When a buddy and fellow gear fanatic talked about MSR had launched a bikepacking model of their long-standing Hubba Hubba tent, I didn’t assume a lot of it at first, as I’m a hiker, not a bike owner. Nonetheless, my curiosity was sparked when he prompt it may be well-suited for backpacking, thanks to a couple design updates.
Because the authentic Hubba Hubba launched in 2004, it’s by no means been the lightest, most cost-effective, or most sturdy tent, but it surely strikes an amazing steadiness between all three, which explains why it’s nonetheless available on the market 20 years later. Having by no means used a Hubba Hubba earlier than, I used to be keen to check this newest model and took it on a number of journeys mountain climbing within the mountains.
Key Specs & Options
The three season MSR Hubba Hubba Bikepack 1-Individual Tent gives stable technical specs. Its most packed weight, together with the waterproof handlebar-mounting bag, is a aggressive 1.27 kg, with a compact packed measurement of 36 x 17 x 11 cm.
Designed particularly for bikepacking, the tent supplies distinctive headroom (97 cm), quick poles (30 cm), a big inside clothesline, and a spacious vestibule space.
The rainfly, ground, and cover are all produced from 20D nylon ripstop materials with a hydrostatic head of 1200 mm. The ground has been made lighter than that of the usual Hubba Hubba, which makes use of a extra sturdy 30D ripstop nylon and has a hydrostatic head of 3000 mm.
Actual world testing
I examined the MSR Hubba Hubba Bikepack 1-Individual tent on a number of mountain climbing journeys within the British mountains throughout summer season and autumn, together with a summit camp, average wind situations, and each dry and moist climate. As a result of unusually dry climate throughout my camps, I haven’t but had the prospect to check the tent in a correct rainstorm. On my closing journey, I forgot all however a couple of spare pegs, however I used to be nonetheless capable of safe a good pitch — extra on that later.
Spectacular head room and packability
On the primary night time out, I shortly seen that the headroom and dwelling area have been fairly beneficiant in comparison with the solo backpacking tents I usually use. At six toes tall, I can comfortably sit upright and transfer round with out touching the inside partitions. I additionally usually discover light-weight solo tents a bit cramped in size, however with a size of 216 cm, there’s loads of area to stretch out, even for taller people.
As with the same old Hubba Hubba design, the ground is rectangular fairly than tapered, in contrast to many smaller backpacking tents. This supplied ample area to retailer gear inside, maintaining my pack and spare clothes dry and off the damp floor. Nonetheless, like many tents, it could profit from the choice to peg the ground in place. The vestibule can also be spacious, providing loads of room for storage and permitting for cooking within the porch space, one thing that may usually be difficult in solo backpacking tents.
A serious benefit for hikers is the redesigned DAC poles, that are quick sufficient to suit horizontally in a backpack. For backpacking, I might skip the sturdy waterproof handlebar bag, because it provides pointless weight, and go for a light-weight stuff sack as a substitute.
Pitching is a breeze
Pitching the tent may be very simple. The poles slot into eyelets at every nook of the ground, and the inside tent attaches to the poles with small clips. It takes a most of 5 minutes to pitch, and because it’s a free-standing construction, you don’t have to peg the ground out first, making it simple to maneuver round when you discover the perfect spot. When you connect the rainfly to the eyelets, nevertheless, you’ll have to peg out the vestibule and door.
On one journey, I forgot all however three non-MSR spare pegs. I’m not a giant fan of the pre-supplied Mini Groundhog pegs, as they are often laborious on the fingers, and also you usually don’t get sufficient of them to safe all of the man strains, which I additionally discovered. Regardless of this, I managed to realize a steady pitch utilizing rocks and my trekking poles, and the tent remained agency in reasonably robust winds all through the night time. That basically impressed me. The principle disadvantage, nevertheless, is that you will need to pitch the inside tent first, which will increase the danger of it getting moist in the event you’re establishing in wet situations. This design is not stunning, because it’s a three-season tent, possible designed with the American market in thoughts, fairly than the customarily unpredictable climate of the British mountains.
Not only for bikepacking
Different options value noting embrace the lack to pitch the flysheet all the best way to the bottom on the ends of the tent. Whereas this enables for good air flow, it might additionally let in additional wind-blown climate. That mentioned, air flow choices are plentiful, with built-in vents at every finish, and far of the inside tent is product of mesh. You may also roll up and safe each the inside and outer doorways in tremendous climate, although I want MSR had added a second toggle to permit all the door to be rolled up tightly, stopping it from flapping within the wind.
Talking of wind, I examined the tent in reasonably robust gusts (round 20-25 mph) with none points besides some deforming of the construction. I wouldn’t nevertheless advocate utilizing it in uncovered mountain areas, or when robust winds are forecast. By way of rain, some fellow gear fanatics have expressed issues concerning the skinny groundsheet, with its 1200 mm hydrostatic head. Whilst you can see some moisture underneath stress, I didn’t encounter any points when pitching on moist floor.
Whereas the Hubba Hubba Bikepack 1 has some drawbacks, it additionally has many strengths and is well-suited to backpacking. It’s spacious, packs down small, is simple to pitch, and is surprisingly sturdy given its light-weight supplies. A standout characteristic for me was the shorter poles—this revolutionary tweak makes the tent way more packable, a characteristic I’d like to see in additional solo backpacking tents.
Abstract
Regardless of a couple of drawbacks, the MSR Hubba Hubba Bikepack 1-Individual Tent’s spectacular steadiness of weight, area, and sturdiness make it a superb alternative for each backpacking and bikepacking adventures.
Whereas the need of pitching the inside tent first may very well be a priority in moist climate, its beneficiant headroom and ground area, revolutionary shorter poles, and ample air flow choices improve its usability. I’ll select to forgo the waterproof handlebar bag for a lighter pack sooner or later, however its compact packed measurement and ease of setup guarantee I’ll proceed to depend on it for 3 season tenting in future.
About MSR
Mountain Security Analysis (MSR) is a Seattle-based out of doors gear firm based in 1969 by Larry Penberthy, a passionate mountaineer and engineer. Initially targeted on bettering the protection and reliability of climbing gear, MSR shortly expanded its product line to incorporate high-performance tenting and backpacking gear, resembling stoves, tents, water filters, and snowshoes. Recognized for its innovation and dedication to high quality, MSR blends cutting-edge expertise with sensible design, making its gear extremely regarded amongst out of doors fanatics for its sturdiness, performance, and reliability in difficult situations.
