I'll have to echo what Glenn said .... it doesn't get any wider, but it doesn't really taper much until you get pretty far up the sidewalls. The stated width dimension seems tight on paper, but from a practical standpoint, I don't find it to be a problem.

As a side note, I'm a tarp user for the most part, and I used and/or examined just about every 1-person shelter available before I bought my Hubba in '06. I use CF poles for a total weight of about 2 lbs 12 oz (that's everything, stakes, stuff sack, etc.) I like my Hubba, and I haven't seen anything out there I like better thus far.