Backpacking & family car camping tents – MSR Hubba Hubba and Big Agnes Pine Island 4
Just a quick look at two tents for different types of camping. When backpacking, equipment weight is your main concern. Backpacking tents are made of lighter materials and usually pack down smaller than tents used for car camping, meaning you pull up to your campsite and pitch your tent few feet from it.
Car camping tents are sometimes referred to as family camping tents. These can be larger and weight and bulk isn’t much of an issue since you are not hauling it on your back along with the rest of your gear.
Quality tents last longer and are usually more weatherproof than your average store brand tent purchased from your local department store that also sells diapers and lawn equipment.
Look for tents that are seam sealed and that have a ranfly that goes all the way down to the ground for better rain protection. A footprint or groundcloth is also recommended to prolong the life of the tent and also adds an extra layer between you and the ground for added insulation.
A sleeping mat or air mattress is recommend both for comfort and also keeps you insulated from the ground. A sleeping bag rounds off your basic overnight sleeping accommodations. Synthetic is heavier, but performs better in humid or wet conditions, and down is lighter and compresses down smaller for transport. Mummy style bags are warmer than the standard rectangular configuration.
Practice setting up your tent at home before heading out. Setting up in the dark or rain for practice may not be a bad idea either since you may not arrive at camp under ideal conditions. Also remember to re set up your tent and let it air out if rained on during your trip. Mildew can ruin the tent over time.
If you don’t have a seam sealed tent, i highly recommend buying some seam sealer and seal the seams both from the inside and outside of the tent.
Video shot with Canon S3IS.
Duration : 0:6:56
April 4th, 2010 at 1:28 am
See UScampgrounds( …
See UScampgrounds(dot)info for great places to camp
April 4th, 2010 at 1:28 am
@vivitar45 i have a …
@vivitar45 i have a 2 man and a 5 man i youse the 5 man more because it has more room in it but i go motorcycle campping i ushely roll the sleeping bag with the tent so its just a big rool to put on top of the duffle bag on the back of the bike
April 4th, 2010 at 1:28 am
Major difference is …
Major difference is the quality and materials used.
Features such as seam sealed, bathtub style floors with the seems off the ground as well as full cover rainfly and no see-um mesh netting and overall lighter weight are the options not likely found on Wallyworld type tents.
April 4th, 2010 at 1:28 am
I agree, it is nice …
I agree, it is nice to be able to stand up in a tent to change clothes, although that adds considerable weight to the tent itself.
April 4th, 2010 at 1:28 am
qestion: What is …
qestion: What is the difference between the cheap tents that are sold at walmart vs. the ones that are expensive at other places?
April 4th, 2010 at 1:28 am
woh, little willie, …
woh, little willie, no guy in the world would ever admit to having a little willie, lol
April 4th, 2010 at 1:28 am
I heard a lot of …
I heard a lot of guys have been inside big agnes, lol
April 4th, 2010 at 1:28 am
there a little …
there a little bright my tent at least i can stand up in it trust me when you are dressing it’s so much easer then rolling around like a worm trying to get pants on i have a earaka alpix i think thats the name of it its a 2 man this yea you cant stand up in it but is grate for motor cycleing with
April 4th, 2010 at 1:28 am
@LEXPIX the poor …
@LEXPIX the poor pitch doesn’t do the vestibules justice.
April 4th, 2010 at 1:28 am
True, but they were …
True, but they were pitched quickly and not all the guy lines were staked out either.
April 4th, 2010 at 1:28 am
both of the rain …
both of the rain flies were pitched quite poorly you need a tougher pitch.
April 4th, 2010 at 1:28 am
hey man.you got a …
hey man.you got a soh! lol!
April 4th, 2010 at 1:28 am
LOL Yeah, I never …
LOL Yeah, I never understood why an outdoor company would have such a funny name. Next you’ll see Little Willie and Huge Mamma or something. LOL
April 4th, 2010 at 1:28 am
this is disgraceful …
this is disgraceful.
my wife is called agnes and she is extremely large. but why name a tent after her? you don’t know her and she doesn’t know you.
i want to know your wife’s name so that i can name my pet rat after her.
you should be ashamed of yourself to pick on my aggie like this.
and don’t say there was no IN TENT to do this.
April 4th, 2010 at 1:28 am
Thanks, yeah, extra …
Thanks, yeah, extra room for your gear is nice to have. Also being stuck all day in the rain isn’t so bad in a larger tent.
April 4th, 2010 at 1:28 am
This is the kind of …
This is the kind of review I like. 5 starz pal. I am more prone to get the Big Agnes, just for me. I like room for my gear inside. I currently have a Cougar Flats 2 15 x 10. Not practical on a hike or backpacking, but just super car camping at the state parks. Thanks again for the fine review.
April 4th, 2010 at 1:28 am
That’s true. On a …
That’s true. On a recent camping outing, we had no trouble locating our campsite from a distance even through thick woods.
April 4th, 2010 at 1:28 am
Hey at least you …
Hey at least you know you won’t loose those tents.
April 4th, 2010 at 1:28 am
The newer HP …
The newer HP version has a lot less mesh which may help keep drafts down. Although a true four season tent with more support may be better suited to combat the weight of snow build up.
Doubling up on the air mattress to further insolate you from the ground and a 800+ fill goose down bag should keep you comfy.
April 4th, 2010 at 1:28 am
That is what I was …
That is what I was thinking too, ideally I would want a green or dark colored tent though.
Would you know how this tent responds to cold weather? Does it insulate at all or are you all the more dependant on a very warm sleeping bag?
April 4th, 2010 at 1:28 am
Thanks. It is a …
Thanks. It is a nice tent, although I’m not a big fan of their new HP tent with the bright yellow rain fly.
April 4th, 2010 at 1:28 am
Thanks.
Thanks.
April 4th, 2010 at 1:28 am
Nice video! I was …
Nice video! I was just thinking about getting the Hubba Hubba, very nice to have reference videos.
April 4th, 2010 at 1:28 am
Nice video mate
Nice video mate
May 11th, 2010 at 11:47 am
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