As a part of a diverse line-up of backcountry tents, the MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2 is a best seller. With a near-perfect combination of weight, space, and durability, the Hubba Hubba is built ready for the extremes of the outdoors. Excellent venting, long-lasting DWR (durable water repellent) coatings, and a symmetrical design help to keep the tent comfortable when the weather really takes a nosedive. With a price of $450, you would hope to get a long life out of the tent, and with the MSR Hubba Hubba NX—if treated well—you should.

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MSR started as a newsletter and quickly became one of the staple brands in the outdoor camping world. Creating innovative camping stoves and tents, MSR (Mountain Safety Research) has cemented its foothold in the backcountry space. MSR’s tents have become quite popular throughout the years and none seem to be more well known than their Hubba Hubba series, and with a name like that, it makes sense. The Hubba™ series is MSR’s bestselling line of backpacking tents. The series ranges from one- to four-person tents, as well, there are plenty of add-ons like a Gear Shed or the Hubba™ Tour series with a unified rainfly and body system for fast setups and tons of storage. What we’re trying to say here is that there is a Hubba™ for any occasion. For this review, we will be looking at the 2-person variant of the Hubba Hubba NX, a compact and lightweight backpacking tent.

Comfort

Inside the tent, you’ll find large pockets at each end and two smaller pockets on the ceiling for headlamps or small essentials. The views in and out of the tent area are a bit confusing to be honest. For example, the white mesh, which is hard to see through, is on the ceiling where you’d want to stargaze and does not cover areas at the ends of the tent where you would want some privacy. We aren’t too sure what happened there in the design room, but it seems like no one ever laid down to look up at stars before it went to market.

Ease of Setup

With a large hubbed pole, the Hubba Hubba tent body is easy to set up. There are tensioner straps at each corner to help adjust the tent even after staking it out. The pole-corner connections hold onto the end of the pole well, so a single camper can easily set up the tent while the other cooks dinner.

The fly, on the other hand, is a bit squirrely, and by this we mean, it is a bit confusing. The colors create confusion and normal visual cues, like doors and logos, don’t seem to help. The stakes are also not the sturdiest in the world, but at least the tent comes with enough stakes for all of the crucial areas, including the guy lines.

Weatherproofing

MSR has designed the rainfly on the Hubba Hubba to be all-encompassing. There is a small space at the bottom where a blowing rain could hit the tent, but the bathtub design keeps moisture at bay. The rainfly is coated with Xtreme Shield™ waterproofing for added protection. MSR states that the Xtreme Shield™ coating will last three times longer than a standard coating, and in our experience, that seems to be true.

Ventilation is dialed in on the Hubba Hubba NX. There is plenty of mesh throughout the tent to allow for airflow, and there are two prop open vents on the fly. The vents are also low on the fly and face downwards, so they can be opened even during a storm to allow for airflow.

Durability

In the world of trade-offs for weight and durability, MSR has found a nice mix. The floor of the tent is 30-denier ripstop nylon that has been coated in their Xtreme Shield durable water repellent (DWR). The fly is a 20D ripstop nylon that also has its DWR coating.

The Easton Syclone composite poles are flexible enough to handle severe winds and the tent setup, even in situations when most poles would fail. The combination of the poles and tent materials has created a robust but lean package that any backpacker would be happy to carry. As with most tents that cost more than $200, the footprint is sold separately. This added cost is something to consider piling into your shopping cart because it will help increase the longevity of your tent.

Weight

The MSR Hubba Hubba NX has a packaged weight of 3lbs 14oz (1.75kg). This weight places it right on par with the NEMO Dagger 2. The Dagger comes with slightly more interior space and headroom as well as a smaller price tag, but the weatherproofing is not as complete as the Hubba Hubba’s.

The Bottom Line

The MSR Hubba Hubba NX is a good backpacking tent, but it does have some shortcomings. The floor material and Xtreme Shield™ hold up well to wear and tear, and the symmetrical fly design helps to keep everything secure in a heavy wind. The poles are burly while also being flexible enough to deal with all kinds of weather. There are other tents on the market that have a slightly lower price tag while boasting more interior space, but MSR has balanced the value very well with the Hubba Hubba NX. At $450, it is an expensive backpacking accessory, but the durability should afford it a long and successful life as a go-to tent for your backcountry adventures.

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