How to Choose a Backpacking Tent
MSR Hubba Hubba 3 Tent
This product is not available.
Lightweight, roomy, breathable and symmetrical for easy setup in a flash, the MSR Hubba Hubba 3 tent won't force you to compromise between comfort and weight.
Shop similar products- True rectangular floor (no foot taper) is large enough for all your gear, and 46 in. of headroom lets you sit up comfortably
- Tent body is a blend of mesh and solid fabric that provides airflow, privacy and weather protection
- No-curve tent door features zippers that are easy to use with one hand; tent zips closed to a single point so you always know where to open the door, even in the dark
- Unified hub-and-pole system and symmetrical design make setup super quick
- Ultra-durable Easton® Syclone™ poles, a DuraShield™ waterproof coating and taped seams keep the tent stable and dry so you can ride out the weather in comfort
- Rainfly has 2 large side-entry vestibules for storing muddy gear; 2 large StayDry™ doors feature built-in rain gutters and kickstand vents for extra airflow
- In mild weather, you can leave the fly off and watch the stars through the top mesh stargazing window
- Tech-friendly pockets feature cable ports at the corners for headphone and charging cords
- Overhead gear loft pockets are perfect for headlamps, sunglasses and other quick-access items
- Reinforced patches, stitching at guy points and locking anodized stake loop grommets boost durability
- Includes tent body, rainfly, poles, stakes, guylines, compact stuff sack and setup instructions
- Flame retardant-free
Imported.
View the MSR Hubba Product LineView all MSR Backpacking Tents| Best Use | Backpacking |
|---|---|
| Seasons | 3-season |
| Sleeping Capacity | 3-person |
| Minimum Trail Weight | 3 lbs. 7 oz. |
| Packaged Weight | 3 lbs. 13 oz. |
| Packed Size | 5 x 20 inches |
| Floor Dimensions | 84 x 68 inches |
| Floor Area | 39.5 square feet |
| Vestibule Area | 15 square feet |
| Peak Height | 46 inches |
| Number of Doors | 2 doors |
| Number of Poles | 2 |
| Pole Material | Easton Syclone |
| Canopy Fabric | 20-denier ripstop nylon |
| Floor Fabric | 20-denier ripstop nylon with a 1,200 mm Durashield polyurethane coating |
| Rainfly Fabric | 20-denier ripstop nylon with a 1,200 mm DuraShield polyurethane/silicone coating |
| Footprint Included | No |
| Design Type | Freestanding |
Buying Advice
More expert advice
Review this Product
Adding a review will require a valid email for verification
Most Helpful Favorable Review
Great all-around packable weatherproof tent
Elise2 years ago
Received free productIn addition to reviewing the features of this MSR Hubba Hubba 3, I'll also be comparing it to the MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2-person tent, which my partner and I have been using for 2 to 6 trips per year since purchasing it new in 2017 after lots of research. Overall, super happy with this tent, and it generally has the same effective, durable, simple design.
PACKABLE SIZE AND WEIGHT: Amazing packed weight for space inside. The NX 2 has been great for backpacking for both 1 and 2 people for the last six years. This Hubba Hubba 3 will quickly replace the NX 2 on our car camping trips, but not sure yet whether the extra space is worth the swap for backpacking for 2 people. My scale showed the packed weight to be 170g/60 oz (footprint adds 10 oz), exactly the same as the packed weight of the NX 2 (with better stakes). The 5-inch difference in length is what is more noticeable, and probably is unchangeable due to the shape of the bag, but may work just fine for your pack. Poles collapse nicely and uniformly for compact roll-up, which positively affects the longevity of the cord that runs through. Bag must be stuffed from small cylindrical end, which probably makes it more waterproof when packed, but this bag is annoying and much less easy to use than the NX 2 bag which has a nice large drawstring opening area and multiple cinch straps for packing. See photos.
WEATHERPROOF for 3-season backpacking (including February snow in Oregon Cascades). The NX 2 has been very waterproof over the last six years of use. Condensation on the inside of the fly in rain and snow is minimal. The Hubba Hubba 3 appears to be designed the same, so I assume it will perform similarly. We've only had the chance to experience the Hubba Hubba 3 in mild, dry weather so far.
SPACE: Much roomier than the 2-person NX 2. We tend to roll over some while sleeping and no longer feel our arms touching the sides of the tent in the Hubba Hubba 3. Have not tried sleeping 3 inside. Height makes for easier camp setup; my partner is 6 feet tall and can kneel in the middle without hitting his head, but would have to sit down hunched over in the NX 2. The Hubba Hubba 3 also maximizes space on the inside ends because of pole arch shape, which may be why it feels slightly longer while lying down even if length dimensions are the same. To allow for this inner height at the ends, the poles do bow inward at the corners, so in order to pull the tent bottom taut, staking is more necessary with this tent than with the NX 2.
DOORS/VESTIBULES: There are 2 doors, and 2 corresponding covered vestibules outside the tent when the fly is in use. Having 2 doors is super valuable if you have more than one person. The 2 large vestibules are great for keeping gear dry without taking up space inside the tent.
However, the doors open at opposite corners of the tent. This makes it simpler to set up because the fly orientation will always match the door openings no matter which way you turn it. But the downside is your doors are always set in the same orientation and always open toward opposite corners. This means there is less flexibility on how to set up camp around obstacles if in a tight spot, and it may be harder for one person to exit the tent. I prefer the doors opening toward the same end, as with the NX 2.
DOOR ZIPPERS: Each door on the Hubba Hubba 3 has two separate zippers that meet in the bottom corner. This means you always have to unzip starting at the bottom corner, and you can't unzip a specific spot to access a water bottle in the vestibule, for example. The NX 2 had a double zipper on one long curved track, which meant you could open a small section anywhere without letting in much cold air, and when fully unzipped it was a larger opening so easier to get in and out. I liked the previous zipper design much more.
POLES/SETUP: Quick and easy. Poles are durable and very easy to pop together/apart. There is even a simple diagram on the inner bag flap showing how to set it up. The NX 2 shock cord inside the poles wore out after 5 years, at which point I simply purchased replacement cord from MSR. Minor difference in the Hubba Hubba 3: The top crosspole is separate from the main pole, and balances on top in a groove rather than being attached with a plastic piece like the NX 2. This may make it slightly harder for one person to set it up solo. Also, this version's peg holes for hooking onto the poles are not attached to an adjustable strap. It was nice to be able to stake first and then tighten the straps for stability on the NX 2. This change makes it less stable in certain conditions.
STAKES: The stakes that come with the tent are very basic: easily bent, have no ground traction, and no looped string for removal from ground. Also, only 8 stakes were included, but 10 are needed: 4 for tent, 2 for vestibules, 4 for guylines. I recommend purchasing the MSR groundhog stakes instead.
VENTILATION: The partial mesh design of the tent allows airflow and views, while also keeping the tent decently insulated in cold weather. The small fly kickstand vent is now in the fly door, rather than the tent end, so it can be affected by entering/exiting the tent.
POCKETS: Has inside mesh pockets at both ends that span the entire width of the tent, great for storing small items/dry bags. Also has mesh pockets in the ceiling (which are new since NX 2), convenient for a lamp.
COLOR: Meh. The 70s gold fly is an odd choice IMHO.
FOOTPRINT (not included): I purchased the MSR universal footprint to use with this tent, as is recommended on the item description. For the tent price, it's silly that a footprint is not included, and it's frustrating that a footprint that fits this specific tent does not exist. The universal footprint is longer and skinnier than the tent bottom. It is best for a footprint to be the exact size of the tent bottom in order to protect the tent bottom from touching the ground as well as not collect rain and debris on exposed edges.
All things considered, MSR has done so well on the Hubba Hubba line that virtually all of my criticisms come from comparing one version of the tent to another, and most of the differences are relatively small. Don't love most of the changes they made, but not deal breakers. Would recommend!
EliseReceived free product
Portland, OR
40 people found this review helpful
Most Helpful Critical Review
Broke on it's 2nd use!!
Brianna11 months ago
This tent broke on it's 2nd use! One of the pole connectors broke in the backcountry, thereby making it impossible to set up. My brilliant partner spent hours rigging a way to fix it with 2 stakes and some rope... but if it weren't for my partner's brilliant mind and these extra tools, we would've been screwed in the backcountry with no shelter! Needless to say, I immediately returned this tent to REI. Highly recommend NOT buying this tent!
Brianna
11 people found this review helpful
Customer Images
Elise
Received free product
Portland, OR
Great all-around packable weatherproof tent
2 years ago
In addition to reviewing the features of this MSR Hubba Hubba 3, I'll also be comparing it to the MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2-person tent, which my partner and I have been using for 2 to 6 trips per year since purchasing it new in 2017 after lots of research. Overall, super happy with this tent, and it generally has the same effective, durable, simple design. PACKABLE SIZE AND WEIGHT: Amazing packed weight for space inside. The NX 2 has been great for backpacking for both 1 and 2 people for the last six years. This Hubba Hubba 3 will quickly replace the NX 2 on our car camping trips, but not sure yet whether the extra space is worth the swap for backpacking for 2 people. My scale showed the packed weight to be 170g/60 oz (footprint adds 10 oz), exactly the same as the packed weight of the NX 2 (with better stakes). The 5-inch difference in length is what is more noticeable, and probably is unchangeable due to the shape of the bag, but may work just fine for your pack. Poles collapse nicely and uniformly for compact roll-up, which positively affects the longevity of the cord that runs through. Bag must be stuffed from small cylindrical end, which probably makes it more waterproof when packed, but this bag is annoying and much less easy to use than the NX 2 bag which has a nice large drawstring opening area and multiple cinch straps for packing. See photos. WEATHERPROOF for 3-season backpacking (including February snow in Oregon Cascades). The NX 2 has been very waterproof over the last six years of use. Condensation on the inside of the fly in rain and snow is minimal. The Hubba Hubba 3 appears to be designed the same, so I assume it will perform similarly. We've only had the chance to experience the Hubba Hubba 3 in mild, dry weather so far. SPACE: Much roomier than the 2-person NX 2. We tend to roll over some while sleeping and no longer feel our arms touching the sides of the tent in the Hubba Hubba 3. Have not tried sleeping 3 inside. Height makes for easier camp setup; my partner is 6 feet tall and can kneel in the middle without hitting his head, but would have to sit down hunched over in the NX 2. The Hubba Hubba 3 also maximizes space on the inside ends because of pole arch shape, which may be why it feels slightly longer while lying down even if length dimensions are the same. To allow for this inner height at the ends, the poles do bow inward at the corners, so in order to pull the tent bottom taut, staking is more necessary with this tent than with the NX 2. DOORS/VESTIBULES: There are 2 doors, and 2 corresponding covered vestibules outside the tent when the fly is in use. Having 2 doors is super valuable if you have more than one person. The 2 large vestibules are great for keeping gear dry without taking up space inside the tent. However, the doors open at opposite corners of the tent. This makes it simpler to set up because the fly orientation will always match the door openings no matter which way you turn it. But the downside is your doors are always set in the same orientation and always open toward opposite corners. This means there is less flexibility on how to set up camp around obstacles if in a tight spot, and it may be harder for one person to exit the tent. I prefer the doors opening toward the same end, as with the NX 2. DOOR ZIPPERS: Each door on the Hubba Hubba 3 has two separate zippers that meet in the bottom corner. This means you always have to unzip starting at the bottom corner, and you can't unzip a specific spot to access a water bottle in the vestibule, for example. The NX 2 had a double zipper on one long curved track, which meant you could open a small section anywhere without letting in much cold air, and when fully unzipped it was a larger opening so easier to get in and out. I liked the previous zipper design much more. POLES/SETUP: Quick and easy. Poles are durable and very easy to pop together/apart. There is even a simple diagram on the inner bag flap showing how to set it up. The NX 2 shock cord inside the poles wore out after 5 years, at which point I simply purchased replacement cord from MSR. Minor difference in the Hubba Hubba 3: The top crosspole is separate from the main pole, and balances on top in a groove rather than being attached with a plastic piece like the NX 2. This may make it slightly harder for one person to set it up solo. Also, this version's peg holes for hooking onto the poles are not attached to an adjustable strap. It was nice to be able to stake first and then tighten the straps for stability on the NX 2. This change makes it less stable in certain conditions. STAKES: The stakes that come with the tent are very basic: easily bent, have no ground traction, and no looped string for removal from ground. Also, only 8 stakes were included, but 10 are needed: 4 for tent, 2 for vestibules, 4 for guylines. I recommend purchasing the MSR groundhog stakes instead. VENTILATION: The partial mesh design of the tent allows airflow and views, while also keeping the tent decently insulated in cold weather. The small fly kickstand vent is now in the fly door, rather than the tent end, so it can be affected by entering/exiting the tent. POCKETS: Has inside mesh pockets at both ends that span the entire width of the tent, great for storing small items/dry bags. Also has mesh pockets in the ceiling (which are new since NX 2), convenient for a lamp. COLOR: Meh. The 70s gold fly is an odd choice IMHO. FOOTPRINT (not included): I purchased the MSR universal footprint to use with this tent, as is recommended on the item description. For the tent price, it's silly that a footprint is not included, and it's frustrating that a footprint that fits this specific tent does not exist. The universal footprint is longer and skinnier than the tent bottom. It is best for a footprint to be the exact size of the tent bottom in order to protect the tent bottom from touching the ground as well as not collect rain and debris on exposed edges. All things considered, MSR has done so well on the Hubba Hubba line that virtually all of my criticisms come from comparing one version of the tent to another, and most of the differences are relatively small. Don't love most of the changes they made, but not deal breakers. Would recommend!
Age:25–34
Weight:150–175 lbs.
Height:6'0"
Yes , I recommend this product
Rob6
Received free product
Forest Hill, MD
Pleasantly surprised and optimistic!
2 years ago
I’ve only had this tent for about a week now, so I haven’t been able to really test it out in all the conditions it’s likely to encounter. I’ve only set it up in my back yard for a “shakedown”. So far, I am happy with it and optimistic that I will continue to be just as satisfied. I have never before done any long-distance or thru-hikes, so weight was never a big concern of mine. My camping has always been short distance, weekend-long trips, and overlanding/car-camping. I have always preferred to have some room and was willing to sacrifice on weight rather than feeling confined. With this tent, I really don’t have to make that sacrifice, which opens up more possibilities: bike-packing, paddle-in sites, and extended distance trips. It’s incredibly lightweight for its size. This is listed as a 3-person tent, which it technically is, but in my opinion those 3 people would have to be very close. I see this more as a “2-person with some elbow room” tent. It does feel rather spacious though, with nearly vertical sidewalls so you can sit up pretty much anywhere inside, not just in the center. The vestibules are not huge but still large enough to easily accommodate a pack and your boots. And yet for all that spaciousness, this has a minimum trail weight of just under 3-1/2 lbs. That’s nearly half the weight of my previous tent of similar size. Set-up was easy and intuitive. By myself and without referring to the instructions printed on the storage bag, I had the tent body fully assembled in under 5 minutes and only another 2 to attach the fly in a free-standing configuration without guying out. I have read that some people experienced some splintering of the poles at their connection points. Luckily, I have experienced none of that. And I read on MSR’s site that this had been a known problem which has since been corrected. I’ll keep an eye on that and update as necessary. It comes with 8 small aluminum stakes. 4 for the tent body; 2 for the vestibules; 2 for the guy lines. These are fine for most woodland areas. If you plan on using this in rocky soil or in sand or snow, you should consider upgrading to stronger, more appropriate stakes. The zippers on the doors operate very smoothly and easily, and the doors are slightly smaller than some others I’ve experienced but were still easy enough to get in and out through. The sidewalls have more fabric and less mesh than some other lightweight tents, which provides a little more privacy when not using the fly, but it does decrease the ventilation somewhat and limits panoramic views. The day I set it up to test was 95 F and in full sun and with the fly installed it felt a little stuffy inside, but any tent would in those conditions. I was unable to test the waterproofness and wind resistance yet since we haven’t had any rain or wind and don’t expect any for at least another week, but I am confident that neither will be a problem. The poles are strong and flexible, and the fabric feels durable and the water I splashed on it beaded easily and ran off quickly. It does not come with a footprint and the floor material is thin, so I would have preferred to have one included, although none of the other comparable lightweight tents include one and that’s not really a necessity. All-in-all I am very happy with this tent. It checks all the boxes for simplicity, presumed durability and comfort all at a very light weight. It may well be a 5-star tent, but I reserve that 5th star until I've had more experience with it.
Age:55–64
Weight:175–200 lbs.
Height:5'9"
Yes , I recommend this product
Kent
Received free product
Maryland
Ultralight and compact 3 person backpacking tent
2 years ago
The MSR Hubba Hubba 3 tent is an ultralight and compact 3-person backpacking tent. It is one of the lightest tents on the market. MSR is able to cut weight by using the Easton Syclone poles, which are seriously lightweight, and lightweight fabric for the tent outer and inner (20D ripstop nylon and DWR). The pole design makes it such that set-up and breakdown are easy. I also have the MSR Elixir 2 (two-person tent), which utilizes an odd, connected double pole system, and the Hubba Hubba pole design is significantly more user friendly. One of my photos shows the packed size of the tents side by side; the larger one on the left is the Elixir 2 and the smaller one on the right is the Hubba Hubba 3. Again, comparing with the Elixir, a non-ultralight backpacking tent, the fabric material may feel flimsy and thin. However, the tent held up remarkably well (read: no leakage) through a thunderstorm with heavy rain and pebble sized hail followed by a night of water dripping from the trees. Due to its floor size and the space needed to properly extend the very roomy vestibule area (to prevent rain pooling), this tent is best used on a flat space on the ground rather than on a raised tent platform. It wasn’t easy to get the rainfly properly extended on a moderately raised platform, so water ended up pooling on it during the thunderstorm. If I use this tent on a platform again, I’ll probably try tying the rainfly to a tree to make it more level. The tent shape and height gives it a very roomy feel, especially if only 2 people are using it. With three people, it'll be a squeeze, but then again, most ultralight backpacking tents are. The tent features two ceiling pockets, side pockets on either end that run the width of the tent, and two loops to hang small lights or something from. A few things struck me as odd. 1. The doors opened in opposite directions. Meaning if everyone was sleeping in the same direction, each would have to exit the tent differently. 2. The door zippers are on separate tracks and meet at a specific point, so you can’t leave the zippers in any location as you can if they share a track. If you aren’t careful to tuck the zippers away into their flap, a bug can crawl in (I had an ant welcome itself inside). 3. The rainfly vents were on the top of the door. I'm not sure whether this improves ventilation compared with having the vents on the ends of the tent. Regardless, I didn't notice any difference in condensation levels inside the rainfly, compared with tents with side ventilation; it was still wet on the inside of the rainfly wall after leaving the vents open throughout the night. However, there was no drippage and the inner tent stayed dry. Having condensation form on the rainfly (rather than inside the sleeping area) gives this tent an advantage over single wall ultra-lights, and should be a serious consideration when deciding between single and double wall tents. All in all, this is a great option for those looking for a double wall ultralight tent. It has great features and has a roomy feel. As with all ultralights, durability is a concern, especially on rocky/pebbly surfaces. Not sure yet how long it will hold up with careful use, but hoping it will last a long time. Note - footprint is not included.
Age:25–34
Weight:150–175 lbs.
Height:6'0"
Yes , I recommend this product
Skylark84
Received free product
Montana
Great shelter for outdoor adventures!
2 years ago
The first thing I noticed was how light and compact the rolled up tent is. Assembly - After looking at the pictures I was able to fully assemble the tent in 20 min with some minor assistance / interference from my 2 dogs. This is a tent that would be easy to assemble in the dark, or quickly if a rain storm is coming. There are only 2 tent poles to assemble and they easily click into place. Pockets - Given the light weight I was surprised by how many interior pockets there were. Enough room for glasses, a flashlight, and other small necessities. - one at each end of the tent and 2 overhead. Venting. With doors on two sides of the tent it is easy to get a cross breeze and get in/out of the tent in the middle of the night without having to crawl over your partner or furry companion. Disassembly and packing - The dogs provided a bit more interference here, it took me about 25 min to disassemble and pack the tent, if the dogs weren't so interested I think it would have been closer to 10-15 min. Size - The tent is the perfect size for 2 adults, 2 medium/large dogs, and 1 pack at each end of the tent
Height:5'7"
Yes , I recommend this product
outbackpops
Non existent customer support
7 months ago
I posted an initial review here and on MSRs site. REI posted the review but MSR did not but did reach out saying I should contact CS which I did. Two weeks later I haven't received a response yet the initial response was same day. So either there is no CS or their products are so poor that CS can't keep up. For the price of this tent you can do much better in terms of weight, features and certainly CS. At this point I think I will be returning this and waiting for a 2 person come to come out. I user to trust cascade designs but they clearly have a problem with this smell, poles and CS. I would skip the hubba hubba unless you like to punish yourself.
No, I do not recommend this product
MSR tent review
Received free product
Chandler, Arizona
Legit lightweight & lovely tent, highly recommend
2 years ago
My husband and I were able to take this sweet little MSR tent out for an overnight in Arizona. Absolutely loved the ease of setting it up and how lightweight it is! We stayed perfectly cozy for this overnight trip and would definitely recommend the tent for warmer weather camping. Room enough for both of us and our overnight gear.
Age:45–54
Weight:125–150 lbs.
Height:5'9"
Yes , I recommend this product
Robin G
Midwest
MSR Hubba Hubba 3 Tent
1 year ago
The Hubba Hubba 3p is a fantastic size 2 adults with gear and only 3.7 pounds. Lots of head room, 4 cargo nets for small stuff, dual doors, plenty of stargazing screen openings and fantastic rain fly. Has additional tie down points to make super stable in high winds. Very easy to set up by one person. I'm very happy with this tent!
Age:55–64
Weight:175–200 lbs.
Height:6'1"
Yes , I recommend this product
Anonymous
Connecticut, but canoe in the Adirondacks
Pole Connector Failure
10 months ago
The Pro's: This tent is a good size for two plus their gear. Very easy to set up and is well designed. The Con: Like others here and on the MSR review site, we experience the very difficult to repair failure of one of connectors between pole segments on the 5th set-up in the field and after two set up in the back yard. The connector just gets pulled about an inch into the pole segment and is stuck there. This failure is on the pole segments that is the main backbone of the tent between the two hubs, so sliding a pole repair sleeve would require un-tying the bungee cord from the hub. We did manage to use a rope to provide counter tension and spent two nights in a MSR wounded elephant tent. Luckly no rain those nights. MSR needs to address this issue of design or QC. I have several versions of the Hubba-Hubba 2-person tent over the years, so this was a new failure for me.
Age:65–74
Weight:150–175 lbs.
Height:5'5"
No, I do not recommend this product
Brianna
Broke on it's 2nd use!!
11 months ago
This tent broke on it's 2nd use! One of the pole connectors broke in the backcountry, thereby making it impossible to set up. My brilliant partner spent hours rigging a way to fix it with 2 stakes and some rope... but if it weren't for my partner's brilliant mind and these extra tools, we would've been screwed in the backcountry with no shelter! Needless to say, I immediately returned this tent to REI. Highly recommend NOT buying this tent!
No, I do not recommend this product
outbackpops
NJ
Smells like sulfur
8 months ago
I was so excited for this tent when I picked it up on sale but sadly I think it will be going back. It isn't a lightweight tent but light enough for my use and still has room inside. In the bag all seems fine, but I put it in one of my gear totes. A few weeks later I opened the tote and the smell was so bad I thought a mouse got in and died. I tried airing it out and thought it was ok until I rolled it up. Once that air got forced out you smell it again. I think this is going to have to sit in the garage and I may try setting it up for a few days in the spring as a last ditch effort to air out. But it isn't going back in the tote since I think it already ruined two pillows. Also very concerned about all of these pole failures that have been mentioned. I expected more from MSR.
Age:45–54
Weight:225–250 lbs.
Height:5'10"
No, I do not recommend this product
1 - 10 of 17 Reviews