Customer Reviews

Big Agnes Copper Spur UL 3 Three-Person Tent

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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...