When a pal and fellow gear fanatic talked about MSR had launched a bikepacking model of their long-standing Hubba Hubba tent, I didn’t suppose a lot of it at first, as I’m a hiker, not a bicycle owner. Nevertheless, my curiosity was sparked when he recommended it may be well-suited for backpacking, thanks to some design updates.
Because the authentic Hubba Hubba launched in 2004, it’s by no means been the lightest, least expensive, or most sturdy tent, nevertheless it strikes an incredible steadiness between all three, which explains why it’s nonetheless in the marketplace 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 affords stable technical specs. Its most packed weight, together with the waterproof handlebar-mounting bag, is a aggressive 1.27 kg, with a compact packed dimension of 36 x 17 x 11 cm.
Designed particularly for bikepacking, the tent offers distinctive headroom (97 cm), quick poles (30 cm), a big inner clothesline, and a spacious vestibule space.
The rainfly, flooring, and cover are all comprised of 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 time and autumn, together with a summit camp, reasonable wind situations, and each dry and moist climate. As a result of unusually dry climate throughout my camps, I haven’t but had the possibility to check the tent in a correct rainstorm. On my ultimate journey, I forgot all however a number of spare pegs, however I used to be nonetheless in a position to safe an honest pitch — extra on that later.
Spectacular head room and packability
On the primary evening out, I shortly seen that the headroom and dwelling house had been fairly beneficiant in comparison with the solo backpacking tents I sometimes use. At six ft tall, I can comfortably sit upright and transfer round with out touching the internal partitions. I additionally usually discover light-weight solo tents a bit cramped in size, however with a size of 216 cm, there may be loads of house to stretch out, even for taller people.
As with the standard Hubba Hubba design, the ground is rectangular moderately than tapered, not like many smaller backpacking tents. This supplied ample house to retailer gear inside, conserving my pack and spare clothes dry and off the damp floor. Nevertheless, like many tents, it might 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 significant benefit for hikers is the redesigned DAC poles, that are quick sufficient to suit horizontally in a backpack. For backpacking, I’d 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 could be very easy. The poles slot into eyelets at every nook of the ground, and the internal 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 must peg the ground out first, making it simple to maneuver round whilst you discover the perfect spot. When you connect the rainfly to the eyelets, nonetheless, you’ll must 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 palms, 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 secure pitch utilizing rocks and my trekking poles, and the tent remained agency in reasonably sturdy winds all through the evening. That basically impressed me. The principle downside, nonetheless, is that it’s essential to pitch the internal tent first, which will increase the danger of it getting moist in case you’re organising in wet situations. This design is not shocking, because it’s a three-season tent, possible designed with the American market in thoughts, moderately than the usually unpredictable climate of the British mountains.
Not only for bikepacking
Different options price noting embody the shortcoming to pitch the flysheet all the best way to the bottom on the ends of the tent. Whereas this permits for good air flow, it might additionally let in additional wind-blown climate. That stated, air flow choices are plentiful, with built-in vents at every finish, and far of the internal tent is manufactured from mesh. You too can roll up and safe each the internal and outer doorways in high quality climate, although I want MSR had added a second toggle to permit your complete door to be rolled up tightly, stopping it from flapping within the wind.
Talking of wind, I examined the tent in reasonably sturdy gusts (round 20-25 mph) with none points besides some deforming of the construction. I wouldn’t nonetheless suggest utilizing it in uncovered mountain areas, or when sturdy winds are forecast. By way of rain, some fellow gear lovers have expressed issues concerning the skinny groundsheet, with its 1200 mm hydrostatic head. When you can see some moisture beneath 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 straightforward to pitch, and is surprisingly sturdy given its light-weight supplies. A standout function for me was the shorter poles—this revolutionary tweak makes the tent much more packable, a function I’d like to see in additional solo backpacking tents.
Abstract
Regardless of a number of drawbacks, the MSR Hubba Hubba Bikepack 1-Individual Tent’s spectacular steadiness of weight, house, and sturdiness make it a wonderful alternative for each backpacking and bikepacking adventures.
Whereas the need of pitching the internal tent first could possibly be a priority in moist climate, its beneficiant headroom and flooring house, revolutionary shorter poles, and ample air flow choices improve its usability. I could select to forgo the waterproof handlebar bag for a lighter pack sooner or later, however its compact packed dimension 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 tools firm based in 1969 by Larry Penberthy, a passionate mountaineer and engineer. Initially targeted on enhancing the protection and reliability of climbing gear, MSR shortly expanded its product line to incorporate high-performance tenting and backpacking tools, reminiscent of stoves, tents, water filters, and snowshoes. Identified 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 lovers for its sturdiness, performance, and reliability in difficult situations.
