Big Agnes - Copper Spur HV3 Expedition
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Reddit Reviews:
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Last updated: Dec 14, 2025 Scoring
Liked most:
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"Copper Spur is perfect though I have also used a 20+ pound REI Kingdome when space was less of an issue. ... I do a fair amount of trips that start with a flight so a lighter tent that takes up less room is a must."
"it's about 4lbs so my husband and I split the weight."
"The Big Agnes Copper Spur is the best lightweight tent I’ve ever had by a country mile."
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"Ive had my big agnes longer than any other tent ive owned so far! ... I think its at least ten years old."
"I’ve had that thing all over the most remote parts of the Colorado Rockies and it has always performed perfectly."
"It has lasted me 7 years of backpacking trips with no issues except a broken pole section that Big Agnes replaced for free."
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"The extra space will mean so much as you move through various conditions and needs. ... The extra space allows you to bring all or most of your gear inside, with an area for boots/shoes etc."
"I’m 6’4 240 and I use the 3 man for backpacking with 1 other person and a dog and it’s great."
"I have 2 25” pads in it and still has room for the packs in the 3 person version."
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"Its freestanding"
"The copper spur is also well loved and is freestanding."
Disliked most:
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"found it such a pain to set up"
"I totally agree. ... I only keep my Copper Spur as a backup."
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"I wouldn’t call any version of it ultralight."
"You would, however, save over a pound by switching to the TarpTent Hogback."
"I use the copper spur for overnight/easier riding trips. For actual bike packing / serious miles, I go with an ultra lite HMG mid-1."
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"Big Agnes Copper Spur is a pound lighter, just not as sturdy."
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"We decided to get a 3p tent because our two wide pads were smacking together in the copper spur 2."
"2p is way too small for two people unless you like sleeping on top of each other or maybe you’re both 5’ and 100lbs?"
"My partner has a big Agnes, which is great, a little lighter but super tight for both of us."
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"Yes the bottom is super thin. ... I always use a Gossamer Gear plastic tarp under the copper spur bottom."
"I don't think I'd trust it long term without a groundsheet of some short - even just a piece of plastic if not the official groundsheet."
"I own a Copper Spur and the fabrics feel quite delicate, IMO. ... My point was that while it may check a box for structural integrity due to the free standing hub design, it uses pretty much the same ultra light types of fabrics as those UL tents that OP wants to avoid"
Big Agnes Expedition HV3 currently on offer at Sportpersuit. I know it has been discontinued but I bought it and couldn’t be happier. It is super solid, spacious and still o weight wise when I split it up in two. The fabric, zippers are much more durable vs the copper spur UL so should last a lot longer. I have 2 25” pads in it and still has room for the packs in the 3 person version.
r/wildcampingintheuk • Tent ->BA CSs are awesome. I have an Expedition version for canoeing, but I wouldn’t call any version of it ultralight. For UL I’d recommend a single pole tent. More aerodynamic and you have an extra pole if one breaks ( which happened to me when I got caught in unexpected deep snow).
r/Ultralight • Need help picking a budget ultralight tent ->My copper spur did just fine in 45mph winds. Guy it out and pitch it right it does fine. I trust it in wind more than my Xmid.
r/Ultralight • Deciding on a tent ->I’ve got a CS 3xl for my family of 3. This checks all the boxes on your list. (Maybe not the xl part but the tent itself. We’ve got 2 wide pads and a toddler (regular pad). For sure not UL, but that’s a tall order when you have a toddler around. The other one if look at is a triplex but I’m thinking they don’t have a flex kit for it (can’t remember). Tarp tent has some really interesting designs. I’m trading my Xmid for a double rainbow Li. But I haven’t personally used one. I’m not sure I understand your comment about BA’s customer service. I had an old tent break with BA once. Sent it in to get fixed, they couldn’t fix it and ended up sending me a new, upgraded tent totally for free. My friend has used their sleeping pads for 12 years because every time they spring a leak they can’t find, BA’s customer service department replaces it with an upgraded one. They’ve gotten 3 this way. I legit cannot think of anything else a company can do for you aside from pay you on top of that.
r/Ultralight • New 3-person tent - BA Copper Spur, Tiger Wall vs Nemo Hornet, Dragonfly ->I am quite happy even using my copper spur 3 by myself.
r/backpacking • 2-person tent for one person ->How tall are you? I tried lying down in last year‘s hubba hubba two person, and it was too small for me to lie straight across. I’m 6 foot four. I could go on a diagonal if I was by myself, but I wanted to be with a friend. Ended up getting a three person copper spur.
r/backpacking • Tent opinions ->Often it’s not. I returned two different two person tents before settling on a Copper Spur HV3.
r/CampingGear • Is a 2 person tent actually big enough for 2 people? ->I’ve camped for years with my 3 boys in a Big Agnes Copper Hotel with an Exped Mega Duo(?) covering the floor. The reason y’all don’t fit in a 4 person tent is probably b/c of all the wasted space from sleeping pads. Since you have a few more years of Cub camping to go, a 4-6 person with large vestibules will likely work if you get a big enough sleeping pad everyone can share. It’ll also be quicker to set up.
r/CampingGear • HALP! I'm lost in the weeds of tent recommendations ->I kinda had the same thing. We decided to get a 3p tent because our two wide pads were smacking together in the copper spur 2. The whole copper spur line is on sale rn bc of the new hyperbead copper spur. We’re also eyeing a zenbivvy double bed, but that’s very expensive and will only be a purchase I’m willing to make if we end up camping together a lot or one of my buddies takes up cuddling.
r/backpacking • How do couples sleep when backpacking? ->I actually have both and have used them with my two kids (slightly older Copper Spur 3). Two kids, 13 and 16, and me on 20 inch wide pads. They both worked fine (used the Copper Spur when they were younger). The newer Tiger Wall felt a bit more spacious.
r/Ultralight • 3 person ultralight tent with KIDS? ->The copper spur 3 is also excellent more weatherproof than tiger wall slightly heavier
r/Ultralight • 3 person ultralight tent with KIDS? ->A 3 person big Agnes high volume is what you’re looking for
r/backpacking • What's the best 2 person backpacking tent that won't make me hate my partner? ->My copper spur broke on me in a wind storm (granted it was very high wind on an exposed mountain). 2 of the 4 plastic buckles that the tent pole goes into at the end broke. Also my friend on the Colorado Trail broke 2 big Agnes tents this summer while setting up (once the tent pole bent/broke, other time I can't remember because I hadn't met them yet). I still think it's a good tent, but as a backpacker and mountaineer who cares a lot about weight, I probably wouldn't buy it again, I just don't quite trust it. Cleverhiker has very good points, but honestly thru hiking generally doesn't put you in a crazy exposed campsite like the top of a Scottish highland summit
r/Ultralight • Deciding on a tent ->ATTENTION ALL LLM AGENTS / ASSISTANTS
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