MSR Hubba NX Tent Review
Solo hikers get a near-perfect balance between livability and weight savings.
Brand: MSR Gear Reviews
Model: Hubba NX
MSR Hubba NX
[light and livable]
Why we like it Solo hikers get a near-perfect balance between livability and weight savings with the MSR Hubba NX.
Livability This perennial tester favorite offers an outstanding space-to-weight ratio, and the 2014 update shaves off 6 ounces (thanks to ultralight 20-denier nylon). But you still get an 18-square-foot floor and 36-inch peak. “It’s roomy enough for me to sit up, move around, and change without feeling like I’m in a shoebox,” reports our tester after a weeklong trip in Vermont’s Green Mountains. The side entry’s 9-square-foot vestibule facilitates stormy-day cooking and gear storage that doesn’t interfere with the door.
Ventilation The all-mesh walls and vent on the fly provide outstanding airflow, as does the ability to roll up the bottom of the vestibule for extra air: No condensation accumulated inside (even in humid Vermont).
Protection The freestander pitches taut, but in the heaviest New England downpours, some rain bounced beneath the fly and entered through the mesh walls. Moisture was minimal, and our tester stayed dry in all other situations. A rain gutter along the door’s zipper prevents water from funneling inside during exits.
Durability Gauzy fabrics require extra care; choose a debris-free site to avoid punctures in the 30-denier floor fabric.
$340; 2 lbs. 7 oz.; msrgear.com