Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2 Review
Brand: Big Agnes · Category: shelter · Price: $370 - $450
Buy this if you're a solo ultralight backpacker or thru-hiker who wants a true enclosed tent under 2 lbs. Skip it if you need a comfortable two-person shelter with easy entry/exit for two, or if you're not prepared to carefully stake out your tent.
Specs
| Doors | 1 |
|---|---|
| Poles | 1 hubbed DAC Featherlite aluminum pole set |
| Weight | 1 lb 14 oz trail weight; 2 lb 4 oz packed weight |
| Rainfly | Full-coverage waterproof fly with taped seams; current version uses proprietary HyperBead™ fabric |
| Seasons | 3 |
| Capacity | 2 |
| Floor Area | 28 sq ft |
| Packed Size | 4 x 18.5–19.5 in |
| Peak Height | 38 in |
| Vestibules | 1 vestibule, about 7–8 sq ft |
| Fabric Denier | HyperBead™ 15D nylon with 20D solution-dyed ripstop |
Strengths
- Extremely light for a true double-wall 2-person tent
- Very compact packed size
- Good weather resistance when fully staked out
- Solid long-term durability for an ultralight shelter
- Fast, simple setup for experienced backpackers
- Excellent solo tent option with extra room for gear
- Competitive price-to-weight ratio versus many UL rivals
Complaints
- Single-door layout is awkward for two people
- Too tight for most two adults, especially taller users
- Needs careful staking for best wind stability
- Less convenient than free-standing two-door competitors
- Limited livability compared with roomier UL tents
- Footprint/groundsheet often sold separately
- Ultralight materials require more care than heavier tents
Price And Value
Coming in around $370–$450, the Fly Creek UL2 offers a competitive price-to-weight ratio for a complete double-wall tent. While not cheap, it's often less expensive than many high-end ultralight competitors. Just be aware that, like many ultralight tents, the footprint (an extra layer to protect the thin floor) is usually sold separately, adding to the total cost.
Weight And Packed Size
The Fly Creek UL2 is an ultralight champion, with a trail weight of just 1 lb 14 oz – that's what you'll actually carry without the stuff sacks and repair kit. Its packed size of 4 x 18.5–19.5 inches means it'll disappear into your pack, rivaling much more minimalist shelters. This weight is achieved by using a single hubbed pole set and a tapered design, which is a key reason it shines as a solo tent, offering more space than most 1P options.
Livability And Capacity
Despite the '2' in its name, this is not a comfortable two-person tent. With 28 sq ft of floor area and a 38 inch peak height (how high you can sit up), it's truly tight for two adults and their gear. The single door and single vestibule (about 7–8 sq ft for gear storage) means one person will be climbing over the other to get out. It works best as a palace for one, with plenty of room to spread out your gear.
Durability And Construction
For an ultralight shelter, the Fly Creek UL2 has a good reputation for long-term durability, but those 15D fabrics require more careful handling than a typical 70D or 40D tent floor you might find in a heavier model. The single hubbed DAC Featherlite aluminum pole set simplifies setup, making it quick and easy once you know what you're doing. This tent is semi-freestanding, meaning it needs help from stakes to be fully pitched, unlike some Nemo models that stand on their own.
Weather Resistance And Materials
The Fly Creek UL2 uses a full-coverage waterproof rainfly made from a proprietary HyperBead fabric, which ensures solid protection in wet weather. The 15D floor and rainfly refers to 15 denier fabric, a measure of fiber density – think of it as incredibly thin but surprisingly strong material that keeps weight down. While it's a 3-season tent (meaning it's designed for spring, summer, and fall conditions), its stability in wind relies heavily on careful and complete staking, rather than a more robust freestanding design you'd find in heavier tents.