MSR Hubba Hubba or BA Copper Spur UL2???

[rodonne1]

I'm getting ready to buy a new tent to replace my 20 year old tent that I've had since boy scouts as a kid. I've narrowed my search down to these two tents and just can't decide which one will be a better tent for me. It will be my wife and myself mostly using this tent for car camping and occasional backpacking trips on the AT in Georgia, pretty much a do it all tent. I'm 5'10" and she's 5'3". They are both $299.99 right now and I feel like that's a great deal for a tent that is normally $399.99, however, I've always had good experiences with MSR products so I feel like I should stay brand loyal and go with the Hubba Hubba. I would love to have a lighter tent but am also cautious that a ultra lightweight tent means that it will not be a rugged and durable as the Hubba Hubba. I've heard that The Hubba has a better waterproof coating on the floor, 5000mm vs. 1500mm, however, I have not found any evidence on the manufacturers website that backs this up. Does anyone that has experience with these two tents have any advice that may help. What are the pros and cons to each tent and price being equal, is there a better overall tent? Any advice is welcomed and appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[Franco]

Get the one your wife likes.
If something goes wrong with the tent it won't be your fault...
Franco

[skinewmexico]

I think that is the greatest advice not related to a Tarptent I've ever heard from Franco!

[Papa D]

Get the one your wife likes.
If something goes wrong with the tent it won't be your fault...
Franco

Absolutely! But seriously, the Hubba Hubba is a great tent (I personally prefer the solo version, The Hubba or actually it's cousin, the carbon reflex).

[rodonne1]

Get the one your wife likes.If something goes wrong with the tent it won't be your fault...FrancoGood point, thanks Franco!!!

[SCRUB HIKER]

My girlfriend has a Hubba Hubba and I have the Carbon Reflex 1. Can't speak highly enough of either. We use the Hubba Hubba pretty much exactly as you plan to--car camping and the occasional backcountry outing. She's 5'5" and I'm 5'10" and we have more than enough room in there for us and plenty of junk. And both are completely bombproof when it comes to weather. In the Hubba Hubba, we got railroaded by three straight severe storms in one afternoon/evening in the Boundary Waters when we lived in Minnesota, and we stayed dry inside. The Carbon Reflex held up for my entire AT trip this past year. And MSR has an outrageously generous return policy. So I don't know anything about the other tent, but I don't think you can lose if you go with the MSR.

[Chaco Taco]

I have a hubba hubba and love it. I looked at copper spur and when I made the purchase it was so much mote expensive. Go with either, you will be happy. Saw lots of both on the trails this past summer

[rodonne1]

Thanks for the feedback guys, I keep thinking I'm leaning toward the Hubba Hubba but then start thinking how much lighter the CS UL2 is, such tough decisions!!!

[One-8T]

I used the Copper Spur for about 40 nights on the trail this past Summer with my 13 year old son and we were cozy, but had plenty of room. With packs and shoes outside in the vestibules there was even more room, but I wouldn't want to wait out an all day storm in it too often. Quick question..if the primary use is car camping, why not look at something with a little bit more room and deal with the extra 14-20 oz for the occasional backpack trips?

[rodonne1]

I used the Copper Spur for about 40 nights on the trail this past Summer with my 13 year old son and we were cozy, but had plenty of room. With packs and shoes outside in the vestibules there was even more room, but I wouldn't want to wait out an all day storm in it too often. Quick question..if the primary use is car camping, why not look at something with a little bit more room and deal with the extra 14-20 oz for the occasional backpack trips?

I feel like you are right, this tent will be used for some backpacking, however, I think it will be used for more car camping than anything else. Part of me thinks I may get the opportunity to do a thru hike some day and feel like the CS would be a better tent for a long distance hike like that. It seems like the Hubba Hubba makes a better "do it all" kind of tent, where the CS seems like more of a "backpackers tent." Thanks for the input.

[FamilyGuy]

Thanks for the feedback guys, I keep thinking I'm leaning toward the Hubba Hubba but then start thinking how much lighter the CS UL2 is, such tough decisions!!!

Yes but it also has considerably less volume than the Hubba Hubba. One must not only look at the footprint measurements.

[Hoofit]

Hiked the AT with the 'Hubba Hubba' for about a thousand miles, using it as a solo tent in 2010.
Fantastic tent, sacrifice the pounds somewhere else and you won't regret it.
Heard the carbon fiber model had some troubles with the lighter pole system breaking.
Liked to just use the top fly half way over , affording great views and breathability.
If it rained, I could cover over completely in less than a minute in the middle of the night.
Wonderful tent....

[Tinker]

I don't want to assume that you've considered this one, so: http://www.rei.com/product/794294/rei-half-dome-2-tent

Re: carbon poles - they might be just as strong as aluminum for less weight, but once they break they tend to splinter and are very difficult to repair in the field.

[stranger]

The Copper Spur is probably a more efficient use of space, a better overall design in terms of usefulness of space, plus it's lighter.

The Hubba Hubba will be more roomy (symmetrical design) and has a higher waterproof rating on the floor, so prolonged exposure to puddles in camp might be better in the MSR.

The Copper Spur door has better coverage and is truly a drip free entrance, the Hubba water can drip inside.

I chose the CS over the Hubba, but I have the 1 person model. It's roomier, lighter and I like the overall design better. But absolutely nothing wrong with a Hubba.

[rodonne1]

The REI's in the Atlanta area are all haveing there scratch and dent sales this February, I think I'm going to go and see if I can find either one of these two or a Quarter Dome T2 for a reduced price, if not, I may just but the Copper Spur because that's the only tent REI still has left on the showroom floor because the Hubba Hubba and the Quarter Dome T2 are no longer being made and are only available online now. The store manager told me that both MSR and Big Agnes are releasing a whole new line of tents this march and that's why they're selling off the last few CP UL2's at clearance and that they wouldn't be getting any more Hubbas or QD T2's. He also said the the MSR tent that would be replacing the Hubba would start at $399.99 for the 2 man version which is $100 more than the Hubba was. Does anyone else have any info on these new tents?

[MissPak]

Backcountrygear.com is selling the BA copper spur ul2 for $259.95.

[rodonne1]

Thanks for the heads up and all the feedback guys!

[SloHiker]

Objectively, the BA tent is a better deal if they're both selling for the same price since the Copper Spur retails for $70 more. If you believe the specs (updated for 2012), the BA at a pound lighter, which is significant if it's going to be humped on your back as much or more than it's toted in the trunk.

I think both companies have good CS, so that probably wouldn't sway me one way or the other. As previously stated, there's no free lunch when it comes to weight so the MSR will likely prove to be more durable. The BA packed size is 2" shorter than the MSR and has 2" more head height.

With that said; I'd get the Hubba Hubba and never look back. :^)

[bamboo bob]

i have Hubb1 and HUbba2 for when my wife hikes with me. Love them both.

[Tinker]

http://www.backcountryedge.com/big_agnes-copper-spur2.aspx?utm_source=Price%2BGrabber&utm_medium=cpc

http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view?back=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%3 Fei%3DUTF-8%26p%3DMsr%2Bhubba%2Bhubba&w=160&h=119&imgurl=www.bing.com%2Fimages%2Fsearch%3Fq%3DMsr%2B hubba%2Bhubba%23focal%3D55c8e31c92370eef3133c907a4 5d3dad%26furl%3Dhttp%3a%2f%2fwww.roguepaddler.com% 2fimage%2fhubba4.jpg&size=&name=search&rcurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bing.com%2Fimages%2Fsearch% 3Fq%3DMsr%2Bhubba%2Bhubba%23focal%3D55c8e31c92370e ef3133c907a45d3dad%26furl%3Dhttp%3a%2f%2fwww.rogue paddler.com%2fimage%2fhubba4.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bing.com%2Fimages%2Fsearch%3 Fq%3DMsr%2Bhubba%2Bhubba%23focal%3D55c8e31c92370ee f3133c907a45d3dad%26furl%3Dhttp%3a%2f%2fwww.roguep addler.com%2fimage%2fhubba4.jpg&p=Msr+hubba+hubba&type=&no=3&tt=115&oid=http%3A%2F%2Fts1.mm.bing.net%2Fimages%2Fthumbn ail.aspx%3Fq%3D1606930795712%26id%3Df55598c3568e4f adb364ef527197e4bd&tit=RoguePaddler+-+Review%3A+MSR+Hubba+Hubba+tent&sigr=14mttk7m3&sigi=14forp6po&sigb=11pgje3h9&fr=fp-yma2
Now, would you like ventilation or more wind shedding? Can't have both.

[rodonne1]

Thanks for all the info, does anyone have any info on the new tents being released this March from MSR and Big Agnes?

[rodonne1]

I just ordered the Hubba Hubba, can't wait to put my hands on it in a few days and set it up. I paid a premium price to order it from REI so that I could stay loyal because they have always stood behind their products for me in the past.