View Full Version : Hubba and Seedhouse users ? your .02
I'm checking out and comparing the Hubba to the BA Seedhouse 1
So far what I find is: ( Price is avg. full retail)
Hubba - 17 sf - Freestanding - 2#3oz. - around $249
BAShse - 28 SF - Freestanding - 2#.14oz - around $248
It seems that only benefit would be gaining a whopping 11 sf of room. Do any current users of either have reviews? I did a SixMoons LunarSE, and just didn't like all the staking.
:)
High Altitude
10-28-2007, 16:54
With regards to staking, I believe the BA requires 13 stakes for a full pitch. I don't own one so maybe you can pitch it with less stakes and still get a good pitch but make sure before you buy it.
If I was going to get one of those tents I would get the hubba. I like the easier pitch requiring less stakes, more head room, bigger vestibule and it is a true freestanding design with all 4 corners supported with the poles. I have slept in one and it is very slim but it doesn't bother me at all. It's so slim that I wouldn't be surprised if people set the tent up (without fly) in shelters to get away from bugs so it has some versatility to it.
Either way they are both quality tents. What ever fits your own personal requirements the best is the one to get.
Have fun.
Just a Hiker
10-28-2007, 16:59
Hey there Smile. I have the SL1 and I recommend it highly. The floor is fragile, but all in all it's a great lightweight tent. Also, there are several on EBay for $125.00, and it can be staked out with 4 stakes and your hiking poles if you use them. Take care,
Jim
Thanks guys. Jim, do you mean you can put your hiking poles on the ends to "stake" the tent?
Just a Hiker
10-28-2007, 17:55
Thanks guys. Jim, do you mean you can put your hiking poles on the ends to "stake" the tent?
Yes, exactly Smiles!! You'll like the SL1 if you get it, but the Hubba is good too. Take care,
Jim
Front entry vs side entry. I checked out a Hubba and was impressed. Good zipper. Not quite enough elbow room. I worried about condensation where my elbows pushed outward. I would probably buy a Hubba+1/2, if they made one.
I will never buy another tent without "hands on." Sure you can return it, but once you have it, and it is better than what you had...
I myself own the hubba and I bought the seadhouse sl1 and its not freestanding. the vestival is smaller and im 210lbs and I had a hard time crawling in and out of it. I love my hubba and yes you are a little crambed with all your gear but if your tent bound because of rain you will love the vestival. Its got plenty of room to cook up your food and you can sit up very well. I am about to purchase the hubba hubba that weighs about 1 pound more so I can take along someone with me.
Just a Hiker
10-28-2007, 19:20
I myself own the hubba and I bought the seadhouse sl1 and its not freestanding. the vestival is smaller and im 210lbs and I had a hard time crawling in and out of it. I love my hubba and yes you are a little crambed with all your gear but if your tent bound because of rain you will love the vestival. Its got plenty of room to cook up your food and you can sit up very well. I am about to purchase the hubba hubba that weighs about 1 pound more so I can take along someone with me.
I am not sure which SL1 you purchased, but mine is definately freestanding.
the sl1 you had to stake out the back 2 corners to get it to stay and it just didnt seem to have the head or vestival room that my hubba had.. now the sl2 is comepleatly freestanding at less weight than the hubba and roomy for 2 but the vestival is smaller...im thinking also of getting the sl2 and testing it out
Just a Hiker
10-28-2007, 19:31
the sl1 you had to stake out the back 2 corners to get it to stay and it just didnt seem to have the head or vestival room that my hubba had.. now the sl2 is comepleatly freestanding at less weight than the hubba and roomy for 2 but the vestival is smaller...im thinking also of getting the sl2 and testing it out
I agree that the Hubba has more headroom and is probably easier to get in and out of (side entry), but the SL1 is freestanding. Just like any other freestanding tent, you have to stake it out for optimal room. :)
The freestanding thing is important. With the getting in and out, what was difficult, is it door location? "Tall" from floor or where zipper starts so you have to 'climb over' it?
I hope to find a place closeby St. Louis so that I can see both, but I may have to go farther for an outfitter. Can't wait to get out of mizzery.
Smile, I looked and compared the SL-1 and the Hubba side-by-side. Both are very good tent's, both have their advantages and disadvantages, it all comes down to which one fits your needs and comfort level best.
I went with the SL-1 because of the weight and interior space, plenty of width for my bag & pad, pack, boots, clothes bag and a few whatnots. At 5'4" I have plenty of headroom. True the vestibule is small, but it's big enough for a pack and boots. I don't have any trouble getting in and out the front door. I'm looking at mine right now, it IS freestanding, staking it out will open up the interior space more. But when you're setting it up in the rain, the stakes can wait.
The Hubba has more headroom, equal at both ends I believe and a large side entry and vestibule. For me it lacked on the interior space, just enough for my bag/pad and that's about it, maybe my boots. Yes, I have to keep my boots inside with me, don't want to find an uninvited creepy crawly living in one rent free.
I have the Hubba and really like it. Before I bought it I looked at the Hubba, a Marmot EOS and the BA Seedhouse1. After reading some reviews and seeing them in person I decided on the Hubba. It held up through rain, wind and hail storms at 10,000 feet without any problems.
I had the Seedouse and I call it partially freestanding, you have to stake out the 2 ends near the foot to get optimum space.
But it's freestanding enough to pick up and move around if you need to.
I have a hubba and haven't tried it yet so I can't comment
The hubba is 2 lbs 13 ounces though (minimum weight)
ut it's freestanding enough to pick up and move around if you need to.
I have a hubba and haven't tried it yet so I can't comment
I like that option, that is the only thing I have found disagreeable with the tarptent type shelters. Leave it to me to pick a spot, make sure nothing is under my nest only to get inside and have some root or other obstacle poking my pad ( I had my thermarest fixed twice last hike due to punctures), and then it was too late or I was too tired to move it.
So the size inside the SH1 is much larger, but the entrance not as accessible as the Hubba is what I'm hearing.
How about condensation, anyone had any major issues with that. It was the one thing that has kep me away from the North Face Solo, like that one ( and the price tag is significantly less along with a lighter weight).
There have been a couple recent threads here pertaining to solo tents etc..incl the SL1
Here's one (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=28890) of them;)
And if you want more reading about it here's (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=28387) another fairly recent thread
Jim Adams
10-29-2007, 13:02
I have a Hubba and wouldn't trade it for anything. It is very easy to get in and out of. I've been in rain, snow and high winds from 800' to 12,500' and it hasn't leaked a drop or let me down yet. I have not had any problems with condensation at all. If the humidity and temp is right, you will get condensation on the underside of the fly but it dries easily and never drips into the tent.
I am 5'6" and I can put my shoes in each corner of the head end and my pack across the foot end and have me and all my gear inside but you don't need to as the vestibule is big enough for all your gear.
Found mine on ebay for $112.
good luck,
geek
I'm looking for a tent to take into the Arctic next summer. I have been using a Tarptent, but am thinking I'll need something that will stand up to strong winds. A friend suggested the Hubba. What do you think?
take-a-knee
10-29-2007, 13:42
This guy didn't seem to have a problem with a tarptent in the Brooks Range.
http://www.bucktrack.com/Alaska_Brooks_Range_Traverse.html
I would appreciate any comments you might offer on your tarptent, as I am considering buying or making one. I read the first dozen or so of your SOBO journal entrys and I don't remember any comments on it.
This guy didn't seem to have a problem with a tarptent in the Brooks Range.
http://www.bucktrack.com/Alaska_Brooks_Range_Traverse.html
I would appreciate any comments you might offer on your tarptent, as I am considering buying or making one. I read the first dozen or so of your SOBO journal entrys and I don't remember any comments on it.
Thanks for that link! I had meant to look up his journal to see what he used for shelter.
I carried a Virga I, and used it up through Vermont. Then the mosquitoes were pretty much gone, and the shelters ALWAYS had lots of space in them, so I slept in shelters. I carried the Tarptent for the rest of the hike, but didn't use it anymore.
I used the Virga I on the JMT this summer. It was great, but California's weather was dry and lovely every day I was there, so its abilities weren't tested at all.
I really like the Tarptents. (I've also got a two-person Cloudburst.) Neither Tarptent is showing any sign of deterioration or imminent failure after three and four years of pretty regular use, so I really have no excuse to buy a new tent of any sort. You've just shot down my best angle for "needing" a new tent.:D
_terrapin_
10-29-2007, 14:21
Marta, I mostly liked my Tarptent Rainbow. Very roomy and quick to set up, seems well-made. The only issue was condensation, and that issue mostly manifest during heavy rain. Rain from the outside causes condensation to splatter off the inside. It won't drench you, but it's disconcerting when it splatters onto your face.
Jim Adams
10-29-2007, 15:25
Marta,
What part of the arctic are you going to?
That makes a BIG difference!
geek
Marta,
What part of the arctic are you going to?
That makes a BIG difference!
geek
The civilized, cushy part--Lapland.
Jim Adams
10-30-2007, 01:22
Marta,
That still doesn't help. Will you be in trees, small brush or on tundra above the line of trees? The Hubba is great but the ground may be too mushy to stake it down above the line of trees. In small brush or forest you can always tie it off.
Out on the open tundra the wind can be terrible at times and you may need stakes long enough to hit the permafrost.
geek
Marta,
That still doesn't help. Will you be in trees, small brush or on tundra above the line of trees? The Hubba is great but the ground may be too mushy to stake it down above the line of trees. In small brush or forest you can always tie it off.
Out on the open tundra the wind can be terrible at times and you may need stakes long enough to hit the permafrost.
geek
Tundra, I think. Way north of the trees.
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=Nordkalottleden+Trail
Mushy ground is one of the reasons I was thinking it might be hard to use a Tarptent, since it depends on the stakes to keep it upright.
I'm still in the early days of researching the area, so I don't know much yet. There are cabins along most of the route; I just want the option of setting up in interesting/scenic locations.
Jim Adams
10-30-2007, 09:02
Tundra, I think. Way north of the trees.
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=Nordkalottleden+Trail
Mushy ground is one of the reasons I was thinking it might be hard to use a Tarptent, since it depends on the stakes to keep it upright.
I'm still in the early days of researching the area, so I don't know much yet. There are cabins along most of the route; I just want the option of setting up in interesting/scenic locations.
Good idea to keep the options open for tenting...as they say north of the trees "If you don't like the weather, hang around 15 minutes. It will change."
You are very correct in being concerned about it being soft. Unless you have stakes long enough to drive into the permafrost, more than likely they will just pull out. Freestanding is a must and enough weight inside to keep it from blowing away. Keep in mind that wind will be your biggest problem (along with blackflys and mosquitos) north of the trees. it helps to set up behind small hills, in depressions (watch for more softness or even swampy) or especially around rocks as you can tie off to them.
It might sound stupid but tie off EVERY chance that you get. I was on a solo 3 month canoe trip north of the trees and windbound on a lake. I was exploreing around the lake by foot and when I returned my tent with all of my gear inside was upside down and so was my canoe. If they hadn't been tied off to a rock, I could have died there. Tie off!
Sorry to be so dramatic but it can be do or die.:eek:
OTOH, relax and enjoy it. It is most likely going to be the prettiest sights that you've ever seen! :cool: Good luck and have fun.
geek
Thanks for the info. I've been thinking wind is going to be a problem. A cold. My daughter took a day trip into the area this summer, and just about froze. The wind was howling. OTOH, the sun never set. Fascinating.
Jim Adams
10-30-2007, 22:59
Thanks for the info. I've been thinking wind is going to be a problem. A cold. My daughter took a day trip into the area this summer, and just about froze. The wind was howling. OTOH, the sun never set. Fascinating.
sort of like sweating while walking in a T-shirt and shorts in a foot of snow!:confused:
altitude and or northern climates do strange things.
geek
socalhiker
11-01-2007, 16:07
No experience with the SL1 but have owned a Hubba for several years and am very happy with it and recommend it.
Marta: A Tarptent Contrail would be at least equal to the Hubba, IMHO, in strong wind in so far as stormworthiness but if low near freezing temperature is combined with the wind you may need to add to your sleeping system to keep you warm in as much as the ventilation takes away any insulation value of the tent. This has been my experience with the two.
No experience with the SL1 but have owned a Hubba for several years and am very happy with it and recommend it.
Marta: A Tarptent Contrail would be at least equal to the Hubba, IMHO, in strong wind in so far as stormworthiness but if low near freezing temperature is combined with the wind you may need to add to your sleeping system to keep you warm in as much as the ventilation takes away any insulation value of the tent. This has been my experience with the two.
The warmth factor is one of the things I'm considering. On the JMT this summer, I had Virga I--which is also very well ventilated--and a sleeping bag that was just barely warm enough. I was careful every night to choose a spot that was protected and not too high up. In other words, given a choice between the magnificent view and the protected spot, I went for the protected spot. I'm thinking I may want to have the more options next summer. If the wind is as relentless as I'm thinking it could be, I might want an enclosed tent. The other thing in favor of the Hubba is the option of leaving the fly off when it's buggy, but you want to see the sky.
I own the Seedhouse 1 SL and there are a few things I dislike about it most of which are already posted here, but here is my list
1. It takes too many stakes to pitch properley (I use 10 and could be modified to use 8)
2.the door is small
3. the vestibule is small (although big enough for my pack (mountainsmith phantom, and boots)
4. the mesh seems more fragile than mesh on other tents
5. You can't set up the tent without the rainfly
I am not saying that I don't like the tent, I do. It is very light, well made, and storm worthy. It is also fairly roomy for a one person tent, and the door on the end allows you to look up at the stars at night. The Seedhouse also packs very compactly and the floor is tougher than it seems.
I looked at the Hubba and it has some very strong points as well. I just decided to go with the lighter tent. Well, that and I couldn't stant looking at that orange fly all of the time.
AT-HITMAN2005
11-01-2007, 18:49
i have the hubba and plan on getting the hubba hubba when i go next year with my wife. heres why:
1. easy setup in all weather.(single pole technology is great)
2. the weight for me was exceptable.(the tent being mainly noseeum net cuts weight a lot.)
3. when the weather is nice but the bugs aren't, the entire upper is noseeum netting, so you get awesome air flow.
4. i'm tall so didn't have any room inside for my stuff, but the vestibule outside was great, none of my stuff ever got wet staying under the vestibule. you pretty much have 2 vestibules to play with also, one on the opposite side of the tent, even though you can't get to it from the entrance. i usually stashed my hiking poles under that side so they stayed mostly dry.
5. someone else mentioned this: its great for cooking in the rain with its side entrance and vestibule. get nice and cozy inside and just have your stove within reach outside(just make sure its on a stable surface, lol)
6. bath tub design of the floor keeps water out.
7. you could actually use just the fly and some type of flooring to keep your bag off the ground if you wanted, cut the weight even more.
enjoy.
LastHonestFool
11-02-2007, 01:10
5. You can't set up the tent without the rainfly
what?
please elaborate
I'm about to purchase an SL1 or a Hubba, and I did research, and never heard of that before?
I set up my Seedhouse without the rainfly. Kept it close by in case of rain.
Maybe he meant you can't do a fast pitch option with just the poles and rainfly?
AT-HITMAN2005
11-02-2007, 07:37
if its a free standing tent you should be able to set it up without the rain fly.
Maybe I should have been more specific. The pole for the SL1 is a Y shape. There is only a ridgeline pole on the foot end of the tent. While the foot end you stake the tent and the fly seprately, the middle of the tent has clips so that the tent actually hooks to the rainfly and you stake the rainfly out. While I guess you could set it up without staking the middle, you would have no interior room at all.
With my REI Quarter Dome, I set the tent up with the rainfly on and then undo two clips, fold the rainfly back. If it starts raining in the night, I just get up attach the rainfly with two clips, attach the guylines to stakes I placed with the rainfly on, and be perfectly done in a matter af a few seconds. I can even manage to do it most of the time without a headlamp. To do that to the SL1 would be much more complicated and time consuming. To the credit of the SL1, it is a very airy tent even with the rainfly on, and I have never had any condensation problems even here in the humid south during a long night of rain.
While I don't have the footprint so I can't say for sure, I don't see why you couldn't do a fast pitch option with the tent and official footprint.
So what about the narrow width of the Hubba? Has anyone had any problems with rain or condensation or anything from the inevitable rubbing against the tub sides, since it's so narrow?
peanut its a double wall tent, even if you do touch the side you are just touching the mesh. Any condensation appears on the inside of the fly. After about 200 nights in a hubba, the only time ive gotten wet is when I set up in a depression, put my headphones on and mp3 player full blast and never heardit start to rain. I woke up in a puddle 6 inches deep...lol
maxNcathy
11-12-2007, 16:36
I bought the BA Seedhouse SL1 because it was lighter and roomier than the Hubba.I am 5ft 6 inches tall so I had enough headroom and room at the foot of bed for all gear.It has withstood high winds and lots of snowfall without ripping or leaking.
If I were much taller/bigger I would buy the SL2. Also, I like the pole configuration of the SL2 better than my SL1 and it is still very lightweight.
I bought the stealth color of the Seedhouse tent on purpose.
If you like bright colors of course the Hubba is so nice. I talked with folks on the AT and owners loved their Hubba as did the owners of the Big Agnes Seedhouse SL1. Both were very popular last spring.
Make sure it's Seedhouse SL1 not the heavier Seedhouse 1.
Sandalwood
Trillium
11-12-2007, 18:04
when you guys are talking headroom, do you meaning lying down or sitting up?
last year when I was dayhiking and stayed a night at Maria McCabe's, the thru-hiker staying the night mentioned that she liked the Big Agnes because she could sit up making it easier to change clothes inside that tent.
I'm looking for a light, roomy, waterproof tent that I will have a relatively easy time changing clothes in. does either the hubba or ba sl-1 fit that criteria?
maxNcathy
11-12-2007, 18:18
Headroom refers to distance from the floor to the ceiling.
Sit by a wall and kneel by a wall and determine by measuring how much room you desire inside your tent before your head hits the "ceiling"
I have the SL2. I discovered a flaw in the design while camping in Arizona last year. One night the wind was blowing sand up and under the fly big time. The fly does not go to the ground. I had to use my Tyvek to stop it. It does make for a 2 lb freestanding tarp tent if you leave out the main tent.
AT-HITMAN2005
11-12-2007, 19:32
So what about the narrow width of the Hubba? Has anyone had any problems with rain or condensation or anything from the inevitable rubbing against the tub sides, since it's so narrow?
the "tub" is totally waterproof material. so you shouldn't have a problem with that. im a pretty big guy 6-1 230lbs, and never had a problem with width or height in the hubba. a couple times had condensation but then who doesn't.
For what it's worth, REI has the Hubba and Hubba Hubba marked down right now.
Hubba - $179.
Hubba Hubba - $199
I like that option, that is the only thing I have found disagreeable with the tarptent type shelters. Leave it to me to pick a spot, make sure nothing is under my nest only to get inside and have some root or other obstacle poking my pad ( I had my thermarest fixed twice last hike due to punctures), and then it was too late or I was too tired to move it.
.
To avoid this I always "test lay" the site. Spread out my ground cloth, and pad and actually lay down, take a brief nap if there is time. Also helps to determine slope and thus proper positioning of the tent/tarp. Has worked very well for me, I never recall having to move a tent or tarp if I took the minute or two to do this.
saimyoji
11-18-2007, 12:08
I grabbed a Seedhouse from REI a few months ago for about $100. Its "curry green" more of a soft yellow though, very cheery in the rain. Hubba on sale at backcountrygear.com for $175.
saimyoji
11-18-2007, 12:11
I grabbed a Seedhouse from REI a few months ago for about $100. Its "curry green" more of a soft yellow though, very cheery in the rain. Hubba on sale at backcountrygear.com for $175.
I should mention that its not the SL, and seems to have unnecessary stuff on it: the rainfly attachment clips, the fly side ties...also, I don't like that you can't see out the front/back with the fly on (I'm used to my Eureka Timberlite)...I'm working on changing all this though....
Roomy enough, headroom enough and light enough for me.
I got try out my hubba last night in freezing rain. Nice tent and a few things I noticed:
Compared to the Lunar Solo E, staying on the sleeping pad was simple. The width of tent sort of "cups" you in there and I stayed on the pad all night.
The back side of the tent was put facing into the wind, to take the brunt of the weather. The freezing rain rolled off, but after several hours it needed to be restaked, and I wasn't getting out of my cozy bag, so it sort of sagged in and almost touched the mesh. I only see that this could be a problem if it had - and started melting down the mesh into the tent, and on my bag.
One question for other Hubba users, at the front of the vestibule where you stake out the point where the zipper would reach the ground, there are two loops for stakes. Any idea why?
My take was that if both are staked, you can't get into the tent, do you do attempt to stake the odd one when you are already inside in bad weather? :)
Christopher Robin
12-15-2007, 17:34
1. I use a North Face free standing for yrs & have not had condersation problems & hevey rain w/wind s up to 55mph. 2. Martha i have backpacked in windy Wyohmy thought a sand storm in a tent, but was prepaired for it by adding D-rings to the peck of the tent if one can sew. Then I added the extra guide ropes & staked then down each time I put the tent up. It worked well there was10 tents standing when we left that day & when we came back only 6 tent had not been torn to bits, all those standind was the group w/D-ring & extra guide ropes, be prepared. 3.I am looking to make a traptent anyone know where I can buy a kit or parren & fabric/
Painted Turtle
12-15-2007, 18:49
???? Are there more then one (1) model of the Speed house 1??? I ask because, I got mine about 4 years ago and it is definitly not free standing.
bigboots
12-15-2007, 22:12
One question for other Hubba users, at the front of the vestibule where you stake out the point where the zipper would reach the ground, there are two loops for stakes. Any idea why?
Each side has a loop so that you can have either side open while the other one is closed using the same stake, or if you want them both closed, then just hook both loops over the one stake.
Bigboots
Almost There
12-15-2007, 22:38
I have stayed in my Hubba in several T-storms and two snowfalls now and have never had a problem with it coming unstaked. Although I do admit there is a small learning curve that goes into staking the hubba so that your vestibules don't come unstaked. As for the two loops it's as Bigboots has said, so it's easy to leave one side open when necessary. It makes it easy to keep my pack under one side in rain but open up half to get out or do whatever. One side always tends to be more taut than the other, so it makes it easy to unhook or rehook the side that you want to open up.