2020 BIG AGNES COPPER SPUR HV UL2 TENT REVIEW
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- Опубликовано: 11 июл 2024
- www.adventurealan.com/big-agn...
If we were allowed only one backpacking tent this would likely be it
BIG AGNES COPPER SPUR HV UL2 TENT 2020 REVIEW
The Best Gets Even Better!
The new 2020 Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 is likely the best all-around ultralight backpacking tent that will appeal to the greatest number of hikers. Since 2008 this category-leading ultralight tent has been constantly improved and refined to be one of the very best backpacking tents. And the 2020 model’s new features continue to keep the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 Tent at the head of the pack.
Disclaimer
The above post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking on the these links, a portion of the sale helps support this site at no additional cost to you. I do not receive compensation from the companies whose products are listed. I am never under an obligation to write a review about any product. Finally, this post expresses my own independent opinion.
Amazing review! I'm sold. I hope Big Agnes sees this!
This is my Father’s Day present for 2021. Best present ever!
Great review! Thank you so much for taking the time to put it together!
Our pleasure
Best review I've seen so far on this tent. A bonus might have been to demonstrate the set-up right out of the bag, even if in slightly sped-up mode but, still, great job! Thank you!
Great video! I really liked how much you showed the inside of the tent, it really gave a feel for the size and what it might be like to be in it!
Thanks for the great review! Using this as a solo bivvy elk hunt in October!
Great thorough and real review, not overly rehearsed like many others. It is appreciated your review comes frim use and experience w the product.
Glad it was helpful! Best, -alan
Best review I've seen for this tent. Thanks!
Thanks for the kind words.
Thank you so much! And you were in such a beautiful place!! 😍
Great review. Love all the pockets and the room inside there. And definitely love the porch mode feature.
Awesome! Thank you! Warmest, -alan & alison
Great review! I like the comprehensive overview of all the features!
Glad it was helpful Vegan! Warmest, -alan
I spent last weekend in the Eastern Sierras with my new Copper Spur and I loved it. Roomy when I had to wait out the rain inside of the tent. Lots of space to spread out because of the pockets, which also kept me organized. Love this tent.
Thank you for the review.
Nice!
Great review thank you.
Awesome complete review ! 👍🏼
Nice review!! Thank you. Just bought my third CSHVUL2. I sleep about 20-30 nights a year in this tent. Looking forward to the veranda vestibule! And also the pole locks. Great heads up on the corner stake down loops. Yes on buy a footprint. The biggest risk to your tent floor is probably tree sap so it really is worth it to carry the footprint. Not sure why they don’t ship with 12 stakes but it gives us the perfect opportunity to mix them up for color coding that makes pitching faster and striking more secure (no more leaving stakes behind). I use these tents for 1 person @25 inch sleeping pad. Your pads here are 20 inch pads. I strongly advise two people to go with the 3P model if you want to accommodate 25 inch pads. Can’t overemphasise how great this tent is in both design and build.
Excellent review Alan, really helpful 👍🏻
Our pleasure. Glad you liked it. Best, -Alan & Alison
I just pulled the trigger on this tent! 20% coupon, REI dividend, Stimulus check in the bank, just seemed like all the stars lined up for the purchase! I ordered the light green one. I have the Big Agnes Sky Creek but I don’t care for the dog house style door. BTW, best review on this tent I’ve ever seen!
Nice. Thanks for the kind words. Best, -alan
Thanks! Reviews can be hard to find. Thanks for the options on the stakes too
Our pleasure. Best, -alan
Thanks for the review 🙂👍
Great video,thanks 👍👍🇬🇧🇬🇧
Hello Great review thanks Alan for your input . we love camping and this tent could be just perfect thanks for sharing Kind Regards Sarah and Glenn
Our pleasure! Warmest, -alan & alison
Thanks a lot for the in depth review Alan! Keep up the good work!
Will do. Thanks for the kind words. Best -Alan
Excellent review just taken delivery of a green C Spur UL 1. The awning works the same. I'll be trying it out in Wales next week.
Fantastic! Wales is beautiful. Hope you enjoy your hill walk. Cheers, -a
@@trudijane1 Hi Trudi, it's an excellent roomy tent for spring to autumn use in the UK I can't fault it as a inner first pitching type tent. Done two six day backpacks so far. Ill go back to my Henry shire's tents in the coming months due to the likelihood of pitching in the rain plus full body inners.
Kind regards Dave
Superb review. Got the Mtnglo 3 person recently. Just waiting to test it.
Is the Mntglo identical to the HV UL2 (except the color and the LED ofcourse)?
Hope you enjoy it! Best, -alan
Great review Allen. You said the HVUL2 was the only one to get the 2020 update. According to their website the 1, 2 ,3 and 4 all got the 2020 update.
That is true. And that is also the problem of doing videos in the field without a script. One can misspeak many times. Not all are caught. Best, -alan
Really Nice video and Beautiful nature. Enjoyed this video very Much. 😅🤗😊
Glad you liked it. Warmest, -alan
I bought this tent this summer and I am really happy with it. I use it by myself.
Very nice!
have tou ever had any issues with condensation?
@@ericman3234 no I have not
@@valkyr8 AMAZING. Looks like this is going to be my 1st tent. Thanks a lot!
Great vid, thank you sir.
Great review. Just ordered our UL4 for my family. Walked half the west highland way last week in scotland but decided we were carrying too much weight. The UL4 should really help us to cut down the Kgs.
Good choice! Hope it gives your back and legs a break with a lighter pack.
Sold !!! Too many great features not to get. I was thinking about the new Sea to Summit one but this is too good not to get. Thanks
I bought a Big Agnes HV UL2 in 2017 and LOVE it! The awning would be nice to have.
Amen, Uncle Paul. Best, -alan
Look for sales now. This new version has pole locks at the four corners which makes setup like 100 percent faster. The pocket at the foot of the tent is also a big improvement. No need for a gear loft now if you need to dry gloves/clothes in the tent, which high sierra campers need to do. I’ve been waiting a couple years to buy this upgrade and finally pulled the trigger when the price was right. Personally I prefer the green color to the orange. I have both (I think yours is orange?) and the green tent is calmer and brighter in summer. I use the orange one in shoulder season and winter to warm up the blue natural light.
Excellent review
Hei Alan! Nice review of this tent, really appreciating that you share all these informations with the rest of us. Though, I didn`t find much on the internet about internal size of this tent. Producers usually give larger sizes than the real ones when the tent is pitched and used. I`m pretty tall so I`d appreciate even more if I could find reviews in which measurements are made for the inside space of the tent. Thanks in advance!
Floor Dimensions 88 x 52/42 (L x W head/foot) inches
Floor Area 29 square feet
BA is not to far off on dimensions so I’d start there. And it’s notoriously difficult to get exact measurements on an amorphous thing like a tent floor. To be cautious, assume an inch or two less worst case in the field. And sorry but at 5’8” the tent is plenty big for me and Alison is smaller. Hope this helps. Best -Alan
Great review! Which size thermarest pads do you have in there?
I own the previous-gen Copper Spur HV UL1 and love it. I also experienced the "can't get both sides of vestibule taut", and have discovered a few tips that help:
1. Stake out the head and foot ends, which is also good for ventilation (managing condensation).
2. Ensure the corners are staked out at 45-degree angles, which (in addition to extra tension on the vestibules) also helps with pole vs. fly-seam alignment.
3. The biggest improvement: add short guy lines to the vestibules, which gives you more control over the angle and tension after staking.
Thanks for the info Jason. Will play around with the vestibules a bit more. Warmest, -alan
Are there guy out points on the vestibules? Are there any additional buy out points other than the ones on the foot end?
Excellent review.
Thank you kindly!
That was great thanks.
Great review. I much prefer all my stuff alongside me ( not in raised pockets ) so I can reach everything from inside my sleeping bag.
Thanks for sharing! Actually reaching up to the ceiling is easier. You can see exactly what you want and where it is. And it is easily in arms reach without having to move. Best, -alan
@@adventure_alan_co Interesting.
Solid review.
Great video. New subscriber here. This seems like a great tent. How does it compare o say the Nemo Dragonfly or the Hornet?
Great review, what’s it worth multi $$$ tent providers and not adding enough/ proper stakes?
Yes I like the stakes with the round top that does not hurt. I got the carbon one for tents on a plane. TSA does not like sharp metal objects..lol. "Knitting needles allowed on a plane" though.
Plus forks and knives with your food, but a mini Victorinox gets confiscated right away @ security 😂
Nice tent. Reminds me of my Marmot 3p
Yeah, super livable Mark. Best, -a
Alan, any thoughts on the mtnGLO version and why you chose the standard tent instead?
Hi Alan, thank you for the great review. Just what I needed for a tie-breaker before ordering from Big Agnes. Would you mind sharing how you setup the Polycryo? What's your approach to cutting it to size (exact size, a little bigger, a little smaller ?) and how do you secure it to the tent poles or other tent component to keep it in place? Thanks again!
I’ve used the Polycro with this tent. I just rolled it back to size like Alan has done in this video, extending it out under the tent a couple inches to avoid water getting underneath. Instead of staking out the cloth, you can just put a couple rocks on the corners to keep it in place like Alan did in this video. I’ve also used the Big Agnes ground cloth. I prefer the Big Agnes ground cloth for ease of use. My Polycro sheet stained yellowish after one use but still fully functional. I ended up buying the Big Agnes ground cloth because it’s just easier especially if it’s windy. Minimal weight penalty. Not cheap but if it breaks Big Agnes will fix it free for the lifetime of your tent at least in most cases.
Yes that cheat cord can wrap arond a rock or log too.
Brilliant review. Have you ever tested / tried the Nemo Dragonfly 2
There was a guy from the UK that had trouble with his in wind, he has a RUclips video.
Yeah connecting the fly looks easier than my Nemo Dragonfly here where it has a grommet & goes under the pole. Nemo said it is more reliable here on this 2021 bikepack model but also said it was changing it up for 2023.
I must decide which tent to keep. The Copper Spur fly goes all the way down, but the Nemo you can look out a bit more & imagine it vents better. The Nemo vesibule is nice but the BA looks like it has more inside stash pockets.
Hopefully I make a good choice. I imagine the Copper Spur better resists wind with its fly closer to the ground.
Idk what to make of that trekking pole thing it has, but I think the fly material on the 2020 BA might be ahead of the 2021 Nemo . I guess here for 2023 Nemo said its OSMO new material is quite better.
Always something new to get though. I can keep both the Nemo & BA for the price of their new model.
I liked your video and the tent looks really good, I would have liked if you could have shown how to put it up and repack it. I also found it is a little pricey for a two-person tent and I did not catch if this is a 3 or 4 season tent. Thanks for doing this video it gives something to think about.
This is definitely a 3 season tent. As to the pitching, we struggle with trying to keep videos short. It's always a balancing act of trying to provide the important info, but not going so into details that the video ends up going 20+ to 30 minutes. As such we tried to stick with what's new and important with the tent that we feel people should know about. Best, -alan
@@adventure_alan_co what would happen if someone used this tent in winter?
Hey Alan - I can get a Big Agnes Salt Creek SL2 for $170. I know it's not in the same category as UL tents, but I'm OK having an extra lb. of weight for a significant cost savings....thoughts?
Nice I just pre-ordered a 2021 bikepacking version. Don't know if anything changed between 2020 and 2021 besides color. I got dark gray so I can stealth camp.
Nice!
Do you still use that Copper Spur? Here in 2023 I ordered the 2020 1P Version. It looks good.
Just an FYI: The tent stakes have been upgraded. They are top-notch!
Hey Alan, First off, an excellent review, thanks. One question to you if you'd be so kind ... I assume you guys have been through a few rainy nights with your tent thus far. On our first encounter with rain, we found a fairly large arrowhead shaped pool forms on the fly between the main frame hub and the crossbar hip... it didn't leak, due to the fabric, but our concern is as the fly ages that pool will present a serious issue. Have you found this same issue ? If not, are we possibly setting up the tent incorrectly ? Thanks Alan
Your rain fly is not taught enough if you’re experiencing pooling
Alan at 5:24 you say you did a truckers hitch for your "cheater cord". But if you pause the video it looks more like a taut line hitch and then a truckers hitch with a half hitch tie off. Can you clear this up?
How wide are those 2 yellow pads my friend? Seem to fit very snug.
Great info. What size if ground cloth did u use? I checked in the link and there are large and med. 😊 thanks
Not 100% sure but likely a large. You can always fold under any excess if needed. Best, -alan
Just bought one of these with the footprint (hexagonal cost £80 but perfect fit and super light) tent cost over £400. Expensive kit but worth it, my main gripe is the tent pegs, they should be absolute top quality for what you pay and they only supply 6 of them, so not enough for the guid lines, they should provide at least 10 of them.
Yes, luvit this is something of a weight game between tent vendors. If BA actually supplied 10 beefier stakes then their tent would weigh significantly more than other similar tents (which also only have 4-6 very light pegs) and people might not buy it. So, for better or worse, getting decent tent pegs and more than 6 has ended being a purchaser option to upgrade. This is true of pretty much every tent on the market so not fair to single BA out as the only offender tho. Enjoy the tent. Best, -a
@@adventure_alan_co Oh I dunno, I have three other tents and they came with decent tent pegs and plenty of them, however I do always upgrade the pegs, but thought in this case they might have just gone thet extra mile to better than the competitors 👍
Can't take it away from this tent though, it's without doubt the best I've owned and the pegs are just a petty afterthought that I can more that live with.
That's for the reply and great vids 👍
What’s the make and model of the aluminum nail stakes?
Got a link to those aluminum stakes?
Do you use this for solo trips?
Isn’t this a free standing tent? Why do you mention staking out the four corners?
The one I've found that I think compares is the Marmot Tungsten UL 2P. 100-200gm heavier but you have more room and perhaps stronger materials? What do you think?
The newest Wasabi model is the one I mean. Why do you think the Tungsten one isn't often compared?
Great review. Question: it looks like you set up your footprint a bit larger than the tent floor itself. I was under the impression the footprint should always be a bit smaller than the floor (so water doesn't run/pool under if raining). Curious what your approach is?
It's summer in the Sierras so not expecting it to rain. Polycro ground cloth slightly wider than floor equals a bit more margin to protect floor. But yes, you are right. If we were seriously expecting rain we would have folded the footprint to exactly match the tent floor. Best, -alan
@@adventure_alan_co Thanks!
Can you share of a link to the cross-linked polymer you referred to? The BA copper spur foot print is 80$+ dollars
Link in the comments is to our Full Review which does have the link to the cross-linked polymer groundsheet. Best, -alan
www.adventurealan.com/big-agnes-copper-spur-hv-ul2-tent-2020-review/
Polycryo (Tent Footprint) Ground Cloth www.gossamergear.com/products/polycryo-tent-footprint-ground-cloths?rfsn=2550846.da47a5
I love Big agnes but I'm torn between this and the zpacks tent for my future through hike on the AT. What is your opinion on that?
These are somewhat apples to oranges, so you'd need to make the call. Single walled, trekking pole supported tent vs. double walled, freestanding tent. Depends on your priorities and preferences. For more detail see our tent guide www.adventurealan.com/best-tents-backpacking/. Best, -alan
@@adventure_alan_co yeah, I cant seem to make up my mind😜 thank you
Me too
Go with a single wall tent.
What size are those mats? Would it fit two large/wide thermarests? I'm 192cm so i wonder if i will fit well with my GF without wanting to kill each other after 2 days in a storm :D Maybe i missed it in the video
Those are two standard "Women's" NeoAir pads. So standard width. My guess is that two T-Rest wides would fit albeit a bit snug. Dimensions for the tent floor width are 52" head and 42" foot. Best, -alan
What are the velcro strips holding the pads together?
They are pad attachment straps. You can get them a number of places. I believe we are using the straps that came with our Enlightened Equipment Quilt. But you can also get them from Zpacks. Warmest, -alan
Polycro is the way to go
Indeed!
How tall are you. And can you sit up comfortably. Good with rain?
Bruce, I am 5'8" and can sit up comfortably. The tent is very good in the rain. Best, -alan
Do the thermarest pads squeak against the floor of the tent when moving around on them?
Hard to say if they squeak, but @11:18 those pads were like bags of chips. I live in a very quiet rural area and am a light sleeper. Those thermarests would drive me nuts.
What brand are those blue aluminium nail stakes?
They are listed in our www.adventurealan.com/best-backpacking-gear-staff-picks/ and in our www.adventurealan.com/ultralight-backpacking-gear-list/ best, -alan
Good review. My only concern is regarding the placement of your ground sheet. In heavy precipitation, your groundsheet, sticking far beyond the tent, would collect and direct the water right under your tent. I have no issue to seeking alternative ground sheets. I have issue with placing them sticking beyond the footprint of the tent. 45 years of experience here.
Elizabeth, it was rocky ground and in the Sierras where it rarely rains. As such, sticking out is an advantage rather than an issue as you are sure that the tent is fully protected even if it shifts a bit. But if needed, the excess material can easily be folded under and out of the way in case of rain. Best, -alan
Where do I get the polycro footprint??
Here www.gossamergear.com/products/polycryo-tent-footprint-ground-cloths?rfsn=2550846.da47a5. Hope this helps. Best, -alan
What pillows are those?
They are Hyperlite Mountain Gear Stuff Sack Pillows snp.link/623533bc. When you turn them inside out they have a nice nappy side to serve as a pillow. By day they are the stuff sacks for our down jackets. Best, -alan
The do hicky 😆
Grin 😉
the only thing about this tent that makes it short of absolute perfection for me is that it doesn't have an option for the material to be dyneema, unlike the tiger wall. too bad.
DCF if difficult to work with for dome tents like the Copper Spur. The multitude of individual panels and seams used for a dome tent are not well suited to DCF. Also ads a bunch of construction cost in addition to the DCF fabric cost. As such, DCF is better suited to tents like the Zpacks Duplex, or the Mountain Laurel Designs Duomid XL. Best, -alan
there's the copper spur carbon if u have the money lol
There’s a DCF version of the tigerwall? I had no idea
@@christianb8228 yeah and I am pretty sure they have a few on sale at rei for 500 and sum which is less the the 800 mark from before
I don’t understand why they made these hardcore ultralight tents made for wild camping that don’t have sufficient tent bottoms. They sell ground tarps separately? Just make the bottom a little thicker and sacrifice some weight. Sorry but Im not going to notice an extra few ounces on an 10 mile hike in the back country but I will notice if the tent bottom is no longer water proof because of a damn pine needle haha
Thanks for your design suggestions. For many surfaces the current tent floor is just fine. And if you need more, the recommended Polycryo groundcloth is less expensive and lighter than a heavier tent floor. And if the groundcloth it is damaged it can easily be replaced for a few bucks. All-in-all we think this is the best option for most tent owners. Best, -alan
Has anyone experienced any condensation issues with this tent?
With the doors at least partially cracked, and because it's a double walled tent - condensation in the inner tent will be negligible in all but the worst conditions. Best, -alan
@@adventure_alan_co Hi Alan! I will be doing a 45day section hike of the via alpina (red) in the Alps in juli. I want to get the BA ul 2 for that trip. Do you think it will stand up against the conditions up there?
I bought this tent when it come out in the UK 2020 and it failed big time.. Totally collapsed under 35 /40 mph winds it was flattened and poles snapped I just was not impressed at all this is defo not a mountian worthy or even hill tent.
Sorry to hear that spo72. And no, this is not a mountaineering tent. I don't think Big Agnes remotely bills it as such. Wishing you a great year of hill walking. Best, -alan
I doubt any ultra lightweight tent is going to fair well in those conditions, if you know of something that does let us know.
@@tlister67 I was not impressed with this tent, , I would of hated to be on a thru hike especially in the U. S where the elevation is far greater that 600m where I was and to be far 35, mph 40 mph wind a tent of that quality and money should withstand that kind of hit, made out of all the lastest tech at the time, I understand that the UL gear is not as robust, I just excepted a bit more, especially when there were £100 tents next to me and they were fine, but all turned out well I was lucky and got a credit note, but hey dude keep up the good vids,
Hi Alan! 😀 I've been a fan of your Web site for a while and am glad you are also doing videos now. What are your thoughts on day hike survival scenarios (if lost, injured/sick, etc)? For example, this former active duty US Air Force survival instructor says to carry these things on a day hike: m.ruclips.net/video/wbdwRShcCbg/видео.html As you can see this is nowhere close to ultralight. He also mentions in a separate video that PLBs can be unreliable if there is heavy forest cover, thick clouds, bad weather or satellite problems which is why his fire building kit is so extensive as a fire is one of the best ground to air signals. I highly respect your many years of wilderness experience and would be grateful for your thoughts on this subject! 😊
Hi Rose, this is a bit off-piste for the video topic of the tent... But I think our post, the 13 ESSENTIALS FOR THE MODERN HIKER - A REALISTIC “10 ESSENTIALS,” www.adventurealan.com/13-essentials-modern-hiker-realistic-10-essentials/ will give an example of an ultralight approach to this. And note this is mostly what I have carried for the last 40 years of backpacking and climbing all over the world. While I have never been seriously injured or needed to be rescued, I have assisted the rescue of others with modern satellite communication devices. Best, -alan
@@adventure_alan_co Thank you so much for replying 😀
You talk a lot about storms and the rain resistance of this tent in your review.
* How did storms and rain affect your decision to hike with this tent in the Sierras in summer?
* How many inches of rain fell on you at night in the Sierras in the summer?
* Was it 5 inches? 10 inches? Or was it zero inches because it never rains at night in the Sierras in summer?
I saw a lot of people using this tent in Yosemite in July. Seemed like massive overkill.
Brian, as you know the Sierras midsummer are pretty dry. So mostly we wanted a livable tent for mosquito protection and to cut some strong winds as it was freezing at night. But... there had been a pattern of some violent T-storms prior to our trip so that affected our decision as well. And we did have one humdinger of the T-storm on the trip. We especially appreciated the high inner tent walls as the rain was splashing pretty high. Best, -alan
@@adventure_alan_co Glad you got a little rain, then. It's usually scarce.
Good bug mesh is the real Sierra need in the summer.
Total overkill? Lol how? It packs down very small and weights just over 3 lbs so why not?
Not everybody uses trekking poles! This tent is all about the gimmick of the awning!