How to Choose a Backpacking Tent

Stand out with the limited-edition Big Agnes Copper Spur Limited 2 tent. It features lighter fabrics, an exclusive colorway, an included footprint and a slimmed-down design made for ultralight travel.
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View the Big Agnes Copper Spur Product LineView all Big Agnes Backpacking TentsBest Use | Backpacking |
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Seasons | 3-season |
Sleeping Capacity | 2-person |
Minimum Trail Weight | 2 lbs. 7 oz. |
Packaged Weight | 3 lbs. 3 oz. |
Packed Size | 6 x 19 inches |
Floor Dimensions | 88 x 52/42 (L x W head/foot) inches |
Floor Area | 29 square feet |
Vestibule Area | 9 + 9 square feet |
Peak Height | 40 inches |
Number of Doors | 2 doors |
Number of Poles | 2 |
Pole Material | DAC NFL |
Pole Diameter | 8.7 millimeters |
Canopy Fabric | Breathable, solution-dyed 15-denier ripstop nylon; polyester mesh |
Floor Fabric | Proprietary HyperBead fabric technology; solution-dyed 15-denier ripstop nylon with 1500 mm waterproof coating without intentionally added PFAS |
Rainfly Fabric | Proprietary HyperBead fabric technology; solution-dyed 15-denier ripstop nylon with 1500 mm waterproof coating without intentionally added PFAS |
Footprint Included | Yes |
Ultralight | Yes |
Design Type | Freestanding |
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The weight of this 2 person backpacking tent is very light. I appreciated the packability of the tent. The fly is very big and the coverage is very nice. There are 2 vestibules that are quite spacious. The setup was very straight forward and the 4 point pole adapter very useful. The metal poles and stakes feel more stable and durable than plastic. There was mention in the instructions of an additional guy line included in the stake bag that I did not find. The fabric felt very water proof, but also somewhat thin. I was not able to test in the rain, but I assume it would do its job. The included footprint is very beneficial - I would be alittle concerned to put the tent on the ground without a tarp or footprint.
As an older - and wider - camper, I wanted a full featured, free-standing, lightweight tent for me alone. For that - this tent is amazing. Total weight of the tent, pole, fly, footprint (included) and stakes is just under 3 pounds - 2 pounds 15.2 ounces. It can be setup without the footprint, or with the fly and not the tent itself - but I expect to usually use the whole thing. It's made of some amazing new strong, lightweight, waterproof, responsibly manufactured and very slippery material. Mine is the Mercury color, which is a cloudy whitish color. I like it because I think it will blend into the landscape better than orange. I was afraid that it would be see-through, but it isn't. The tent, fly, and poles are all color coded - which is wonderful, and makes setup a snap. OK - a leisurely 10 minute snap. As I said - I want my own tent - but one that is light enough to carry myself. This one is roomy enough for me and my gear. I can even sit up! There are also lots of pockets and ties for comfortable organization of my stuff. My only complaint is that the setup/teardown instructions came on a piece of paper. I would have preferred an extra 0.5 oz for a piece of Tyvek sewed to the tent bag so I'd always have it.
Easy to set up and kept me warm however, it didn't even rain but I woke up to extreme condensation both inside and outside on the tent. Enough that it was dripping on my head and some content in the tent was wet. Yes, I put the rain guard in as specified and ensured it was fully ventilated. I bought this tent specifically for the waterproof specifications however returned it as I can't imagine what would happen if it actually rained.
Set up is pretty straight forward, the only time I had to consult the directions was for the cross pole at the top which is free floating. The material is very lightweight and feels more “slippery” than other tent fabrics but quality and waterproofing seem good (I was not able to test in the rain). The only thing I would add is more internal packets, there are some on the sides but a top pocket would be helpful. Also, I prefer a more rounded door shape so the zippers are easier to manage quickly and prevent unwanted intruders of the flying insect variety from entering.
This tent might be for some… but not for most. Specifically in the context of other Big Agnes tents. They advertise “being more streamlined” which means they removed the inside pockets and made the fly harder to use(no awning). That together with the fact that it measures slightly undersized(two average sized adults struggle to fit inside), in general very underwhelmed with this product. The only positive compared to the regular version is the color and the fact that it includes a footprint. Otherwise just skip this one