I've owned two MSR tents over a 25 year period. The Hubba one person did two bicycle trips across the U.S., plus backpacking in the Eastern Sierras. They were heavier back then but very durable. I also had the MSR Hubba Hubba two person version. To MSR's credit they sent me a new rain fly when the original fly delaminated the first year, it just flaked apart. 10 years later the fly peeled apart again so I donated it. Always rinsed with just water, hang dry, and stored loose in cotton sacks. These days I use Tarptent single wall tents made in the U.S. My solo is a ProTrail model; my two person is the Double Rainbow model. They set up in one minute flat, dry in minutes, stable in wind and rain, and the build quality is excellent. Happy trails all!
I love the shorter pole sets for tents in general. It makes a huge difference with my Nemo hornet 2 Osmo. That tent doesn't have a bikepacking specific stuff sack but it does pack down so small I can put it in one of my rear panniers, horizontally if needed, which is my preference. Great, thoughtful review.
Nice work on this, Neil. Having tested the two-person mode, I agree with everything you've shared here. I see this as another big step forward for mainstream bikepacking gear and a reminder that smaller bag makers that have been at this for a while are damn good at their craft. I wonder if we'll see MSR offer proper bikepacking bags someday?
What mostly impresses me in these videos is your ability to do the ad read from memory and in one go. Maybe there’s some magic editing going on but delivery is flawless!
This is my third tent and I really like it. I agree with all the positive points highlighted in the video. The bar bag doesn’t bother me (drop bar) even on rough single tracks. I just don’t like the outside bag for the poles, it makes packing less easy and doesn’t add anything, I would prefer a slightly bigger bar bag to fit the poles inside (in addition to my inflatable mat like in the video). Overall I’m super satisfied and I have a nice feeling when setting up my tent at night.
I have this tent- I bought it to use backpacking or bike packing. I had the BA version and got rid of it because it was useless during high winds. While BA has superior pockets on the inside, I appreciate that MSR uses durable metal attachments and simple starightforward design compared to BA. One time I forgot extra guylines for the fly and I used a hairtye to guy out the non-rainfly side. It worked great lol. I'm 5.4 and the inside of this tent felt small to me, a taller person might feel crammed.
I use the Hilleberg Enan and the Soulo, but I'm considering the MSR 2-person Backpacking Tent as a Christmas gift for someone I know who likes MSR tents for casual camping with an e-MTB.
Still gotta go with my Big Agnes Tiger Wall 2 (Bike packing Edition). Lighter, better set-up and “Storage bag”. The defining factor-you can actually get someone at customer service to help you! Big Agnes doesn’t ignore or ghost you Like MSR !
Any sign of MSR releasing fir sale just the new shorter poles for us existing owners of the tent so they can take advantage of the reduced length whilst bike packing. Can you ask them please 🤞
As far as I know, MSR has announced a new version of the normal Hubba Hubba, which has some improvements. You can already get it from Rei. It is called Hubba Hubba LT 1 & 2.
Surprised you didn't mention the Durston X-mid tents; they are eminently suitable for bikepacking and give this a run for its money in terms of weight, price and spaciousness.
Yep, I like Tarptents these days for price, weight, size, ease of set-up, and quality build. Owned MSR Hubbas over decades of trips. Had a BA Copper Spur and gave it to a friend.
I have the 2p model and the lack of mesh sucks in warm and wet weather. I still like everything else about it except maybe that it's nylon instead of as poly blend.
The weight saving benefits of the handlebar bag can't be overlooked! For reference, Tailfin's new (small) handlebar bag weighs around 830 grams. This whole package with the tent included is 1.27kg. I feel I'm not only saving weight with mine but also the cost of a handlebar bag.
Yep, but it's a pretty poor-performing handlebar bag if we compare it to any other bar bag or harness. It works, but as Neil mentioned in the review, it has lots of room for improvement.
It seems like bikepacking version has more condensate than the standard Hubba Bubba NX version. This is definitely a disadvantage, because during bikepacking you don't have much time to dry the tent. The question is how big is this difference.
It really is a great tent, although I exchanged the one-person tent for a two-person tent. Just a little more space if you are tall and like me. The only downside is that I find the zippers a bit sensitive.
Worst tent I ever had in my life! Payed 415€ and leaking since first use, after few days it developed mysterious holes on bottom and sides , too hot for warm countries, space around arms is just to tight making it uncomfortable.... Etc... I hate it and will give it away !
Howdy, take a look at Tarptent models. I owned MSR Hubbas decades past when they were better quality. I switched to Tarptent made in US, take a look at Double Rainbow model. I also use the ProTrail model for solo. Happy trails.
I've owned two MSR tents over a 25 year period. The Hubba one person did two bicycle trips across the U.S., plus backpacking in the Eastern Sierras. They were heavier back then but very durable. I also had the MSR Hubba Hubba two person version. To MSR's credit they sent me a new rain fly when the original fly delaminated the first year, it just flaked apart. 10 years later the fly peeled apart again so I donated it. Always rinsed with just water, hang dry, and stored loose in cotton sacks. These days I use Tarptent single wall tents made in the U.S. My solo is a ProTrail model; my two person is the Double Rainbow model. They set up in one minute flat, dry in minutes, stable in wind and rain, and the build quality is excellent. Happy trails all!
I love the shorter pole sets for tents in general. It makes a huge difference with my Nemo hornet 2 Osmo. That tent doesn't have a bikepacking specific stuff sack but it does pack down so small I can put it in one of my rear panniers, horizontally if needed, which is my preference. Great, thoughtful review.
Nice work on this, Neil. Having tested the two-person mode, I agree with everything you've shared here. I see this as another big step forward for mainstream bikepacking gear and a reminder that smaller bag makers that have been at this for a while are damn good at their craft. I wonder if we'll see MSR offer proper bikepacking bags someday?
What mostly impresses me in these videos is your ability to do the ad read from memory and in one go. Maybe there’s some magic editing going on but delivery is flawless!
There is a reason you are seeing the video of the ad and not him speaking. It’s because he’s reading it.
This is my third tent and I really like it. I agree with all the positive points highlighted in the video. The bar bag doesn’t bother me (drop bar) even on rough single tracks. I just don’t like the outside bag for the poles, it makes packing less easy and doesn’t add anything, I would prefer a slightly bigger bar bag to fit the poles inside (in addition to my inflatable mat like in the video). Overall I’m super satisfied and I have a nice feeling when setting up my tent at night.
I have this tent- I bought it to use backpacking or bike packing. I had the BA version and got rid of it because it was useless during high winds. While BA has superior pockets on the inside, I appreciate that MSR uses durable metal attachments and simple starightforward design compared to BA. One time I forgot extra guylines for the fly and I used a hairtye to guy out the non-rainfly side. It worked great lol. I'm 5.4 and the inside of this tent felt small to me, a taller person might feel crammed.
I use the Hilleberg Enan and the Soulo, but I'm considering the MSR 2-person Backpacking Tent as a Christmas gift for someone I know who likes MSR tents for casual camping with an e-MTB.
Still gotta go with my Big Agnes Tiger Wall 2 (Bike packing Edition). Lighter, better set-up and “Storage bag”. The defining factor-you can actually get someone at customer service to help you! Big Agnes doesn’t ignore or ghost you Like MSR !
Any sign of MSR releasing fir sale just the new shorter poles for us existing owners of the tent so they can take advantage of the reduced length whilst bike packing. Can you ask them please 🤞
As far as I know, MSR has announced a new version of the normal Hubba Hubba, which has some improvements. You can already get it from Rei. It is called Hubba Hubba LT 1 & 2.
Big Agnes platinum copper spur for the win. Poles shorter than regular model too.
a strong point of this tent is the low viz drab color of the rain fly. no one needs a stand out, hi viz tent cover when touring.
Surprised you didn't mention the Durston X-mid tents; they are eminently suitable for bikepacking and give this a run for its money in terms of weight, price and spaciousness.
Yep, I like Tarptents these days for price, weight, size, ease of set-up, and quality build. Owned MSR Hubbas over decades of trips. Had a BA Copper Spur and gave it to a friend.
I do motorcycle camping and this is definitely on my list
I have the 2p model and the lack of mesh sucks in warm and wet weather. I still like everything else about it except maybe that it's nylon instead of as poly blend.
The weight saving benefits of the handlebar bag can't be overlooked! For reference, Tailfin's new (small) handlebar bag weighs around 830 grams. This whole package with the tent included is 1.27kg. I feel I'm not only saving weight with mine but also the cost of a handlebar bag.
Yep, but it's a pretty poor-performing handlebar bag if we compare it to any other bar bag or harness. It works, but as Neil mentioned in the review, it has lots of room for improvement.
It seems like bikepacking version has more condensate than the standard Hubba Bubba NX version. This is definitely a disadvantage, because during bikepacking you don't have much time to dry the tent. The question is how big is this difference.
It really is a great tent, although I exchanged the one-person tent for a two-person tent. Just a little more space if you are tall and like me. The only downside is that I find the zippers a bit sensitive.
8:23 Captions
I'll take it!
I miss the carbon Easton poles
👍👍👍👍👍👍🚲🚲🚲🚲
bim bam
Heavyyyyyyy
Not for a 1 person free standing tent, compared to others styles, yes.
toooooo expensive......
Worst tent I ever had in my life! Payed 415€ and leaking since first use, after few days it developed mysterious holes on bottom and sides , too hot for warm countries, space around arms is just to tight making it uncomfortable.... Etc... I hate it and will give it away !
Howdy, take a look at Tarptent models. I owned MSR Hubbas decades past when they were better quality. I switched to Tarptent made in US, take a look at Double Rainbow model. I also use the ProTrail model for solo. Happy trails.
Overpriced….