MSR  Access 1 Tent

this tent does a good job in 50-70 mph wind gust and steady wind up to 40-50 mph I had 5 inches of snow in it an and about .15 inches of ice on it I would give it 10 stars of i could.

This is a great one man tent for winter use. I previously used the Big Agnes Slater 1, but the way the fly extends at a low angle at the entrance tends to collect snow and allows precipitation to come in the tent when entering and leaving. The Access 1 alleviates this problem with near vertical walls at the entrance. I have not tried it in snow yet, so this is my prediction and is not based on empirical data. There is only one mesh vent in the Access 1 that is located above the door. If it was located on the opposite wall, this would improve ventilation (and cut down on condensation) as a cross flow would be created by opening the door. I have used it in Yosemite at 25 degrees and 9,000 feet with no condensation. However, I used it in the Smokies at 30 degrees with the ground wet from a previous days rain, and had lots of condensation. I tend to give off lots of moisture even when sleeping, so this will be a problem in humid conditions. Probably the much drier western air evaporated the moisture whereas the near saturated Smokies air could not take on any more water vapor. Best to stick to a 3 season tent with more mesh for ventilation in the East until it gets cold and dry. I look forward to giving the tent a try when those conditions arrive (though they are fleeting here). I am confident the Access 1 will perform well then and for future winter trips to the north and west.

No vent on the fly and tiny vent at the top of the door on the tent body gives little to no air flow. Woke up in Yukon each morning with everything inside the tent soaking wet from condensation. Miserable experience. Four other tents of friends camping at the same spot did not have this issue, including a $60 tent from Amazon!