MSR Universal Footprint Review

Overview

The MSR Universal Footprint (formerly the Hubba Hubba NX Footprint) is a rectangular sheet of coated polyester that goes under a tent floor to keep it clean, dry and unabraded. It is cut to match MSR’s two-person Hubba Hubba family and a handful of similarly sized shelters, and it comes in a one-person and a two-person Regular size. The trade-off is built into the name: “universal” means one pattern for several tents, so it protects well but fits none of them perfectly, and it has no grommets.

Key Specs

Spec	Detail
Weight	142–200 g (5–7 oz) depending on size
Dimensions	83 x 28 in (1P); 82 x 48 in (2P)
Packed size	10 x 10 x 1 in
Fabric	68-denier polyester taffeta
Coating	Polyurethane, rated at 1,200 mm, with DWR finish
Attachment	Webbing stake-out loops at the corners; no grommets
Included	Footprint with attached stuff bag
1P fits	Hubba Hubba 1 / Bikepack 1, Hubba NX 1, Carbon Reflex 1
2P fits	Hubba Hubba NX 2, FreeLite 2, Carbon Reflex 2, Access 2, Thru Hiker Mesh House 2
Typical price	About $50 (1P) to $57 (2P)

Performance

Protection. The job is simple, and owners say the footprint does it. The 68-denier taffeta is far tougher than the floor fabric of most ultralight tents, and the PU coating and DWR finish keep ground moisture and grit away from the tent floor. One owner pitching on the rocky ground of Arizona and California called it a must-have. Another reviewer’s verdict was that it does what a footprint is supposed to do. Nobody in the reviews questions its durability.

Weight. The 2P Regular weighs 200 g, and the 1P weighs 142 g. A footprint at that weight is a real addition to a pack that may have a sub-kilogram shelter. It also costs about $50 to $57, which is a lot for a rectangle of fabric. Ultralight hikers who want the same protection for less weight often cut Tyvek or polycryo to size, which weighs less and costs less. The MSR is the better choice for hikers who want something that lasts.

Fit. Fit is where owners disagree. Some buyers with a Hubba Hubba say it fits perfectly. Others, mostly with FreeLite and Hubba Hubba LT models, report it comes up about three inches short in length and width, or sticks out past the tent on one side. A footprint that overhangs is worse than one that is short. Rain runs onto the cloth and can pool between it and the floor. The usual fix is to tuck the edges under or fold them in at the pitch.

Attachment. The corners have webbing stake-out loops, and there are no grommets or toggles to connect to the tent’s pole ends. Backcountry’s roundup of customer reviews found this was the most common complaint: without a secure connection, the footprint can shift, and pitching the fly first in bad weather gets awkward. One owner tied knots in the stake cords, but said the tent poles still slipped out easily. This matters most to anyone planning a fly-and-footprint pitch, where the footprint needs to be part of the structure. Buyers who just want to put it on the ground and pitch on top will not notice.

Stuff bag. The footprint includes an attached stuff bag. A FreeLite 2 owner called it unnecessary weight. The folded footprint measures about 10 x 10 x 1 in and slips easily into most tent stuff sacks.

Choosing a Version

Both are Regular-length cuts and share the same fabric. What changes is width and compatibility. The 1P (142 g) is a narrow 83 x 28 in strip for solo tents: Hubba Hubba 1/Bikepack 1, Hubba NX 1 and Carbon Reflex 1. The 2P (200 g) is 82 x 48 in and is the one for the Hubba Hubba NX 2, FreeLite 2, Carbon Reflex 2, Access 2 and Thru Hiker Mesh House 2. Both fit a standard tent floor poorly if the tent is a different size, and one REI buyer discovered that a Hubba Hubba 2 needs the 2P, not the 1P. MSR also sells a 2P Large (85 x 51 in, 8 oz) for the Zoic 2, Remote 2, Guideline Pro 2 and Hubba Tour 2. It is not the right size for the Hubba Hubba family.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 68-denier taffeta stands up to rocks, roots and grit
• PU coating and DWR keep ground moisture off the tent floor
• 142 g (1P) and 200 g (2P) are modest additions
• Packs flat to about 10 x 10 x 1 in with an attached stuff bag
• Covers several MSR two-person tents with one pattern

Cons

• No grommets, so it is hard to use as a fly-and-footprint combination
• Generic cut: some owners find it a few inches small, others find it oversized
• Oversized edges can channel rain under the tent
• The attached stuff bag adds weight some owners don’t want
• Costs more and weighs more than a cut-to-fit polycryo or Tyvek sheet

Who Should Buy This

Buyers who own a Hubba Hubba, FreeLite, Carbon Reflex, Access or Thru Hiker Mesh House and want durable floor protection without fussing over a custom cut will be happy with it. It suits rocky or abrasive campsites and trips where the tent stays pitched in one place. Gram-counters, hikers planning a fly-and-footprint pitch, and anyone who wants exact coverage should look elsewhere: a cut-to-size polycryo sheet is lighter, and a tent-specific footprint with grommets fits better.

Verdict

The Universal Footprint is durable, adequately light and easy to use, and it protects a tent floor reliably. The lack of grommets and the imperfect fit keep it from being the best choice for every MSR tent. It is a sound buy for Hubba Hubba owners who value durability over saving a few dozen grams.