[Luc]

I have 2 MSR Hubba tents that have seen a lot of use. One is the OG Hubba and the other is the newer Hubba NX. The OG has some patches on the fly, some holes in the mesh, and the flooring lamination (sil coating?) is flaking off. The newer one has the seam sealant starting to flake off. Of course I'd like to recoup some $ and sell them, or donate (lots of options, I know). But first I wanted to check if wear like this, particularly for the older one, is beyond refurbishment, and if there are ways to recycle them. Maybe I or someone else could use the material? They are/were really great tents and I've stood by them for like....20 years cumulatively, and the current versions are pretty pricey. If a refurbishing wasn't too much, I might go that route and keep them.

[Chief Joseph]

My first backpacking tent was a lightly used Mountain Hardwear Skyledge2 tent which I didn't use much because of it's weight. So it mostly sat in my attic and when I took it on a short trip a couple years ago the rain fly leaked pretty bad. I sprayed it with waterproof aerosol spray but it didn't work. I plan to use just the tent body with a tarp over it, saves me a pound or so too. I like the main body as it spacious and mostly screen and I like that it has a door on each side and is free standing.

[BigBrunyon]

It is well known that Rick Bowers found a tent one time and restored it.

[JVesquire]

Seam sealing is pretty easy if that's all it is. I've had a MH tent for about 20 years that I've seam sealed a few times and it is going strong. If zippers are busting and cleaning them with a toothbrush isn't helping, throw it away. Annie Getchel wrote a good book about repairing gear that is still somewhat relevant if you can find it.

[Randito]

If the waterproof coating is flaking off the floor, you may have a waterproof floor again by getting a light plastic painter's drop cloth and lining the floor on the inside with that. It is usually a good idea to trim it so there isn't excess material and to use bits of duct tape to attach it to the top of the old floor material. For a rainfly that is no longer water tight -- you could try sealing the side opposite the old coating. I've used GE Silicone II Kitchen and Bath caulking thinned with mineral spirits until is thin enough to paint on with a paint brush. Wiping the fabric with denatured alcohol and letting it evaporate before painting on the thinned silicone. I've used this on the seat of my "skiing in the rain" ski pants to keep my butt dry while lift skiing on 40F and raining days at Snoqualmie Pass. I think such measures can be used to squeeze some more usage out for activities like car camping and maybe canoe/kayak camping. The extra coating adds weight. The other thing to consider is how much UV exposure have the tents had during usage and storage. UV exposure and time both weaken the fabrics and make them more easily torn. So you might not want to rely on them in strong winds.

[Strider518]

Another problem that can plague old tents is the smell. I had a beloved North Face Mountaineer tent from 1973. I took good care of it, but over the years it developed a smell that I can only describe as vomit. I tried various concoctions that I soaked it in to remove the smell no avail. I finally had to stop using it. Now, in the off season, I store my tents loosely in apple boxes from the supermarket. This way they get a little air.

[Malachai Constant]

The smell is deterioration of the urethane coating smells like cat pee. Washing usually removes the coating as does bleach and harsh cleaners. MSR gave us a new fly for our old Hubba Hubba.