Customer Reviews

Big Agnes Fly Creek UL 1 Person Tent

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

 

 

I have been searching for a well-designed, solo tent under 3 pounds for many years. And to replace my REI Roadster, which I like, but it lacks headroom and width. I have been climbing and backpacking extensively for 35 years. Surprised to finally find specs I have been looking for (incl a weight well under 3 pounds), I bought the Big Agnes Fly Creek UL1 and set it up in my basement. Like all modern, name brand tents, it is well-manufactured. Big Agnes got most of the weight out by thinner fabric materials. My micrometer told me that the fly thickness is about 1.8 mil and the Roadster a more standard 3 mil, etc. My other measurements were very similar to the advertised specs.

I used the Fly Creek solo last week in the Sierra's John Muir Wilderness for a five day trip at 11,000 ft. My search ends! It sets up easily, has free-standing stability and was sufficiently spacious inside for me (I am 6 ft tall). My major concern was the thinner materials, but I saw no compromise during the five days of use. Tent walls seem adequate, though I have no way of knowing the effect of years of use. Probably alright, but therefore good ground protection is even more critical with this ultra light tent. Sans fly, about 18 inches of nylon wall kept the considerable night breeze off me, but allowed good ventilation. Headroom is still lacking, but without fly, I sat up to comfortably read with the tent door opened. Since the door face is angled back, it is also handy for changing clothes while standing inside the tent. I do wish more flat, headspace was designed in though, and a side mesh pocket or two. The last night I added the rain fly, which was taut and guyed out easily and well. Though not usually needed for my 3-season use, I expect the door vestibule will be challengingly adequate.

So I gain one third floor area and lose 1 lb 2 oz relative to my minimalist Roadster. (With my plastic ground cloth, my actual pack weight was 2 lb 8 oz.) More floor area and less weight - kudos to Big Agnes for a fine, game-changing product!

I purchased my BA Fly Creek 1 from HumbleOutdoors for about $230, it came with a free BA footprint.

With a packed weight of 2lb 3oz, this tent is feather light. I stop and marvel every time I handle and/or pack this gem. My Fly Creek 1 survived a week on Vermont's Long Trail. I experianced three nights of rain, and one very very primitive campsite. My pack was over 10 lbs lighter then my last weeklong trip, and that was a definate plus!

I'm an outfitter in MT and have spent many nights in the wilderness. Needed to find a new solo tent for the high country. Used this tent one night and that was enough. Super light weight and extremely thin but seemingly tough enough material. Seems and stitching seem sound. Other than that I found it to be a poor design. Had a storm blow in and drop the snow level to my elevation and it rained, sleeted and blew all night. Temps about 35 degrees F.

It is not free standing and I found it impossible, either setting it up at home in good weather or especially after 8 miles and 4000 or so vertical feet in the cold, to guy wire it out correctly. Even with all the stakes.

Though the specs read that it should be able to fit the Big Agnes Park long series bags, it does not. There is no way to fit one and not have your feet rub against the lower end, which inevitably led to the lower end of my bag picking up a lot of moisture from the walls. I find it hard to believe that any normal sized human in any bag could not end up rubbing the walls. This thing is REAL small inside. I'm 6'1" and 225 lbs. Forget about sitting up.

Cold air also blows in on your head as there is no wall by your head, just mesh. Then every time you need get in and out of the fly water pours in all over your head as there is no way to open it up without that occurring because of the angle of the tiny vestibule. No way I was fitting my Gregory Baltoro 70 Lg, 4638 cu/inches in it either. Just enough room for shoes and maybe a very small pack and water bottle.

I like Big Agnes products, but this one missed the boat. I'll be getting a Copper Spur UL2 instead. Same material but big enough not to rub against. And room to store my pack. I'm willing to give up a bit of weight for comfort. The Fly Creek is maybe a fair weather small person no rain tent at best.