Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 Tent

Comments about Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 Tent:

Bought this tent wanting to replace our REI Quarter Dome T2 for walking the WA PCT this summer. The compelling reason for the purchase was that the Copper Spur 2 weighed one pound less, a great benefit for any long hike. We carried the Quarter Dome the length of the OR PCT last summer.

We took the Copper Spur 2 out for a shakedown this weekend, found several things not to our liking compared to the Quarter Dome, and have decided to return it.

I don't usually write reviews, but given the use of REIs kind satisfaction guaranteed promise makes me feel I "owe" something back to the system. So a few comparative thoughts follow. Please know that I recognize these to be first-world-problems (i.e., no big deal in the realm of life and reality). That said, if backpacking is your thing then these couple reflections may be of interest.

With respect to the REI Quarter Dome T2 (QDT2, not T2 plus), the Big Agnes Copper Spur 2 (CS2):
* PRICE: costs more but weighs 1# less--up to you to decide if the $/oz saved is worth it given a number of shortcomings, as described next.
* SIZE: CS2 is much smaller feeling--the sides on the CS2 really hang vertically, plus the foot end is small (i.e., tent is asymmetrical) so you can't really have two people sitting on opposite ends. Combined these two facts make the CS2 feel perhaps 25% smaller than the QDT2, even though the CS2 supposedly has the same floor area
* DOOR DEISGN: Door design on CS2 is bad. Door falls to floor meaning that you will likely quickly snag holes in mozzi netting as you go in and out. Also, with this hinge-on-the-bottom design to use the door you have to unzip almost the entire thing, a real pain. QDT2 door hangs and tucks out of the way above your head and only needs to be unzipped 1/3 to 1/2 way for quick, easy entry and exit.
* POLES: CS2 pole design is inferior since side are not held out and also brow pole is not attached to the rest of the setup. This 2-pole design is ripe for the brow pole being left behind thereby (a) rendering the tent nearly useless and (b) the tenter surely struggling to either whittle a new tent pole or walk back to last night's tent site.
* SERVICE: I wrote Big Agnes with a simple request. Their response was professional but curt, in the end leading to no resolution of the issue I brought forth. If I was in their business, given all the competition I would really try to take care of my customers, especially one who took the time to contact me. GoLite, for example, once sent me two feet of strapping to address a retrofit I wanted to do to their pack. The $0.50 worth of strapping not the issue, service was. So now my impression of GoLite very positive, Big Agnes less so.

Hope this helps someone. I know now I won't feel quite so guilty returning the tent tonight.

Comments about Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 Tent:

I backpack in high country area with my dog and I needed to trim some weight yet add a little bit of room. This tent holds both of us comfortably with very little weight so it was a win win for me. Used it last weekend and the set up is as simple as it gets. I used a one man tent before and this has alleviated my comfort problem with my previous tent. If you pack solo this is the one for you without adding much weight.

Comments about Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 Tent:

I purchased this tent after careful consideration as a lighter weight replacement to another tent I've used on other Grand Canyon hiking trips. I found this tent superior to my other tent, it was very lightweight, set up very quickly, and had great headroom for sitting up. We encountered a very severe storm while in the Grand Canyon and out of our three tents I would say mine fared the best although I did sustain a small hole in the fly. The lightweight poles bent back easily and were not bent as badly, while the others had to find places as leverage to bend their poles back into place. Love the double sided openings as well. Great addition to my gear collection, but if you plan on using this tent other than backpacking I might select something more heavy duty.

Comments about Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 Tent:

In addition to my "Pros" for the tent, I'm impressed with the Big Agnes company. After just a few camping trips with this tent, our overexcited German Shepherd put a 1/2" tear in the mesh. I contacted BA and they fixed it for free, within two weeks. Unbelievable. Their customer service response was quick and friendly. Kudos to REI for carrying Big Agnes products. I'd have to have a good reason to buy a different brand from a different store.

Comments about Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 Tent:

I have had this tent for about 5 years now, and have used it for backpacking and camping. It has held up well against rain and wind, and even survived 6 inches of snow, although it bent one of the pols slightly which has not affected further use. I am a big guy at 6'0" 230 lbs., and use this for myself as a single person tent. The space is more than adequate.

My only complaint is getting in and out of the tent with the Fly can be a little difficult for this old guy. Younger, smaller folks will have no problems. The one other callout, is that I have used this tent with a Big Agnes Air Core Sleeping Pad, and the interaction between the urethane coating on the floor of the tent and the pad have made for a restless night, due to the squeaking noises. I switched to an older Therm-a-Rest pad and that eliminated the issue.

Overall It has been a great tent that has held up well.

Comments about Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 Tent:

This has been a great backpacking and car camping tent. Haven't been rained on yet so I'm not sure of its waterproofness, but very happy with the lack of inside condensation even in damper climates.

It's very lightweight and easy to set up. It fits two of us snuggly and doesn't feel cramped (without packs, which we leave in the side areas).

A little perplexed that it doesn't seem to have enough pegs for all the lines, but it comes with just enough for the main ones. Really appreciate the reflective strips in the lines - makes it easy to locate our tent in the dark.

Comments about Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 Tent:

This tent is great! I've used it on a couple of camping trips to Channel Island National Park so far. It's incredibly light, and packs down much smaller than the included stuff sack - the tent, fly, and even the footprint (sold separately) together pack down to about one-third the volume of the stuff sack.

The ventilation is excellent - maybe a bit too excellent; I've used it in relatively warm weather so far, but even with nighttime temperatures dipping into the 40s or 50s I was a bit chilly. I plan on using this tent in the winter as well, but I'll definitely need a very warm sleeping bag. On the plus side, I had no problems at all with condensation, and the mostly mesh construction contributes to its lightness.

The inside is very roomy, too; it really has a great design. It has a small footprint, but it feels very spacious: I can fit my sleeping pad, backpack, daypack, and assorted clothes inside, all with room to spare.

As a plus, the reflective guy lines are incredibly useful - they've definitely saved me quite a few stumbles at night! The stakes are also very sturdy construction - I've used rocks to hammer them into the ground, with no damage at all.

An awesome tent, all around!

Comments about Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 Tent:

I purchased the UL2 1.5 to 2 years ago. I prefer a two-man tent for my 6'2" body...and even though I am slim, I like the extra room a 2-man tent gives. It sets up easily and is light. This year, in prep for a trip to Philmont where I would share with another tall adult, I decided to buy the UL3. I love both tents. When camping alone, I use the UL2 but when camping with someone else--the UL3. This Sep, I took the UL3 and my wife to BWCAW for a week canoeing. Rainy wendy weather was not a problem in the UL3. These tents are expensive for sure. I decided to make my own footprint with tyvek rather than buy the BA one.

Comments about Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 Tent:

I have used this tent 3 times now, mostly along the AT in NC. I have nothing but good things to say. Setup is a breeze, although since the foot end is narrower than the head end you will undoubtably get the fly or footprint turned 90 degrees the first time. No big deal. I found the materials to be top shelf with a fantastic feel.
Sleeping without the fly on a starry night is heaven! The tent is just enough mesh at the bottom for privacy when camping with others- there is just enough room for 2 pads so you'll want to be comfortable with your friend if using as 2 man. For 1 person there is room galore for you, your gear, and a big dog.
The only downside I don't care for (and it's no big deal) is that I prefer doors that zip along the bottom. This one only zips along the arch meaning you have to unzip the whole door to go in and out. When opened all the way you will step on the door unless you roll it up and tie with the closure ties. Again, no biggie.
I haven't been in rain yet, so can't speak for how waterproof it will be, but the fly design seems like it will work just fine. Ventilation is very good, with low and upper vents - the upper vent has an attached 'leg' to prop the vent open with.
I'm not a fanatic gear-head like some on my buds, but this is my 4th tent and BY FAR my favorite - I'll be retiring my REI quarter dome for good now.

Comments about Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 Tent:

My daughter and I just completed the North Cascades portion of the PCT. This was our ultralight shelter and it was awesome! It was lighter than most tarptents with none of their disdvantages. It snowed on us one night and was cold and windy several nights. But we were snug and dry in the tent.

I took the fitted ground cloth due to the rocky ground, but next time I'll leave it behind. The floor material is tough enough. I'm 6'1 and my daughter is 5'9, yet this tent was comfortable for the two of us. Our packs and shoes fit perfect in the 2 vestibules, which is a great feature. Each person has their own door and vestibule. The top cross bar also provides great headroom.

I can't think of any improvements to this tent. It is simply amazing, and I saw many of the ultralight alternatives in the field. I won't trade this tent for any of them. Good job, Big Agnes!