The MSR Hubba Hubba line has been a long-standing favorite among backpackers and campers who want a balance of low weight, durability, and comfort. The freestanding Hubba Hubba HD 2 is the newest evolution of that design, aimed squarely at hikers and campers who want more interior comfort and better materials without moving into heavy, overbuilt territory. Like its predecessor, the double-wall Hubba Hubba LT 2 (see our review), it has a truly rectangular floor plan suitable for use with wide rectangular sleeping pads, but comes with much better waterproofing, a stealthier color scheme, and slightly less ventilation for increased internal warmth.

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• Capacity: 2 People
• Type: Freestanding
• Design: Double Wall
• Doors: 2
• Seam-taped: Yes
• Trail weight: 3 lbs 9 oz
• Ranfly: Solution-dyed 20D ripstop nylon 3000mm polyether urethane & PFAS-free silicone
• Foor: Solution-dyed 30D ripstop nylon 6000mm polyether urethane & PFAS-free DWR
• Floor & Vestibule Dimensions: 2.95 + 1.53 sq m (32 + 16.5 sq ft)
• Peak height: 1.02 m (40 in)
• Maximum folded pole segment length: 21″
• Pros: Freestanding, excellent waterproof ratings, fits two 25″ wide sleeping pads, single multi-hub trekking pole is hard to lose
• Cons: Inner tent must be pitched first

Overview and Intended Use

The Hubba Hubba HD 2 is a freestanding, double-wall, two-person backpacking tent for people who care about livability just as much as packed weight. Compared to the recently upgraded Hubba Hubba LT 2, the HD version focuses on stronger materials for improved performance in bad weather, including winter conditions, where a freestanding tent is a real asset because it can be set up just about anywhere. The only downside of the tent’s design is that it is still pitched inner tent first, exposing the interior to precipitation before the rainfly can be deployed.

The freestanding design makes it easy to set up on wild and unprepared tent sites.

Weight and Packability

The tent has a trail weight of 3 lb 9 oz and comes with 8 mini groundhog stakes plus extra guyline cordage. This is not the lightest two-person tent in MSR’s lineup, but the weight is justified given the tent’s added fabric upgrades, improved waterproofing, and storm resistance. To put this into perspective, the tent floor’s 6000 mm waterproof rating is comparable to a Hilleberg tent, a company known for its bombproof tent fabrics.

Packed size is reasonable and fits easily in most backpacks, provided you remove it from the long cylindrical stuff sack that MSR provides and repack the poles and the tent body and fly, either loose or in a shorter and rounder compression sack. The long cylindrical stuff sack that the tent comes packed in is kind of old school and meant to be hung off the back or under a high-volume backpack. Personally, I like to carry a tent vertically or broken down into components inside my pack, so the weight is closer to my torso.

Interior Space and Livability

This is where the Hubba Hubba HD 2 really stands out. It is sized to fit two wide (25″) sleeping pads side by side for maximum comfort, with plenty of extra room at both ends to store your footwear and gear you want inside the tent. There are large mesh pockets at both ends for storing gear up off the floor, like glasses or phones, and dual gear lofts overhead for storing a headlamp and other necessities.

Large vestibules let you store your pack outside while still providing plenty of room to enter and exit.

The tent also comes with two spacious gear vestibules, one for each occupant, that are large enough to store your backpack while still allowing easy entry and exit. This eliminates the need to climb over a partner at night. The vestibule doors have bi-directional zippers that can be configured in a variety of ways to enhance ventilation, while the zippers have rain gutters that channel water away from the zipper, so you don’t get soaked if you have to exit while it’s raining.

The peak height is 40 inches, which makes a noticeable difference when sitting up. Two people can sit upright without brushing the ceiling, which is especially welcome on long winter nights or bad-weather days when you need to stay in the tent.

There are large mesh pockets at the ends of the tent that are good for storing fragile items like glasses out of harms way.

Materials and Build Quality

The biggest upgrade in the HD version is the waterproof rating of the tent floor and rain fly. The tent floor has a waterproof rating of 6000mm compared to 1800mm on the Hubba Hubba LT2, or over 3 times more water resistance. The rain fly has a waterproof rating of 3000mm compared to 1200mm on the Hubba Hubba LT2, nearly 2 and a half times more water resistance.

The pole structure uses DAC aluminum poles, known for strength and reliability. The tent has a single pole with multiple hubs. It’s notable that MSR has moved away from carbon-fiber tent poles in many of its tents and returned to aluminum.

The tent has mesh ceiling pockets and a clothesline.

Ventilation and Condensation

Ventilation is excellent for a tent of this class. Mesh panels on the tent body promote airflow, while roof vents help release warm, moist air. Condensation can still form in humid or cold conditions, but it is generally well managed and does not drip onto occupants due to the double-wall design.

Setup and Ease of Use

Setup is straightforward and intuitive because the pole ends and rainfly attach to corner hardware and stake-out points. Once the inner tent is erected (easier with two people than one), the rainfly is draped over it and secured.

The inner tent must be pitched before the rainfly can be deployed

Drawbacks

No tent is perfect. The main downside of this tent is that the inner tent must be pitched first before the rain fly can be attached. This increases the likelihood that rain will make the inner tent wet if it’s raining when you set it up. While manageable with camping towels, it’s not optimal, given that this tent is designed for increased weather resistance.

Final Verdict

The MSR Hubba Hubba HD 2 is an excellent choice for backpackers who prioritize comfort, space, and durability without moving into heavy camping gear. It offers generous interior room, reliable weather protection, and thoughtful features that make long trips more enjoyable. If you want a tent that’s lightweight enough for backpacking, the Hubba Hubba HD 2 hits the sweet spot between light weight and enhanced weather resistance.

Disclosure: MSR donated a tent for review.

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