View Full Version : WhaŽ's so great about the Hubba?
wcgornto
02-27-2009, 15:40
This is not a cynical question, rather one of curiousity. There are other tents out there with similar size / price characteristics. Why does the Hubba have such strong support and loyalty? How is it superior too the other tents noted below?
http://media.rei.com/media/s/1470866.jpg (http://www.rei.com/product/761891?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000) REI Quarter Dome T1 Tent (http://www.rei.com/product/761891?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000)
http://media.rei.com/media/c/1461689.jpg (http://www.rei.com/product/762560?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000) Marmot EOS 1P Tent (http://www.rei.com/product/762560?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000)
http://media.rei.com/media/652601.jpg (http://www.rei.com/product/734816?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000) Big Agnes Seedhouse SL 1 Tent (http://www.rei.com/product/734816?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000)
http://media.rei.com/media/yy/4d9e88ed-5c3b-4679-8afc-e254c991de7c.jpg (http://www.rei.com/product/781505?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000) MSR Hubba Tent (http://www.rei.com/product/781505?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000)
http://media.rei.com/media/ee/6ccf1a46-8360-4f4f-915d-a20728274442.jpg (http://www.rei.com/product/779610?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000) Big Agnes Copper Spur UL 1 Tent (http://www.rei.com/product/779610?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000)
Blue Wolf
02-27-2009, 15:43
I like it for the weight and durability 2.9 o/zs for the HP model 2.88 by my scale with the gear loft
Johnny Thunder
02-27-2009, 15:47
I think it's a function of reliability, accessibility, and overall design.
The REI and Copper Spur tents are very similar in design; however, not every outfitter stocks them. Most hikers recognize the positives of a side entry versus the front vestibule.
NashvilleBiscuit
02-27-2009, 16:01
I can't speak for the other tents but I believe the Hubba is great. I have hiked a lot with it and plan to carry it on my thru starting at the end of March. It is the perfect length. Great height, a one man tent you can sit up in. Also the rain fly creates a large enough canopy that everything can stay dry but still be outside of my tent. This tent kept me dry last weekend after 8 hours of rain followed by sleet and snow. I know someone with the seedhouse. He really liked my tent when I set it up.
skinewmexico
02-27-2009, 16:12
It's one of those things where people on certain forums yell the loudest, and eventually it's taken as something written in stone. After that, being one of the yellers makes you fit in, you're instantly one of the cognoscenti. Same thing happens with most Thermarest products. People talk about how great the Neoair will be and it's not even user tested yet; and it's an obvious attempt to recover market share lost to BA and POE. But every forum about any subject has it's standards, and standard bearers. For example, it's the 1911 and Glock guys on pistol forums. And then again, sometime it really is a good product.
For me, the Hubba is too heavy, and too coffin like.
Rockhound
02-27-2009, 17:56
Side entry, room to sit up, large vestibule, quick easy set up/take down, Company stands behind their product and it's what all the cool kids are using.
Rockhound
02-27-2009, 17:58
It's one of those things where people on certain forums yell the loudest, and eventually it's taken as something written in stone. After that, being one of the yellers makes you fit in, you're instantly one of the cognoscenti. Same thing happens with most Thermarest products. People talk about how great the Neoair will be and it's not even user tested yet; and it's an obvious attempt to recover market share lost to BA and POE. But every forum about any subject has it's standards, and standard bearers. For example, it's the 1911 and Glock guys on pistol forums. And then again, sometime it really is a good product.
For me, the Hubba is too heavy, and too coffin like.
Yea. All coffins have side entry and room to sit up.:rolleyes:
Well the Hubba has been around a bit longer than the REI Quarterdome T1.
I saw the T1 at Rei and it looks way smaller than my Hubba.
I recall the Marmot being a little shorter which I didn't like.
I had the BA Seedhouse and absolutely hated the front entry.
And just recetnly heard of the Copper Spur.
Just my 2 cents based on my experience.
stranger
03-01-2009, 21:57
Side entry is what it's all about, my vote is for the Copper Spur, the Hubba is too small (26 inches wide) for me - most of the rage is cause MSR was the first to have the pole across the top to avoid water dripping in your tent when you exit it, or atleast they claim to be the first.
I
mountain squid
03-02-2009, 11:50
This is not a cynical question, rather one of curiousity. There are other tents out there with similar size / price characteristics. Why does the Hubba have such strong support and loyalty? How is it superior too the other tents noted below?Well, I don't know, but the first thought that came to mind is that the Hubba is probably readily avail in most local outfitters and sporting goods stores. Prospective hikers can see it for themselves, climb in it and talk to a salesperson about it. There is one hanging from the overhead at Mahoney's in Johnson City (to me it looks way too small).
Unless prospective hikers do research here and on the web, they don't learn about Tarptents (http://tarptent.com/) or Six Moon Designs (http://sixmoondesigns.com/), etc. When they see the Hubba or any of the others you mentioned, it is easier to purchase right at the store.
Just my thoughts...
See you on the trail,
mt squid
Mrs Baggins
03-02-2009, 11:58
We love our Hubbas. I'm under 5' tall and mine will hold me and my pack if necessary with plenty of room left over. Husband is 6' 1" and has plenty of laying down room and head room to sit up. Love the ease of set up and take down. Durable, never had condensation problems, easy to stow and pack.
Jim Adams
03-03-2009, 12:11
I'm 5'6" tall and around 250lbs. (yes, if I wear multi color clothing, I look like a beach ball). I can lay flat in my Hubba with my pack inside at my feet. It is wide enough for me and at my size and being 56 years old, it is still roomy enough for me to turn around inside and / or sit up.
I love the huge side entry, the ventilation, the water proofness, the stability in wind and the light weight but probably my greatest like is that it is free standing.
I have probably close to 250 nights in mine and it is still in like new condition. It is simply a great product.
geek
Just Lisa
03-04-2009, 00:39
I just recently bought the BA Seedhouse SL1--- love the light weight, it's plenty of room for me--I'm short..but I am NOT liking the front entry...I'll live with it for now...but I can see potential problems getting in and out of this during a really strong downpour..you gotta be quick. The front area of the tent door and the fly door might be nice to cook inside or store stuff, but I do now wish I had waited before I purchased.
Full disclosure: my actual backpacking experience is thus far limited to my backyard.
However, I brought home the REI quarterdome T1 and Hubba HP and set them both up (inside). I chose to go with the pricier Hubba HP because:
1) it "seemed" bigger inside...I don't know what the actual measurements say
2) I didn't like the T1's funky assymetrical pole system...I found it to be a more difficult setup and the tent didn't feel as sturdy (this was without staking out though)
3) HP is 3 oz. lighter, if you care
4) I felt like the construction details were better on the HP, e.g. the seams on the HP's rainfly were taped throughout and the T1's weren't.
As I said, I don't have a huge amount of experience, so I wanted to go with something kind of idiot-proof. Thus, I didn't strongly consider the tarp-tent or hammock route. For what it's worth, I'm currently pretty happy with my choice and I feel confident in it once I finally get out there. Ask me again in 12 months.
The construction detail I meant to refer to was "waterproof zippers," not taped seams...my bad.
Frick Frack
03-04-2009, 18:12
I've had my MSR Zoid II for over 8yrs and it is still in great shape and performs flawlessly even after our SOBO last year. It is perfect for my wife & I (2 entrances & 2 vestibules & only 4.5 lbs-ish) MSR is designed well & bombproof so that is what is so great about the Hubba.
skinewmexico
03-04-2009, 18:36
Full disclosure: my actual backpacking experience is thus far limited to my backyard.
However, I brought home the REI quarterdome T1 and Hubba HP and set them both up (inside). I chose to go with the pricier Hubba HP because:
So what's the price difference?
flemdawg1
03-04-2009, 18:45
$50
If you're paying retail prices, the difference is actually $150.
REI T1 200
Hubba 250
Hubba HP 350
The $100 buck step up saves you 6 ounces, gets you an apparently lighter and tougher floor, and some other minor upgrades. I was able to get a pretty good deal because my friend works as a buyer for a local outfitter.
The color isn't so great if you want to be invisible.
Thrasher
03-04-2009, 20:44
I guess a step up from the Hubba HP for $350 is the msr carbon reflex 1 (http://www.msrgear.com/tents/carbon1.asp) tent for $450.
jpelaston
03-05-2009, 16:55
I have the Mountain Hardware Sprite and even though it isn't freestanding, it is an awesome tent.
Given the original choices, I would have to go with the copper spur. I am amazed at how big it felt inside one. I didn't like the seedhouse and I have only seen the two person hubba in person.
Powder River
03-09-2009, 14:53
At the time I bought my Hubba HP, it seemed the best choice on the market for a single man freestanding tent. It's lighter than the regular Hubba, more weather worthy and even though I had not seen the HP in person I knew plenty of people who were happy with the regular Hubba that I knew what I was getting.
I had considered the Seedhouse SL1 and the REI quarter dome. I didn't get the quarter dome because of the twisting pole designs, and skipped the seedhouse because of the reports (http://www.trailspace.com/gear/big-agnes/seedhouse-sl3/review/11135/) of the mesh being fragile. Because this purchase was specifically for a freestanding tent, those seemed to be the options. (There were other tents out there that I ruled out because of weight or bad reviews)
I would love to get a look at the BA Copper Spur, as on paper it looks like a better tent. The BA Fly Creek is tempting, but not sure I want to deal with the unprotected front entry. Maybe the weight saving will be worth putting up with.