How to Choose a Backpacking Tent

A favorite for ultralight backpackers, the Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2 tent has a high-volume pole architecture to maximize interior space for comfortable camping all while keeping the weight under 2 lbs.




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Imported.
View the Big Agnes Fly Creek Product LineView all Big Agnes Backpacking Tents| Best Use | Backpacking |
|---|---|
| Seasons | 3-season |
| Sleeping Capacity | 2-person |
| Minimum Trail Weight | 1 lb. 14 oz. |
| Fly / Footprint Pitch Weight | 1 lb. 8 oz. |
| Packaged Weight | 2 lbs. 4 oz. |
| Packed Size | 6 x 19 inches |
| Floor Dimensions | 86 x 52/42 (L x W head/foot) inches |
| Floor Area | 28 square feet |
| Vestibule Area | 8 square feet |
| Peak Height | 42 inches |
| Number of Doors | 1 door |
| Number of Poles | 1 |
| Pole Material | DAC Featherlite NFL |
| Pole Diameter | 8.7 millimeters |
| Canopy Fabric | Breathable recycled 15-denier ripstop nylon and polyester mesh |
| Floor Fabric | Proprietary HyperBead fabric technology; recycled 15-denier ripstop nylon with 1,500 mm waterproof coating without intentionally added PFAS |
| Rainfly Fabric | Proprietary HyperBead fabric technology; recycled 15-denier ripstop nylon with 1,500 mm waterproof coating without intentionally added PFAS |
| Footprint Included | No |
| Ultralight | Yes |
| Design Type | Semifreestanding |
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I used the Fly Creek UL2 over a week in the Sierra. It's lightweight is great. The tent itself felt a bit delicate and need to be careful with fabrics. The 2 person is perhaps made for two very small kids. Not 2 full grown adults. It's a roomy 1 person tent at best. I did not use the rainfly as it was beautiful and clear every night. Okay for star gazing, mesh is still not completely see through. I give 3 stars for not really feeling like a 2 person tent. I ended up returning the tent and will be looking for a more roomy tent for 2 full sized adults. REI associate recommend getting a 3 person if I wanted a true 2 person tent.
I've travelled with an earlier iteration of this tent extensively - since 2019. It's been camping in 14 or so countries with many months of use. The sealant is peeled off and hangs loose or has fully fallen. There are patched holes from a bear, wild cats, hail and poles. And it's still my tent. Yes, the leg part falls right over in heavy wind, and the fly is built terribly at the leg area so that it becomes a cup for water and sticks to the inner - so any rain comes right on in onto the sleeping bag. These issues change and it'd be my go to again, yet even still might just be. Except I wouldn't buy black.
I’ve had mine for almost 10 years and it’s been on a lot of trips maybe 50. I use it on my motorcycle and backpacking. I’ve never had a single problem with it and the only thing I’ve done is replace the shock cord in the poles. About the only complaint I have is that the polyurethane waterproofing is starting to get sticky so I don’t imagine it’s gonna last much longer without that becoming a nuisance. I live by the beach, so the moisture is probably accelerating that problem. At least that’s what I’ve been told. I’m not sure if they’ve changed their product quality since then, but knowing the brand I would assume that if anything they’ve made it better. Complaints I’ve seen here and the reviews seem to reflect otherwise or maybe just abuse. You do need to handle all UL tents with delicateness and respect. Or just get a heavier SL tent and be glad you’re not living in the 18thC carrying your teepee!
While it’s not the cutest tent - this one checks off all the boxes as a great backpacking tent that is light weight. Easy to put up and take down with many options for staking down if it’s windy. I do a lot of solo backpacking and this was nice and roomy - a huge step up from sleeping in the bivy. I chose the UL2 over UL1 because the weight wasn’t much different and allows enough room if my partner comes along. It would fit us both just fine.
Extremely light. Easy to set up in any conditions. Doesn't require a large campsite. I've been through torrential rain, windstorms, and snow (I know it's a 3-season). I've never had any issues with it, still in great shape after a decade!
The only thing this tent has upgraded from the older version is the ways in which it will fail you. The poles brittle, the pole connection points are weak and not nearly strong enough to defy a light wind, and the fly is like single-ply toilet paper. There is no headspace, which is a shame, because you'll spend unfathonable hours sitting upright in it holding up the sides in any sort of weather. The zippers bunch constantly, the interior pockets rip immediately, and the plastic clips for the rainfly will barely survive leaving the tent leaving its box. I could give example after example about how this tent has failed us in the most questionable situations. But, by far, the absolute worst aspect of this tent is that the support behind it, Big Agnes, is about as worthless as the tent itself. Buy this thing, if you must, through REI. At least you'll have decent customer support behind the purchase. If not, you can add about a third of the cost of the tent to the top of the price for future maintenance. Big Agnes will sell you anything you need to fix the tent...and they know you'll need to fix the tent.
I'm through hiking the pct and have used this tent since the start of trail. Every day for 5 months this tent has been my home and there is never a day I'm not happy to crawl in. It's spacious and sturdy- even through the biggest storms we've had this year. It's light and durable and has even worked for me when camping in deep snow. I will love this tent for the rest of my life.
I have the prior model to this one and I love it. It is very light. It works well in light rain and wind. Survived the windy Patagonia (placed in a sheltered corner). I had a little tear in a wind storm in Utah but I got it patched. Light to medium rain will be fine, not tested in heavy rain yet. I recommend a tarp or some kind of cover under it as the material is very thin.
This is a great single entry tent. Granted, I use it as a 1 person tent, but that gives me tons of headroom, space and options to carry in the pack. It's plenty light and I don't have the windy issues that others seem to have. Less complicated than a 2 door tent and more space than a trekking pole tent, w/ a smaller footprint.
Great, lightweight tent for backpacking. Easy to set up, take down. After years of use it is still holding up well and "re-shock corded" the poles recently which was inexpensive and easy thanks to the video.