Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 Tent Review

Bottom Line

The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 is one of our all-time favorite backpacking tents. Combining lightweight design with exceptional comfort and weather protection, this tent is livable and easy to love. The CleverHiker team has carried it for thousands of miles and spent hundreds of nights in the backcountry in it. The UL2 is ideal for backpackers who want the perfect balance between comfort and trail weight – this model is easy to carry and cozy to sleep in, with solid protection from the elements. 

The Copper Spur costs a pretty penny, but for folks who want the best of the best, this is a worthwhile investment for committed backpackers thanks to its outstanding technical performance, ease of use, and pragmatic features.

Comfort

With a spacious interior and clever design elements, the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 earns some of the highest marks for comfort and livability of any backpacking tent we tested. The Copper Spur has nearly vertical sidewalls pulled taut by a bent-pole structure and crossbar. It feels enormous inside, with tons of headroom and plenty of space to move around. The asymmetrical shape of the Copper Spur means there’s more room at the head of the tent, so you’ll have plenty of space to sit up and rearrange your gear, and two adults can lie down comfortably side by side without feeling too cramped.

Interior and rainfly doors on each side have double zippers that can be opened with one hand, allowing easy in and out without disturbing your tent partner. It’s easy to keep the interior comfortable and clean thanks to the its huge vestibules that easily store bulky, wet, and dirty gear outside of the sleeping area. Plus, the Copper Spur offers some of the best pockets and organization of any tent we’ve looked at: it has multiple smaller pockets to keep personal items like chapstick, head lamps, and bear spray within reach, as well as an enormous gear loft mesh pocket that can easily hold hoodies, compression sacks, and bulky clothing items instead of leaving them on a pile on the floor. 

We also find the tent fly and floor can be a bit noisy, which can take a while to get used to, especially during the first couple nights of sleep.

Weight & Packed Size

The Copper Spur minimizes weight without sacrificing key features. Tipping the scales at only 3 pounds, 2 ounces, the Copper Spur offers an exceptional balance of light weight and livability. The 20-denier nylon that makes up the tent floor and rainfly, combined with the mostly-mesh interior and lightweight poles, stakes, tabs and zippers, keeps the overall weight way down. This  model is one of our top recommendations because it walks a fine line of lightweight but feature forward, so it’s perfect for ultralight backpackers who want to minimize the bulk and weight of their pack but don’t want to give up the creature comforts of a more traditional tent.

Big Agnes includes eight relatively thin tent stakes – they’re adequate, but not the most robust, so you’ll likely need to carry additional stakes or sturdier stakes for more challenging conditions, which could increase your overall pack weight.

Weather Resistance

Don’t be fooled by this tent’s low weight and thinner materials. Thanks to the Copper Spur, our team has stayed bone dry in some rough backcountry weather, including torrential rain above treeline in the Colorado Rockies, hours-long thunderstorms in the California Sierras, and whipping gusts in the Arizona desert. The tent also features storm guy-out points that, when properly staked, lock the tent to the ground, making it a dependable option in moderate weather. Its fully freestanding design allows you to pitch it on any terrain, ensuring a taut setup that stops water from pooling or seeping inside, and the vestibules offer a protected space for wet gear.

The double-wall construction creates a separation between the mesh inner tent and the rainfly that offers solid protection in spring, summer, and fall. This classic design reduces condensation inside and effectively keeps you dry in wet conditions. The rainfly is made from 20-denier, silicone-treated nylon, which makes it impressively waterproof, and the 4-way hub design of the poles lends both flexibility and stability for when wind picks up. We also love the vestibules’ awning pitch mode that allows you to set up the fly door parallel to the ground and create a little ‘porch’ area for cooking in light rain.

That said, the Copper Spur HV UL2 falls a bit short in extreme weather conditions. The rainfly is lightweight and waterproof, but it tends to sag when gets wet and cold. We find that when temperatures drop below 40°F, it requires occasional tightening to keep full coverage and protection. This can be inconvenient, especially during prolonged rainstorms. Consider picking up at least four more stakes if the forecast looks wet so you can take full advantage of the Copper Spurs guy out points.

Ease of Setup

If you’re looking for a tent that’s fast and easy to set up, the Copper Spur is a bullseye. It’s a great choice for both seasoned backpackers and those new to the trail: the tent’s freestanding design means you can pitch it almost anywhere you can find flat ground, from rocky terrain to soft sand, without needing to rely on perfectly placed stakes or trekking poles. Color-coded clips and poles streamline the setup process and make it easy to assemble the tent even in low-light conditions. We find one person can setup the Copper Spur in less than two minutes thanks to the super straightforward design, so you can focus on important things like relaxing or preparing a meal after a long day of hiking. We especially love that the pole structure is pre-bent, which not only maximizes interior space but also ensures a taut, stable setup every time without any fuss. This ease of setup is especially handy in bad weather or when you’re dead tired, when speed is crucial to staying dry and getting comfortable.

We have few a gripes when it comes to ease of setup. The lightweight materials are more delicate to handle during setup, so setup takes a bit more focus and attention than a heavier tent made with stronger materials. Still, the Copper Spur HV UL2 is one of the easiest tents to set up in its category, and we recommend it to anyone who loves a quick and hassle-free shelter.

Durability

The Copper Spur strikes a careful balance between lightweight design and long-term resilience, making it a solid choice for most backpackers. Its 20-denier nylon fabric, used for both the floor and rainfly, is fairly tough considering its very light weight, and provides a reliable barrier against the elements. The silicone-impregnated nylon rainfly is not only waterproof but UV resistant, extending the tent’s lifespan in sunny conditions. The aluminum poles are lightweight but strong, and withstand the rigors of repeated use without bending or breaking. And we can only say good things about the quality of the tent’s double stitching and seam construction, resulting in a tent that lasts for years of regular use. The zippers glide smoothly and reduce the risk of snags or failures that could compromise the tent’s integrity. If you choose your campsite carefully, the Copper Spur will last for many seasons.

But like all ultralight gear, the Copper Spur prioritizes weight savings over durability. While the 20-denier fabric of the rainfly and tent floor is tough for its weight, it’s considerably thinner than heavier-duty tents, so it’s more susceptible to punctures and tears. You’ll need to be extra cautious to avoid sharp rocks and rough surfaces that could damage the tent floor. If you don’t mind the weight penalty, consider bringing along a footprint or groundsheet, and we always recommend bringing along a patch kit in case of tears or punctures. The lightweight zippers, while generally reliable, can snag on the tent’s fabric, which may cause frustration and lead to minor damage if forced. Lastly, while the tent poles are strong, they require careful handling during setup and takedown to avoid accidental bending.

Should You Buy the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2?

If you’re looking for a tent that offers low weight without sacrificing livability or comfort, the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 is for you. Folks looking for a backcountry tent that’s easy to set up, durable for regular use, and versatile enough to handle three-season weather conditions will fall in love with the practical features, like tons of pockets and two-zipper doors. Its roomy interior and excellent weather resistance makes the Copper Spur one of the most convenient and efficient camping castles out there, perfect for everyone from veteran thru-hikers to weekend warriors.

However, we don’t recommend the Copper Spur if you’re looking for a budget-friendly option. The thinner, ultralight materials are less suitable for users who are hard on their gear. And, the premium price point might not be a great fit for those seeking a more affordable option.

What Other Backpacking Tents Should You Consider?

SlingFin Portal 2 Review: Similar to the Copper Spur, the SlingFin Portal 2 offers a similar weight and is super easy to set up thanks to a design that caters to minimalist backpackers. However, the Portal 2 is much more weather resistant and durable with its robust pole structure and internal guy lines, perfect for tough weather conditions. The Portal also has a wider ridge pole at the top, which provides more interior headroom and a spacious feel.

Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL3 Solution-Dyed Tent:  The Tiger Wall UL3 is one of our favorite lightweight backpacking tents for two people. It’s much roomier than the Copper Spur UL2, weighs less, and it even costs a bit less too. The downside is that it’s a semi-freestanding model, so you’ll need to stake down the foot of the tent for structure. It’s also not as durable as the Copper Spur, so you’ll want to treat it with care. Still, we’ve found these trade offs to be well worth it for the extra room and weight savings.

NEMO Hornet OSMO 3 Review: The NEMO Hornet OSMO 3, like the Copper Spur, prioritizes weight savings in a compact package, making it ideal for ultralight backpackers. What sets it apart is its unique OSMO fabric, which offers superior water resistance and sustainability, though it sacrifices some interior space and weighs just a bit more.

More Photos