MSR Hubba Hubba NX Review: The Do-Everything Backpacking Tent

The Specs

• Weight: 3 lbs 14 oz (1.76 kg) complete with stakes and poles
• Dimensions: 217 x 104 x 96 cm (7'1" x 3'5" x 3'2")
• Capacity: 2-person (sleeps 2, stores 2)
• Floor area: 215 sq ft (2 sq meters)
• Seasons: 3-season (spring through fall)
• Materials: 20D ripstop nylon floor, 30D polyester taffeta walls, aluminum poles
• Price: $480 MSRP (often $420-450 on sale)

What It Does Well

Reasonable weight without sacrifice

At 3 lbs 14 oz for a complete two-person shelter, the Hubba Hubba NX sits in the Goldilocks zone. It's heavier than ultralight offerings like the Big Agnes Fly Creek HV (2 lbs 7 oz) but lighter than car-camping tents by 2+ pounds. For a three-season tent with a vestibule on both ends, a bathtub floor, and bug netting, this weight is competitive without requiring you to obsess over saving ounces.

Two vestibules actually matter

Most two-person backpacking tents have one vestibule. The Hubba Hubba NX has two—one on each end. This design spreads gear storage and entry/exit pressure. If one person has to leave at 3am, they don't disturb the other. You can cook near the tent on either side depending on wind direction. Small feature, meaningful comfort gain.

Robust construction and durability

MSR builds this tent for rental shops and guide services where gear needs to survive hundreds of nights. The floor is bathtub-style (walls extend 10+ inches up), fabrics are treated for UV and water resistance, and the pole sleeves accommodate thick shock-cord poles without fraying. Field repairs are straightforward with common patches and spare stakes.

Where It Falls Short

Not designed for winter or extreme conditions

This is a three-season tent. The low peak height (3'2"), single-layer roof, and condensation management rely on ventilation. Snow loads above 10 inches risk collapse. Cold nights with moisture create interior icing. If you camp in winter or alpine conditions regularly, you need a four-season design with thicker fabrics.

Peak height limits standing room

At 96 cm high, you can't stand upright inside. This matters less on short trips but becomes noticeable on longer rain days. Taller users will feel confined. The trade-off is aerodynamic profile and lighter weight—but it's worth acknowledging if you're tall or planning extended trips.

Who Should Buy This

The Hubba Hubba NX fits backpackers who take 2-5 night trips in spring through fall, prioritize balanced performance over extremes, and value two-person comfort without obsessing over ounces. If you hike maintained trails, camp at established sites, and want a shelter that handles weather without complexity, this tent delivers. Couples appreciate the dual vestibules.

Who Should Skip This

Skip it if you regularly winter camp (get the MSR Mountain Home instead). Skip it if weight is your primary concern below 3 lbs (ultralight options exist). Skip it if you camp solo most of the time and don't need two-person capacity. Skip it if you camp in harsh alpine terrain where a four-season tent makes sense.

The Verdict

The MSR Hubba Hubba NX is a competent, unflashy shelter built to last. It won't win awards for innovation or weight savings, but it will keep you dry, protect you from bugs, and do it with enough space that you're not resenting every rainy afternoon. At $480 full price, it's worth buying if vestibules and durability appeal to you. If sales drop it to $420, it's worth full consideration. If raw weight is your constraint, look elsewhere.