As somebody who totally and utterly geeks out on outdoor gear, I can say that few companies get me quite as excited as MSR. Seriously peeps, MSR have been producing industry leading, top-quality outdoor and travel gear for decades now and their brand name is a hall mark of performance and durability. Today, I am going to review my absolute favourite piece of MSR gear of all – The MSR Hubba Hubba 2-person tent.
I have camped and hiked in places all over the world with these tents, and so I can tell you that nothing compares to the overall performance the MSR Hubba Hubba 2 person delivers, whether high on hill or deep in dale.
For backpackers who are keen to save money and get off the beaten path whilst traveling, packing a good tent is a must. But how exactly you choose a tent to take backpacking can be challenging. Which is why we’ve done this extensive Hubba Hubba review just for you!
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- MSR Hubba Hubba 2 Person Tent Review
- What Makes the MSR Hubba Hubba the Best 2 person Backpacking Tent on the Market?
- MSR Hubba Hubba Liveability and Interior Specs
- How much does the MSR Hubba Hubba 2-P cost?
- Key Features of the MSR Hubba Hubba
- MSR Hubba Hubba vs the Weather: The Ultimate 3-Season Backpacking Tent
- MSR Hubba Hubba Set-up and Breakdown
- MSR Hubba Hubba vs the World: Competitor Comparison
- How and Where We Tested The MSR Hubba Hubba
- Final Thoughts on the MSR Hubba Hubba
- Buy Us a Coffee!
MSR Hubba Hubba 2 Person Tent Review
Over the course of this review, we are going to tell you everything you need to know anoint the MSR Hubba Hubba tent. While this review does focus on the 2-person version (because thats the one I have!) note 1-person and 3-person versions are also available and that the specs and performance are very similar. Of course, the 1 person version is a bit smaller, lighter and cheaper whereas the 3-person version is a bit heavier, bulkier and costs a few more bucks. But you probably already deduced as much right?
I will also get the elephant out of the room right now – this tent is not cheap. Costing around $500, it is actually pretty expensive by most standards. But, with so many backpacking tents on the market, it is easy to get sucked into the trap of buying a “bargain” a low-quality tent with an attractive price tag.
A cheap tent makes you feel good only for about five minutes from the time of purchase. Eventually (sooner rather than later) that tent will fail you. It will leak, it will tear, and it will generally let you down and take a little bit of your soul when it does.
Instead, look at the MSR Hubba Hubba tent as an investment, that will repay its value over years and years of use.
This is because The MSR Hubba Hubba is the best 2-person backpacking tent on planet earth. The Hubba Hubba combines quality, light-weight materials, excellent livability, and plenty of toughness to keep you charging through your backpacking adventures for many years to come. When it comes to the best tent brands, MSR are a company you can be sure will provide epic quality, especially when it comes to lightweight tents with a tiny packed size.
This super in-depth review gives you a detailed run-down of this truly awesome backpacking tent. Learn about packability and tent weight, interior specs, weather protection, price, competitor comparison, and much more.
Basically, by the end of this Hubba Hubba 2 person tent review, you will be in possession of all of the facts that come together to make the MSR Hubba Hubba the best backpacking tent money can by.
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Join REI Today!What Makes the MSR Hubba Hubba the Best 2 person Backpacking Tent on the Market?
Here are some of the questions this MSR Hubba Hubba review will answer:
- Is the MSR Hubba Hubba really comfortable for two people?
- What can I expect from the tent’s interior?
- How much does the MSR Hubba Hubba cost?
- Is the Hubba Hubba lightweight or ultralight?
- Is the Hubba Hubba really waterproof?
- How easy is the MSR Hubba Hubba to set up?
- What is the Hubba Hubba’s closest competitor?
MSR Hubba Hubba Liveability and Interior Specs
As far as 2-person backpacking tents go the Hubba Hubba falls in the middle of the spectrum with regards to interior space. It is not as luxurious as say the REI Half-Dome Plus, but it weighs significantly less. At the same time, it is not as small and cramped as some of the more minimalist ultra-light 2-person tents.
For two people with two large backpacks, sleeping pads, sleeping bags, etc, there is plenty of room for personal comfort.
Whether you’re just camping out one night or on a multi-day adventure, the Hubba Hubba is a truly fantastic place to rest your bones at the end of the day.
The unique pole configuration maximizes headroom and elbow space throughout the tent. You can easily change clothes and maneuver about as needed.
The Interior Nitty Gritty
Next in our Huba Huba review, is the inside. The body has two tent doors, mesh panels for breathability, and solid panels for warmth and privacy. Also, the rainfly easily rolls up for a killer stargazer view. Few things in life beat laying comfortably in your tent with your lover watching the stars glitter like diamonds in a clear night sky.
I love how the inner tent feels really spacious due to the fact that the walls are not tapered. You’d be hard-pressed to find another tent in the same weight-class with as much interior space and positive livability.
Two large “StayDry” doors help ensure water doesn’t drip into the inner tent when doors are opened. These two doors basically function like little rain gutters. Thanks to the MSR engineering department!
The two large vestibules are perfect for storing your backpack and keeping it dry. Furthermore, the bathtub style floor with taped seams keeps everything dry and all moisture outside thanks to the epic floor fabric.
My one and only complaint about the Hubba Hubba’s inner tent design is the lack of pockets. I find myself asking “how hard was it to add a few more storage pockets?”.
The Hubba Hubba does have two medium size pockets at either end near the ventilation window, providing some decent places to store gear. However, for organizational freaks like myself, the inner tent is lacking in the pocket department. That said. two pockets are certainly better than none.
We will list the Hubba Hubba dimensions elsewhere in the post.
How much does the MSR Hubba Hubba 2-P cost?
MSR Hubba Hubba 2-Person Tent: $549.95
*Prices vary depending on the year/model. The new MSR Hubba Hubba costs $549.95 More on this in just a moment.
Whether you are a regular reader of this blog or just stumbling across it for the first time there is one thing you should know.
I love quality gear and I only spread the good word about the absolute best gear for backpackers. Quality gear comes at a price. That said, it is an investment that you should only have to make once. Good news for you: the MSR Hubba Hubba 2-person tent is the ONLY tent you will ever need.
You might think $549.95 is too much money to spend on a tent. I agree it is expensive. I’m with you on that. However, the reality is that having agreat tent is so damned important that I must state it plainly here. It is your sanctuary, your safe, dry place. Investing in a good tent will save you a ton of money down the line too.
Other quality tents on the market will run you back even more. So honestly, for everything the Hubba Hubba has on offer; packaged weight, space, durability, weather protection, etc… the Hubba Hubba simply can’t be beaten, it’s a truly great tent.
Furthermore, I believe every backpacker should travel with a backpacking tent and I also believe each backpacker should travel with the best backpacking tent possible.
Is It Good Value?
MSR is an industry leader with regards to tent quality. As all seasoned adventurers know, the feeling of being warm, comfortable, and dry in your tent where ever you are in the world is a truly priceless feeling.
As soon as you get settled for the night in your Hubba Hubba, you are stoked, all smiles, and it is immediately clear that you made the right tent choice…
Top Tip: At the time of writing it is possible to score one of these amazing tents on Amazon and REI for $299.00. That’s a quarter of the price and a solid bargain if ever I have heard of one.
Key Features of the MSR Hubba Hubba
So, let’s get to one of the most important features of this MSR Hubba Hubba review, a run-through of the key features of the tent including its weight, packability and all-important ventilation.
How Much Does the MSR Hubba Hubba Weigh?
Quick Answer: 3 lbs. 13 oz
Technically the Hubba Hubba falls into the ultralight category. At just 3 lbs. 13 oz. you hardly even notice the tent in your backpack. The Hubba Hubba tent weight is one of the best in its class.
One super cool aspect of the Hubba Hubba is that it can be pitched using only the poles, the rainfly, and the Hubba Hubba Footprint (sold separately) or a basic tarp. If you are really looking to cut weight this is a great pitch option!
If you go the pole-rainfly-footprint route you can get the packaged weight down to a staggering 2 lbs. 2 oz.
Packability
Since we are talking about weight here, let’s also talk about packability and packed size.
How well does the Hubba Hubba fit inside your backpack? Very well. The Hubba Hubba comes with an ultra-compact compression sack so it squeezes down into a nice tight log shape inside its stuff sack.
I have had other tents in the past which were great functionally, though always took up way to much space in my backpack. Many years ago I hauled a 6-pound tent around South America for six months and it was constantly in my way. However, it wasn’t the weight so much as the bulk that bothered me but the packed size and massive stuff sack.
Now that I have this 3 lbs. 13 oz beauty I find that it takes up about half the amount of space as my former tent. The difference is huge. I can now even go with a smaller backpack (58 liter) and all of my gear fits perfectly alongside the Hubba Hubba in its stuff sack.
MSR Hubba Hubba Breathability and Ventilation
The Hubba Hubba offers up several features that allow for fantastic airflow. There is nothing worse than sleeping in a stifling, breeze-less tent.
The designers at MSR when all-out with the mesh screen paneling, allowing for both epic views and plenty of space for air to flow uninterrupted.
As I mentioned before, both the rain-fly and the tent body doors roll up so at any time you can regulate the flow of fresh air. For chilly damp nights, there is enough ventilation to allow condensation moisture to escape without creating a wet environment in the tent.
I have been woken up before by the dreaded condensation drips from other tents and it ain’t no fun. Having a tent that is well ventilated is key for both keeping unwanted moisture out and allowing for moisture produced by people to escape without settling.
Now, you could spend a fat chunk of $$$ on the WRONG present for someone. Wrong size hiking boots, wrong fit backpack, wrong shape sleeping bag… As any adventurer will tell you, gear is a personal choice.
So give the adventurer in your life the gift of convenience: buy them an REI Co-op gift card! REI is The Broke Backpacker’s retailer of choice for ALL things outdoors, and an REI gift card is the perfect present you can buy from them. And then you won’t have to keep the receipt. 😉
Buy on REI!MSR Hubba Hubba vs the Weather: The Ultimate 3-Season Backpacking Tent
By all accounts, the Hubba Hubba was meant to endure some truly horrendous weather and super heavy rain. If you have ever spent time in the mountains, you know how quickly the weather can change.
From a technical perspective, the MSR Hubba Hubba is a 3-season tent. This means its ideal and intended use is during the spring, summer, and fall. However, note that it can be used as a 4-season tent if you live somewhere warm like California, or where I live here in Southern France.
The Hubba Hubba rainfly is made of 20-denier, high-tenacity ripstop nylon that’s “Durashield” polyurethane with a silicone coat. That’s tent-speak for anti-rain, anti-sleet, anti-wet tent fabric that will cast a protective dry shield over weary backpackers.
You will feel like a turtle cozy in his shell. If the turtle’s shell was made out of “Durashield” polyurethane and silicone treated that is.
Important Note on Leaky Tent Reports (Updated April 2020)
For the last few months, we have been receiving many comments from our readers reporting leaking tent seams. I too recently experienced leaks myself and I was none too happy. I wrote this article before my tent leaked, but I want to recognize that this has been a problem for me and for others.
From Fall 2019 – Because of all of these reports and my own experience, I reached out to MSR for an explanation and here is what they had to say:
MSR have decided on a program that will “upgrade” the tent fly for all consumers who purchased a tent with Xtreme Shield. As a brand with a legacy of industry-pushing innovation, quality and durability, they want to recognize and respect the trust consumers have placed in MSR products and therefore, are adding additional sealing to the rainfly seams on all 2019 shelters in the following series: Hubba, Carbon Reflex, FreeLite, Zoic and Thru-Hiker Wings.
Moving forward, this will be standard on all tents with Xtreme Shield. If someone has already purchased a tent, they can either send the rainfly to MSR to be professionally sealed, or for customers who are experienced with seam sealing and wish to do it themselves, MSR will supply a bottle of sealant.
So basically guys, if you have experienced leaky tent issues, get in touch with MSR ASAP and they will sort you out. Hopefully our sleeping bags stay dry now!
From April 2020 – By all reports, MSR has fixed the seam seal issue. You can now buy the Hubba Hubba in confidence that it will not leak and this issue with the leaking seems has been resolved by MSR properly sealing all of the tent seams going forward. Hurray!
MSR Hubba Hubba Set-up and Breakdown
Ok so I didn’t actually time myself, but I can honestly say that the Hubba Hubba is one of the easiest, most straight-forward tents I have ever set up. It can easily be set up by one person. Of course, it is faster with two but not at all necessary.
After sleeping in this tent on and off for several weeks while traveling in Pakistan recently, I was able to set the whole tent up alone (including the rain-fly) in under 5 minutes.
Two humans with eyes, arms, and legs can set up this tent in about 2-4 minutes. A bit longer if you are truly trying to brace the tent for a crazy wind storm.
While we are on the topic of wind and tent stakes I will mention that the tent only comes with six. Whilst you can totally pitch the tent with six, I do recommend you pick up several more. You will need a few more tent stakes on hand if you want to properly utilize all of the exterior loops and guy-lines designed to brace the tent in high winds.
Remember the Hubba Hubba is a free-standing tent 2 person backpacking tent, meaning in calm, dry, mild weather, you don’t even need stakes as the tent only needs it poles, not the stakes to be pitched. That said, it is always a good idea to stake your tent as the weather can change without warning.
The MSR Groundhog tent stakes (sold separately) weigh next to nothing as they are aluminium, so it is a good idea to bring them along on your travels/hikes if you can.
MSR Hubba Hubba vs the World: Competitor Comparison
There are several other fine tents on the market, but in my opinion, they can’t match the overall performance, price, and weight of the MSR Hubba Hubba.
For a great budget option, and significantly more weight, I can recommend the REI Half Dome Plus. It is roomier inside, certainly. Though when you are counting ounces for a long backpacking trip, one has a hard time justifying carrying a tent this heavy.
Big Agnes is also producing great tents. Their Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 is probably the Hubba Hubba’s closest competitor. At just 2 lbs. 3 oz. it is more than a full pound lighter than the Hubba Hubba, which is significant.
The drawback with the Copper Spur HV UL2 is that it can feel a bit cramped inside. Also, I have heard reports of the rainfly fabric ripping in places, though I have not personally experienced this. One final point is that the Copper Spur is $450 making it one of the priciest options in its class. Be sure, the Copper Spur HV UL2 is an excellent tent in many respects.
Learn More: Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 review
That said, my preference still lies with the MSR Hubba Hubba.
For my complete guide on how to choose a tent to take backpacking, click here.
Some other great two-person tents that also might be worth checking out to see if they work for you are the Nemo Hornet and the North Face Storm Break 2.
| Tent | Price | Weight | Interior Floor Square Feet | Height | Doors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSR Hubba Hubba 2-P | $549.95 | 3 lbs. 7 oz. | 29 | 39 inches | 2 |
| REI Half-Dome 2 Plus | $329.00 | 5lbs 7 oz | 35.8 | 44 inches | 2 |
| Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL 2 P | $549.95 | 2 lbs. 12 oz. | 29 | 42 inches | 2 |
| Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL | $449.95 | 2 lbs. 3 oz. | 28 | 39 | 2 |
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How and Where We Tested The MSR Hubba Hubba
The only way to really test a tent out is to take it out camping for a few nights and so that is exactly what we did. We took this bad boy out for a few different test drives in different weather conditions to make sure we really put it through its paces for this MSR Hubba Hubba review
In order to fairly and consistently assess this tent and compare it to others we tried and tested over the years, we applied the following metrics;
Ya’ll don’t get this level of commitment from the other MSR Hubba Hubba reviews!
Packed Weight
You can go onto a tent manufacturer’s website and find out what the packed weight of a tent is but that KG/Ibs number only really comes to life when you actually try to carry a tent up a hill all day!
So, rather than just spouting out how much this or any other tent weighed. We actually took them out with us on several hikes to get a feel for not only the weight but how well distributed it was. This is exactly what we did with the Hubba Hubba 2-person tent.
Packability (Packing and Unpacking!)
No two tents are the same. Some are nice and easy to pitch and un-pitch, and others pretty much require a degree in engineering. So when we took the MSR Hubba Hubba for a test ride we were sure to pay particular attention to how easy or complex it was to both put up and to put back in the darn bag afterwards. God knows how annoying some tents can be to repack!
Warmth, Waterproof and Ventilation
We put our bodies on the line for this one and put our money where our mouths are. The only way to test how it feels to spend a night in a tent is to do just that. We made sure to do this in different temperatures and weather conditions to get a feel for the warmth, insulation, ventilation and waterproofing on the MSR Hubba Hubba.
Of course, there’s a fine balancing act between a tent keeping you warm and dry and one that allows sufficient ventilation to keep you cool and avoid condensation inside the tent.
In terms of testing out the waterproofing, testing in the North West of England pretty much guaranteed some rain but on occasions when the skies uncooperatively remained dry, we simply tossed a bucket o’ water over the tents!
Spaciousness and Comfort
Tents are not exactly designed for throwing parties (ok, some are) but still, ideally you want a tent to have enough space to do whatever you’re planning on getting up to inside… we won’t judge!
So, as with the other areas of our testing, the only way to get an idea for the internal space is to spend a night inside with whatever gear or people you planning on taking!
Build Quality and Durability
All of our testers were instructed to subject tent poles to a good bit of good-natured pressure, look closely at the seam sewing and feel the thickness of the fly sheets. Our testers also took the MSR Hubba Hubba 2-person tent out on a few different trips over actually quite a long period of time to see the longevity of it.
Final Thoughts on the MSR Hubba Hubba
I hope now you feel that you possess all of the need-to-know facts and the pros and cons of this truly amazing backpacking tent. Having a solid understand and perspective of a potential tent purchase is very important!
I had a lot to say about the Hubba Hubba because it has so many fine qualities I personally look for in a backpacking tent. Unlike many other MSR tent reviews, this one is from sustained and personal usage.
The adventure potential with an MSR Hubba Hubba in your backpack is LIMITLESS. This truly is the best 2-person backpacking tent in the world. My hope is that it will take you to places that you have previously only dreamed of. That is what good gear does. It makes dreams and ideas a reality. And a comfortable reality at that!
Having a good tent expands possibilities, saves you money long-term, and keeps you safe as you ramble through the intense natural environments of this earth. The Hubba Hubba will open doors to a whole other theater of backpacking venues, experiences, and of course, cozy nights of sleep.
If you want the latest and greatest version of the MSR Hubba Hubba 2-P, be sure to check out the 2023 Hubba Hubba series!
The world of adventure awaits: be sure to pick up an MSR Hubba Hubba 2-person tent and start getting the most out of your gear and your adventures…
What is our final score for the MSR Hubba Hubba 2 person tent? We give it a rating of 4.5 out 5 stars!
What are your thoughts? Did this brutally honest review of the MSR Hubba Hubba 2-person tent help you?
Looking for something similar but bigger? Check out the best 3 person tents instead.
Anything I didn’t answer in this Hubba Hubba tent review? Let me know in the comments below – thanks guys!
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I just bought this tent on sale from REI and while I haven’t used it backpacking yet, I put it up in my living room to practice and got a ton of tiny splinters on my hands and fingers from the metal on the poles. So painful and they’re so small, you can’t see them to remove them. So, to whoever posted earlier that they thought this wasn’t true because they only saw one mention of it in the reviews on another site, it’s true! I’ve reached out to MSR on their web form to ask about it, but I’m concerned about the company’s ability to get back to me in a timely manner since it says on their site that it may take up to 12 weeks just for them to address a concern. Yikes! I really want to like this tent!
MSR makes beautiful tents. But, I wish that they were just a little longer! That is why I usually grab the Nemo Dagger 2 instead of the MSR Hubba 1. 84″ just doesn’t cut it for a long thermarest.
Hey all,
I’m from the UK and am interested in purchasing the Hubba Hubba NX 2P tent for myself, though I have one burning question I wish to ask due to the masses of comments online complaining about leakages.
How is it I can differentiate between the older and newer models? I’m looking to buy from a UK based company, and I’ve no idea how to tell whether they’re stocking the most recent model.
https://www.tauntonleisure.com/camping-accessories/tents/msr-hubba-hubba-nx-tent–green__3143
Additionally, how does the Hubba Hubba NX 2P fair during strong winds, heavy rain and light snowfall? I know it’s a 3-season tent, however I wish to find one to use most of the year around, and I fear that if I buy a 4-season tent; I won’t be able to use it during the warmer months.
Thanks in advance!
James
Hi James
Unfortunately I can’t advise on the older vs new tents. It was Chris who road tested it and he has moved on to other projects.
As for using it in rain and light snowfall, as a rough guide you CAN push 3 season tents into 3.5 season tents. Speaking purely from personal experience we did camp out in unexpected snowfall one of out Epic Backpacker Tours to Pakistan using a 3 season tent and it was OK, albeit frigid.
Aiden
Could I ask, which would you opt for Hubba hubba or Mutha hubba? Many thanks
Hi
Personally I find the Mutha Hubba to be an overall better and more useful tent.
Aiden
Ive been using the MSR Hubba NX and Hubba Hubba for many years. Also both the Big Agnes Copper Spurs 1 and 2 and their recent High Volume models. Love both brands but the BA has its limitations as there are no Apex tie outs/Guylines, whereas the Hubbas have these. Restricts the Big Agnes in where it can be pitched especially if the wind changes direction during the night.
Ive used both brands in Chile, Argentina and Peru as well as the UK up on the tops and on the French Alpine Trails.
The highest I used the MSR Hubba Hubba was beside the glaciers below Artesonraju in the Cordillera Blanca, Peru.
I used the same MSR Hubba NX in Patagonia 3 seasons running, camping nightly on a 3 month trip each time.
On the final trip I had 24 hours downpour on the ageing flysheet; it wetted out completely ( ie didn’t ‘bead’.), but never let a drop through…..dependable tents.
Regarding my last comment regarding so called possible “splintering” issues with the new composite poles. I will say the only place I read about this possibility was on the REI review for the Hubba Hubba. This is the only place. I haven’t read about this anywhere else, so personally I do not believe comments from just one source and from one person. Furthermore, we just got back from a 4 day backpack trip and this tent performed handsomely.
I’m wondering about the composite poles and possible issues with splintering? My son just bought one (July 2021), and read about splintering issues on online forums. We have not seen splintering issues.
Hi Steve
Our writer Chris has had this tent for a few years now and has not had any problems. These guy make good gear and I would be very surprised if there was a common issue with splintering.
Aiden
I think 90% of these Internet “leaking tent” stories are total BULLSH#T. They were either fabricated to make MSR look bad, or they’re the result of paranoia and an overactive imagination–that is to say, customers found out that their tent wasn’t sealed in the traditional way, and so they freaked out and started seeing imaginary leaks, they misconstrued normal condensation as rain that had leaked in, etc. Maybe these paranoid customers pitched their tent in the backyard and sprayed it with a garden hose until it leaked and were like “I KNEW IT!”
I’m sorry: MSR has been around for a half-century, and has been one of the most innovative companies in mountaineering gear. NO WAY in hell they let hundreds of drippy tents out the door. Making a tent that doesn’t leak in an ordinary rain shower is not rocket science, and it’s well within MSR’s capabilities.
Hi Dan, thanks for sharing your opinions. I work in the outdoor industry, leading trips in Pakistan (where we use MSR tents) in addition to writing about gear for the Broke Backpacker and I wanted to shed some light on some of your points. I guarantee you 110% these stories were not fabricated to make MSR look bad. Why would we do that? MSR is awesome. I can speak from personal experience that in 2019 and early 2020 the new line of Hubba series tents had sealing issues. In fact, I had a direct dialog with the people at MSR and they acknowledged the issue, recalled those tents when possible, and offered for customers to send the affected tents in for seam sealing free of charge. Now MSR has fixed the issue as we state in the review. And again, we agree; much respect to MSR! Just be careful when going around accusing serious gear nerds of a conspiracy against MSR – that ain’t the sort of tent karma you want next time it rains :).
Hello, i have just purchased a 2020 model of the Hubba nx1. Really looking forward to using this item. Can you please clarify if any 2020 models have had any leakage reviews? If so I will look to send this back and find something weather resistant.
Cheers
Louis.
Hi Louis – my own version of the MSR Hubba Hubba from 2020 has no leakage issues. I have been in touch with MSR a lot about this problem in the past and it seems like they have fixed the issues of previous models. You are hopefully good to go now.
Just an update on my previous post from last year (we were London to Chile by motorbike and our tent was leaking all over the place). Back in the UK now and MSR sent us a new inner and and fly. We have just been cycle touring in Scotland. It rained every day, and we stayed dry! It seems the issues we experienced have now been sorted by MSR. I’d also like to say that the customer service we got while we were on the trip was excellent – and although for various reasons it wasn’t possible for MSR to fix the problems en route, they tried! And also empathised with our situation – and offered practical ways to try to improve the situation whilst be were on the road. Which was really appreciated.
Hi I have bought this tent as was concerned about the leaking so I ask the shop I bought it from this is there reply:
“The current model in the UK and Europe is the Seam Taped Durashield Fly (fully waterproof), with aluminium pole version from 2018.
The 2019 version without seam tape on the fly sheet and composite poles was on a limited pre-release in the UK and Europe in 2019 but not on general release.
We expected that version to be on general release this year but it has been postponed and as far as we know, won’t be available again until 2022.”
So if you have Alu poles and taped fly then you have the good waterproof then if you have carbon poles and no tape the be ready for a wet night if it rains ?
Hello Jason, Seems like MSR has fixed this leaking issue going forward. I would have confidence that the fly would not leak. If it does, MSR will fix it for free. Cheers.
Hi Chris,
I’m on the verge of purchasing the 2019 Hubba HUbba NX 2 until I came across your excellent review of this tent. I had seen other reviews mentioning the fly leaking problem, but sort of dismissed them due to user errors. But you’re review really hits home. The last thing I want to do is plop down big money for a leaky tent. Based on your info, if I make the purchase of the NX 2 all I have to do is send the fly in to MSR and they will do all the seam sealing in house correct? Do I need any proof of purchase, or any other info to get this done? I’ve spent weeks researching a new 2 man tent and this was to be the “one”. I really hope this can resolved with little to no anxiety. I own 4 tents and have never had one of them leak, so I don’t want to start now. Fingers crossed.
Hi Kevin,
I have personally spoken to MSR regarding this issue and they have assured me that the problem is fixed now. All new Hubba Hubba models should have the leaky rain fly issue sorted. If you do find that the tent fly has issues (you should not) then MSR will replace it, seam seal it, or fix it for free, no questions asked.
This has been a major issue for MSR’s reputation this past year and knowing them, they spent a lot of time and money correcting this problem. I would not be afraid to purchase the tent now if I was in your position. The Hubba Hubba tent series is fantastic, I hope you get to have some awesome adventures in yours. Good luck!!
Thanks Chris. I did purchase the NX2 and have sent my fly in for seam sealing. I talked to MSR before my purchase and they said that if the tag on the inside of the fly has an “S” on it, that shows it was seam sealed. Mine did not have the “S” on the tag. No worries though, I know MSR is a reputable company and have bought many pieces of gear from them and know they will take of me.
Hey Everyone,
Im reading this in search of a great backpacking /bike-packing tent. The hubba hubba is/was the top of my list until ive run in to all of these leaking reports. I can see as reported here that MSR seems to be repairing/ modifying the units to be more waterproof etc. However does this mean if i go to my local store (in tokyo/london) and buy one of these, that its basically going to leak until i go through the process of getting the tent fixed by MSR?? perhaps theres a hubba hubba 2019 v1.2? kind of thing?
Hi Lawrence, I would suggest it might be wise to contact the company to see if they have released new stock in which the issue has been resolved. The other thing to remember is an issue may not effect all tents, and if you did happen upon one with a problem, hopefully MSR would replace it for the buyer.
Here’s the email I just sent MSR.
Hi guys
We are currently riding our motorbike from the UK to Chile.
We have a Hubba Hubba NX (as well as a set of thermarests) and have been using it since we left the UK (6 months ago). We’ve not had many wet nights … until now. Now the rain has come we are getting consistently soaked! We had a few wet nights in Central Asia, but put that down to ‘user error’. Our wonderful MSR tent couldn’t possibly leak that profusely, right? But, no matter what we do, the tent leaks. Most noticeably, it leaks through the ground sheet and anything that touches it (our mats and packing cases) get soaked. This isn’t confined to any particular area – that whole ground sheet just seems to be porous.
The tent seems to have other flaws – the fly is really close to the outer and if it’s windy (not gale force, just a bit windy) the fly touches the inner and water runs down into the sleeping compartment no matter how you set up the fly. We are finding rain and wind often come hand in hand – so this is happening on most wet nights too!
The same thing happens with the top brace pole sockets – which is designed so that the inner and fly touch. Rain trickles from this ‘joint’ and down the fly screen.
We have tried to correct the issues by setting up the tent differently – desperately thinking that the problems must be “us” and not the “tent”. But after many a wet night, the problems are definitely caused by the tent.
A quick google search turns out that we are not alone in having these problems (something which we didn’t know until now).
We’re currently in Ecuador heading South. Conditions as far as the weather are concerned are not going to improve – and we will be in Peru next week camping at altitude and Patagonia a few weeks after that. Wet gear in these remote areas is big concern for us – and, all joking aside, not having a watertight shelter is a serious problem.
We hope you can help.
Best, Tom and Nicola
Hey Tom,
I recently updated my MSR Hubba Hubba review to respond to some of these concerns as I took recently experienced leaks. Here is what they had to say: Because of all of these reports and my own experience, I reached out to MSR for an explanation and here is what they had to say:
“MSR have decided on a program that will “upgrade” the tent fly for all consumers who purchased a tent with Xtreme Shield. As a brand with a legacy of industry-pushing innovation, quality and durability, they want to recognize and respect the trust consumers have placed in MSR products and therefore, are adding additional sealing to the rainfly seams on all 2019 shelters in the following series: Hubba NX, Carbon Reflex, FreeLite, Zoic and Thru-Hiker Wings.
Moving forward, this will be standard on all tents with Xtreme Shield. If someone has already purchased a tent, they can either send the rainfly to MSR to be professionally sealed or for customers who are experienced with seam sealing and wish to do it themselves, MSR will supply a bottle of sealant.”
So basically guys, if you have experienced leaky tent issues, get in touch with MSR ASAP and they will sort you out. Hopefully we can all stay dry now!
Thanks Chris.
Yeah, I’ve spent weeks in email contact with MSR. Their attention has been great – but the fact remains, We purchased an expensive tent, trusted the brand and set out on a round the world trip… and the tend failed on totally basic principles. It leaks! But it leaks in a whole host of ways. It’s not just the fandangled coating on the outer, it’s the design, it’s the seams, it’s the inner which leaks from the floor. The tent we have just isn’t watertight even in mild weather. We leave Patagonia soon and will head home. We’ve been promised a new inner and outer when we get back to the uk. But I’m not holding my breath!
Right I understand. That sounds super frustrating. I have experienced a few leak issues with the 2019 model but only in severe weather events in Central Asia. That’s good to hear that MSR has been communicative and hopefully, they will get you sorted out with a new tent. I have had numerous generations of the Hubba Hubba tent and have never experienced these sort of issues before. Hopefully, now any Hubba HUbba models in the future will perform at the same high level as previous models. Happy travels guys!
Thank you for this great review about this msr tent.
Actually, I am looking for a tent for trekking every season in Southern France where I live as well (French Riviera exactly).
So, you convinced me to buy it for using in our warm and long summer as far as mild winter.
Any ideas on if there is a manufacturing issue with MSR tents? Every tent review that I read says the Hubba Hubba / Mutha Hubba is waterproof!!! But this is NOT THE CASE. On our first trip out ALL THE SEAMS leaked and my family was soaked. I stayed dry in my 10yr old MSR nook!!! How is it possible that reviews say they are waterproof but in reality they are not?
I wonder if MSR gives reviewers prototype tents or tents that are not made at their regular production facilities?
Hey Tom, I just updated this review to reflect the following information:
For the last few months we have been receiving many comments from our readers reporting leaking tent seams. I too recently experienced leaks myself and I was none too happy. I wrote this article before my tent leaked, but I want to recognize that this has been a problem for me and for others.
Because of all of these reports and my own experience, I reached out to MSR for an explanation and here is what they had to say:
“MSR have decided on a program that will “upgrade” the tent fly for all consumers who purchased a tent with Xtreme Shield. As a brand with a legacy of industry-pushing innovation, quality and durability, they want to recognize and respect the trust consumers have placed in MSR products and therefore, are adding additional sealing to the rainfly seams on all 2019 shelters in the following series: Hubba NX, Carbon Reflex, FreeLite, Zoic and Thru-Hiker Wings.
Moving forward, this will be standard on all tents with Xtreme Shield. If someone has already purchased a tent, they can either send the rainfly to MSR to be professionally sealed, or for customers who are experienced with seam sealing and wish to do it themselves, MSR will supply a bottle of sealant.”
So basically guys, if you have experienced leaky tent issues, get in touch with MSR ASAP and they will sort you out. Hopefully we can all stay dry now!
Now on my second so called new and improved MSR Hubba Hubba. Both leaked at the seams. Center pole broke on the first one after a month plus of use. This tent does not hold up to all the hype-I’ll return mine when my trip is over and look for something that really does work.
Hi Larry, I am sorry to hear about your Hubba Hubba experience. Maybe it is possible that your tent had some defects? Sounds crazy that it would break after only a month of use. MSR is pretty good about the warranty, so if it was a design flaw, hopefully, they will send you a new tent/replacement pole.
I have been using three different Hubba series models this year, sometimes in very strong winds, which has given me confidence in the strength of the pole system.
I too have experienced some moisture inside the tent, but that was until I tried opening the vents. Still though, in heavy rain, the tent does not stay 100% dry inside, which is super annoying.
Thanks for this great article. I’m planning to buy this tent, just wondering how I can tell that I am definitely getting the 2019 version and not an older model? Is there a code or something I can check or some other way that they make it obvious its the 2019 model? Cheers.
Hello Susan, if you buy the tent from pretty much anywhere now, it will almost certainly be the 2019 model. One thing to look out for: If you find a Hubba Hubba tent that is way, way cheaper than the other Hubba Hubba tent prices, it is likely to be an older version. If the price reflects what is on the MSR and REI websites, it is going to be the 2019 version. Hope that helps!
Hi
Great review
Ever thought of packing fly, inner and poles separately.????… much easier to pack folded in separate sil’ stuff bags.. can fold and pack flat at top of Backpack with poles carried upright in outside Backpack pockets
Personally my original MSR Hubba bags never get used
Just sayin’??
You. Are. Right!!! I never use the bags for my tents because you can usually get them smaller or arrange them better in your pack.
In the UK where we rarely store a tent at high temperatures the new tent coating is unnecessary and the seams untaped. The 2019 model sells as the “Shield” version here at a higher price. The lighter cheaper original makes more sense for us imo
Hi.
Just bought a 2019 model expecting great things.
It’s been raining steadily (not heavily) for about 6 hours. The tent is now leaking from the seams of the rain fly and dripping through the inner mesh onto my sleeping bag. Not too happy…
Hey Chris, sorry for your trouble with the tent mate. We have been hearing reports that the new Hubba Hubba model was not waterproof, and that others too recently experienced this after very heavy rainstorms. It is a shame because the Hubba Hubba is such a great tent in so many respects, but having leaky seems is unacceptable. I recommend that you contact MSR if you have not done so already and ask for a new one (maybe the fly has manufacturing defects?) or for a refund. Cheers.
Hi Chris.
Did you have a chance to use MSR’s program that will “upgrade” the tent fly for all consumers who purchased a tent with Xtreme Shield. How does MSR actually fix this issue?
Dear Broken Backpaker,
I m going to Norway, Iceland and lappland in October – November and I would love to have a solid tent. Hubba Hubba is interesting but no description said that it is made for winter and cold!! what do hou think? what do you recommend? Thank you very much for this review, it is more than perfect and for all the info on your travel that makes me dream.
Hello,
The Hubba Hubba is NOT a 4 season tent so I would not recommend it for winter/snow conditions. It is an ultralight tent not designed to deal with heavy snowfall or winter protection. For winter trekking, I recommend going with a proper 4 season tent that will provide adequate performance in winter conditions. North Face makes excellent expedition tents that are quite heavy, but excellent in winter conditions. For all your spring-fall adventures, the Hubba Hubba is the way to go!
Thank you very much for this great review. Almost ready to invest into this tent :). But … one question, however, still remains unanswered – the mesh. Is it fine enough to stop even the smallest insects (like highland midge)?
Most definitely! The mesh will keep those bastardly midges out! I have actually had personal experience with this tent in Scotland and it did fine.
Hey Chris,
have you also been using this tent in a colder area like Scandinavia? I am thinking about buying this tent for my trip to Norway. I’ll be travelling for around 3 weeks with my backpack, but as I also read the tent is not really made for storms I’m still unsure if I should really go with this tent.
The Hubba HUbba is a 3-season tent so if you are using it during the Scandanavian summer, it will do fine, even in storms. It’s just not really designed to handle snow. Cheers!
Great review for me, as I was trying to find a tent a surprise Christmas present for my son. AND I snagged the 2018 one at REI for 40% off – woohoo! thanks so much for sharing your experience with this tent.
Awesome deal! Enjoy 🙂
Please can you tell me how you know the year of manufacturing?