therefore it has no such good breathability like Hubba NX... And also if use it as 3 season for up to 3000 meters height mountains (Norway, Italy Dolomites, etc.) is it good enough or it's too expensive for such conditions?
I would not use this tent in warm weather. I think my cut off for the tent would be at about 10 C degrees and I could us a sheet to sleep in at that point. It was designed for use in winter conditions and the lack of ventilation is great for that but it would turn into a sauna in warm temps.
Looks like a nice winter tent !
How many pegs is included ?
And is there any repair kit included ?
Hey Harald, I received this tent from MSR with 8 stakes but without a repair kit. I don't know if the production tent comes with one or not.
hey Mike. do you know if I can take a tent on my carry-on bag into the airplane?
Do a review on the Black Diamond mega lite...2lbs sleeps four and packs down to the size of a grapefruit...
What was the tent like in the summer
I never used the tent in the summer. I'm assuming it would resemble a sauna and I would not recommend it. I was designed to be used in winter conditions.
My banker is working out a second mortgage for me so I can get one of these.
Lol that's funny.
What sleeping bag did you use
Westernmountaineering Versalite is what I was using on the trip in the video.
In your opinion, what tent would you recommend a pregnant woman to have; if she had to live in that tent for, not only a long period of time but, in crazy weather such as snow rain ect. What would you pick?
Are you talking about a tent for all four seasons? What part of the world are you talking about? How much stuff would you have? Do you have to carry the tent? There are many things I would have to consider before recommending a tent and these are just a few.
I've never used a winter tent. With so little mesh, is condensation a problem?
Hey David, This tent has such a breathable fabric on the tent body that I had next to no condensation in the tent. Its an amazing fabric. There is always the chance of the condensation freezing on the tent body and rain fly if you are out in temps that are low enough. Just the nature of winter camping. Hope this helps.
HAPPY TRAILS
Mike
if pitched right the condensation will stay on the fly and not the inner tent.. i have the MSR Fury mountaineering tent and its same with that tent. just dont push the inner tent into the fly or you will get the inner tent damp. ALL tents condensate in winter id put all the $ in the world on that fact....and if its cold enough even your sleeping bag gets a layer of ice from the condensation build up on the shell also..thats just how it is winter camping..thats why double wall tents are used.
Winter tent's without a skirt, msr why?!
Hi Maga. I'm just going off assumption here, but i assumed, when i saw it, that they were saving weight and also thinking of air circulation, as the Access series aren't full on mountain tents. they're bringing out the Remote series for that sort of thing. Again, an assumption, but I'm thinking maybe MSR assumed users would bank up snow around the skirt if it was needed, where as having a skirt and using it in 'wet' snow would cause a big condensation issue were skirts attached stopping air circulating up under the skirt. could be completely wrong, but that what came to mind. The Remote series all have skirts on them. Any way, hope you don't mind me commenting.
All the best
Dean Cooling
Wales, UK.
This tent is a stinker for condensation. Try it out in UK in winter, you’ll see.
You're just parroting what you heard that bimbo say her review video. Moron.
I’d call that a 3+ season tent....
Nope must be fly first or inner together 4me helm 1
you should change your name to msr
MSR is one of those companies that I love. I will have another review on another new MSR product around the end of the month. The Trailshot Microfilter!!
waay to expensive for a 1 man tent.
MyOwnDrummer u get what u pay for, my friend!
MSR is not Walmart.
Although Walmart offers basic tents this msr Is lightweight, sturdy, and is primarily used for serious backpacking