The Copper Spur HV UL2 is the tent more ultralight backpackers own than any other. That’s not an accident — it’s genuinely excellent. After four seasons and countless nights from the Cascades to the desert Southwest, here’s the real story.
The Numbers
- Weight: 2 lbs 6 oz (trail weight with stakes)
- Floor area: 28.8 sq ft
- Peak height: 40 inches
- Packed size: 18" x 5"
- Seasons: 3-season
- Price: $549
What It Does Right
Livability is class-leading at this weight. 40 inches of peak height means you can sit up fully, change clothes, and move around without contorting. The high volume hubbed design gives the tent a roominess that the specs don’t fully communicate.
Setup is fast and intuitive. Two color-coded aluminum poles, a freestanding design, and a logical pitch sequence mean you can have this up solo in under 5 minutes even in fading light. That matters after a long day.
The vestibules are genuinely useful. Two vestibules, one on each side. Each is large enough for a full pack plus boots with room to cook under cover in light rain. Gear storage isn’t an afterthought here.
Weather performance is solid for a 3-season tent. The silicone/polyester fly keeps rain out reliably up to moderate wind and storm conditions. Not a 4-season tent — but in real backcountry 3-season use, it handles what you’ll actually encounter.
Where It Falls Short
The price hurts. $549 is a lot for a tent. The Copper Spur earns it, but if you’re budget-constrained, the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 gets you 80% of the way there for $100 less.
Floor durability requires care. The 15D silnylon floor is light but not bombproof. Clear tent sites of sharp debris, use a footprint in rocky terrain, and this tent will last years. Ignore that advice and you’ll have a pinhole problem within a season.
Not a winter tent. The aluminum poles aren’t rated for heavy snow loads. If you’re planning shoulder-season trips into alpine zones where overnight snow is possible, look at the Big Agnes Battle Mountain or a four-season option.
Compared to the Competition
| Tent | Weight | Price | Floor Area | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copper Spur HV UL2 | 2 lbs 6 oz | $549 | 28.8 sq ft | Amazon |
| Nemo Hornet Elite OSMO 2P | 1 lb 15 oz | $650 | 26.1 sq ft | Amazon |
| Zpacks Duplex | 1 lb 3 oz | $699 | 28 sq ft | Amazon |
| MSR Hubba Hubba 2 | 3 lbs 4 oz | $500 | 29 sq ft | Amazon |
| Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 | 2 lbs 3 oz | $450 | 27 sq ft | Amazon |
The Copper Spur hits the sweet spot — lighter than the MSR, roomier than the Nemo, cheaper than the Zpacks, and freestanding unlike the Duplex.
Bottom Line
The Copper Spur HV UL2 has been the benchmark ultralight freestanding tent for years because it’s genuinely hard to beat at its weight and price point. If you want one tent that handles everything from Appalachian Trail thru-hiking to Sierra Nevada peak-bagging, this is it.
Rating: 9/10 — The price and floor delicacy keep it from perfect. Everything else is best-in-class.
FAQ
Do I need the Big Agnes footprint, or can I use a cheaper groundsheet?
Skip the branded footprint — $70 for what amounts to thin nylon. A piece of polycryo window film cut to size weighs half as much, costs under $10, and protects the floor just as well.
Can two adults actually sleep in the Copper Spur UL2?
Yes, comfortably if you’re both using standard 20" wide sleeping pads. Two people on 25" wide pads is tight — possible but your pads will overlap at the edges. For couples who want more room, the UL3 is the call.
How does it handle wind?
Rated for 40+ mph sustained wind with proper staking and all guylines deployed. We’ve had it through Sierra ridge storms without issue. Above 50 mph or in alpine zones with no natural shelter, a trekking-pole shelter like the Stratospire Li is more aerodynamic.
How long do the DAC poles last?
DAC Featherlight poles are rated for hundreds of setups. Ours are still going strong after 4 seasons. Aluminum poles occasionally crack at joints under sustained hard use — replacement pole sections are available direct from Big Agnes if one fails.
Is seam sealing required?
No. The Copper Spur ships fully factory taped. Many ultralight DCF or silnylon tents require customer seam sealing before use — Big Agnes handles this at the factory, and it holds up for years.
What stakes should I use?
The included aluminum hook stakes are functional but bend in rocky soil. Upgrade to MSR Groundhog stakes — they weigh only slightly more, hold much better in any substrate, and will outlast the tent.
Where to Buy
- Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 (direct link) — best price, check current color options
- Copper Spur HV UL3 (3-person version) — for couples or anyone wanting more vestibule room
- MSR Groundhog Stakes (set of 6) — upgrade from the included stakes
- Polycryo Groundsheet — lighter and cheaper alternative to the Big Agnes footprint