Backpacking enthusiasts, get ready for a change! The renowned MSR Hubba Hubba tent, universally adored, undergoes a redesign. I ventured to Ireland to scrutinize the revamped LT2 shelter before its launch on the market.
The MSR Hubba Hubba LT 2-Person Backpacking Tent is set to hit the market in January 2026, bringing a series of improvements to the popular Hubba Hubba NX.
First launched by Mountain Safety Research (MSR) in 2004, the original Hubba Hubba was a game-changer in the world of backpacking tents. It was the first widely available 3-season packable tent to offer a large living space with decent headroom, making it one of the most popular backpacking tents of all time.
The new Hubba Hubba LT maintains the freestanding hub-style shelter with a semi-geodesic dome shape, but with several notable updates. The main tent is now made mostly from solution-dyed micromesh, providing excellent breathability and bug protection. This change, along with the use of lighter materials, reduces the tent's weight to 3lb 6oz (1.54kg), making it lighter than the NX (3lb 13oz or 1.72 kg).
The Hubba Hubba LT features a rectangular footprint and vertical sidewalls, enhancing interior livability and ease of use. This change creates more usable space and reduces claustrophobia inside the tent. The new pegs are lightweight yet sturdy 'mini groundhog' stakes, ensuring a secure setup even in challenging terrain.
One of the most significant improvements in the Hubba Hubba LT is the vestibule doors, which now feature rain gutters designed to prevent rain dripping onto campers when unzipping doors in wet conditions. This design makes entry and exit much drier during storms, a notable upgrade over the NX.
The internal doors have been updated to a triangular shaped opening with two separate zips meeting at the right angle, improving durability and ease of use. Cable ports have been added to the wall pockets for neat charging of devices like mobile phones and smartwatches.
The pole skeleton has been updated, with the four legs lengthened and the brow pole extended, increasing internal living space and vestibule usefulness. A major innovation in the original Hubba Hubba was the 'brow pole', a short pole positioned perpendicularly to the main cross pole, and this feature has been retained in the LT.
The corner hardware has been upgraded to all metal and highly durable components, and the window vents have been enhanced. The Hydrostatic Head (HH) rating of the flysheet remains 1,200mm, while the HH rating of the tent body has dropped from 3000mm to 1,800mm.
In essence, the LT version keeps the same basic design as the NX but refines key livability aspects like interior space, weather protection from the vestibule doors, and weight optimization to improve the overall backpacking experience. The Hubba Hubba LT is expected to be available in 1-person, 2-person, and 3-person versions.
With the Hubba Hubba LT's updated design, individuals seeking an improved outdoor-living experience can look forward to enhancements in their home-and-garden lifestyle, as the tent's rectangular footprint and vertical sidewalls provide more usable space for indoor activities. Moreover, the new tent's lighter weight and added features like cable ports and stronger hardware make it an appealing choice for sports enthusiasts who enjoy camping and backpacking.
