In need of a new tent.

[Herm]

Just this afternoon, I set up my new Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 in the garage. Its intended use for me is a solo shelter, with plenty of room to store my pack and boots etc. without feeling cramped - 2 doors, 2 vestibules. It sets up easily, in just a few minutes. And you can get it on sale at REI this week. Weighing in under 4 pounds including footprint, it is more than a full pound lighter than the trusty REI HalfDome that I have used for many years. I hope to put it to "real" use in the High Sierra next week.

Will inform about its performance after returning.

Herm

[austex]

I saw that in the REI book. It was nagging me that SOMEONE was looking for a new tent and can't remember whom. Let us know.

[richlong8]

I have been using a Big Agnes Fly Creek 1 for the last several years on quite a few trips. It has held up well in rain,wind, and snow. It is a one person tent, and it is on the small size, that is for sure. I prefer my Sierra Designs Lightning for comfort, but it is much heavier. I had to send the BA Fly Creek 1 in for a zipper replacement on the main tent body a year ago. Now, it looks like the zipper on the rain fly is shot after my last trip. So I think the BA zippers can use some quality upgrades, at least on the Fly Creek model. I have found the actual stated weights on tents is not always, shall I say, 100% accurate. I would definitely weigh everything myself if lightweight is important to you, and buy from someone who has a good return policy, because these manufacturers definitely are getting premium prices for their ultralight tents, and they better darn well be the weight they state, before I keep it. The problem is similar to the overstated volumes of many packs, as revealed on sites like "Backpacking Light.com". Some tents are heavier that the published specs indicate. By changing 6 of the tent stakes on the BA Fly Creek 1 to titanium, I now have the weight down to a legitimate 2 pounds, 3 ounces. I don't know that I would buy another Big Agnes, definitely not another Fly Creek 1. I would want a little more room, with no more weight than I carry now. The Big Sky tents have been getting good reviews, but they are not cheap either. I will be interested to see what your final decision is, and then how it works out for you. If I buy something new before next year, I will post my opinion.

[whrdafamI?]

I have decided to go with a Six Moon Design "Lunar Duo". It has not been purchased as of yet as I heard they might be having a sale in a couple of months. I had initially considered the "Big Sky Revolution" but I just couldn't get past the cash out lay for one. By the time I had it the way I wanted it with the upgrades it came to $556 bucks! Just didn't make any sense for the amount of use it would potentially get. The "Lunar Duo" isn't cheap but I think it will be just fine. The only thing I didn't like is that it is not free standing.

[hjldennis]

Looks like you've decided already, but for my tent hunting, I had my eyes set on Hilleberg Nallo and looked for a used one for a while. It was hard to come by since I was looking for 4 persons tent (2 kids). Not too many quality 4 persons tent users out there as opposed to 1-3. Finally picked up Nallo 4 GT at a good price and very happy with it. The only problem is its big footprint due to large vestibule. Once set up it's a backcountry mansion. Another tent is BA Copper Spur 4 which is also great, but now became summer/desert only tent for us.

Just a suggestion to look into used gear as it has been good for me so far. But then some of my friends refuse to buy used gears ...

Good luck!

[Herm]

So I got to use my new Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 tent on a recent trip over Duck Pass. I am 5 feet 11 inches tall, weigh about 190 pounds and have broad shoulders. There is no way I would want to share this tent with anyone, not even my petite little wife, because the tent is just not roomy enough for two. To accommodate my width, I use an Exped Synmat Deluxe 7 inflatable air mattress, which is 26 inches wide (rectangular), and this tent would not fit another pad, not even at 20 inches. Therefore, it will serve well as my solo shelter. Here is a photo, all set up at a camp spot below Glen Lake.


The tent sets up and takes down easily, and weighs significantly less than the REI Halfdome Plus 2 that I have carried previously.

[whrdafamI?]

Herm, your experience with the Copper Spur 2 is just one of the reasons I was not happy with the Fly Creek.

[hjldennis]

BTW sierratradingpost.com runs additional 30% off deals often. Today it's additional 40% off which makes 50-70% off of msrp, and some tents are included in the sale.

[Herm]

Herm, your experience with the Copper Spur 2 is just one of the reasons I was not happy with the Fly Creek.

whrdafamI;

Just to clarify, I bought the tent as a solo shelter, and it worked fine for me in that respect. I was just pointing out that others might be disappointed if expecting to fit 2 people in there. I couldn't imagine getting a one-person tent - that would feel like a coffin.

Herm

[Wandering Daisy]

Forget the label - one person, two etc. Look closely at the measurements in the specifications and compare on that basis in order to choose the size of the tent. Everyone has different ideas of what is needed in space. Personally, most one person tents are actually too big for me. Big is not always better even if it is an incrementally small weight gain. I camp in places where a small footprint is needed. The larger the tent the larger a smooth flat space is needed. Kind of like Goldilocks - not too small, not to big, but just right! The size of the packed tent should also be considered. I need a compact small package. I bushwhack, so like to get my tent inside my pack.

What we all need, regardless of size, preferences and all the bells and whistles, is a tent that is totally weather-worthy. For me this is more than withstanding one severe storm - it is the ability to live in and stay dry in a week's worth of miserable weather, above timber, at 12,000 feet; and do this year after year. Your criteria may be different. I find internet "reviews" almost useless. I wonder if some rosy reviews are actually "planted" by the manufacturer.