From Oregon to Montana, to Central Baja. The Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 tent has sheltered me from torrential downpours, snow, and bugs! It’s a reliable freestanding tent that is a light-weight tent that is packed full of features.
6 Reasons to Love the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 Tent
- Ultra-light – just over 3 pounds for a 2-person tent
- Versatile – multiple configurations since it’s a freestanding tent
- Dual doors – a must-have
- Large vestibules provide ample space to store your gear or cook food
- 3-season tent extends usage throughout the year
- Easy setup due to color-coordinated pole ends.
Available At:
– Amazon
– REI
– Backcountry
Who is the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 Tent for?
- Anyone who wants a versatile backpacking tent
- People looking for an ultralight option to lighten their pack weight
- Car campers who don’t have a ton of space in their vehicle
Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 Tent Review
Initially, I got the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 tent for an 8-day backpacking trip in the Bob Marshall Wilderness of Montana, and it’s held up exceptionally well. Let me tell you about the things that I love about the Copper Spur.
Ultralight
At just over 3 pounds (3 lbs 3 oz. to be exact) for a freestanding tent, it’s ultra-light! The total weight includes all stuff sacks, tent poles, 8 stakes, and rainfly. Furthermore, when it’s all packed up, it only takes 4.7 liters in my pack. That means I can use a smaller backpack and lighten my load.
Versatility
Second, I love the versatility of the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 tent. Since it is a freestanding tent, you can use it in multiple configurations. As you can see in many of these pictures, in the summer, I’ll sleep without the rainfly so that I can gaze at the stars as I fall asleep. Another option, if you don’t need bug protection, is to ditch the tent and use a footprint and rainfly. Going this route, you eliminate the weight of the tent, but you’ll need to purchase the optional footprint or use a polycro sheet as I do with a paracord to secure the tent poles.
Dual Doors
Dual doors are a must-have. In general, who wants to crawl over their partner in the middle of the night or early in the morning. Not me!
Two Vestibules
The two vestibules are fantastic to store your backpack and gear outside the tent. As a result, the 9 square feet of space in each vestibule protects your pack and equipment from the elements. Furthermore, if it’s raining, you can use that area to cook a warm meal. Which always tastes excellent.
3-Season Tent
The Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 tent is a 3-season tent, so I can use it to winter camp when the conditions are favorable.
Easy Setup
Due to the DAC Featherlite tent poles which are color-coded to coordinate with the tent eyelets, setting up the tent is super easy and intuitive That way, it’s easy to place the tent poles at the foot and head of the tent.
Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 Tent Features
The Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 is an ultralight, double-wall, freestanding, 3-season tent. What does each of those mean? Let me break it down for you.
Ultralight
In general, ultralight tents range from 2-3 pounds. At just over 3 pounds for the Copper Spur UL2, it’s at the high-end for ultralight tents. However, it’s at the high-end because it’s a double-wall freestanding tent.
Freestanding Tent
The tent poles create a frame that supports the shelter and rainfly. Therefore, a freestanding tent can stand upright without having to use stakes. This tent pole skeleton is the exact reason why the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 is so versatile. Plus, you can still pitch your tent if your campsite is rocky where you can’t get stakes in the ground. Freestanding tents come in especially handy in Southern Utah, where it is often very rocky.
Double-wall
A double-wall tent is one that has an external rainfly in addition to the main tent. Why is this important? By having two walls, condensation can gather on the rainfly as opposed to the inside of the tent. In comparison, a single-wall tent will often have condensation on the inside walls and can get your sleeping bag wet if you don’t have adequate ventilation to let the moisture out while you sleep.
3-Season Tent
3-Season tents allow you to extend your camping season longer throughout the year. For example, in the early spring, I’ll often use my Copper Spur on winter camping missions. That way, my backpack stays lighter because I don’t have to carry a heavy 4-season tent.
Pockets & Storage
Inside the tent, there are plenty of pockets to store your essentials and keep them off the ground. On the side walls next to the doors are handy pockets that are easy to access. Above your head is another mesh pocket that runs the entire width of the tent. Moreover, this pocket has useful ports in the corners to run cables through for your headphones or battery packs. In addition to the pockets, there are multiple interior loops to attaching other gear, lights, etc.
Dislikes
If there is one thing that I wouldn’t get next time, it’s the Mtn Glo option for the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 tent and save $50. The Mtn Glo lights aren’t necessarily a dislike, but I’ve realized that I only use it for pictures. Also, if I want to read at night, the Mtn Glo lights, located above, casts a shadow on the pages. As a result, I’ve found that it’s just as easy to use a headlamp or a Lucy light inside the tent if I need light.
Fit and Sizing
I’m 6’2” tall, and the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 is 88 inches long. Therefore, I have plenty of length without my head and feet rubbing against the tent walls. When I’m backpacking with my wife, there is plenty of room for the two of us since we use the vestibule area to store our packs and gear. Since the floor area tapers from 52 inches at your head down to 42 inches at your feet, you’ll want to use mummy-style sleeping pads.
The Copper Spur UL2 is only 4.69 cubic liters. Therefore, it takes up very little room in my backpack. That means I can easily use a smaller 38L to 40L backpack if I don’t need to carry a bear canister or tons of extra gear.
Ultralight Freestanding Tent Category Ranking:
These ratings are based on the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 tent.
- Overall Rating: 3rd
- MSRP Rating: 5th
- Weight Rating: 2nd
- Height Rating: 5th
- Vestibule Rating: 4th
- Packed Volume Rating: 2nd
Other Freestanding Tent Options:
– Best Overall: Nemo Dragonfly 2P Tent
Common Questions
Question: Does the Copper Spur come with the footprint?
Answer: No. The footprint is an optional add-on purchase. If I use a footprint, I’ll use a sheet of polycryo. It’s cheap and light.
Question: How cold of temps can you use the Copper Spur 3-season tent?
Answer: That depends on the warmth of your sleeping bag and the clothes you wear while sleeping. The double-wall tent provides extra warmth than sleeping without a tent. Also, if you have two people sleeping in a tent, it will be warmer than a single person.
Question: Does the rainfly require stakes?
Answer: Yes. The rainfly clips to the four corners of the tent, and then you will need to use two stakes to extend the vestibules. You can use an additional two stakes for the rainfly at the head and feet to create more airflow.
Question: Does the tent come with stakes?
Answer: Yes, it comes with 8 stakes.
Specs
- Capacity: 2-people
- Seasons: 3
- Packed Weight: 3.36 pounds (1,522 grams)
- Packed Dimensions: 4.5 x 18 inches (4.69 liters)
- Peak Height: 40”
- Floor Area: 29.0 square feet (2.69 square meters)
- Floor Dimensions: 88 x 52/42 inches (length x head/feet width) (224 x 132/107cm)
- Vestibule Area: 18 square feet (9ft2 x 9ft2) 0.8m2 x 0.8m2
- MSRP: $449.95
- Cost per gram: $0.25
Construction & Materials
- Type: Freestanding
- Tent Poles: DAC Featherlite NFL and NSL poles
- Door Quantity: 2
- Vestibule Quantity: 2
- Canopy Fabric: Proprietary ultralight double ripstop mixed denier nylon breathable and polyester mesh
- Fly Fabric: Silicone treated proprietary ultralight double ripstop mixed denier with 1200mm waterproof polyurethane coating
- Floor Fabric: Silicone treated proprietary ultralight double ripstop mixed denier with 1200mm waterproof polyurethane coating
Bottom Line
The Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 tent is a classic! It has all of the features you would want at 3 pounds 3 ounces! It’s a perfect tent for backpacking.
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