The Tent I Researched for Six Months

The MSR Hubba Hubba NX2 is a freestanding backpacking tent with a livable interior, efficient pitching system, and a weight of 3 pounds 4 ounces for a two-person shelter. I know this because I researched it for six months before purchasing it in March 2025.

The research included: reading 47 reviews across three major outdoor gear review sites, watching 12 YouTube setup demonstrations, comparing it against the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 (See Grant's full review →) across eight weighted criteria, consulting the REI gear advisor twice, and reading the MSR technical specifications document three times to confirm the vestibule volume dimensions.

What the Research Showed

The Hubba Hubba NX2 is the better tent for my primary use case: three-season backpacking in the Pacific Northwest with variable precipitation. The Copper Spur is lighter (2 lbs 14 oz vs 3 lbs 4 oz) but has a smaller vestibule that creates storage challenges in sustained rain. The Hubba Hubba's vestibule volume was the deciding factor. I confirmed this via a vestibule comparison I conducted using dimensional diagrams rather than field testing, because the tent arrived in March and I have not been to the Pacific Northwest since October 2019.

The Current Status

The MSR Hubba Hubba NX2 is on the second shelf from the top in the shelter section of the gear room. It has been set up twice in the backyard to verify the pitch technique and confirm the instructions match the YouTube demonstrations I watched. Both backyard setups were successful. The vestibule operates as documented.

Linda has looked at the tent. She described it as "a good tent." I told her about the vestibule volume calculation. She nodded. She is considering it for her PCT section trip in the spring. I have told her it would be available. I have also told her I am in the research phase for the trip planning. She said "of course."