MSR Backpacking Tents for 2026
Jun 01, 2026
New and Updated MSR Tents
MSR’s backpacking tent range has been refreshed for 2026, with updates to the popular Elixir series and an all-new take on the legendary Hubba Hubba. Whether you're looking for a durable, comfort-focused shelter or a lightweight tent for fast-moving adventures, the latest range offers improved materials, refined features, and more choice than ever before. Take a closer look at what's new.
Elixir Tents
The MSR Elixir Tent remains a comfort-focused option, and the latest update refines what it already does well. The updated fabrics and coatings are designed to improve longevity, extending the lifespan of the fly and floor. In real use, that means better reliability in damp conditions, where PU coatings have traditionally been a weak point.
The true rectangular floor is a clear highlight, accommodating two wide mats without overlap. The internal space is very livable, offering consistent headroom and enough width to organise gear. There are plenty of pockets to help with organisation. Dual vestibules provide separate storage, while the included footprint helps protect the tent floor.
Pitching remains straightforward. The colour-coded system and updated fly attachments create a more stable pitch, requiring less adjustment to achieve a tort pitch. It is still an inner-first design, but once up, the structure feels stable and well supported.
Ventilation is well balanced. The mix of mesh and solid fabric provides airflow without feeling too exposed, and the updated kickstand vents improve airflow through the fly. Condensation is well managed in this style of tent, though conditions will always play a part.
At 2276g (2-person) for the fly, inner and poles, it is not aimed at cutting weight. The focus is on durability, usable space and straightforward setup, and the updates reinforce that direction without changing the overall character of the tent.
Elixir Features
● So Much Room: Bring your pack inside, roll around, sit up, and sleep on a 25-inch (63.5 cm) mat – no problem at all.
● Privacy & Ventilation: A mix of solution-dyed mesh and solid fabric panels offers a balance of ventilation, warmth, and privacy.
● Easy Setup: A freestanding design, colour-coded poles and webbing, and an included footprint make for fast and intuitive setup; easy-to-find, no-curve door zips for quick entry and exit.
● Premium Luxury: Large StayDry™ door, kickstand-vented fly, large side-entry vestibule, and premium metal corner hardware for lasting performance.
● Stay Organised: A large gear loft for overhead storage and cable ports on all pockets for easy cord management.
Hubba Hubba LT & HD Range
The Hubba Hubba name carries real heritage in the world of backpacking. For years, it has stood for a clear and consistent idea: a quick-pitch, liveable two-door dome that prioritises usable space for two people. That underlying design has remained essentially unchanged over a long period, which is why the release of the Hubba Hubba LT feels significant. Rather than reinventing the layout, MSR has focused on refining materials and emphasis, keeping what works and adjusting how the tent behaves in use.
Set up remains straightforward thanks to the symmetrical structure, which makes attaching the rainfly easy, and the interior is properly rectangular rather than tapered, so two wide sleeping pads can be laid side by side without overlap. The near-vertical walls and generous peak height help create a sense of space. The pocket layout is new to the current Hubba Hubba generation and is shared with the HD, although the LT has two fewer pockets overall. The result is storage that feels intuitive with easy-to-access pockets for headtorches, phones and small essentials. As someone who wears glasses and relies on medication I need close at hand, I really appreciate this, but it also keeps the tent well organised, a place for everything, and everything in its place.
Both the HD and LT are new additions to the range and share the same core architecture: identical floor shape, dual doors and vestibules, DAC poles and a strong emphasis on liveability. Where the HD defines itself is in its material choices. The inner tent relies far more on solid, wind-resistant fabric, with mesh used sparingly. Ventilation is still present, but the priority is clearly on reducing draughts and retaining warmth when conditions are unsettled.
How do the LT and HD compare to the NX?
We take a detailed look at the new MSR Hubba Hubba range, breaking down the differences between the LT and HD across the 1P, 2P and 3P models. Rather than a full redesign, MSR has refined the original Hubba Hubba platform in two distinct directions. We also take a look at the previous Hubba Hubba NX, a design that has remained largely unchanged for over a decade, to show how the new models build on that established design.
Hubba Hubba LT: Weather protection remains appropriate for three-season use, but the priorities are clear. The fly is rated to 1200 mm and the floor to 1800 mm, which is sufficient for typical conditions while keeping overall weight down, though a footprint may be a good addition in bad weather. At 1412g (2-person) excluding pegs and bags, the LT sits comfortably in the lightweight category without sacrificing interior comfort.
Taken as a whole, the Hubba Hubba LT stays true to the long-established Hubba Hubba formula, but leans firmly towards ventilation and lower weight. It feels like a deliberate, measured update, aimed at those who value space, airflow, and simplicity in a proven design.
Hubba Hubba HD: Weather resistance is the most obvious step forward. The fly is rated to 3000 mm, and the floor to 6000 mm, providing reassurance for prolonged rain and saturated ground. That extra protection brings the total weight to 1610g (2-person), excluding pegs and bags, which feels well judged for a tent aimed at tougher three-season use.
Extra guy out-points are included and can be added where needed, allowing the structure to be tuned for windier conditions. The Hubba Hubba HD shifts its focus firmly towards durability and protection without sacrificing the layout that made the name so well regarded.
Hubba Hubba LT Features
● More Room: Added space in every direction delivers a more refined camping experience, with plenty of room for a bigger, thicker air pad.
● More Ventilation: MSR has added more mesh, maximising air flow, ventilation and views.
● Refined Details: All-metal corner hardware, easy-to-use roll-top stuff sack, and updated fly vents for a better overall experience.
● Lower Impact: Solution-dyed fly, floor and mesh fabrics use pre-dyed fibres to reduce carbon emissions by at least 80% versus our previous fabrics.
Hubba Hubba HD Features
● Maximum 3-season Protection: Heavy-duty coatings, stable poles and less mesh provide durable weather resistance; larger vestibules protect gear in bad weather.
● More Space, Less Weight: A true rectangular floor and large interior volume offer more living space for less weight and accommodates wider sleeping pads.
● Smart Details: Extra pockets, rainfly with StayDry™ doors, clothesline, new roll-top stuff sack, and easy-to-find, no-curve door zips for quick entry and exit.
● Easy Setup: Symmetrical design and locking metal stake loop grommets make tent setup fast and simple.
● Lower Impact: Solution-dyed fly, floor and mesh fabrics use pre-dyed fibres to reduce carbon emissions by at least 80% versus our previous fabrics.
Hubba Hubba LT Materials
● Poles: (1) DAC NFL 9.3mm
● Rainfly Fabric: Solution-dyed 20D ripstop nylon, 1200 mm polyether urethane & PFAS-free silicone.
● Canopy Fabric: Solution-dyed 20D polyester micromesh / 20D ripstop nylon & PFAS-free DWR.
● Floor Fabric: Solution-dyed 20D ripstop nylon, 1800 mm polyether urethane & PFAS-free DWR.
Hubba Hubba HD Materials
● Poles: (1) DAC NFL 9.3mm
● Rainfly Fabric: 20D ripstop nylon 3000mm polyether urethane & PFAS-free silicone, FR Free.
● Canopy Fabric: Solution-dyed 20D polyester micromesh / 20D ripstop nylon & PFAS-free DWR.
● Floor Fabric: 30D ripstop nylon, 6000mm polyether urethane & PFAS-free DWR.
MSR’s backpacking tent range has been refreshed for 2026, with updates to the popular Elixir series and an all-new take on the legendary Hubba Hubba. Whether you're looking for a durable, comfort-focused shelter or a lightweight tent for fast-moving adventures, the latest range offers improved materials, refined features, and more choice than ever before. Take a closer look at what's new.