Big Agnes - Copper Spur 2 Platinum

I agree, I don’t think a post about freestanding tents belongs on this subreddit at all. I have BA Copper Spur 2 and I would never recommend it for UL. I’m looking to upgrading to a DCF trekking pole tent soon myself.

My wife and I started backpacking with two Copper Spur 2 tents when our kids were toddlers: one adult & one child per tent. The Copper Spur 2 is the perfect size tent for this…not big enough to comfortably sleep two full grown adults in my opinion It’s much easier in this arrangement when you have to get up in the middle of the night with one child for whatever reason without waking the other one. A huge tent also limits site selection. Our kids are 8 & 10 now, and the tents are still going strong (probably 20-30 nights in them per year).

I always loved my Copper Spur 2. But since getting both a double wall and single wall 1P trekking pole tent, there's never been a situation where I've gone out with the Copper Spur. Just don't need it.

I really like my big Agnes cooper spur 2, a little more $$

Check out geartrade.com. I have a Big Agnes Copper Spur 2L. Takes about 7 minutes to set up and can handle some serious weather.

I have never owned a trekking pole or non free standing tent, so I can't totally comment on a comparison, but here's what we use as a family: We have one child and two small dogs and we have the Big Agnes UL Copper Spur 4 person and love it. I prefer having a tent with poles because it's easy to set up and sturdy and no fuss and still pretty damn light! Prior to that we had two ultralight 2 person tents (both with poles -I had the Big Agnes Copper Spur 2UL). When we started out, my husband had the dogs in his 2P tent and I had my son in mine. Now that we have the bigger tent, we use our old tents to loan out friends! We like all being together.

Over the years I have had a few tents aimed at mainly me in them. Durston xmid 1. Works best for me currently, probably will not be bringing anything else if solo. I could see taking a different tent if freestanding is more important to you. Big agnes copper spur 2: my prior tent, still have it for when a friend is coming with me. I did like the extra space at the time...but I can't say i really miss it. Rei half dome 2: worked, but was a heavier older version from 25+ years ago. Been in a friend's newer one and it seems to have recieved some nice updates. I have also been around some big agnes fly creeks, worth a look if you see them. The 1P copper spur also was pretty compelling when I saw it in person. You also need to determine your answer to: do you want your pack in the tent? If so, a 2p tent is really the only way to do that.

TLDR: Trekking pole, double wall tent. (I own 2 Durston tent and 1 Nemo tent and have owned/gifted 2 REI tents) Here are is none complete list of all tents that will 'survive' the AT. (Semi)Free standing tent * Durston X Dome 2 * Big Agnes Copper Spur 2 * REI quarter dome 2 * Nemo Hornet/Dragonfly 2 Trekking pole tent * Durston x Mid 2 * Tarp Tents\* Info Dump * Most tents can be learned to setup Fly First for rain but Durston tents are designed with that in mind * I love Nemo and Big Agnes for their years of making good tents * Nemo advertises itself as more environmentally concerned and takes actions on it but please do your own research if this is important to you * REI has cheaper versions on Nemo/Big Agnes tents * REI Garage Sales are a great way to get slightly used tents for cheaper then new * Avoid Dynima for your first backpacking tent as its expensive and takes more care * Free Standing tents will feel safer and easier to put up and don't require trekking poles so in the rare chance your trekking pole breaks during the day you wont be SOL * Trekking pole tents can be more storm worthy then Free standing tents if pitched correctly, Weigh Less, no ridged poles in your bag, and simpler once learned. My Generic Recommendation * If you plan to backpack/Camp with this tent more then 5 trips a year or 10 nights go for a trekking pole tent (Durston X Mid 2) as you will learn the trekking pole tent skill and benefit from what makes them good * If you are planning to mostly do car camping trips or base camping then i would recommend Free Standing tent as you won't benefit as much from the trekking pole benefits and will still have access to your poles even if your tent is pitched (No specific recs) *There are likely spelling/grammar issues but i feel like i spent enough time on this post*

MSR Hubba Hubba 2LT Freestanding Packaged Weight: 3.375 lb (1.54 kg) $549.95 Durston X-Mid 2 Trekking Pole tent Typical Setup (Tent, Sack, 6 Stakes) 2.125 lb / 965 g $289 USD ($299 with stakes) If you use trekking poles, I think the Durston tent is the way to go. If you prefer freestanding, the MSR tent is obviously a good choice. If you like freestanding tents, the Big Agnes Copper Spur 2 is similar price to the MSR tent and slightly lighter so may be worth your consideration. These are all good choices but weight is a concern for me so I go with the lightest option I feel safe and comfortable in.

A lot of good 2 person tents have reasonable size vestibules that allow you to store packs just outside, but covered under the rainfly. Some are good for 2, some are better for 1. I like a 2, It's great if it's *just me*, and if it's my partner, I tend to open sleeping bags so we're usually close by anyhow. My partner likes a 3 person, but it's because they'd rather have a little more space for putting stuff inside. With normal width camping mattress + average size, a Nemo Osmo Dagger 2 is pretty reasonable, Copper Spur 2 by Big Agnes, Most of the REI ones are alright, same with North Face & MSR. There's a few that have wonky vestibules, but it's easy to sus out.