Big Agnes Copper Spur UL 3 Three-Person Tent

by Big Agnes

Product Features

• Ultralight 3-season, 3-person tent with superior space-to-weight ratio
• Tent body is made of lightweight yet sturdy nylon and polyester mesh
• Single pole/hub design with DAC twist clips for easy setup
• Pair of vestibules for gear storage; multiple interior mesh pockets
• 44 square feet of living space; packed weight of 4 pounds 12 ounces

Product Description

Amazon.com

A terrific choice for long hikes in the backcountry, the Copper Spur UL3 three-person tent redefines the concept of lightweight, with a superior space-to-weight ratio that puts other tents to shame. The tent body is made of ultra-lightweight nylon and polyester mesh, a fabric that's lighter than anything Big Agnes has used before.

The Copper Spur UL3 includes an ultra-lightweight fly coated with waterproof polyurethane.

At the same time, the fabric's high thread count and double-twisted thread ensure strength and durability, helping the tent hold up to rough handling. The Copper Spur UL3 is also fully weatherproof thanks to the ultralight, silicone-treated nylon ripstop fly, which is coated with 1,200mm waterproof polyurethane. Even the floor is lightweight, with the same silicone-treated nylon ripstop construction as the fly.

The lightweight design extends to the DAC Featherlite NSL aluminum poles, which include press-fit connectors and sturdy hubs. The single hub/pole blueprint also makes the tent remarkably easy to pitch. Just connect the poles, and then use the DAC twist clips to secure the tent body to the pole frame. It's that simple, and lets campers spend their time doing more productive things, like goofing off.

Despite the minimal weight, the Copper Spur UL3 is relatively spacious, with 44 square feet of living space and a pair of vestibules for added storage. Each vestibule includes a D-shaped door and a storm flap over the zipper. The tent also offers several interior mesh pockets, giving campers room to store wallets, books, flashlights, and cell phones in an out-of-the-way location. Other features include a reflective guyline and reflective webbing on the tent corners for nighttime visibility; 10 superlight aluminum J stakes; and gear loft loops compatible with the Big Agnes Gear Loft (sold separately).

The tent's 44 square feet of living space sleeps up to 3 people.

Specifications

• Floor area: 44 square feet
• Head height: 3 feet 8 inches
• Vestibule area: 9 square feet
• Trail weight: 4 pounds 3 ounces (poles, fly, and tent body)
• Packed weight: 4 pounds 12 ounces (poles, fly, tent body, stakes, guylines, stuff sacks, instructions, and packaging)
• Footprint weight: 9 ounces (sold separately)
• Base dimensions: 90 by 70 inches
• Packed size: 7 by 22 inches (W x H x D)

About Big Agnes
Big Agnes is either a rocky peak in the Mt. Zirkel Wilderness Area outside of Colorado's Steamboat Springs, a laid-back mountain-town mama, or dependable backcountry gear, depending on whom you ask. The Big Agnes founders think it represents a little bit of each and everything in between. The folks at Big Agnes have spent a lot of time in the Colorado backcountry, giving them a deep appreciation of local history, places, peaks, and rivers. From the Cross Mountain, named after a Yampa River canyon known for classic Class IV/V whitewater, to the Encampment, one of the country's most scenic wilderness river runs, to more obvious choices like the Divide Series, the company names its products after some of the most fascinating landmarks in the region. The spring runoff near Steamboat is also pretty spectacular, so Big Agnes included a few favorite creeks to its name directory, including Sarvis, Deep, Mad, and Lost Dog. The fun product names complement a full catalog of well-constructed outdoor products, which include sleeping bags, tents, pads, duffels, and camping accessories.

Product Description

Copper Spur UL tents truly redefine lightweight with their interior space to weight ratio. New fabric is lighter than anything Big Agnes has used before, but a high thread count and double twisted thread offers strength and durability. Copper Spur tents feature DAC Featherlite NSL poles with eco-friendly anodizing. DAC poles are superlight and strong with press fit connectors and lightweight hubs. All DAC poles made from TH72M aluminum: the latest technology in lightweight tent poles featuring improved durability. New HClip attaches tent body to cross pole. Fly is ultralight silicone treated nylon rip-stop with a waterproof polyurethane coating. Floor is lightweight silicone treated nylon rip-stop with a waterproof polyurethane coating. Tent body is ultra lightweight nylon and polyester mesh. Mesh body offers excellent ventilation. Single hub/pole design makes set up quick and easy. New DAC Twist Clips attach tent body to the pole frame for quick and easy set-up. Two vestibules with D-shaped doors and storm flap over zipper. Includes interior mesh pockets and reflective guyline and reflective webbing on tent corners for nighttime visibility. All seams are taped. Superlight x-peg stakes included. Gear loft loops included.

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 4.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B001AZ9LJU
• Item model number: TCS38
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great lightweight tent, April 26, 2008

By 

K. Green (Alberta, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

We picked this tent up the day before leaving on an 8-day hiking trip in the Grand Canyon. The tent is about 4-1/2lbs including rainfly and poles... much lighter than our 'reserve' tent which weighed about 8lbs. The tent was easy to set up and of the 7 nights, 4 of them we left the fly off utilizing only the screen top. The large vestibules of the fly are nice for boots and other gear with excellent air circulation. It did not rain on us so I can't speak to the water impermeability, but we did get some very strong winds. Because of the full screen top and air gaps under the fly, the wind was able to blow a bit of dust into the tent. We used the fly in the strong wind as the tent is more 'aerodynamic' with the fly and more tie points are provided on the fly. The only criticism I could possibly come up with is the lightweight floor, but this is expected given the overall light weight of the tent. The manufacturer recommends using the footprint to help protect the floor, but that is 1lb we did not want to carry for 8 days - the floor held up fine given some care (clearing as many rocks as possible from the tent area). Overall we are very pleased with the tent and look forward to future camping trips.

5.0 out of 5 stars MOST BANG FOR THE BUCK!, July 10, 2011

By 

Sergio Haynes - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Big Agnes Copper Spur UL 3 Three-Person Tent (Sports)

I knew what I was getting myself into when I laid down the cash (and a lot of it) for this tent. I wanted something lighter weight that packed down smaller and provided the small things in life like side pockets, dual doors and dual vestibules for my wife and I. We were used to carrying an 8 lb monster that did provide great comfort (Eureka Mountain Pass 3XTE), but we needed something we could give our knees a little break with. Since using this tent in the wilds of Arkansas, I have looked back since. The tent is very easy for one person to set up, while the other starts a fire...or um looks for dry wood when it's drizzling. It is super sturdy in high winds and has extra tabs for securing the tent. The tabs and strings are reflective so you can find your tent in dense woods or from the campfire. Depending on which way he wind is blowing, you can also directionally set up the tent to be aerodynamic to when you open your vestibule doors, they don't catch the wind like an empty grocery sack on the autobahn. I took the tent down to the low 30's without any dripping condensation problems. By this time, my wife has learned to keep the vents open (see other review).

The tents pole holes are color coordinated, so you again can easily directionally set up your tent if needed from the start, especially when it is raining. Of course another thing of beauty is to be able to set up the tent quickly from under the fly. The vestibules are large enough that my wife and I can set the tent up with our packs staying dry. To note, we are athletically built individuals. Once the tent is set up, there is easily enough head room (I am 5'7") and wide space for two full grown adults. We sleep either with the Big Agnes King Solomon with two 20" pads side by side, or if I am hiking with my best friend we have separate 20" BA pads and bags. The vestibules are big enough for your back packs and doors on either side make for an easy midnight escape without disturbing your loved one. If the night is clear and the weather nice, without having the fly on, is a dream. You can see the stars or trees with all of the mesh provided along with great ventilation, with or without the fly.

I did purchase the tent footprint which is lightweight and together with the fly, tent, stakes and poles equals exactly 5 lbs. NICE when splitting the contents between us both. More room for weight necessities like...wine in a platypus! As mentioned in my other review. This tent can also be nicely heated using 15 min of HEET from a Trangia burner while tucking into bed. It really is the only reason I have that heavy thing, but my wife LOVES it...so it stays...for now;)

All in all, the tent was worth the money for the weight, durability, flexibility and innovation.

I just purchased the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 for solo hiking. That review to come by next year! Happy hiking and leave no trace...