The Most Popular Backpacking Tent Ever Created? | MSR Hubba Hubba

The MSR Hubba Hubba revolutionized backpacking tents when it was first introduced in 2004. Since that time it's been one of the best selling tents of all time for backpacking. But why? Why is the MSR Hubba Hubba so popular? I take this tent out on a camping trip and go through my thoughts on this tent and what I like and don't like about it.
- Learn more about the development and release of the MSR Hubba Hubba Here: www.msrgear.com/blog/hubba-hu...
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[@christof705]

I opted for the Naturehike Mongar 2 which is basically a clone of the Hubba Hubba but with aluminum poles, a little bigger and a little heavier. It's also mostly mesh, and better venting in the fly. At $179 CAD it was an easy call to make. Great little addition to the hammocks, gives you more room to move around during bug season as well. Good stuff!

[@BigDawgCAM]

Really awesome tent other than it being made out of silnylon. Nemo beat every other brand to the punch with their OSMO fabric that really outdoes the competition

[@bradl2636]

I got a Nemo Osmo Dagger 3P for maximum comfort and flexibility. I only paid $45 more than the 2P version on sale. I’ll take the few extra ounces for the comfort and interior space.

[@AudiaciousLife]

im checking the website right now its $330 right now 40% off

[@BackcountryExposure]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@bobv7753]

Thanks for your review & content! I've been using this tent for years and am very happy with it. Used primary for 3 seasons but have been in light snow conditions as well. It has performed exceptionally well. Very pleased with it. Best wishes....

[@jamesh6411]

I have an older version of the 1 person with aluminum poles. It has held up well and even though I own an Xmid Pro 1, I still sometimes bring this tent due to its tiny footprint and ease of set-up. Sometimes, you just want a freestanding tent.

[@rodoutdoors]

It really is a great design. Pretty much all the side entry freestanding tents these days are a variation of it. The NatureHike Mongar 2 is basically a direct copy but with cheaper materials. Picked one up for $88 from the US site. I like how the doors work. You can choose which vestibule to use depending on where the wind blows. Pockets are great.

[@BackcountryExposure]

Yeah the Mongar is a great value. Maybe a comparison needs to happen.

[@davidcooper8390]

I have had the 2 person Hubba Hubba since 2018 and I have nothing but good things to say about it. I have had a dog sleeping under the vestibule outside the tent body roll onto the tent and completely collapse the pole structure. Push the dog off and boom it popped right back up into place. It is one of my kids favorite tents.

[@TheNewGreenIsBlue]

Yeah, the Hubba Hubba was my 1st choice of tents until I discovered the Durston X-Mid. Solid tent. I do wonder if they will switch the next generation to SilPoly instead of RipStop Nylon... as a lot of tents are making that switch.

[@BackcountryExposure]

@@TheNewGreenIsBlueI think in some ways too many people have become scared of nylon. It’s still a great tent fabric.

[@BackcountryExposure]

Love that! I do love just an all around good tent for most situations

[@keithcaron8144]

I wish there was more mesh at the top for stargazing. We like to fold over the rain fly and see the stars. It would lighten it up and provide better views.

[@syindrome]

At just $100 more, the Durston xmid 2p pro starts to sound like a bargain!

[@JarradShaw]

Thanks to the design and ingenuity of this tent there are tents like the NEMO Dagger. I have the 3 person model. It weighs very close to the MSR shown in this video and is made from a very unique blend of fabrics.

[@BigDawgCAM]

Should have gone Nemo Dragonfly 3P! Same floor area basically for much less weight

[@pyronymph-868]

I have the Mongar2 which is based on this design. Much cheaper at under $200, but with a full mesh inner, I don't trust it for rainy Oregon (it rains sideways here!) other than Summer. I also have had issues with the aluminum poles bending and breaking on me. Replacement poles are not available from the manufacturer and aftermarket poles are not the same diameter for the hubs. If anyone is considering the Mongar2, it's great for summer camping or desert, but baby those poles.

[@bradl2636]

I also got the Nemo Osmo Dagger 3P on sale. Saved 30%. Only $45 more than the 2P version. For the interior space I’ll take the few extra ounces.

[@bradl2636]

@@BigDawgCAMDragonfly won’t accommodate two 25 inch wide mats.

[@BackcountryExposure]

Yeah that Dagger is a solid tent! The updates to the new 2024/25 model is going to be even better.

[@slkendall85]

I got mine in 2006 on sale as a floor model from MEC, guided 2 summers worth of canoe trips sleeping in it every night. The inside got sticky after about 8 years and they replaced the fly and the bag for free, then the pole split lengthwise when my friend borrowed it at about 12 years old and they replaced the whole set of poles for free. It might not be my favourite tent now but I loved it when I was living in it and it’s the one that’s been the best investment in customer service

[@slkendall85]

Plus my original tent body is full mesh from that era!

[@godreadtech]

Great tent for all

[@alanstrange2421]

I borrowed a Hubba Hubba for a 2-week backpacking trip where I couldn't use my beloved hammock rig. I think it was a slightly different model than this one though. It's a bit heavier than I would have liked but not terrible. And while I didn't get much rain on that trip it stood up to some insane winds. I actually had the choice between that and an REI Flash tent which would have been a bit lighter, but I had heard that the MSR was sturdier, and it was! ...which was good because I was borrowing it and didn't want to damage/replace it.

[@jimdubois445]

Not enough mesh for my liking and being too expensive for a tent with the cheaper option to mesh. But I tend to camp in warmer months as well and want ventilation. And there are better options and I’d say quite a few that just are better. But have to give credit to MSR for the design. Just in my opinion they haven’t kept up with the industry but are changing a premium.

[@user-no2ei6dp2q]

Yeah, Nature Hike made it better with the Mongar 2. That’s right(China). The vestibule doors are better designed and an all mesh inner. The MSR has way too much fabric for an inner in the summer. We know what that equates to. I’ve had the Mongar in windy and very rainy conditions here in the PNW for 5 years now and it has performed perfectly. I really should do my own video on it lol! 3.8 lbs on my scale without the foot print which you don’t need. Fully featured at under $200.00. If you get this tent you’ll be very pleased with your purchase! Sorry MSR but you just don’t check all the boxes on this one

[@DJBigC]

I have the older model of this. I love it. The only thing I'd complain about is that the mesh is pretty light so my dog (beagle) ripped through bits of it with his claws when he was a baby. I had to get patch kits. Still works it's just funny looking now - which is probably the story of my life.

[@DJBigC]

I will note I bought it specifically for freestanding and 50" wide floor. Two 25 pads side by side actually fit into this thing which is fantastic.

[@S.L.1211]

All that white fabric where it used to be black mesh in older models - does this come with a marked decrease in breathability? How would this thing perform on a humid or rainy night? Hot and steamy? Condensation?

[@kir11]

Check the rei for comments under this version of Hubbа Hubba, before buying it, there is some serious issues with quality.

[@coolbreezeoutdoors7177]

Hey Devon, my most favorite tent I have ever owned. I have the 2017 version. With well over 100 nights in it, it still sets up rite and tight every time. It is my go to for any type of weather condition. I will say, I am not a fan of the new design, too much solid fabric. I also own the Elixir and this new version is just like the Elixir, with lighter weight fabric. You should do a comparison on both of them.

[@BackcountryExposure]

Always awesome to hear about long term use! Love it!

[@jamicrawford6729]

I have this tent, and it's a very good tent, but I don't think it's the most popular tent ever. For every Hubba Hubba on the AT, I saw 10 BA Tiger Wall 2 tents. Zpacks being the most I saw over the BA TW 2, followed by Durston then Hubba Hubba, then Nemo the least. Can't knock this tent one bit, mine is 6 years old and I still care it on certain trips. Just saying I don't see it on the east coast trails enough to call it the most popular. Maybe out west it is, but even the three trails I've done there, BA and Zpacks still take the top two :). Very good video though, and I enjoyed the comparison video between the Dagger and Dragonfly Nemo tents, well worth the watch.

[@BackcountryExposure]

Thank you! Yeah it can definitely be difficult to quantify “most popular ever”, but with 20 years on the market and what it did from a design standpoint, it truly changed the game in tent design.

[@jamicrawford6729]

I agree whole heartedly! If definitely made things change without doubt. Still a great tent for sure

[@shawnr6117]

What's the tent in the background?

[@BackcountryExposure]

Tarptent Triple Rainbow 😊

[@mikerice1599]

I used the old version free light. It was a great tent before I went DCF.

[@BackcountryExposure]

I’d like to check out the freelite. But I understand it suffers from water pouring into the tent from where the zipper is.

[@user-ee9nh8jr1p]

The hot night is usually solved that you do not put a fly. The benefit of a freestanding tent

[@erikolmstead5770]

My trekking pole tent sets up without the fly

[@TheNewGreenIsBlue]

I don't think that's a freestanding tent thing. The X-Mid can pitch fly-only... or with some guylines, inner only.

[@user-ee9nh8jr1p]

@@TheNewGreenIsBlue yes, it can, but you need additional add-on.

[@erikolmstead5770]

I have the tarptent stratospire. No extra parts required.

[@TheNewGreenIsBlue]

@@user-ee9nh8jr1p Sure, but basically a couple of buckles is all you need.

[@edwardenglish6919]

"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness." - Oscar Wilde.

[@unightie]

Because it was first

[@Heikki_Finland]

I'll never buy a tent that requires to set the inner tent first. That is horrible in rain.

[@BackcountryExposure]

Is it a downpour of rain every time you’re setting up your tent?

[@Heikki_Finland]

@@BackcountryExposure Not always, but in hiking one should eliminate every little risk whenever possible, and with a proper tent it certainly is possible. Rain is such a nasty thing.

[@TelosBudo]

MSR doesn't specialize in tents. Go with Big Agnes or another tent specific company. The Hubba Hubba had YEARS of problems with leaking seams and fragile carbon fiber polls. The brow design places uneven pressure on the tent frame.

[@BackcountryExposure]

With 20 years on the market, you’re bound to have some years of duds… MSR has been making tents for a very long time though.