MSR Mutha Hubba Tent - GearReview.com

Review of MSR Mutha Hubba Tent
By Matt Smith

I'm sure I'm not the only person who has ever stood in my local outdoor store trying to decide between that super light 1.5 person tent that would be great for backpacking, but a little small for car camping; or that nice 4500 inch pack that would be perfect for a 3-4 day trip, but super overkill for peak bagging. It's enough to make you go crazy, trying to get the most bang out of your hard earned bucks.

Mountain Safety Research
Mutha Hubba in Zion NP

I think the MSR Mutha Hubba was probably designed by God himself. As far as I am concerned, it is the perfect balance between size, and weight. It is a roomy 3 man tent, with functional vestibules. The tent body and fly and fully symmetrical, which not only makes it a snap to set up, but also very versatile in inclement weather. The large doors on either end zip completely open providing easy access from the outside, and a great staging area to cook your breakfast from the inside (remember to open the fly when cooking...we don't want any Darwin Awards).

The body and fly combined tip the scale at a little over 6 and 1/2 pounds. Not bad at all for such a large 3 man, with full double walls. If you opt to go only with the fly and foot print, you can save another 2 pounds. As I see it, splitting up your tent to about 2 pounds per person just doesn't get much better, unless you are going to sleep in a bivy. But, the Mutha Hubba makes a great car camping tent too. Car camping tents have to be roomy, easy to set up in the dark, rain, and wind; and accomodate those little luxuries you bring along when you don't have to slog it on your back.

During testing, I found that with both fly vents open, condensation during 3 season use was minimal, even with the vestibules zipped closed. One of my favorite setups is with the body, and no fly. Essentially the entire tent body is mesh, so on those dry desert nights when you mostly just need protection from the noo-see-ums and gnats you can still get a full view of the sky. The pole configuration creates plenty of head room inside the tent for dressing, and playing cards on rainy afternoons.

Summary: As I said in the beginning, the Mutha Hubba is divine. It has earned a regular spot both in my pack, and in my trunk. MSRP on the Mutha Hubba is $399, but because, at least in my book, this tent eliminates the need for a light weight backpacking tent and a more roomy car camping tent, it is money well spent.

For more information contact:
Mountain Safety Research
www.mountainsafetyresearch.com
PO Box 24547
Seattle, WA 98124
(800) 531-9531
info@msrcorp.com

Matt Smith is the canyoneering specialist at GearReview.com, and loves steep, cold canyons.


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