MSR Hubba Hubba review

Publication date: 25 Jul 2025

CampingGearTents

The MSR Hubba Hubba 2-person backpacking tent has been our go-to shelter for a while now. We’ve pitched it across all kinds of terrain like coastal trails, mountain crossings, mid-summer heat, and sideways rain. It’s been with us through the Madeira Crossing, the TransCatalina Trail, the Coast to Coast in England, and way more.

At this point, we know exactly what to expect from it: it’s easy to set up, doesn’t take up much space in the pack, and gives us enough room inside to get a good night’s sleep without breathing down each other’s necks. It’s not the lightest or the fanciest, but it’s solid. And honestly, that’s why we keep coming back to it.

Editor

Katie Mitchell

After a whirlwind of 8 years on the road (and trail!), Katie has hiked the Camino Frances, the Peaks of the Balkans, the Fisherman’s Trail, and extensively in the United States. She is an avid trail runner and now lives in Colorado where she plays in the mountains in her free time. You can follow her adventures on Instagram.

View profile

Testing the Hubba Hubba

We’ve had this tent in some decent weather and some truly questionable weather, and so far, the Hubba Hubba has handled all of it. The first time I really tested it was on the Madeira Crossing. It was windy with exposed ridges, wet mornings, and camp spots that were rarely perfect, but the tent held its ground.

The inner structure is freestanding, which makes it easier to pitch on rocky or uneven ground. Even if the stakes can’t get in deep, the frame keeps it stable. The fly goes on quickly, and once you’re zipped in, you’re properly protected. It’s not a bunker, but it keeps out the wind and rain without any weird flapping or sagging.

person standing by his MSR Hubba Hubba tent in Englisch countryside

person putting his thermarest sleeping bag in MSR tent

On the TransCatalina Trail, the sun was the bigger problem. It was dry, hot, and there wasn’t much shade, so we used the doors wide open with just the mesh inner for airflow. There’s a door and vestibule on each side, which helped keep things easy in the mornings when we were trying not to trip over each other packing up.

The Coast to Coast in England was where we really saw the benefit of the vestibules. A couple of nights were just too wet to leave our packs outside, so we tucked them into the vestibule and zipped everything down. It wasn’t ideal, but it worked. We stayed dry and had just enough room to move around inside.

And even after all these trips, the tent still packs down well. The poles go with one person, the fabric with the other. We’ve never fought over who gets what since it’s light enough that it doesn’t matter.

About MSR

MSR (Mountain Safety Research) is part of Cascade Designs, the same company behind Therm-a-Rest, Platypus, and a few other well-known outdoor brands. They’re based in Seattle but also manufacture a good amount of their gear in Cork, Ireland, which the team has visited, and can confirm: the attention to detail there is impressive.

MSR’s focus has always been practical innovation. They make gear that actually solves problems on the trail, not just looks good in a product shoot. And you can see that in the design of the Hubba Hubba. It’s not flashy, but it’s well thought-out and dependable, which is exactly what you want from your tent when you’re exhausted, wet, and hungry.

About the Hubba Hubba

The MSR Hubba Hubba is a freestanding, double-wall tent with two doors and two vestibules. The floor plan is symmetrical, so there’s no wrong side of the tent, and the pole structure makes it easy to set up solo if needed.

It’s roomy enough for two people who like a bit of space, like we do. We each have our side, which means less shifting around at night and fewer accidental elbows. The vestibules aren’t huge, but they’re enough for shoes, cooking gear, or a pack if the weather turns.

The weight sits just under 1.4kg (depending on how you pack it), and we’ve always split the load. One of us takes the poles, the other the tent body and fly. For two people, it’s a very reasonable carry.

Thanks to the mesh inner, ventilation is decent, and there are adjustable vents on the fly. It’s not a cold-weather tent, but for spring to autumn, it’s done a great job. The zippers are smooth, the clips are sturdy, and after dozens of nights, nothing has broken or failed.

It comes with a compression sack that actually fits the tent, which sounds minor, but makes packing less annoying. We’ve added a footprint for extra durability, though it’s not included.

Specifications

MSR Hubba Hubba
Weight	1.54kg
Doors	x2 large StayDry doors
Set up	Freestanding
Included	Tent, poles, stakes, rainfly, compression sack
Not included	Footprint

pro's

Spacious interior for two people

Two doors and vestibules make life easier when sharing

Packs down small and carries light when split between two

The freestanding structure is quick to pitch and works on uneven ground

Reliable in bad weather, but still breathable in warm climates

con's

Not cheap (but worth it if you use it often)

Vestibules are tight if you're both storing full packs

Could use more interior pockets for organisation

Not built for deep winter or heavy snow

Footprint not included

Conclusion

The Hubba Hubba has become one of those pieces of gear we don’t have to think about anymore. We know how it packs, how it pitches, and how it performs. It’s not trying to be the lightest or the toughest tent on the market, but for two people hiking together, it strikes a really good balance between weight, comfort, and reliability.

While we’ve tried other tents, we always come back to our Hubba Hubba. I even have the 1-person Hubba as well for solo trips! This one is a winner for me for sure.

MSR Hubba Hubba review

About the Hubba Hubba

Specifications

Conclusion

Join the community!

With an account you can:

Happy trails!