MSR Hubba Hubba HD 2P Backpacking Tent Review
The MSR Hubba Hubba HD 2P ($599) is a burly new iteration of the brand’s well-known Hubba Hubba line. The HD (“Heavy Duty”) trades the minimalist weight and ventilation of the Hubba Hubba LT for a more durable, warmer build. The results are impressive: We’re fans of the HD’s livable space, ability to extend your backpacking into the shoulder season, and dialed storage options. You’ll have to compromise by carrying its increased weight, though.
Interior Space
Weight & Packed Size
Weather Protection
Durability
Ease of Use
Sustainability
Design Type
Freestanding
Packaged weight
3 lb. 15 oz.
Floor Area
31.8 sq. ft.
Floor dimensions
88 x 52 in.
Peak height
40 in.
Floor Fabric
30D nylon
Capacities
1, 2, 3P
Pros
Cons
MSR Hubba Hubba HD 2
For this season's top models, see our guide to the Best Backpacking Tents.
The MSR Hubba Hubba LT is one of our favorite tents when it comes to roominess and livability, and the Hubba Hubba HD has pretty much the same accommodating layout. The floor is a true rectangle, and it fits two regular sleeping pads with room to spare. Most 2-person tents I’ve used feel like they barely allow two sleepers to peacefully coexist, but the HD is different: With 32 square feet of floor space (same as the Hubba Hubba LT and more than the Nemo Dagger Osmo 2P and the Big Agnes Copper UL2, which come in at 30.6 sq. ft. and 29 sq. ft., respectively), it can fit two pads with plenty of room at the sides and foot; I think you could even make two wide pads work (with a listed 52-in. width, it’d be tight but likely doable). The best way I can describe the HD is that it feels like a 2.5-person tent.
Its wall shape helps, too. They’re more vertical at the doors and slope nearer to the ends of the tent, which keeps the usable space feeling generous where you actually need it—the middle of the shelter. The 40-inch peak height is similarly impressive (although it’s not as tall as the Dagger, at 43 in., or the Sea to Summit Telos TR2, at 43.5 in.). We could sit upright with two people side by side without our shoulders touching, and my 6-foot-3 camping partner had plenty of space above his head. We were able to change clothes and do little camp tasks inside without constantly knocking into each other, which is not something I can say about a lot of lightweight 2-person shelters.
Storage and vestibule space are also major highlights of the Hubba Hubba HD 2, which makes sense for a tent that’s designed partly to keep you from going crazy in bad weather. There are two rows of large mesh pockets that run the length of the head and foot, and they swallow a surprising amount of stuff without sagging. We put layers, electronics, toiletries, and assorted small items in there, and it all stayed organized. On top of that, there are two small overhead pockets intended for headlamps. The two vestibules (8.3 sq. ft. each) housed our boots, a backpack each, and other items without forcing us to play Tetris, and their size feels comparable to that of other competitors.
With an all-in packaged weight of 3 pounds 15 ounces, the HD 2 lands on the heavier end of the true backpacking tent spectrum. That’s all relative, of course, and this isn’t a “heavy” tent in the traditional sense. It’s 9 ounces heavier than the standard Hubba Hubba LT, 15 ounces above the Big Agnes Copper Spur, and matches the highly livable Nemo Dagger Osmo. You can mostly chalk the HD’s weight up to thicker fabrics and more solid material in its canopy than the mesh of its lighter counterparts. That’s all in the name of warmth and durability, which makes sense for this tent.
For my own preferences, that weight-for-durability trade feels worth it when I want toughness over absolute minimum ounces. If I’m going fast and light and counting every gram, something like the Copper Spur UL2 or the Big Agnes Tiger Wall makes more sense. But if I’m picking between the HD and the Dagger OSMO, I’ll reach for the Hubba Hubba—especially if I’ll be sleeping on rough ground or encountering particularly nasty weather. The HD’s durability and features feel like smart compromises for its bulk.
Packed size is also better than I expected for a heavy-duty tent. The HD compresses to about 19 by 5 by 5 inches, and the stuff sack design is excellent. Its opening runs down the entire length, so stuffing the tent is easy. It then rolls up and compresses with two straps that cinch it down and divide it into thirds. I loved this design. It’s one of the easiest and most convenient stuff sacks I’ve used, and it makes packing up feel less fiddly than with most backpacking tents.
I got a real taste of this tent’s weather chops on a four-day trip in the Wallowas in eastern Oregon, where we ran into regular afternoon thunderstorms. The Hubba Hubba HD handled short bursts of heavy rain and high winds without issue. Structurally, this tent is sturdy in a way that a lot of lightweight backpacking tents just aren’t. Its pole structure feels solid and not prone to bending in wind, and the tent body material feels thicker than most shelters I’ve used. The HD comes with six guylines pre-attached and has multiple additional attachment points if you want to batten it down even more. In storms, the whole shelter felt more rigid and confidence-inspiring than thinner, more flexible tents.
The HD’s fly coverage is also exemplary, and MSR upgraded the waterproof coating on the fabric from the standard LT (the fly is rated at 3000mm for the HD vs. 1200mm for the LT). Noticeably high bathtub walls and the aforementioned lack of big mesh panels also help turn this shelter into a watertight refuge. That’s not the dream setup for ventilation, but in wet conditions, I appreciated that no moisture was blowing into my sleeping area.
Finally, the HD is quite a bit warmer than other backpacking tents I’ve slept in, which is great for shoulder season adventuring. The second trip I took it on was a fall larch-peeping hike in the North Cascades, where nighttime lows dropped into the low 30s. In those temps, the decreased venting and solid inner body helped the tent feel warmer at night. I remained comfortable for the entire trip, and compared to tents like the Dagger and the Copper Spur, the Hubba Hubba HD just feels much more protective overall.
From first pitch, the floor, body, and fly fabrics felt noticeably tougher than typical lightweight backpacking tents. The fly and canopy utilize a 20-denier ripstop nylon, while the floor is a moderately thicker 30-denier coated nylon. The HD’s limited mesh helps here, too; there’s less surface area for you to accidentally catch and tear that more delicate material. The HD has held up perfectly as I’ve camped on a variety of rocky terrain, including sharp and slabby rock surfaces. Compared to shelters like the Copper Spur UL2, which you have to treat with much more care in the field, the Hubba Hubba HD simply feels more durable.
The only real issue I ran into was that one of the included stakes bent on the first outing, when I used a rock to drive it into hard dirt. Beyond that, everything has held up extremely well, including the guy-line attachment points and the poles. At $599 ($50 more than the LT version), I think it’s worth the money—especially when you consider you’ll be able to use it for many hiking seasons.
The MSR Hubba Hubba HD is a freestanding tent, and setup is straightforward and fast. It has a hubbed pole structure, and to pitch the shelter, you assemble the pole, insert the ends into the corner grommets, clip the tent body on, stake out corners, then throw the fly over the top. I especially liked that the tent’s symmetrical shape means that you don’t have to worry about which pole sections go towards the head or the foot. One nitpick is that because you have to pitch the tent body first, you leave the interior more vulnerable to moisture entering if you’re setting it up in a storm.
The HD’s fly attachment is the one unique part of its setup, and it ended up being a genuine upgrade. Instead of standard buckles or loops, it uses a novel bit of hardware: a T-shaped metal piece at the tent corner slots into an anvil-shaped metal hole on the fly, which locks it in. Once in place, you can tension the fly evenly and precisely at all four corners. It took me a second to clock what was happening, but it was quick to learn, and I liked that the corner fly connection felt less prone to getting gritty and jammed up than some buckle systems.
My first setup took about three minutes at a relaxed pace. With familiarity (or with a second person), it goes even faster. Take-down is equally simple: Put the stakes in the included stake bag, take the fly off, deconstruct the canopy, then roll it all into that excellent stuff sack. My sample didn’t include instructions, but it was also an unreleased tent sample, so that may change.
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Besides weight, ventilation is the Hubba Hubba HD’s main tradeoff, but I’d call it a deliberate one rather than a flaw. The tent handled moisture control well for a durability- and warmth-focused design, and on my four-day Wallowas trip, despite daily thunderstorms, I didn’t experience noticeable condensation issues inside. The small mesh portions and high bathtub walls don’t move air like a mesh-heavy tent, but they also kept wind-blown dust out and heat in, which I appreciated.
In the North Cascades, where lows dipped into the low 30s, the reduced venting actually made the tent feel warmer and cozier at night. The small head and foot vents provided enough airflow to keep things from feeling stuffy without dumping heat. It’s still a double-walled shelter, after all, so things will likely never get as drippy as the inside of a single-wall trekking pole shelter. Technique matters, though, and my best results came from keeping the fly vents open whenever weather allowed, staking the fly out as wide as possible, and opening the doors for quick airflow when it was dry. With that setup, I didn’t see problematic condensation on either trip.
Interior Storage
Pocket space is one of the HD’s standout qualities. It has two huge mesh pockets at both the head and foot; they span the tent’s entire width and can hold an impressive amount of gear. They’re the largest, most useful pockets I’ve seen in a tent, and are complemented by two smaller overhead pockets. I felt genuinely organized whenever I slept in this tent.
Vestibules
The HD’s two vestibules measure 8.3 square feet each, which proved to be plenty for our needs. We were easily able to fit our boots and packs under the fly with plenty of room to spare. However, the HD’s vestibules are smaller than the Copper Spur’s (9 sq. ft. each), as well as the ultra-spacious Dagger’s (a whopping 12.1 sq. ft.).
MSR Hubba Hubba LT 2 ($550): The Lighter Little Brother
Like the HD, the Hubba Hubba LT 2 is one of our favorite backpacking tents for livability. It also has a rectangular floor plan and the same floor area (32 sq. ft.), with a 40-inch peak height. Where these two tents diverge is in their weight and burliness. The LT features much more mesh and thinner materials (particularly at the floor), and comes in 9 ounces lighter. Its space-to-weight ratio is above average, and this is a shelter for ultralight-curious backpackers who don’t want to compromise much on livability. However, its less durable nylon build needs taking care of, and it won’t match up to heavy storms as well as the HD will. (The LT is also more breathable, but less warm.) These are both great, spacious tents, and your choice will come down to how far you usually hike and how cold your nights get. For more, read our Hubba Hubba LT 3 review.
Nemo Dagger Osmo 2P ($600): Hold Your Head High
The Dagger Osmo 2P exists in the same “light but not ultralight” backpacking tent space as the Hubba Hubba HD. Its packaged weight is the same as the HD’s, but its floor space is surprisingly lower. The Dagger has a 30.6-square-foot layout, but it balances that out with a cavernous 43-inch peak height (the HD’s is only 40) and massive vestibules, which check in at 12.1 square feet each. Storage is better on the HD, but both of these shelters offer excellent, dependable protection in wind and rain (like the HD’s fly material, the Dagger’s Osmo fabric is designed to stand tall even in torrential downpours). If you want more headroom, choose the Osmo; if elbow space is more your speed, go with the HD. For more, check out our review of the Dagger Osmo 2P.
The heavy-duty version of this popular tent line ups the ante in terms of weather protection and toughness. For adventuring into the shoulder seasons, the Hubba Hubba HD's added warmth and waterproofing are a plus, though it can get stuffy in the heat.
Interior Space
Weight & Packed Size
Weather Protection
Durability
Ease of Use
Sustainability
The Hubba Hubba LT 3 is our favorite high-capacity design, with a versatile layout that’s roomy for three and workable for a family of four. The tent is airy and features standout interior storage, but the thin fabrics and high price tag make it best for committed backpackers.
Interior Space
Weight & Packed Size
Weather Protection
Durability
Ease of Use
Sustainability
The Nemo Dagger is made for hikers who want to max out backcountry comfort. The tent doesn’t levy too harsh of a weight tax, considering the room it provides, and it’s a well-constructed model. Its high price tag would fit better on a lighter design, though.
Interior Space
Weight & Packed Size
Weather Protection
Durability
Ease of Use
Sustainability
Is the Hubba Hubba HD for You?
If you want a backpacking tent that feels legitimately spacious for two people and you’re willing to carry a bit more weight to get a tougher, more storm-confident shelter, the MSR Hubba Hubba HD 2P is an easy recommendation. It’s especially well-suited to colder shoulder-season trips or outings where you’ll be heading into a rainstorm. If your trips skew toward peak-summer heat or ultralight mileage goals, you’ll probably be happier with a more ventilated, lighter shelter. But for the backpacker who values durability, warmth, and livability over shaving every ounce, this tent feels like it’s built for the long haul.
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