Backpacking tents · owner-verdict comparison

Kelty Late Start 2P vs MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2-Person: what real owners say

Real owners rate these about evenly: 80% of 10 Kelty Late Start 2P owners recommend it, vs 79% of 140 for the MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2-Person.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Kelty Late Start 2P

80%of 10 owners recommend

80% recommend · 20% neutral · 0% don't

Owners praise

Holds up for years of hard backpacking use without failing, owners report 5, 10, even 11 years of reliable service
Genuinely waterproof, owners say it's never leaked through torrential overnight rain
Quick, easy setup, even solo

Owners complain about

Heavy for its class, around 4 lbs for a 1-person tent (up to 6 lbs packed), which owners say undercuts its backpacking claims
Look and build feel cheap, with several owners comparing it unfavorably to a Walmart/Ozark Trail tent
Interior feels narrow and cramped, especially at the top and foot end, with too little room to spare

Full owner report →

MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2-Person

79%of 140 owners recommend

79% recommend · 12% neutral · 9% don't

Owners praise

Lightweight and packs down small
Fast and easy to pitch
Roomy with good headroom for one

Owners complain about

Cramped for two adults
Heavy for an ultralight tent
Pricey for the category

Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the Kelty Late Start 2P if

✓Budget-conscious backpackers who want a durable, easy-to-pitch entry-level tent
✓Solo or 2-person backpackers who prioritize dry, leak-proof performance over ultralight weight
✓Beginners new to backpacking who want simple, no-frills setup and reliable weather protection
✓Backyard or short-hike family campers who don't need packed weight to be minimal

Skip it if

Ultralight backpackers who count every ounce, since the ~4lb weight for a 1-person tent draws frequent complaints
Taller or broader-shouldered campers, since several owners found the length and width too tight

Get the MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2-Person if

✓Solo backpackers wanting a roomy, light shelter
✓Couples prioritizing pack size over roominess
✓Bike tourers and thru-hikers in wet, windy conditions

Skip it if

Two tall adults wanting spacious sleeping room
Cold-weather or winter campers

What Kelty Late Start 2P owners say

“I've never had any issues.”
— @gunsofmasseffect4321 on YouTube

“it has worked great for 3-4 years”
— @realJohnLab on YouTube

“4 lbs for a 1 person tent is nuts”
— @SomeRandomGuy-1985 on YouTube

What MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2-Person owners say

“I'm beyond excited to get out and use it”
— @dudeymcduderson on YouTube

“Vestibules are huge at 8.75sq-ft for a total of 17.5sq-ft.”
— CJOttawa on Reddit

“I have a MSR Hubba Hubba, that I use solo. It's definitely small for two people. I don't like that it's pitched inner first, meaning if it rains the inside gets wet.”
— oops_whatnow on Reddit

Kelty Late Start 2P vs MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2-Person: frequently asked questions

Is the Kelty Late Start 2P or the MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2-Person better?

Real owners rate these about evenly: 80% of 10 Kelty Late Start 2P owners recommend it, vs 79% of 140 for the MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2-Person.

Who should get the Kelty Late Start 2P?

Owners point the Kelty Late Start 2P at budget-conscious backpackers who want a durable, easy-to-pitch entry-level tent, and solo or 2-person backpackers who prioritize dry, leak-proof performance over ultralight weight.

Who should get the MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2-Person?

Owners point the MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2-Person at solo backpackers wanting a roomy, light shelter, and couples prioritizing pack size over roominess.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Kelty Late Start 2P is heavy for its class, around 4 lbs for a 1-person tent (up to 6 lbs packed), which owners say undercuts its backpacking claims. For the MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2-Person, it's cramped for two adults.