THERM-A-REST "Neoloft" & MSR "Hubba Hubba LT" Review: The era when you can finally carry the comfort of a bed in your backpack. Incredibly comfortable mountain tent and mat that keep weight down

I've had many sleep experiences in the mountains over the years. Some of them were comfortable and sound, while others were sleepless and I never want to experience them again. While there is no single cause for these, I can safely say that one of the biggest factors was the quality of my sleep system

THERM-A-REST Neoloft , released this season , I was so shocked I couldn't get up, and I'm not just saying that. This pad offers a whole new level of comfort while remaining lightweight and compact, and it has the potential to overturn conventional wisdom about mountain sleeping pads.

I'll be reviewing Hubba Hubba LT backpacking tent, which has been updated to perfectly complement it Hubba Hubba series change mountaineering? What kind of new standard of comfort has these two opened up for mountain tents? Having camped in the Yatsugatake Mountains just before the rainy season ended, I'd like to delve right in.

Overview: Main Features of the THERM-A-REST Neoloft (Regular) and MSR Hubba Hubba LT 1

THERM-A-REST "Neoloft"

THERM-A-REST 's latest air mattress, the Neoloft , is a backpacking air mattress offering exceptional comfort that redefines the way you sleep on mountain trails. Its wide, 56cm square design allows for easy turning and tossing, with slightly raised sides to prevent slippage and allow for optimal posture no matter how you sleep. The 11.7cm thick, stretch-knit outer fabric offers a comfortable feel and resilience, making it as comfortable as your own bed, even on the roughest terrain. The latest insulation, ContourCore Matrix™ and ThermaCapture™, deliver an R-value of 4.7, sufficient for three-season use and year-round insulation, except in the harshest winters, while also being quiet. The TwinLock™ valve system makes inflation and deflation easy, while still packing down to the size of a 1-liter bottle. Available in three sizes: Regular, Regular Wide, and Large.

Favorite points

• Unbelievably comfortable, unparalleled for mountaineering
• The wide design makes it easy to use both facing up and sideways, and it also has a design that prevents the mat from falling off
• Quiet even when turning over in bed
• High insulation sufficient for three seasons (can be used all year round)
• Highly durable underside fabric
• Easy setup with a unique valve and large dedicated pump sack

Points of concern

• price
• A bit heavy for those who prioritize lightness and speed
• Due to its generous thickness and size, it is necessary to pair it with a tent that is also reasonably spacious

Main specifications and evaluation

MSR "Hubba Hubba LT 1"

The MSR Hubba Hubba LT is the latest model in the company's signature backpacking tent series, which has been around for over 20 years. This lightweight, double-walled, freestanding tent offers ample living space and ample weather resistance. The larger floor space is based on the large size of Therma-Rest's Neoloft , and the revised pole hub structure provides even more headroom and overall living space. The tent's expanded micromesh area, combined with large ventilation openings on both ends of the fly, ensures excellent breathability. Equipped with many practical features that are easy to use even for beginners, including a freestanding design that allows for easy setup anywhere, convenient gear storage, and a standard clothesline, this tent is ideal for hikers and mountaineers who want to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, including camping, backpacking, and mountaineering, without compromising on quality.

Favorite points

• Spacious and comfortable living space
• High breathability thanks to inner mesh and large ventilation
• Considering the high level of comfort, it is lightweight and compact enough
• Easy to set up anywhere, even for beginners, and built to withstand bad weather
• Ample and convenient storage inside the tent
• Excellent roll-top storage bag for easy packing when packing down
• Gutter system over door zipper to keep rain out of the doorway
• Straight zipper opening for easy one-handed operation

Points of concern

• Footprint is recommended for use in combination, but is sold separately
• Near-vertical sidewalls require some caution in extreme winds (guy lines are always recommended)
• price

Main specifications and evaluation

THERM-A-REST Neoloft: Detailed Review

Once you sleep, you'll never want to get up again - it's so soft, flat, quiet and comfortable

I used this mat during a tent camping trip to the Yatsugatake Mountains in July, and I can't help but express my honest impression of it. It was simply more comfortable than any other mattress (suitable for mountaineering) I'd ever slept on, and that night I found myself sleeping so comfortably I couldn't believe I was in a tent while hiking. It felt more like a bed than a pad or mattress. Looking into the details to pinpoint the factors that make it so comfortable, I discovered that this pad was designed with the utmost in comfort, from the materials to the dimensions, thickness, and shape

For example, the outer fabric that touches your body a soft, stretchy knit material that feels extremely comfortable against the skin and fits snugly against your body, without the plastic or crisp feeling that many pads have, and it gently hugs your body as if you were laying a sheet on top of a mat.

The size and design of the mattress, with rectangular design measuring 185cm long and 56cm wide , is so luxurious that it would be considered slightly over-spec for mountaineering by conventional standards. The horizontal baffles provide uniform support, and the slightly higher side rails create a gentle, enveloping feeling. Even I, a primary side sleeper (176cm tall), was able to turn over in peace without worrying about my body falling out. Of course, back sleepers can enjoy an even more spacious sleeping surface. Incidentally, it's also extremely quiet when turning over. It's also nice that there are size variations, including a wider RW and a larger overall L size.

its 11.7cm thickness, which is far thicker than any other backpacking mattress I've ever used . Of course, it feels completely different from the super cheap air mattresses you'd find on Amazon that are just thick. My weight was evenly distributed, there was no pressure, and it felt stable, just like a typical mattress you'd find at home (this comfort is due to the internal structure of the mattress, which I'll explain later).

High insulation that can be relied on all year round except during the harsh winter

ContourCore Matrix™ image (Source: MSR official website)

The R-value (ASTM F3340), the global standard for the warmth of a sleeping pad, is 4.7 for this mattress . This is slightly higher than the 4.5 of the brand's all-season lightweight air mattress, the NeoAir X-Lite NXT . Its high level of insulation makes it suitable for all seasons, even in mild winters, even on snow or frozen ground (though I haven't actually slept on it in the cold). Even when I slept on it (for a short period of time), I didn't feel any chill at all.

Neoloft 's high insulating power is primarily due to its thickness and unique chamber structure, ContourCore Matrix™ . This consists of two rows of stacked triangular chambers, which provide efficient insulation by minimizing heat loss through convection. Furthermore, the heat-reflecting material ThermaCapture™ (also used in the NeoAir series) placed on the inside also efficiently reflects body heat, achieving high insulation despite its limited weight.

By the way, this two-row chamber structure allows the upper section to absorb the sinking of the body due to weight, while the lower section maintains its bulk, minimizing bouncing when lying down and resistance caused by movement, providing a stable sleeping experience

Although it's not exceptionally light, it's comfortable and has a good weight and packability

Of course, even if a pad is this comfortable and warm, it would be completely useless if it were as heavy as a camping mat. The innovation of this mat is that it packs all this comfort into a "sensible" weight and compact size

Despite its thickness and excellent insulation, the mattress packs into a compact stuff sack no larger than a 1-liter Nalgene bottle

It also weighs about 710g, which is admittedly a little heavy for a mountaineering sleeping pad. If you're someone who insists on ultralightweight sleeping pads, you might want to stop reading this review at this point. However, for those who don't feel the weight is a problem at this point, and who want to prioritize comfort as much as possible without being excessively heavy, this weight and packable size (considering the unparalleled comfort) are well worth considering

Reinforced where necessary for reliable durability, without being unnecessarily thin or weak

Some ultra-lightweight pads have fabrics that are so thin and fragile that they require careful handling, but the Neoloft was not one of those mattresses that required particularly careful handling.

The outer surface is made of 50 denier stretch knit polyester, while the back panel is made of thick 75 denier polyester. This is the same level of thickness used in the company's models that are above standard in durability, so you don't have to worry about punctures as long as you use it inside a tent. I laid it out on bare ground for testing and photography, and slept there without any problems (though you should still be careful with sharp gravel or metal on the ground). Of course, a repair kit is included just in case

Easy to use, even for beginners, allowing for smooth setup and cleanup

At first glance, it may seem like it would be a hassle to inflate and pack away a pad this large, but in reality, this was a needless worry. Setting it up and packing it down is completely stress-free

First of all, this mat's " TwinLock Valve System " has separate inflation and deflation valves for intake and exhaust, each labeled "IN" and "OUT," making it easy to use. The valves can also be fine-tuned, allowing you to adjust the firmness level to your liking even after inflation.

To inflate the helmet, you use the included large pump sack, which is perfectly sized to pump a significant amount of air in one go, allowing for quick inflation. The pump sack fits securely onto the intake valve, and the large opening is easy to inflate by blowing into from a distance, and the opening can be rolled up and sealed to prevent unnecessary air leakage. In several tests, it took an average of about four tries (just under two minutes) to fully inflate the helmet

When you're finished using it and want to fold it up, you can easily let the air out by opening the OUT valve on the opposite side from the IN valve (see photo below)

THERM-A-REST Neoloft Summary: A no-brainer for those who want a bed that's incredibly comfortable and not unnecessarily heavy

the Neoloft is the most comfortable backpacking sleeping mat we've ever reviewed, and what really makes it great is that it combines its incredible comfort with a reasonable size and weight (for mountaineering).

It's certainly not lightweight, and it's expensive, but the guaranteed best rest on any terrain is priceless. Weight is certainly an important consideration on long-distance travel. However, there are probably many people like me who are coming to the end of their days of being able to sleep soundly even on the most difficult of sleeping surfaces. There's no doubt the Neoloft offers a new and unprecedented option for tough backpacking, where effective sleep is essential.

However, one thing to note is that these tents have widths and heights that are different from conventional standards, so they can take up a lot of space . Depending on your height, a lightweight tent with the minimum amount of space may interfere with the ceiling, so you need to be careful about which tent you combine with them.

Enter Hubba Hubba LT, a new tent from MSR Neoloft perfectly and also delivers high performance .

MSR Hubba Hubba LT: Detailed Review

A more spacious and comfortable living space than the previous model

Hubba Hubba series tents, which could be said to be the face of MSR , is their excellent balance of stable protection and comfortable living space. To sum up this latest update in one sentence, it would be best to say that "comfort has been further refined by adding compatibility with the ultra-comfortable Neoloft mattress . " Having tried out the latest models, I'd like to write about the changes.

Floor area, height, and headroom are all larger

First and foremost, the size has been expanded. The overall interior space of the tent, including the floor area, has been expanded both numerically and physically, so that even a large Neoloft 224 x 81 cm . This the Neoloft and in the headroom (the tent I tried was the most compact R size, so it felt spacious).

Furthermore, the height inside the tent has been significantly increased from 94cm 99cm . It is clearly taller than any other tent on the market, and you can immediately tell by looking at the tents set up by other people at the campsite.

This spaciousness is made possible by the revised pole structure. The ridge pole that crosses the top is now positioned higher, the pole itself is longer, and the Y-shaped section at the end is also longer (wider). This means that the side walls in the head and foot directions are more vertical, significantly increasing the interior space compared to the previous model

In our testing, we found that even with a large mattress like the Neoloft, you can still have enough space for your gear by placing your backpack, shoes, stove, etc. in the vestibule and your daily essentials next to the mattress or in the expanded headroom. However, the Neoloft , the step is so high that it's not negligible, so the space for storing your luggage becomes quite tight, for better or worse. It feels like going from a Japanese-style room where you used to sleep on a futon to a Western-style room with a bed.

The space at face height is spacious and the overall feeling of oppression is much less, and the Neoloft , there was no head-blocking, of course. Thanks to the poles that rise vertically from the floor, there is no dead space and every inch of the tent can be utilized effectively, making tent life stress-free for a one-person size. The vestibule could be a little larger, but it still has enough space to store luggage.

Improved breathability means less worry about condensation

The new Hubba Hubba LT has more mesh in the inner tent, with the top half being almost entirely mesh, allowing the humid and warm air that tends to build up inside the tent to escape more easily, significantly improving ventilation inside the tent. However, it's not entirely mesh; the top half, where condensation is likely to occur, is mesh to maximize breathability, while the bottom panel provides privacy and a balance has been considered, preventing heat loss through convection and preventing too much cold air from passing through

The rain fly also has the same large ventilation as the previous model. The gap between the rain fly and the inner tent is wide, so it effectively blocks the wind while allowing air to circulate naturally from outside. This breathability, combined with the double wall, meant that there was almost no condensation when I woke up in the morning

The flysheet has two ventilation vents, one on the head and one on the foot side, which can be opened and closed using Velcro tension rods

Haba Hubba Shield released in Japan was sold as a limited edition in Asia, featuring a special version with less mesh and ventilation to accommodate Japanese mountaineering and climbing styles (while the North American model had mesh but no ventilation). This was certainly quite appealing to Japanese mountaineering enthusiasts, who prefer tents with less mesh, so some may be disappointed by this change. However, it is also true that this resulted in a loss of breathability and heat dissipation. In that sense, considering the concept of this model, increasing the mesh area (prioritizing comfort in warmer environments) makes sense in a sense, and it's not a question of which is right or wrong. In fact, given the current climate, where summers are getting longer and longer with the continued heatwaves, the design concept of prioritizing breathability against the heat is a perfectly reasonable decision. Personally, I believe that while you can protect yourself from the cold by wearing clothes, there's nothing you can do about heat and stuffiness, so for me, this change was a welcome one.

The ample storage inside the tent is now even more convenient

The ample storage space that is a hallmark of Hubba Hubba is still there, with a large mesh pocket on the side of the tent (with a hole in the corner for passing cables through) and two mesh pockets on the ceiling, which are as convenient as ever

I kept a mobile battery, smartphone, portable radio, glasses case, lighter, insect repellent, cap, gloves, etc. in the side pockets, and a headlamp, towel, toothbrush, watch, sunglasses, and glasses on the ceiling

Another nice feature of the new model is that it comes standard with a clothesline where you can hang wet gear and towels, hang a lantern, or even sunglasses. Generally, all tents are equipped with loops for hanging ropes (previous Hubba Hubba models were also like that), but it's rare to see one that comes standard from the start, so it feels like a nice bonus

Designed and constructed for ease of use and peace of mind, it's easy to set up and pack down

While there are no major changes to the setup process from the previous model, other than minor improvements, it remains simple and easy to set up. This freestanding dome-shaped mountain tent is easy to set up anywhere, and the poles and guy lines, which are integrated with a hub structure, come pre-installed. Eight mini groundhog tent stakes are also included, making it quick and easy to set up even in difficult conditions. Beginners will be able to set it up with confidence even when they first take it out of the bag

Secure the footprint and the four corners of the inner tent with the included pegs (Photo ①). Hang the poles through the grommets at the four corners (Photo ②), then attach the hooks on the inner tent (Photo ③), and set the ridge pole (Photo ④) to complete the inner tent. Place the flysheet on top and secure the four corners to the dedicated hooks (Photo ⑤), and finally secure the guy lines in each place with pegs to complete the setup (Photo ⑥)

It's a small thing, but the metal attachment points that connect the fly to the tent have been upgraded. They're lightweight, durable, and easy to operate (see photo below)

However, one thing that bothered me when setting up the tent was that when the poles were attached to the tent fly, the tension of the fly caused the tent to curl slightly inward (making the interior smaller), and in order to set it up properly, I had to spread the four corners out and peg them down firmly. This isn't a particularly fatal inconvenience, but it's something that's unique to this tent and not often seen in regular freestanding tents, so you need to be careful when setting it up. If anyone has had a similar experience and is unsure, I recommend that you make sure to peg down all four corners firmly

A weather-resistant construction and a rain fly that's perfect for handling rain

When prioritizing comfort and making the wall angle closer to vertical, wind resistance inevitably has to be sacrificed, and this tent does have that tendency as well. However, the angle of the rain fly itself is not too steep, and the tent comes standard with four guy line points to withstand strong winds, so by firmly staking these down you can ensure a certain degree of weather resistance even in strong winds

Although we didn't encounter any particularly strong winds this time, by firmly staking down the tent and fly and tightening the tension, it felt very stable and was able to maintain its tension even when exposed to prolonged rain

As for rain protection, the fly is made of 20D ripstop nylon with a water resistance of 1200mm, which is pretty good. I was caught in the rain overnight and it repelled the rain well

Another feature I discovered while getting caught in the rain with this tent and instantly became a favorite was the gutter system (an additional flap of material that acts as a "gutter") .

When getting in and out, the rain that had collected on the fly ran down the edge of the zipper and onto my body, and it prevented water from getting into the tent, so it kept water away from the entrance to the tent and prevented puddles from forming. In the video below, you can see how the running rain flows along the gutter

New roll-top stuff sack with compression straps for easy packing

A small storage bag is good because it's compact in itself, but if it's too tight, it can be very difficult to store a tent that's wet and puffed up with morning dew. In that sense, the new stuff sack that comes with this tent is designed to make packing easier, and the side-loading roll-top with compression straps that allows you to compress it tightly when needed is extremely easy to use

Even in the rush of the morning, I was able to pack without stress and get started on my morning routine in no time. The horizontal shape is also perfect for attaching to the bottom of a backpack

Summary of the MSR Hubba Hubba LT: This tent maximizes the comfort of the Neoloft, and is an excellent, well-balanced tent that prioritizes comfort on its own

The MSR Hubba Hubba LT 1 was a double-walled, freestanding, one-person tent that was not designed to be the lightest, but was moderately light while offering extremely high comfort, ease of use, and reliability. the Neoloft , but the features and concepts of each item are perfectly matched, so you won't end up with a mismatched setup.

The main question I wanted to answer in this test was whether it was possible to carry products with the highest level of comfort in their class on demanding journeys like tent-based mountain climbing or backpacking. As I mentioned in the main text, these products are not unrealistically heavy or bulky, and once you get used to them, they are easy to carry. Of course, if you're aiming for an ultra-lightweight style, these wouldn't be an option, but the level of comfort is so impressive that it makes you ask yourself, "Is it really worth it to be so focused on lightness?" It's no exaggeration to say that by using this pair as your mountain trekking companion, you can experience a new style of mountaineering that combines lightness and comfort at a new level

Details and purchase information for THERM-A-REST "Neoloft" and MSR "Hubba Hubba LT"

For more product details, please also check out Mochizuki's official website

Please consider a paid membership to support Outdoor Gearzine while enjoying exclusive articles and events!

   

Related reading

Review: Therm-a-Rest Antares HD Sleeping Bag - A comfortable sleeping bag with clever tricks I got from "Sekaimon"

Review: Therm-a-Rest Vela HD Quilt, a quilted sleeping bag not available in Japan, found on Sekaimon

The latest version of the THERM-A-REST Neo Air series, the king of air mattresses, has finally fixed that annoying "that" issue, making it even more flawless

The magic of "+13cm" is addictive once you try it. The Therm-a-Rest "RW" size sleeping pad was unexpectedly comfortable