Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 Review
Brand: Big Agnes · Category: tent · Price: $449.95 - $549.95
This tent is for backpackers who want a truly livable, lightweight 2-person shelter and are willing to pay for premium comfort. Skip it if your budget is tight, or if you prioritize absolute bombproof durability over minimizing pack weight.
Specs
| Doors | 2 |
|---|---|
| Poles | 2 DAC NFL poles |
| Weight | 2 lb 10 oz minimum trail weight; 3 lb 3 oz packaged weight |
| Rainfly | Proprietary HyperBead fabric on current UL2; 1,500 mm waterproof coating without intentionally added PFAS |
| Seasons | 3-season |
| Capacity | 2-person |
| Floor Area | 29 sq ft |
| Packed Size | 4 x 19.5 in (current UL2); 6 x 19.5 in on older HV UL2 listings |
| Peak Height | 40 in |
| Vestibules | 2 vestibules, 9 sq ft each on current UL2; older HV UL2 listed 9 + 9 sq ft |
| Fabric Denier | 15D canopy/fly/floor on current UL2; older HV UL2 used mixed-denier proprietary ultralight nylon |
Strengths
- Very light for a fully featured freestanding 2-person tent
- Two doors and two vestibules improve livability for two users
- Roomy interior for the weight, with steep walls and good headroom
- Freestanding design makes campsite setup easier and more flexible
- Strong reputation for balancing weight, comfort, and weather protection
- Current version uses HyperBead fabric and a 1,500 mm coating for improved waterproofing
Complaints
- Expensive compared with many competing 2-person backpacking tents
- Durability is still limited by ultralight materials, especially floor and fly fabric
- Packed size is not the smallest in class
- Vestibules are modest rather than expansive
- Current and older versions differ enough that listings can be confusing
- Some reviewers note the tent is roomier than the floor area suggests, but still not generous for two large users
The Tradeoffs
The biggest elephant in the room is the price; this tent is significantly more expensive than many competitors, often costing upwards of $450. You're paying for that weight-to-livability ratio, not bombproof ruggedness. While it's light, it's not the absolute lightest 2-person option available if you're willing to sacrifice comfort or go with a non-freestanding design. The vestibules, while present, are on the modest side, so don't expect expansive gear storage like you might find on a much heavier tent.
Livability And Space
With two doors and two vestibules, each offering 9 sq ft of storage, this tent avoids the dreaded crawl-over-your-partner dance. The 29 sq ft floor area sounds standard, but Big Agnes's hubbed DAC NFL pole design creates exceptionally steep sidewalls, meaning you get more usable shoulder and headroom than the spec implies. You can actually sit up comfortably and move around without feeling like you're in a sarcophagus, unlike many ultralight alternatives.
Weight And Packability
The Copper Spur HV UL2 comes in at a minimum trail weight of 2 lb 10 oz, which means this is what the tent body, fly, and poles weigh without the stuff sacks, stakes, or guylines. That's genuinely light for a 2-person freestanding tent with two doors and vestibules, putting it in direct competition with shelters like the Nemo Dagger OSMO. Its packed size is 4 x 19.5 inches, which is compact enough to easily stash in most backpacking packs, though some minimalist tarps or single-wall shelters might pack down smaller.
Materials And Durability
The current UL2 uses a proprietary HyperBead fabric with a 1,500 mm waterproof coating on its 15D canopy, fly, and floor. For context, 15D refers to 15-denier, meaning the fabric threads are quite fine and light; a higher denier would be thicker and more robust. While the 1,500 mm coating provides good waterproof protection – enough for most rainstorms – these ultralight fabrics are inherently less durable than heavier, 30D or 40D materials found in bulkier tents. You'll need to baby the floor, maybe adding a footprint, to protect against punctures.
Setup And Weather Protection
As a 3-season tent, the Copper Spur HV UL2 is designed for spring, summer, and fall conditions, handling rain and moderate winds well, but not heavy snow or extreme winter weather. Its freestanding design is a massive plus; it means you can set it up anywhere, even on rocky ground where staking is difficult, and then move it if needed. The 1,500 mm coating without intentionally added PFAS is a thoughtful nod to environmental concerns, offering good protection while moving away from 'forever chemicals.'