MSR Hubba Hubba NX review: Lightweight, airy backpacking tent for two on the trail

If you’re in the market for a best backpacking tent for all your three-season adventures, the MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2-person tent is a stupendous choice that’s super light, extra spacious, amazingly airy and impeccably well designed throughout.

Nestling at the intersection between lightweight portability and generous comfort, the award-winning MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2-person tent has become a go-to option for a myriad of backpacking adventurers, and there are good reasons for this because good money spent on a tent invariably equates to superior materials, expert fit and finish, a plethora of innovative design details and top-flight performance in most weathers.

As a reviewer of many outdoor products from camping gear to garden machinery, I’m in a very fortunate position to be able to see, feel and experience the differences between a product that occupies a budget space and one that sits in the upper echelons of very high-end materials and exceptional build quality.

So yes, you pay a lot more for an MSR, Hilleberg, Nortent, Big Agnes or Fjällräven product but you really do get what you pay for. Small wonder so many discerning backpackers usually opt for these brands when looking for a tent that is unlikely to let them down when the heavens open and the wind gets angry.

Here’s my review of the Hubba Hubba NX 2-person backpacking tent.

MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2-Person Backpacking Tent review

Price and availability

The MSR Hubba Hubba NX is available pretty much the world over but if you live in the UK, your easiest bricks-and-mortar port of call is Go Outdoors where this tent retails at £560 or £469 for members. Alternatively, visit Cotswold Outdoor (£474.99), Ellis Brigham (476), Amazon (£476) and Trekkit (£476).

Stateside dwellers should have no issue getting hold of the Hubba Hubba though we should point out that the tent is labelled LT in the States as opposed to NX. Try Cascade Designs (MSR’s parent company) where it sells for $549.95 or REI Co-op Shop where it’s retailing for the same price.

Specifications

• Seasons: 3-season
• Style: Dome
• Sleeps: 2
• Pack size: 46 x 15cm / 18 x 6 inches
• Pack weight: 1.72kg (3 lb 7 oz)
• Floor area: 2.7m² (29 sq feet)
• Vestibule area: 1.62m² (17.5 sq ft)
• Peak height: 100cm (39.4 in)
• Canopy Fabric: 20D ripstop nylon Durashield polyurethane & silicone
• Floor fabric: 30D ripstop nylon DuraShield polyurethane & DWR
• Rainfly Hydrostatic Head: 1,200mm
• Floor Hydrostatic Head: 3,000 mm

Pitching process

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The MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2 is categorised as a freestanding tent which means it’s pitched inner first. The beauty of being freestanding is that, once the inner tent has been pitched, the entire inner section can be simply lifted and placed onto a suitable spot that isn’t too hindered by stones or sharp vegetation. Then it’s simply a case of adding the flysheet and pegging it down. Job done. Unless, of course you’re forced to pitch it in the rain, in which case you can be sure that the inner tent will get wet, and that’s a bad thing if your camping trip happens to coincide with a bout of unreliable weather. Nevertheless, in its favour, this tent is very quick and easy to pitch so chances are that most users would likely escape any rain-swept scenarios.

Let’s start at the beginning. The MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2-person tent comes with an inner fly, a rainfly, a one-piece double Y-shaped pole system and six small but robust aluminium stakes. It all arrives in an oversized waterproof ripstop bag so you can be sure everything will fit back in with space to spare when hastily packing up. This is an invaluable asset because no mortal on Earth has ever been able to fold up and pack away a tent as well as a factory worker. Here’s the process…

Step 1: Lay down and peg the optional and highly recommended footprint (if you have one).

Step 2: Lay the inner tent on top of it and peg it down using the footprint pegs.

Step 3: Grab the one-piece aluminium pole section and carefully unfurl it making sure that all elasticated connectors are firmly in position with no gaps – gaps cause breakages.

Step 4: Start with one corner of the Y shape and insert the silver nub into the hole in the inner-tent’s red aluminium connector. Now do the adjacent corner followed by the two connectors on the other side of the inner. The poles will easily bend but be sure to bend them carefully. Before the next step, ensure that the cross strut is above the main pole of the tent and not below or its exceptional rigidity could be compromised in strong wind.

Step 5: Attach all plastic clips to the inner tent.

Step 6: Grab the outer rainfly and drape it over the inner so the rainfly’s colour-coded grey and red nylon straps correspond to the colours on the inner tent’s straps. Clip the outer fly’s straps to the bottom of the inner tent’s poles and then awkwardly clip the ends of the centre cross strut into each connector on the rainfly’s roof section. Finish off by pulling on all the nylon straps to add tension to the fly.

Step 7: Guy out the two vestibules. And that’s it.

I’d say the whole process took me about five minutes and a little longer when it was windy. For the record, you can also pitch this tent outer-fly only when in very hot weather but you won’t have a groundsheet to sleep on unless you’ve invested in the waterproof footprint. Personally, I see no reason to do this unless using the outer fly only as a means to store large amounts of gear. After all, not using the inner tent at all will be an open invitation to every critter to pop inside to share your sleeping space.

If it’s really bucketing down, it is possible to pitch the Hubba Hubba’s rainfly first and then crawl inside to attach the inner tent, but it’s a bit of a rigmarole. Still, where needs must…

Design

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American outdoor gear manufacturer MSR (Mountain Safety Research) was founded in 1969, originally with a focus on mountaineering safety equipment. However, the company is perhaps best known for the quality of its one-to-three person lightweight tents that have gained a strong reputation among backpackers, bikepackers, climbers and expedition teams for their thoughtful design, lightweight construction and ability to withstand demanding conditions.

The highly-regarded and extremely popular dome-shaped Hubba Hubba NX is available in two colours – military green and light grey. Green is the most popular colour in the UK, mostly because it’s less noticeable when wild camping. However, for purposes of this review, I called in the grey option because a) it would be more suitable for photography purposes and b) it looks blooming fantastic.

When it comes to the inner tent, both variants share the same colour coordination of red and white ripstop material punctuated by a huge amount of no-see-‘em mesh that fills in the gaps above and to the sides. If used without the outer tent in warm, fine weather, this glorious swathe of mesh creates an extremely light and airy ambience while also providing a magnificent 360˚ daytime view or a spot of night-time star-gazing – and all without the risk of being harassed by insects. From a practicality point of view, you get two wide mesh pockets positioned at the head and foot of the tent, plus a couple of toggles above for hanging a camping lamp or attaching a clothes line.

At 1.72 kilos, the 3-season Hubba Hubba might not be the lightest 2-person backpacking tent on the market but its superbly ventilated 2.7m2 rectangular living space certainly makes it one of the most spacious. In fact, at 213cm in length and 126cm in width, the bedroom section easily accommodates two standard 50 x 180cm inflatable sleeping mats with a decent amount of elbow room and more than enough length to house a six-footer. At 1m in height, the inner also provides ample headroom without having to move around in a hunched posture.

Also, the addition of two entrances – one on either side – makes it so much easier for individuals to enter and exit the tent without having to crawl over each other. And because each entrance is provided with a good-sized 1.62m2 vestibule, both occupants get to store their belongings within easy reach.

Nevertheless, despite being designed for two people – with more internal space than much of the competition – many backpackers and trekkers have bought this 2-person variant for solo 3-season camping since it offers loads of symmetrical room for one person and all their belongings while being light enough for one person to carry.

Features and innovations

I’ve got to say that the Hubba Hubba NX feels extremely robust for a tent in this weight class and much of that is due to the twin pole hub system, from which the tent gets its name. As explained in the Pitching chapter above, the Hubba Hubba NX uses a single DAC Featherlite NFL aluminium pole system that snaps together to form the shape of a double Y, with a single cross member for extra rigidity. This system not only makes the Hubba Hubba NX extraordinarily easy to pitch, but when the inner tent’s plastic clips are connected to various points of the pole structure and the rainfly has been draped across and pegged down, it creates a taut dome shape that’s flexible enough to withstand strong wind gusts without collapsing in on itself. Being of freestanding design, the whole caboodle can also be picked up and placed wherever you like.

The inner tent uses 20 denier ripstop nylon but this won’t make a great deal of difference if it should start to rain while using the inner without the rainfly because there’s so much fine mesh included that any rain that did fall would surely penetrate very easily. On the plus side, the tent’s deep bathtub-shaped groundsheet has a hydrostatic head of 3,000mm and is constructed using a highly water-resistant 30 denier ripstop nylon with a DuraShield polyurethane & DWR (Durable Water Repellent) coating.

However, while the tent’s groundsheet is exceedingly waterproof and durable, I would wholeheartedly recommend adding the Universal 2 Person Regular Footprint to the shopping list because it adds extra protection against sharp stones, twigs and spiny thistles while keeping the base of the tent itself cleaner when packing it up.

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Let’s take a look at the very thin and extremely lightweight rainfly, the part that actually keeps you protected from the elements. MSR has opted to use 20 denier ripstop nylon coated in Durashield polyurethane and silicone for very effective waterproofness. Yes, its advertised hydrostatic head of 1,200mm may seem paltry compared to other tents with a hydrostatic head of 3,000mm and higher, but rest assured that MSR’s polyurethane and silicone coatings really do a remarkable job of keeping water out without compromising on extra weight. I know, I tested it.

Once fully erect, the Hubba Hubba resembles a large igloo with a triangular vestibule on either side. Both vestibules are unzipped diagonally and rolled up and cinched out of the way to create a decent sized portal that’s easy to get in and out of without having to crawl on all fours. Moreover, each zip on the rainfly has a centimetre of material overhang above it that serves as a gutter for porting rainwater away. But it doesn’t end there because if you undo the other side of the vestibules that are attached to the outer pegs, you can also roll them back to create a panoramic view with oodles of ventilation on hot days.

Being a 3-season model, the bottom section of the rainfly is gently scalloped upwards between each guy point to allow for increased ventilation and therefore less condensation (four-season tent rainflies are always flush with the ground to keep snow out at the expense of increased condensation).

Given that this is a very high-end tent designed for lightweight backpacking and trekking, clever design flourishes abound, including top-quality plastic clips for the inner tent, aluminium peg points, adjustable pull straps for increasing tension in the outer shell, thin but very robust guy lines, expert stitching throughout and extra material at all stress points.

Personally, I’m a huge fan of this model's inner tent system since it provides the option to sleep with no outer fly during fine weather while providing an amazing amount of ventilation when used with the outer fly. Of course, the downside to all this is that, even with the outer rainfly in situ, the tent may feel a bit cooler in chilly weather – like we often have here in autumn in the UK. But on the other hand, when it comes to hot summer camping, it won’t feel remotely stuffy, airless or claustrophobic.

Having reviewed countless mid-priced tents that sell for well below this model’s price point, I can absolutely see why one has to pay extra bucks for a premium tent of this nature. Backpacking, trekking and other outdoor adventures require hauling your own gear and that gear needs to be as light as possible without compromising on durability, efficiency and functionality. The MSR Hubba Hubba NX ticks all the right boxes in this regard.

Performance

I trialed this backpacker overnight on the edge of a field and gave it a waterproofing test in my garden. I absolutely adore its airy, spacious design, especially when the outer fly isn’t used. In fact, I can only imagine how brilliant it would be to have this tent pitched in a spot with a stunning view because the sleeping capsule’s huge swathe of mesh creates amazing ambience with a near panoramic view of the sky and most of the landscape around it. And all without the risk of being bitten by insects.

In terms of inner space, this one offers a lot more room than the Nemo Dragonfly OSMO I reviewed in 2024, mostly because it is perfectly rectangular with no tapering at one end. The sides, too, are steeply raked to provide more space to move around without feeling cocooned.

I tested it using the excellent Rab Stratosphere 5.5 and Big Agnes Rapide SL insulated sleeping mats and there was ample space on either side without having one’s body pressed up against the sidewalls. However, I would personally advise using this tent for one person, simply because it provides so much interior space without weighing too much for one person to carry. You can thank me later.

I also rate the Hubba Hubba’s two vestibules very highly since they provide loads of storage space for a large backpack and, more importantly, they allow occupants to leave and enter the tent without having to crawl over each other. You also get two storage pockets on either end which make it easy to reach for a torch, phone, Kindle, what have you. And if you look above, you’ll see a couple of attachments for a rechargeable lantern like the perfectly formed Biotite Alpengow Mini or a self-fashioned clothes line.

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MSR states a hydrostatic head rating of 1,200mm for the fly and this is quite a bit lower than others in the 3-season category. However, MSR’s waterproofing includes the magic properties of silicone (as used extensively by premium Swedish tent manufacturer Hilleberg) so I’m very confident that this tent will hold out well in a long downpour or even a short torrential one.

Put another way, I personally have had zero issues with any water leakage and I tested this using a garden hose sprinkler for ten full minutes. The water simply beaded off the tarp and made good use of the stitched-in gutters that run the length of the two vestibule zippers. Inside, everything was perfectly dry with absolutely no issues to report.

If the Hubba Hubba NX’s waterproofing was impressive, its wind resistance was even more so since my water test happened to coincide with some 28mph gusts and it just sat there without even budging. My guess is it would easily withstand gusts of up to 40mph and possibly more. However, as mentioned above, its rigidity in high wind is dependent on the position of the tent’s centrally-located cross strut which must be placed above the main pole and not underneath it. It’s also good practice to ensure that the fabrics of both the rainfly and inner tent are pulled taut using the four pegging straps.

Comfort wise, I’ve been extremely impressed by the light and wonderfully airy ambience of the grey-coloured variant I received. If you opt for the green model you can expect a much darker interior which in turn would make it easier to have a lie in when the sun’s on the rise.

Crucially, at no point did I notice any excessive condensation and I put that down to the huge amount of mesh in the inner tent, the two ventilation ports on either end and the scalloped exterior of the rainfly.

Last word. It’s always such a pleasure reviewing a product that is exceedingly well designed using high-end materials with faultless fit and finish – and that’s the 2-person MSR Hubba Hubba NX in a nutshell. This little two-person home-from-home truly rocks.

Verdict

The handsome-looking MSR Hubba Hubba NX strikes an excellent balance between liveability and weight for three-season backpackers and weekenders. With its excellent headroom, two roomy vestibules and wide mesh panels for ventilation and overall ambience, this tent offers great comfort without excessive bulk. In short, if you value space and weight savings over all-out ruggedness, this one is most definitely in the top tier of suitable contenders.