MSR Access 2 vs Terra Nova Laser Competition 2
Too small, then just rightLast updated: October 2026
This is my MSR Access 2 vs Terra Nova Laser Competition 2 comparison. I’ve camped in both, and only one of them is still in my rucksack. They’re both excellent tents. They’re just built for very different jobs, and only one of those jobs is the way I camp.
My search for the right wild camping tent went the way of Goldilocks and the porridge. My first tent, the Vango Pulsar Pro 300, was far too big. The Terra Nova was too small. The MSR Access 2 was just right. Here’s why, side by side.
The short answer
Buy the Terra Nova Laser Competition 2 if you travel light in spring, summer and autumn and every gram counts, for something like the Coast to Coast. Buy the MSR Access 2 if you camp through winter, carry a lot of gear, or want a tent that stays rock solid while your camera does its work.
MSR Access 2 vs Terra Nova Laser Competition 2 at a glance
| MSR Access 2 | Terra Nova Laser Competition 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Season | 4-season | 3-season |
| Weight | 1.64 kg minimum, 1.86 kg packed | 1.13 kg minimum, 1.25 kg packed |
| Packed size | 46 × 15 cm | 40 × 16 cm |
| Floor | 213 × 127 cm, 107 cm peak height | Tapered at both ends |
| Flysheet | 20D ripstop nylon, 1200 mm | Silicone-coated ripstop nylon, 3000 mm |
| Groundsheet | 30D ripstop nylon, 3000 mm | Silicone-coated ripstop nylon, 5000 mm |
| Poles | Easton Syclone hub, freestanding | Single hoop in a sleeve, needs pegging out |
| Freestanding? | Yes | No, it has to be pegged out to stand |
| Ventilation | Great | Great |
| Doors | 2 | 2 |
| Best for | Winter camps, photography, carrying lots of kit | Lightweight 3-season trekking |
| Still in my rucksack? | Yes | No |
Terra Nova Laser Competition 2: a great tent, just not for me
I picked up the Laser Competition 2 in a sale after the Vango, and I went completely the other way. It’s a really nice tent, and I want to be fair to it. It’s not the tent’s fault I own that much stuff.
What I liked
- The build. It’s beautifully made and feels like a quality bit of kit.
- Great ventilation and no condensation. It breathes really well, and I never had a condensation problem in it, which is more than I can say for plenty of lightweight tents.
- The weight. At around 1.25 kg packed it’s light, roughly 600 g lighter than the MSR.
Why it didn’t work for me
- There’s no room. I carry a lot of gear, with all my camera kit on top of my camping kit. In the Laser there was barely room to sit up and nowhere to cook properly, never mind store all that.
- It isn’t freestanding. It won’t stand up until it’s pegged out, so on hard or rocky ground you’re stuck.
- It isn’t a 4-season tent. It’s built for three-season backpacking, and I camp right through the winter.
- I hated the loop pole. Threading a single hoop pole through a sleeve is fiddly at the best of times. In gloves, in sub-zero temperatures, it tested my patience. It won most rounds.
- The zips. The zip kept catching on the outer fly, every time. Consistent, I’ll give it that.
MSR Access 2: just right
Then I bought my dream tent. The MSR Access 2 is an amazing tent, and it’s the one that has earned its place in my rucksack.
- Solid build. It feels strong the moment you pitch it.
- Freestanding. It stands up on its own before a single peg goes in, so you can move it to the perfect spot for the shot.
- Great ventilation. Like the Laser, it breathes well.
- Plenty of pegging points. You can peg and guy it out well, so it stays put when the weather turns.
- Room. There’s space for me and all my camera gear, and it’s comfortable for those long winter nights.
- Still under 2 kg. It’s heavier than the Laser, but at 1.86 kg packed it’s still light enough to carry up a mountain.
Why the MSR is a photographer’s dream
When I’m shooting long exposures or a time-lapse, the tent is often in the frame for minutes or hours at a time. Any movement shows. The MSR is solid and well pegged out, so it stays still while the camera runs.
Head to head
Weight
Winner: Terra Nova. About 600 g lighter, which matters on a long multi-day walk.
Space
Winner: MSR. Not close. If you carry camera gear, or just like to sit up and cook in comfort, the Access 2 wins easily.
Winter and wind
Winner: MSR. It’s a 4-season tent with plenty of pegging points. The Laser is a 3-season tent.
Pitching
Winner: MSR. It’s freestanding, and the hub pole system is far easier than threading a hoop pole through a sleeve with cold hands. The Laser has to be pegged out before it will stand.
Ventilation
Draw. Both tents have great ventilation.
Condensation
Winner: Terra Nova. I never had condensation in it.
A note on waterproof ratings
On paper the Terra Nova looks more waterproof, with 3000 mm on the fly against the MSR’s 1200 mm. Silicone-coated fabrics tend to give higher numbers, so don’t read too much into the figures. The rain doesn’t read the spec sheet either. What matters more for winter is the shape, the strength of the poles and how well you can peg it down.
Who should buy which?
The Terra Nova Laser Competition 2 is ideal for lightweight trekking. Think of something like the Coast to Coast: three-season weather, a different pitch each night, and a pack you want as light as possible. If you travel with minimal kit, it’s a great tent. I explain more in the video.
The MSR Access 2 is for you if you camp in winter, carry a lot of gear or shoot photographs and time-lapses from camp. It’s still under 2 kg, so you’re not giving much away.
MSR Access 2 vs Terra Nova Laser Competition 2 FAQ
Is the MSR Access 2 better than the Terra Nova Laser Competition 2?
For winter camping and carrying lots of gear, yes. It has far more room, plenty of pegging points and a 4-season design. For light three-season trekking, the Terra Nova is lighter and a great choice.
Is the Terra Nova Laser Competition 2 a 4-season tent?
No. It’s a three-season backpacking tent. For winter wild camping I’d go for a 4-season tent like the MSR Access 2.
How much do they weigh?
The MSR Access 2 is 1.86 kg packed and the Terra Nova Laser Competition 2 is about 1.25 kg packed, so the Terra Nova is roughly 600 g lighter.
Does the Terra Nova Laser Competition 2 get condensation?
In my experience, no. I never had a condensation problem in it. It’s one of the things it does really well.
Which tent is best for landscape photography?
The MSR Access 2. It has room for camera gear, and it’s solid and well pegged out, so it stays still during long exposures and time-lapses.
Watch the video
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