Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 Review

The Copper Spur UL2 is among the lightest tents we've tested to date. While some of its featherweight competition lacks livability, the UL2 offers ample space for one adult, and is comfortable enough for two people, as long as they're comfortable in close quarters. After testing this tent from the Rockies to the High Sierra, the Copper Spur UL2 has become a favorite among our team for extended backpacking trips.

Livability

The headroom of the Copper Spur UL2 is impressive relative to its overall space. With a 40" peak, our 6-foot-tall tester could easily sit up in the UL2. The dual vestibules are each 9 square feet, offering plenty of space to leave backpacks outside without leaving them exposed to the elements. Many ultralight tents we've tested have only one door, while the two large doors make it easy for two people to crawl in and out of the tent.

This tent has about 29 square feet of usable space inside, making the Copper Spur UL2 a spacious option for a solo backpacker, though we have to admit it's a bit tight for two. Sleeping shoulder-to-shoulder worked well, but not everyone will be comfortable sleeping in such close quarters. It's wider at one end and narrower at the other, making it less ideal for sleeping head-to-toe. Fortunately, Big Agnes makes the Copper Spur in multiple sizes, so you can choose the right size.

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The thinner rainfly fabric is quite breathable, which helps with condensation and keeps the UL2 from feeling clammy inside. When the weather is nice, the mesh-heavy tent body is breezy. If you'd rather leave the rainfly on, just in case, you can even roll up part of the vestibule to increase airflow and make it easier to go to the bathroom.

Weather Resistance

Big Agnes has started using a proprietary fabric in its Copper Spur line called HyperBead, which is designed to outperform its weight in waterproofing. And it worked well, but when the rain was measured in days rather than hours, some moisture began to seep into the tent. As is often the case with lighter-weight tents, the Copper Spur UL2 will keep you dry during an average rainstorm, but you need to set it up properly to protect you during a strong thunderstorm.

Unlike a 4-season tent, the inner body offers little reinforcement, so any water that seeps through the rainfly will drip through the mesh. To keep this tent upright in strong winds, the thinner-diameter poles also required slightly more guy line tension than some heavier-duty tents we tested. Given its weight, however, the Copper Spur UL2 held up surprisingly well against strong gusts.

Weight

The Copper Spur UL2 ranks among the lightest models we tested, with a packaged weight of 3.1 pounds.

Weight-conscious backpackers can shave that down by leaving the stuff sack behind, and purchasing lighter-weight stakes – one of our testers was able to shave the base weight down to roughly 2.5 pounds. Even if it's still a bit tight for two adults, the Copper Spur UL2 features twin doors and vestibules – most of the other tents we tested in this weight class have only one.

Packed Size

While a few other tents weighed less than the Copper Spur UL2, this model ranked at the top of the charts for overall packed size.

It's easy to repack into the well-designed stuff sack, and the package measures 19.5" long and about 4" thick. It easily slides down the side of a backpack, and we were able to fit it into some surprisingly tight spaces.

Durability

The lightweight build of the Copper Spur UL2 makes it a bit more delicate than some of the competition. The tent body, floor, and rainfly are all a 15-denier nylon, which is substantially thinner than many other tents we tested.

Tensioning the guylines helped reinforce the tent pole structure, but even so, the featherlight DAC poles bent slightly on one particularly windy night. With intentional care, the Copper Spur UL2 should still last a long time, but it's far from robust.

Should You Buy the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2?

The Copper Spur UL2 is a lightweight, ultrapackable tent designed for long backpacking trips. While this premium option may be overkill for many weekend backpackers, if you're planning weeklong trips (or even longer), you should consider upgrading to a tent like the UL2. It's a particularly great option for solo hikers on long trips, or couples who are comfortable living in close quarters and want to maximize their time on the trail.

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