Big Agnes - Copper Spur UL4

Big Agnes copper spur 4, my family uses the same and can fit 4 with room to spare.

We have a 4 person big Agnes copper spur HV UL 4 with 2 adults and 2 kids. We also have 2 dyneema ultralight tents (x-mid). When we have to pay for a tent spot we take the 4. Otherwise we take the 2 man tents. The only ultralight 4 person tent i know is the hyperlite ultamid. We just simply can’t afford a dyneema 2 person and a dyneema 4 person tent or we would buy it. The 2+ x-mid is not big enough for 2 adults and a kid, look at the stratospire tarptent with the sidecar or another 3 man in their lineup if u want a 3 person tent. Or the Ultamid. the lighter you can go the better especially with kids because you are going to be carrying all their gear and maybe them too until they are old enough. You want to buy them the lightest gear and pack possible too when they can carry their gear or they and you are going to be miserable. 7 years old is about when they can carry all their gear if its ultralight not including any food or cooking gear except their snacks for the day. Also kids like to sleep in between the two parents. They feel safer. If you are scared you sleep heavy and your kid might wander off, sleep at the door and have them between you. That way you will wake up when they try to climb over you. Check out the AlpineEarth youtube channel for gear set ups for families with kids. https://youtube.com/@alpineearth?si=2_PSoGDs_5MeDCiT

This is the problem. The copper spur seems very susceptible to it for some reason. Both my 4p and 2p do this more than any other tent I've ever had. They're still my favorite tents though.

Copper spur 4 is what I take with my two kids. They used to be small, but they are now adult size. I'm glad I didn't go with the 3 person they would have been fine when they were smaller.

You need to count the dog as a person. We are a family of 3 with 2 mini Aussies who together are like a small person. We have the Big Agnes UL4 for this reason. It's 5lbs but my husband and I share the weight. Before this we had two 2 person tents so honestly it's the same either way you slice it. I've seen some UL teepee type tent options that fit more people, but they are PRICEY too. I agree with others... You might be better off with two 3 person tents. You're gonna need that space!

Another vote for the BA Copper Spur UL line!! We have the 2 person and now as a family of 3 plus two mini Aussies we have the 4P. Love these tents, so spacious!!

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.

A Copper Spur UL4 is not ultralight but it’s my go to for backpacking with my two kids, with and without my wife.

I love my “4 person” (3 really) Big Agnes backpacking tent but it’s more expensive than that

I have a copper spur 2 person that I’ve taken both my kids in on separate occasions. I didn’t want anything too fragile so stayed away from the platinum models. I’ve since picked up a xmid 1p and obviously use that for solo outings. We are now at the point where we need two 2p shelters and I’m looking to add a xmid 2p+ at some point. We have a 4 person big Agnes tent but it’s a bit heavy and 4 people in a 4 person tent is a little rough when they get older. The best part of the copper spur is pairing it with a two person pad and two person quilt. The entire floor becomes a bed and is very comfortable. The two person quilt keeps the jimmy legs in without having to carry two sleeping bags, so for the person carrying it saves a good bit of weight. If I had to start over I’d probably make the same decisions. A freestanding tent is a bit easier if you aren’t used to trekking pole tents. My first outing with my xmid was on hard packed ground in the desert where it was really difficult to get stakes in the ground. The tent blew over during a thunderstorm that evening. If I were going on the same trip again I’d probably just take the copper spur. So for me it was about having some flexibility and diversity of functions when building out my gear closet.

Go with a four person tent if you are car camping. Especially if you want to be able to stand up. It's only me camping. I got a 4 person Big Agnes on sale. And I have a large size Teton cot. The tent is ok for one cot, with room for gear and space to stand. Two large cots, would fit. But no room to stand. Two normal size mats and gear would be fine. As others have said, err on the big side. Unless weight is a major factor.

I had a bad experience with the north face 6 person tent, 2nd time using it and the bug netting on the doors started ripping at the seams. I had to send it in and they did fix it but beware. It’s a shame cause my other tents from them lasted at least a decade before starting to fall apart. We also have a Big Agnes 4 person tent since 2018 and it’s been flawless.