Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 Backpacking Tent — 2-Person Ultralight Freestanding Shelter
The Copper Spur HV UL2 is the freestanding benchmark in the sub-3-pound two-person class: 2 lb 11 oz trail weight with high-volume architecture that buys back shoulder room and a 40-inch peak height you can actually sit up in. Pre-bent DAC Featherlite poles open the walls vertically instead of inwards, and solution-dyed fabric resists UV fade far better than conventionally dyed nylon. Two doors, two vestibules, and a fully freestanding pitch that goes up on rock, sand, or a wooden platform without a single stake.
Check Latest Price on Amazon →Why You Need This
The worst part of an ultralight tent is discovering at dusk that the ground will not hold a stake — you are left dragging rocks onto guy lines while your partner holds the poles upright. The Copper Spur HV UL2 ends that negotiation: the pole frame stands on its own, so setup never depends on soil. It costs more and weighs 7 oz above the lightest option, and that is the trade — pay in ounces instead of in cold, tilted, flapping nights.
🏆 How It Compares
vs. NEMO Hornet OSMO ($479.95): the Hornet is about 7 oz lighter and roughly $70 cheaper, and it is semi-freestanding, so it needs stakes at the corners. The Copper Spur HV UL2 is fully freestanding, has a 40-inch peak and more usable shoulder room, uses solution-dyed UV-resistant fabric, and carries a lifetime warranty. Choose the Copper Spur for hard ground, tall hikers, or a decade-long purchase; choose the Hornet to save weight and money on stakeable ground.
Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Fully freestanding — pitches on alpine rock, desert slickrock, or a platform where you cannot drive a stake
- 2 lb 11 oz trail weight with a 40-inch peak height, so two adults can sit up and change clothes inside
- Pre-bent DAC Featherlite poles move the walls outward, which is where the livable shoulder room comes from
- Solution-dyed fabric holds colour and strength under UV instead of fading to chalk after two seasons
❌ Cons
- The heaviest tent in the sub-3-pound roundup at 2 lb 11 oz — you are trading 7 oz for freestanding convenience
- $549.95 is premium pricing; the NEMO Hornet does the same job lighter for about $70 less if you always have stakes
- Ultralight fabrics and thin poles reward disciplined pitching and care in sustained high wind
🎯 Who Is This For?
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Check the latest price and availability on Amazon. Prices are accurate as of the date listed and may change over time.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 Backpacking Tent — 2-Person Ultralight Freestanding Shelter best for?
Best for backpackers who camp above treeline, in the desert, or anywhere the ground will not take a stake and who want a shelter that pitches free-standing in minutes
Who should buy the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 Backpacking Tent — 2-Person Ultralight Freestanding Shelter?
Backpackers on rocky alpine, desert, or platform sites who have fought a semi-freestanding tent in bad ground Hikers who want one premium tent to last a decade and would rather pay once than replace a budget shelter Two-person teams who want dual doors and vestibules plus the headroom to sit up through a storm Thru-hikers and section hikers who accept a few extra ounces for a pitch that never depends on stakes
What problem does the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 Backpacking Tent — 2-Person Ultralight Freestanding Shelter solve?
The worst part of an ultralight tent is discovering at dusk that the ground will not hold a stake — you are left dragging rocks onto guy lines while your partner holds the poles upright. The Copper Spur HV UL2 ends that negotiation: the pole frame stands on its own, so setup never depends on soil. It costs more and weighs 7 oz above the lightest option, and that is the trade — pay in ounces instead of in cold, tilted, flapping nights.
What are the drawbacks of the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 Backpacking Tent — 2-Person Ultralight Freestanding Shelter?
Owners and reviewers call out a few trade-offs: The heaviest tent in the sub-3-pound roundup at 2 lb 11 oz — you are trading 7 oz for freestanding convenience $549.95 is premium pricing; the NEMO Hornet does the same job lighter for about $70 less if you always have stakes Ultralight fabrics and thin poles reward disciplined pitching and care in sustained high wind
How much does the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 Backpacking Tent — 2-Person Ultralight Freestanding Shelter cost?
It is listed at $549.95 on Amazon. Prices on Amazon move around, so check the current price before you buy.
What do owners say about the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 Backpacking Tent — 2-Person Ultralight Freestanding Shelter?
It carries a 4.7-out-of-5 rating from 5,000 Amazon customer reviews.
Have a question we did not answer? The Amazon listing carries the full spec sheet and customer Q&A.
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