Copper Spur HV3 Expedition
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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.
Often it’s not. I returned two different two person tents before settling on a Copper Spur HV3.
The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV Expedition is quite a sturdy type of tent, technically 3+ seasons and it is fairly lightweight. It can withstand strong winds and snow buildup. It’s not for real expeditions nor winter alpine conditions. It is a great choice for average wild camping imo.
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
Big agnes 3 person with 2 vestibules. Free standing tent, not too heavy.
My personal tent is a Big Agnes Copper spur 3 person that I got on sales at the end of the season. I use that for Scout events and backpacking. Our family tent is a Coleman 6 person we got at Costco. Sometimes I bring my old 2 person REI dome tent and stick one of the kids in that when we do family camping. The Cots fit in the Coleman. It's hard to set up the larger tent by myself, with a little help it is pretty easy especially not that my son is taller than me.
For good tents I always shop the REI outlet website around major holidays because they always have a coupon for additional savings even off the outlet price. Scored a Big Agnus 3 man tent for a little over a hundred bucks with a retail just over 3 hundred. Good little tent. Honestly this is a great way to get new gear cheap. Before we bought a 23foot RV we use to buy most our gear that way.
I would recommend checking the rei outlet. Since this is a holiday weeekend they will have a members only coupon that can be applied to outlet prices. I bought a great Big Agnes 3 man tent normal price of 300 for about 120. If you are not picky on a specific model it is a great way to get quality gear on the cheap. If you are not a member it's cheap to join and lasts a lifetime.
The BA Copper Spur is available in 3, 4, & 5 person sizes. note that the regular 3P is tapered and will only fit (3) 20" or mummy pads. There is a 3XL that will fit (3) 25" pads. I have the 3 MTN Glow which has built in lights. Highly recommend the entire series
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