This review delves into the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 Bikepacking Tent, exploring whether it lives up to its hype. Designed for bikepacking with easily transportable poles, it also functions perfectly as a standard backpacking tent for one or two people. This comprehensive review covers setup, features, durability, and overall usability based on extensive field testing in diverse conditions, from long bike tours to overnight backpacking trips. We'll examine the tent's strengths and weaknesses, offering a balanced perspective to help you decide if this high-quality, yet pricey, option is the right choice for your adventures.The Copper Spur HV UL2 boasts a spacious interior, clever design features for organization, and excellent rain fly coverage. However, we also tackle potential drawbacks, such as the somewhat cumbersome one-handed door operation and, more significantly, the confusing color-coding of the poles and connectors, which can hinder setup, especially in challenging weather. This review aims to provide a realistic assessment, weighing the pros and cons to determine if this popular tent is truly worth the investment for your specific needs and camping style.
Pros And Cons
- High quality
- Lightweight
- Spacious for a one-person tent, doable for two
- Good interior design with pockets and attachment points
- Light color reflects heat
- Rainfly provides good coverage
- Vertical sides maximize interior space
- Waterproof
- Well-designed overall structure
- Easy to get in and out of
- Difficult to undo door closures one-handed, especially in the dark
- Color scheme makes pitching slightly confusing (orange and gray accents instead of matching pole colors)
- Small stakes included, aftermarket stakes recommended for better strength
- Design of the inner panel and rainfly flaps could be improved for easier pitching
Read more: 5 Best Family Camping Tents for Your Next Adventure
Overall Impression and Tent Specs
The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 is marketed as a bikepacking tent, meaning its poles break down for easier handlebar transport. However, it functions like a standard backpacking tent, suitable for one or two people. I've used it extensively in various settings, from long bike tours to overnight backpacking trips.
It's a high-quality tent, though the exact price and weight are readily available online. Expect to pay in the $400-$500 range. Despite some initial reservations (as detailed in my first impressions video), my overall opinion is very positive.
Pitching and Design Features
Pitching the tent is generally straightforward but has a few quirks. While the door roll-up mechanism is simple and durable, it's somewhat cumbersome one-handed or in low-light conditions. The rain fly offers excellent coverage, extending far down the sides, and includes a vent for condensation control.
I appreciate the thoughtfully designed rain fly's coverage, it sheds water well and provides good protection. While the daisy chain offers limited utility, it is lightweight and doesn’t detract from the overall design.
Interior Space and Features
The interior is surprisingly spacious, even for two people (though more comfortable for one). The asymmetrical design, with one end narrower than the other, maximizes headroom and vertical space. Ample storage pockets are integrated into the design, a welcome addition for organized packing.
The light gray color of the tent helps reflect heat, making it less sweltering in sunny conditions. While not aesthetically striking to me, this is a functional feature. The tent lets in ample light, offering a brighter interior space.
Stakes and Materials
While the included stakes are lightweight, I prefer using aftermarket ones for added stability. The tent’s lightweight material may feel thin initially, but it has proven durable over two years of extensive use, even in varied weather conditions.
The material used on this tent might feel slightly flimsy at first for some. However, this is common in newer tents and it doesn't seem to affect the waterproofing or general durability in any significant manner.
Pitching Challenges and Color-Coding Issues
My biggest criticism is the color-coding of the poles and tent connectors. The color differentiation (red poles, orange and gray connectors) is subtle and confusing, making pitching more difficult than it should be, especially in less-than-ideal conditions.
This color-coding issue is significantly more frustrating in bad weather conditions. The lack of clear distinction makes setting up quick and efficiently much more difficult. I suspect this was a design compromise for marketing, sacrificing usability.
Footprint and Final Thoughts
I typically use an aftermarket footprint for better ground protection, although the included footprint is an option. The tent's overall structure and design are excellent, creating a spacious and comfortable interior.
Despite the color-coding issues, the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 is a well-designed, lightweight, and durable tent suitable for a variety of camping adventures. The space efficiency and structure are definitely key selling points. The frustrations with pitching are largely related to the color scheme design.
Conclusion: Is it Worth It?
The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 offers excellent features and a spacious interior, but the confusing color-coding during setup is a significant drawback. If you prioritize ease of setup in challenging conditions, this might not be the best choice for you.
Ultimately, whether this tent is ‘worth it’ depends on your priorities. If you value space efficiency and a lightweight, durable tent and don’t mind the color-coding quirks, then it might be a good pick. However, those who struggle with the pitching aspects should look elsewhere.
