MSR Hubba Hubba vs Fling

[Magic Thumb]

Looking for a good, light 2 person tent. I have the solo Hubba and totally love it, so I've been looking mostly at MSRs. It seems like the Hubba Hubba has a lot of fans, so it made the short list. I've gotten to take a look at it at my local REI and it seemed pretty comfy for 2 people plus gear. But I'm also considering the MSR Fling. I've heard some good things about it, roomy and very light. So kinda stuck about which tent to buy, especially since I haven't found as many reviews of the Fling compared to the Hubba Hubba.

So, which tent do you recommend, hubba hubba or fling, or should I add to the confusion by considering another one altogether? :)

Megan

PS. I'm getting a new tent soon! :banana

[john gault]

I like the design of the Hubba, just don't like the price - very expensive tent. With that said if it came down to the Hubba or the Fling, I'd go with the Hubba, because of the screen, with rainfly. Looks like the Fling is a single-wall design, which is not good on warm nights.
http://www.msrgear.com/tents/fastandlight.asp

[envirodiver]

Did you look at the REI Quarter Dome T2 while at REI. Very similar tents. T2 is $249 vs $299 for the Hubba. Floor size is 29.7 vs 29, so a wash. Both have 2 doors and 2 vestibules (total for both is 13.4 vs 17.5). Packaged weight is 4lb-2oz vs 4lb-6oz.

So not a lot of difference other than the T2 is a bit less expensive and a little lighter. Hubba vestibules are a little larger.

[envirodiver]

................

[Magic Thumb]

John, that's a good point about the single wall. I've never used a single wall, so I guess I hadn't considered the difference that much. Besides the ventillation issue, I definitely like being able to open the rainfly on my hubba to get some air without letting in the bugs.

diver, Thanks for bringing the T2 to my attention. I'll definitely look into it.

[john gault]

I was just looking at the Fling again on the website, and I don't see a door. If that's the case might as well buy a tarp. Cheaper and lighter.

[envirodiver]

I was just looking at the Fling again on the website, and I don't see a door. If that's the case might as well buy a tarp. Cheaper and lighter.

I looked at it again also, and it does appear to have a door. In that photo if you enlarge it and look in the corners there appears to be a zipper in each corner and the door seems to be rolled up and held by the bands on the bottom.

[john gault]

Yeah, probably, but another thing I noticed was that this might be a "tent" with two separate pieces: 1. Bathtub 2. Awning. Meaning bugs can crawl up the outside of the bathtub and into the "tent". Also curious about the two pics, one w/ the poles over the top and the other without?

Now I feel the need to go to the local outfitter to check it out.

[Magic Thumb]

I was looking at the specs for the T2 vs hubba and it does look like the main difference is price and vestibule space. I've never bought an REI tent before, but I didn't have good luck with their sleeping pad holding air for me. Are their any issues with durability for REI tents or are they considered pretty solid?

As for the Fling, I did have some trouble figuring out its construction from the pics too, which is why I wanted to get more input about it. I did find more pics of the fling at...
http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Shelters/Tents/MSR%20Fling/Ryan%20Christensen/Initial%20Report/

[envirodiver]

I was looking at the specs for the T2 vs hubba and it does look like the main difference is price and vestibule space. I've never bought an REI tent before, but I didn't have good luck with their sleeping pad holding air for me. Are their any issues with durability for REI tents or are they considered pretty solid?

As for the Fling, I did have some trouble figuring out its construction from the pics too, which is why I wanted to get more input about it. I did find more pics of the fling at...
http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Shelters/Tents/MSR%20Fling/Ryan%20Christensen/Initial%20Report/


I'll admit to being somewhat of a homer. I work at REI off and on as my other jobs schedule allows. But, I have heard no stories of REI tents having a durability issue. A lot of folks came in the swear by the REI tents. Go set one up and check it out. You really have little to lose with the REI return policy.

Regarding the pad losing air. I had the same problem and just took it and got a new one. If you have a problem with the pad, I recommend that you take it back in and they will give you a new one.

[Incahiker]

I will let you know my opinion. I have a Eureka Pinnacle Pass 2XTA for a 2 person tent. This is an AWESOME 2 person tent. Very roomy, more roomy then either of the 2 tents you are talking about above and probably any other 2 person tent on the market. Very simple to setup. I can have it set up in about 2 minutes flat. It is 36 square feet. The only thing I guess you might not like is that it weighs 4 lbs 11 oz. minimum or 5 lbs 3 oz. packed. I will happily carry the extra weight though, it is well worth it. Its only 2 lbs. 9 1/2 oz. for each person

[Incahiker]

Here's the link for my post above regarding the tent
http://www.eurekatent.com/p-63-pinnacle-pass-2xta.aspx#

(Why can't we edit our messages, am I just overlooking the edit button?)

[envirodiver]

Here's the link for my post above regarding the tent
http://www.eurekatent.com/p-63-pinnacle-pass-2xta.aspx#

(Why can't we edit our messages, am I just overlooking the edit button?)

You must be a donating member to have edit privelages.

[Wags]

i also carry a slightly heavier tent for more room. if you're going to be sleeping 2 i'd really recommend a 3 person tent unless you like spooning all night

[Incahiker]

i also carry a slightly heavier tent for more room. if you're going to be sleeping 2 i'd really recommend a 3 person tent unless you like spooning all night

Spooning can be ok, epsecially if you are highly attracted to the person. Now if its your best friend of the same sex, well, that can be very, uh, akward, uncomfortable, unless your into that kinda thing.

With the eureka though, no spooning is necessary, unless of course you want to ;)

[Magic Thumb]

haha, it's to take my boyfriend out backpacking with me. We'll spoon :p

[Wags]

well then make him just carry the tent like my gf does :D

[stranger]

I have a Fling and my view is that it's one of the best single walled tents on the market right now, but not without flaws of course.

The Good: Well, for one, MSR understands that condensation simply cannot be eliminated, ever, so the side vents allow any condensation to run down the walls and drip outside of the tent. Second, there are good size vents on all 4 sides of the tent. Third, it's built like a tank compared to many other ultralight tents, the reinforcements are impressive and the tunnel design is proven over and over again.

The Bad: THIS TENT IS NOT FREE-STANDING, at all. However, in my opinion it sets up better without the center pole anyway, and in high wind you need to stake it anyway. Also, the front beak is shallow and needs to be staked out as far away as possible from the tent in order to keep it taught, or you will need to prop it up with a trekking pole. If a nasty storm is blowing rain straight at the front awning, water can get in, however with most tents it's usually common sense to pitch the tent foot first into the wind.

Condesation: Yes, you will have some, sometimes alot, but that's the case in any shelter. But the difference with this tent is that it will run down the walls and exit through the side vents, and I haven't had any condensation issues at the head or foot that I havent' had with any double walled tent.

Improvements: The front awning/beak could be more protective, but it's shallow to allow easy entry/exit of the tent. The foot vent could easily be about 40% larger with no risk of rain getting in. The front door/vent should allow venting all the way down, not just the top portion, especially on clear nights.

Overall: Probably one of the best single wall tents around, superior quality and completely weathertight in my experience, just watch the frong awning direction in a storm.

[Allen1203]

I really love my Fling. I haven't had the same issues as stranger as far as setting it up as freestanding. IDK maybe it is small differences in manufacturing. But everything else he posted was spot on!

[Magic Thumb]

Thanks for the info, everybody.
I've been shopping around for a good price on the hubba hubba and I'm starting to think it's out of my price range. I'd like to see the REI T2 go on sale, but I'm still waiting. In the mean time, I was looking at some less pricey options, like the Marmot Titan 2.
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/322,88182_Marmot-Titan-Tent-Backpacking-.html

It's on the heavy side of what I'd like, but it looks like a good tent. 2 doors, and enough space... just concerned about the weight. Any advice or suggestions on this tent?

[Wags]

well if you're going to use it when hiking w/ your bf then you can always share the shelter weight. 1/2 of that is 2lbs 5ozs which is good to go imo

[Incahiker]

Thanks for the info, everybody.
I've been shopping around for a good price on the hubba hubba and I'm starting to think it's out of my price range. I'd like to see the REI T2 go on sale, but I'm still waiting. In the mean time, I was looking at some less pricey options, like the Marmot Titan 2.
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/322,88182_Marmot-Titan-Tent-Backpacking-.html

It's on the heavy side of what I'd like, but it looks like a good tent. 2 doors, and enough space... just concerned about the weight. Any advice or suggestions on this tent?


That tent looks exactly like my Eureka pinnacle pass, the same price too. The Marmot weighs 1 ounce less. I looked at both tents when deciding, but the reason I didn't get the Marmot, and also the reason I didn't look at the Hubba is the colors, they are bright yellow and red which sticks out like a sore thumb in the woods unless you are hiking in the fall with the leaves changing colors. Thats the reason I went with the pinnacle pass.