MSR Access 1 Home Made Ground Sheet
16th May 2021
However, sometimes I feel like MSR have dropped the ball and moved over to generic manufacturing for groundsheets.
That’s all good for tents without a centre pole, but the MSR Access 1 HAS a centre pole, so they won’t really work in the way I’d like – the ability to pitch the outer first.
I’ve already made a similar groundsheet for my MSR Hubba Hubba NX2 so I knew it was doable.
I’ve been out in the MSR Access 1 a few nights now, Kinder Scout, Brecon Beacons and locally. I think before you start to think about modding a tent you should spend some time in it!
If you fancy a look-see at the Kinder Scout video click here to go to my YouTube Channel. Don’t forget to subscribe!
Amazon and eBay are your friends
Most people look at two options for homemade lightweight groundsheets. Tyvek or Ploycro.
Both are super strong, super lightweight and pretty much 100% waterproof. Polycro has the edge I think in lightness but Tyvek has the edge in strength.
With that in mind, I use Tyvek.
A quick look on Amazon and a pack of 2.5m x 1.4m Tyvek House Wrap Ground Sheet with 4 grommets were on the way.
That was the same sheet I used for the MSR Hubba Hubba NX2 so I knew it was big enough.
I also needed something for the centre poles to connect into, so another look on Amazon and I found a whole load of clips that may work.
I wasn’t keen on the Amazon clips so off to eBay and found these Black Holdon Clingons Tarpaulin clips Tarps Bivvies Tent Canopy Repair Camping 4.
30 mins of work later
The rest was pretty easy.
1. Roll out the Tyvek
2. Place the MSR Access 1 inner over it.
3. Carefully cut the Tyvek to the right size
4. Place the supplied 4 grommets in the corners
5. Place the Tarp Clips in the middle
6. Add the poles to check
Stand back and admire the 30 mins of handy work.
