Review: MSR Hubba Hubba HP 2-Person Tent [ultralight]

gabrielm

#1 – 12:24 PM June 23, 2009

"No rain, no snow, and virtually no wind."
So then... why did you need the tent at all?

Mat Honan

#2 – 12:31 PM June 23, 2009

I love this tent.

We've had the non-HP version of this tent, the standard Hubba Hubba, for years. (We're actually on our second. The first version of this tent had more or less a design flaw that caused the poles to bend/break too easily.)

We've taken it all kind of, er, extreme (to the max!) environments--camping off trail in the backcountry of Death Valley, the high Sierra, Trinity Alps, Cascades, Rogue River Valley, etc., etc. We've set it up on ground too hard to drive stakes on a barren moonscape above 10,000 feet, and in lush river valleys alike. We've even taken it car camping.

It's stood up well very to high winds and blinding rains at elevation. One thing I love about it is you can put the fly half-on, and roll it up across the arch of the tent. This lets you fall asleep looking at the stars, and then when the temperature drops at night you can roll it down and attach it to stay warm.

It also sets up great as just a fly and footprint (minus the tent itself) if you really want to go ultralight and you're camping somewhere like California where you can count on the bugs and rain to remain at bay.

There are, however two *enormous* cons for a backcountry tent.
1. Tiny vestibules. There are two small vestibules on either side of the tent, but in a fierce storm you'll want to haul your gear inside, and it can get pretty cramped. I know it's not designed to be a car camping tent, but those vestibules could still extend another foot or so for my taste.

2. The hubbed poleset design.
The single-pole hubbed poleset structure with all those complex gangly joints are prone to bending or breaking at the hub, and if that happens you can't really make a split to fix it. Like I said, however, they seem to have greatly improved this from the previous Hubba Hubba. And like everything by MSR, they'll replace the shit out of it, even if you fuck it up yourself through no fault of the manufacturer's. (At least that's been my experience through the years.)

Having said that, it's (imo) one of the top five ultralight backcountry tents on the market for backpacking. (The Black Diamond Lighthouse & HiLite maybe being the best two on the market.) And as to the expense, yeah, it's pricey but it's in line with others in its class. Really, other than the REI Quarter Dome, you're going to pay big bucks to get a two person tent that clocks in near four pounds.

Bottom line: We're taking it on a 220 mile trip this summer where we'll be above 10,000 feet most of the time, and in the most remote section of roadless wilderness in the lower 48. And the great thing about this tent is that we're doing that confidently. I'd wholeheartedly endorse it for anyone looking for a backpacking (though *NOT* car camping) tent.

Joel Johnson

#3 – 12:35 PM June 23, 2009

I own this tent. I've never taken it out of the bag. Glad to know I bought the right one, though!

Mat Honan

#4 – 12:38 PM June 23, 2009

Oh: one more thing about this tent. I have this game I like to play where I try to think of my five favorite pieces of gear across every category, from computers, to gadgets, to AV electronics, to triathlon, to backcountry, etc...

This tent has made my list every year since we bought it in 2005. Only my Gregory Palisades has been on the list longer.

Yes I am just that kind of a fucking loser.

Steven Leckart

#5 – 12:51 PM June 23, 2009

If you're gonna own one tent, I say go for ultralight. That way you can have one that sets up ridiculously fast when you car camp, and have one that is ridiculously light to carry when you backpack.

The 2-person Sierra Designs Tiros 4-season we have has more sq. footage and it's held up well, but it a) has only one entrance, b) has multiple poles, and b) costs around $400. Sure having a 4-season is preferable to a 3-season, but I haven't camped in snow or high altitude in 10 years.

Yes I am just that kind of a fucking loser.

Steven Leckart

#6 – 1:02 PM June 23, 2009

Oh, and incidentally, this stuff is good to have on hand for broken tent poles and other gear:

http://www.duluthtrading.com/default.asp?sectionpath=2%2F3&action=nopost&processor=content&p_contenttype=22&p_keyword=xtreme+tape

Mat Honan

#7 – 1:04 PM June 23, 2009

I've camped in both snow and at altitude in this tent. It's fine for both. Unless you're summiting Hood or something similarly hard-core where you may be stuck in the tent for days on end, get a good bag and stick with a 3 season tent.

But that's just, like, my opinion, man.

Here's a photo where you can see what I meant by rolling back the fly, btw: http://www.flickr.com/photos/honan/1267057145/in/photostream/

Steven Leckart

#8 – 1:17 PM June 23, 2009

Forget bags. I'm officially a tech blanket guy (review forthcoming).

Matt

#9 – 3:09 PM June 23, 2009

I own the Mutha Hubba, which is the next size up. I have taken it out several times and it held up in heavy rain and high winds. I bought it mainly because the doors angle in which allow you to open the doors and not get rained in the tent. Perfect for taking off muddy boots while staying dry.

The thing is super roomy and the design is great. It is also the second MSR tent I have owned. My first MSR was a single person tent weiging two pounds.

The materials are excellent and the thing is made well. Smart designers. Awesom tents!

Caramba

#10 – 4:15 PM June 23, 2009

Hubba hubba zoot zoot
Deba uba zat zat a-num num
A-hoorepa hoorepa a-huh-hoorepa a-num num
A-hoorepa hoorepa a-huh-hoorepa
HAH

uberkatzen

#11 – 9:55 PM June 23, 2009

forget bags... forget the tent. To paraphrase Gabrielm, no rain, no snow, no bugs, why have the tent? If your personal discovery of sleeping quilts has broke the camping mold, try sleeping out completely: just a drop cloth, pad, and bag/quilt.

Nearer to thee, oh Lord.

GyroMagician

#12 – 5:27 AM June 24, 2009

For absolute tent zen, look up the Hilleberg Atko. It's a teeny-tiny one-man, one-pole, luxury hidy-hole. It withstands just about everything. I took it around Iceland a couple of years ago. I had it pitched on ground so rocky the pegs were useless (pinned out with rocks instead), it withstood a gale that took out several 'mountain spec' tents and is still light enough to cycle with (1.5kg). For rain, it's done well in the English Lake District. It all stays in one piece (inner and outer tied together). To put it up, simply insert the single pole and peg out. I love this tent.

madzack

#13 – 9:46 AM June 24, 2009

how does this compare to something like the kelty grand mesa 2 which weighs in at 4lbs 10oz has two poles but is like 300 dollars cheaper?