The Hubba Hubba LT Tent - A Closer Look
Jim MeyersSleeping in a tent is one of the great gifts of an outdoor lifestyle. From the hypnotic lull of light rain on the fly to finding that perfect clifftop campsite with a sunrise view from your sleeping bag, having a safe, dry place to spend the night, wherever you happen to be, makes being outside more fun.
In 2004, the Hubba Hubba tent was introduced for just that purpose, and it hit it out of the park. It became an overnight sensation with backpackers and thru-hikers, combining unprecedented livability, easy setup, light weight, and reliability better than any previous tent. Since then, it’s become one of the most popular tents ever made and has influenced the way nearly all backpacking shelters are made.
Of course, it didn’t become an icon by staying the same. Over the years, advances in engineering and materials have allowed MSR’s design team to refine the Hubba Hubba tents to meet the evolving needs of its biggest fans: people who want a tent that’s light enough for big days on the trail yet delivers the comfort they want when chilling out on a casual weekend with friends. In fact, the north star of the Hubba Hubba tents has always been to deliver surprising comfort and reliable protection at a weight that’s surprisingly easy to carry.
Fast forward 21 years and the latest iteration of the Hubba Hubba tent has arrived: the Hubba Hubba LT. Still available in 1, 2 and 3-person sizes, a mix of new technology and user demands has shaped the new Hubba Hubba LT tents into what they are: a step in a surprisingly new direction.
Wide Open Spaces
Most backpackers have always held weight and comfort as near equal priorities, but weight has been the main driver of nearly all tent design for decades. However, the chorus of voices saying, “My tent is light enough already! Can I have some space back?” has gained volume in recent years, and it’s really not that surprising. Air pad technology has made 4”-thick, extra-wide mattresses totally backpack-friendly, so we thought we’d pull a U-turn on the race to the lightest backpacking tent and make the most practical and comfortable one that you can actually enjoy.
That’s why you’ll find the Hubba Hubba LT has added room in every direction, from more headroom and steeper walls to a slightly larger footprint that accommodates those larger air pads and still leaves you room for gear. In fact, the Hubba Hubba LT 3 can actually fit four luxurious Therm-a-Rest® NeoLoft™ air pads horizontally. When we say “roomy”, we mean it.
What about weight? Don’t worry. We still know that weight is a big part of the equation, so the overall change in weight is just 2 ounces (.06 kg) and we didn’t have to take anything away to stay there. You still get easy access with two roomy doors and vestibules, kickstand-vented full-coverage rainfly, and so much more.
Along with a larger overall footprint for added floorspace, the pole hubs on the New Hubba Hubba LT have been raised, adding useable space to each end of the tent with steeper sidewalls for sitting up inside the tent.
More Ventilation
Another key change is the layout of the mesh and solid fabrics in the tent’s canopy. The balancing game here involves ventilation, privacy and warmth. More mesh increases ventilation but also decreases warmth and privacy. The Hubba Hubba LT strikes a balance with overhead mesh for maximum ventilation where condensation is most likely to occur, yet we’ve maintained privacy and slowed convective heat loss with solid panels down lower, protecting you while you sleep and get ready for the day. Used without a fly on warm nights, you’ll appreciate the full sky view and maximum air circulation while still enjoying a bug-free evening. Overall, the canopy design is engineered to provide maximum utility over the broadest range of temperatures possible.
Built to be Easy
A few other key upgrades aren’t as flashy but are significant all the same. First, you’ll notice new ultra-durable metal corner hardware and eight included Mini Groundhog tent stakes with each Hubba Hubba LT. Along with the super-simple hub and pole design, pitching these tents is fast and easy and can be done solo in a matter of minutes.
Inside, you’ll find future-proof pockets and gear lofts with convenient power cable ports and even a built-in clothesline for drying or storing gear, hanging a lantern or whatever you can dream up. And to keep packing up as easy as setting up, our new side-loading roll-top stuff sack with built-in compression straps will keep your morning easy and have you back on the trail in no time at all.
Built for the Future
In addition to all these great improvements that make the Hubba Hubba LT user-friendly, we’re continuing our efforts to make it as earth-friendly as possible, too. Notably, we’re proud to be shifting our fabrics over to solution-dyed. This means that rather than dying already-woven fabrics in giant dye baths, each fiber is dyed before it’s woven. This removes a lot of wastewater and energy consumption from production, cutting overall carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to conventionally dyed fabrics. 100% PFAS-free DWR coatings, light and strong DAC aluminum poles, and the dependability of MSR construction also means our tents stay out in the field longer, doing what they do best, and out of the landfill.
We’ve packed the new Hubba Hubba LT with more space and features for one reason: so you can have more fun in the backcountry. We’ve made them easy to set up, easy to live in, and easy to pack up—all with no significant weight change—so you can worry less about your gear and focus on what you left the trailhead for in the first place; having a great time away from it all.
Related Posts:
