Hail on an exposed alpine basin, and not a drop inside. The Copper Spur HV UL2 matched our top livability score at the lowest weight of any tent that did. It scores 87 out of 100 and ranks #3 in our best backpacking tents guide as our most livable for the weight.
Most Livable for the Weight
Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2
- Weight (our scale): 3 lb 2 oz packed
- Floor: 88 x 52 in, tapers to 42
- Pad fit (our test): two 20 in pads
- Doors: 2
Bottom Line : The most room for the weight. No leaks through hail on the Wind River High Route. Bring a groundsheet for the thin floor.
Pros
- Top livability score at the lowest weight
- Pitched in 2 minutes 45 seconds, even exhausted
- No leaks through 2 hours of downpour and hail
- Condensation practically nonexistent
Cons
- Thin floor scuffed on crushed granite
- Two 25 in pads overlap at the feet
- Needs its mid-panel guylines in wind
On the Wind River High Route
Emma carried the Copper Spur on the Wind River High Route in Wyoming in late August, through high-altitude summer monsoons and exposed alpine basins. A two-hour downpour with hail left the inside dry.
The kickstand vents worked like a chimney, and condensation was practically nonexistent. With its mid-panel guylines out, it was steady up to 30 mph.
The color-coded hub poles pitched in 2 minutes 45 seconds, even when Emma was exhausted. At 3 lb 2 oz packed on her scale, it carries a lot of room for the weight. Two 20 inch mummy pads fit perfectly.
Where It Asks Something of You
Look after the floor. It scuffed on crushed granite, so pitch on a groundsheet. In wind, put the mid-panel guylines out: without them, the steep walls catch crosswind like a sail.
The floor tapers from 52 to 42 inches, so two 25 inch rectangular pads overlap at the feet. And the two-way door zips kept snagging the storm flap when Emma opened them from inside her bag.
Spec Sheet vs Our Test
Awning vestibules with double zips. Big Agnes says the awning-style vestibules expand living space and the double zips help keep wind-driven rain out. The covered space is real. But if you unzip the wet awning too fast, it tips water onto the edge of the mesh, and the zips snagged the storm flap.
Ripstop that resists punctures. Big Agnes claims its mixed-denier ripstop adds tear strength and puncture resistance without weight. It didn't stop the floor scuffing on crushed granite. Treat the groundsheet as part of the tent.
Easy setup. The TipLok buckles and color-coded poles are meant to make setup intuitive. They do: 2 minutes 45 seconds, and Emma said it's idiot-proof even when you're exhausted.
Should You Buy the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2?
Yes, if you sleep on 20 inch pads and want the most room for the weight. It's a superb three-season tent for anyone willing to baby the fabric a little.
On wide pads, or in long wet spells, buy the NEMO Dagger OSMO instead. If you want a lighter take on the same idea, the Tiger Wall UL2 saves 10 oz but gives up stability.
Compare With
- NEMO Dagger OSMO 2P: our best overall backpacking tent.
- MSR Hubba Hubba LT 2: our highest-rated tent.
- Sea to Summit Telos TR2 Plus: our best for wind and wet shoulder seasons.
- Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 2: our best for short walk-ins and dogs.
- MSR Elixir 2: our most durable.
- Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2: our lightest two-person tent.
- ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 2: our best budget tent.
- Kelty Late Start 2P: our fastest pitch.
- Big Agnes Fly Creek UL1: our best solo tent.
- Naturehike Cloud Up 2: our best budget ultralight.
See all 11, and how we tested them, in our best backpacking tents guide. For family and car-camping tents, start at our camping tents hub.
Editor's Note, 17 October 2026: New review, from the field notes of Emma, who tested this tent for our backpacking tent guide and weighed it on her own scale.
Our Testers
This review was edited by Sean Williams and tested by Emma Williams.
- Sean Williams, Editor-in-Chief. Sean built the team of researchers and testers behind our reviews and sets the rule the site runs on: we buy what we test, and we say what we found.
- Ryan Williams, Lead Tester. Ryan reviewed the rankings against Emma's notes and agreed the Dagger belongs at #1.
- Emma Williams, Editor and Tester. Emma leads our tent, camp kitchen and footwear testing, mostly in wet weather, and tested every tent in this guide.
