Reviews > Shelters > Tents > MSR Hubba Hubba > Clifford Haynes > Initial Report

MSR
HUBBA HUBBA 
Fast And Light Tent
6/12/2004

Personal Stats:

Backpacking Background:
I am from and live in Maine. I have been hiking, backpacking, and canoe camping for over 45 years. I average 2 to 3 days a week in the woods year round.
Over the years I've used or tried a variety of different gear. When I joined Scouts as a boy, most of the boys my age didn't have backpacking gear, and their families didn't have money enough to buy it. So we had great fun making our own gear.
I can't really say that I have a backpacking style. I take what I need or want, depending upon what I plan to do on the outing. Even before my knees became a problem, I could never see being in a big rush. It is my opinion that camping is part of backpacking, and should be enjoyed at least as much as the hiking. In areas where there is a lot of hiker traffic, I tend to pack heavier in order to minimize impact. I just like being out in the woods, and exploring.

Product Information:

* as determined by tester from test tent

Product Description:
The MSR Hubba Hubba Fast and Light Tent is a double wall, free standing, two person tent. The modular design of the Hubba Hubba allows the tent to be used in several different configurations. The lightest configuration is the rain fly and poles alone, essentially a freestanding tarp. An optional foot print can be added to the fly / pole configuration which provides the user protection from the ground (a floor). The Hubba Hubba's heaviest configuration is as a double walled tent with the optional footprint providing additional protection to the tents main body floor.

Main Body:
The Hubba Hubba's main body consists of a rectangular red coated nylon floor tub and black micro mesh netting upper shell. There are metal grommets in each (outside) corner of the floor tub, into which the ends of the >----< shaped pole are inserted. There are ten plastic clips sewn into the reinforced seams of the micromesh screen to attach the tent body to the pole skeleton. A second short pole is placed across the main pole and into grommets in the top of the mesh to spread the roof of the tent.  When the pole ends have been inserted into the grommets, the pole skeleton is >--|--< shaped and quite ridged. There is a zipper D shaped door on one side of the micromesh main body which can be rolled and held open by a toggle and ring arrangement.  In each end of the main body there is a large mesh pocket.

The Fly:
The burnt orange fly is made from 30-denier ripstop nylon with PU (polyurethane) and silicon coating. Like the Hubba Hubba's main body, the fly also has 6 grommets which are slid over the ends of the tent poles to hold the fly in place. The vestibule is created by staking out the back and front of the tent. The vestibule can be rolled back and held open (rolled up) by a toggle and ring (much nicer and less hassle than just ties). As previously mentioned the fly can be used in a tarp arrangement without the Hubba Hubba's main body. 

The Poles:
The poles are Featherlite SL by DAC, and have a lifetime guarantee. The main pole assembly is 14 pole sections and two hubs shock corded together. When the main pole section is extended (snapped together), it forms a >-----< shape. The second pole assembly is three pole sections shock corded together and slightly arched. The pole ends that pass though the tents grommets have knobs machined into then to keep the grommet from sliding off the pole ends.

Tent Pegs:
MSR provided six tent pegs with the Hubba Hubba. The pegs are lightweight aluminum and about 6.25 in (15.8 cm) long.

Initial Report:

The MSR Fast and Light Hubba Hubba arrived on 6/4/2004. My initial impression upon seeing the shipping box was that the tent must be huge. I was relieved to find that the tent was only one half the size of the shipping box. I removed the Hubba Hubba from it's stuff sack for an initial inspection. The main stuff sack contained the main tent body, the tent fly, a pole bag (containing the two FeatherliteSL pole assemblies and a pole repair sleeve), and a peg bag (containing six MSR tent pegs, an MSR Fast and Light Owner's Manual, guy-out line and metal slide tensioned, and an MSR decal). The three stuff sacks are closed with pucker strings and plastic toggles. My inspection did not reveal any shipping damage or manufacturer defects.

The Hubba Hubba appears to be very well made and of high quality material. The material and fasteners are more substantial than I had expected. The seams appear straight and properly aligned. The grommets appear to be heavy duty and properly seated. I also inspected the zippers and found that they operated smoothly and had no damaged or missing teeth.

First Setup:
Setup instructions for the MSR Hubba Hubba are sewn to a flap in top of the tent's stuff sack. There are instructions for complete tent setup, and fly only setup. The instructions are in my opinion easy to follow and understand.

Setting up complete tent:

1. Select a level site, clear of sharp stones or debris, which will drain if it rains.
2. Spread out tent with floor on the ground and stake corners tightly.*
3. Unfold poles allowing shock cord to pull pole sections completely together. Insert poles into hub connector. Smooth face of hub should face out from tent.
4. Using the hub pole, insert tips of the two short end sections of pole into grommets of one end of tent floor then the other end.
5. Attach clips to pole along length of tent.
6. Insert short cross pole into one grommet at midpoint of tent ceiling, span it across long pole, and insert into grommet on other side. Attach remaining clips to this pole.
7. Lay rain fly over tent, attaching midpoint fly grommets to short cross pole. Slide adjustable loop grommets under the ends of the poles at all four corners.
8. Pull out vestibule until taut and stake down.

* In my opinion, if the wind isn't blowing too hard,  it is much easier to set up the tent if I don't stake it down until after the tent is set up.

Fly Only Setting up:

1. Unfold poles allowing shock cord to pull pole sections completely together and insert poles into hub connectors.
2. Spread out fly on the ground with MSR logo in reverse (printed side up) and lay long pole on top with smooth face of hubs toward fly.
3. Insert short cross pole into grommets at midpoint of fly.
4. Insert short ends of long pole into two grommets at one end, flex pole into a curve so that tent is upside down. and repeat on other end of fly. Pole should be inside the curve of the fly.
5. Optional: Attach optional footprint by slipping grommets over pole ends.
6. Anchor shelter to the ground with stakes.*

*Apparently it is assumer that the user will turn the shelter over right side up before staking it down.

I set the tent up and took it down several times in both configurations and without difficulty. I did find that it was easier for me to set the tent up, if I didn't stake the tent down until after it was completely set up. I also found that the grommets are easier to put on the pole ends than they are to get off. I got into the tent and tried it on for size. I found it roomy and airy (with one flap of the vestibule open). I am looking forward to getting the Hubba Hubba out into the field for some overnight testing.

In my opinion the description of the Hubba Hubba on the MSR web site are very good, and I had no surprises, other than perhaps the color of the fly. The burnt orange fly isn't quite as bright (as orange) as it appears in the web page.

Test Plan:

I will be using the MSR Hubba Hubba backpacking, canoe camping and kayak camping mostly with my wife and occasionally with my son. These trips will take place in western and northern Maine. I plan to use it during as many different conditions as possible. I plan to verify that in my opinion it meets MSR's claims.

For example:

• Is it Spacious, does the unique pole configuration provides maximum interior space plus a large vestibule.
• Is it Quick and Easy Setup? How about in the wind or after dark? Are the pieces easy to loose while setting up?
• How practical and useable is the Hubba Hubba? Versatility? (Use as a double-wall tent for full protection or in two freestanding tarp-shelter modes with and without optional footprint)
• Does the vestibule area provide dry entry, adequate gear storage, and a covered food-prep area?
• Does the door/rain fly really provide no-drop entry, and can I really leave the door open in light weather and stay dry?

I also plan to determine if in my opinion the Hubba Hubba satisfies the requirements I look for when purchasing a three-season tent:

• Will it keep me dry during three-season use?
• Will it keep out the black flies and no-see-ums?
• Durability: Is the tents durability consistent with its weight? At 4 pounds I want lots of durability.
• Is there adequate ventilation to minimize condensation when 2 people sleep in this tent?
• Is it reasonable easy to keep clean? Can I easily brush or shake out the dirt that inevitable gets tracked in?
• Will it stay standing if the wind is blowing?
• Is there really room for my backpacking companion and myself?
• Is the vestibule large enough for me to brew up my morning get me going cup of whatever on those cold wet mornings when I don't want to leave my sleeping bag?
• Most importantly, does the tent do all of the previously mentioned things well enough to make it worth carrying it's weight?

Reviews > Shelters > Tents > MSR Hubba Hubba > Clifford Haynes > Initial Report