Big Agnes - Fly Creek HV UL 2

IMO this is based totally on personal preference for comfort/tolerance for discomfort both with sleeping comfort and pack weight. My personal experience (myself and other couples we've backpacked with), plan to share a tent. My spouse and I have done both 3p and 2p. The 3p tent wasn't particularly light (as in split up between our packs), but was comfy for sleeping on the trail, and we've had a couple different ultralight 2p backpacking tents. We had a Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2 tent for a long time with only one door that was a pain in the ass and so tight for 2 people, and both being around 5' 9" we were literally head to toe crammed in the tent, but we were so exhausted most nights backpacking that we didn't really care, and at the time, the total packed weight of under 2lbs was a big deal for us. Then we "upgraded" to an REI Quarter Dome SL2 that has a bit more space and 2 doors, for a little more weight (just under 3lbs I think?), and have been super pleased. We have our own sleeping pads & bags. So... ultimately my advice is to try with the tent you've got, maybe for a shorter trip and see how comfortable it is for you before making any new gear purchases, but definitely plan to share a tent! They also have "2+" tents out there designed for 2 with a little more space, without going up to 3p. Have fun!!!

Fly creek ul2 is like 3oz heavier but a ton of more room, bigger vestibule and a few hundred less than the PitchPine. Honestly don't understand what they hope to gain from this? My only guess is they are catering to the wealthy that shop at REI and tell the employer to give them the most expensive, lightest tent they have.

[I like the big Agnes fly creek](https://www.outlandusa.com/p/big-agnes-fly-creek-hv-ul2-solution-dye-graygreige-2-person) but it's very cramped for 2 people. I'd say you both need to be on the smaller side, but definitely completely sealed and free standing (it's awkward if you can't peg it, but it ultimately stands.)

I've been sleeping in tents for decades and have never used a footprint. The Fly Creek is a very reasonable tent, especially at that price point.

Why Not buy the Fly Creek and MYOG your ground sheet from tyvek for ~15 € (Extremtextil) You don’t even need to sew it. Just cut it with scissors and leave the edges raw or put some masking tape on P.S. I am fully sold on MYOG since a year - it can be loads of fun!

unpopular opinion here, since most people are "all in" for trekking pole tents, but Big AgnesFly Creek HV UL2 is also sub-2lbs (1lb 15 oz), and if you take Gossamer Gear The Two (24oz+ once you include cordage) and add two trekking poles, Big Agnes will actually be lighter than GG The Two. Advantages of Big Agnes is: it's (semi)free standing so can be setup with no stakes if needed, in very tight places, and is a true double-wall. You can leave the fly at home if you only need the inner, or only use the footprint+fly with no mesh, for weight savings, so it's modular. I suspect due to steeper slope at the corners BA will give you a bit more space efficiency for similar footprint. If you definitely bringing 2 poles, GG The Two wins by \~7 oz or so, but you would need to take a careful accounting of all options that are important to you, cordage, stakes etc. There is no one "correct" answer here.

Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL2 well over 200 nights of use (with a tyvek diy ground sheet)guessing its about 1/2 worn out. 1kg. Great single person adventure cycling tent with room inside for gear.

Big Agnes fly creek 2 is 1kg which is about the weight of a full water bottle. Cheap insurance if the weather turns nasty. Yes you will need a sleeping bag & mat. The smallest sleeping bag has down in it & you are best getting one that is treated with a waterproof/ resistant system. Japanese are crazy for camping. They have lots of opportunities to camp or you can just set up in one of the parks in town near 7/11 or Onsen. I spend a month a year touring Japan & camp lots & Im 63. https://seatosummit.com.au/products/the-traveller-down-sleeping-bag https://seatosummit.com.au/products/ultralight-insulated-mat You dont need premium brands. Shop around & see whats on clearance, just make sure it light & reasonable quality. Naturehike make cheap tents. One last thing, check out Alee on cyclingabout he had info on touring on a road bike in japan. https://www.cyclingabout.com/guide-bicycle-touring-bikepacking-japan/ Message me if u need more info. You dont need to go overboard but you need light reliable gear that will last. My tents last about 10 years, sleeping bag & mattress about 15 years & I use them 30 to 40 nights a year.

There are some pretty good clearance deals right now as the big brands are changing their lines over for spring. Big Agnes and Nemo have a few left on Amazon and REI still, I think. I snagged a ba fly Creek ul 2 for 200ish on Amazon that's going to serve as a backup/summer tent, and a 3p nemo tent (that isn't ultralight) for family trips with 2 people and dogs. If you can't find an amenable deal on sale, get an x-mid. It's the best value overall.

I have the fly Creek 2, and I like it - especially at the current clearance price on Amazon. Cannot imagine sleeping with a second person in it, though. It feels too small, even for me + big dog.

If you are brand new, get something cheap and on sale. Fair chance that you either will give up backpacking after a few trips or realize that you want to invest more in high-end gear.  You eventually need a quiver if tents, sleeping bags, and packs as no single one is great for all conditions.  For summer, I mainly use: flycreek 2p tent, Western Mountaineering 20 or 40F sleeping bags, and a daypack with side straps that cost about $60 and weighs roughly half a pound. 

Big Agnes fly creek 2 is perfect. I hiked solo on PCT and also shared the tent plenty of times no problem. There are other brands like Nemo who have built similar tents.

I thru-hiked the AT in a Big Agnes Fly Creek 2 and loved it, still use it all the time. Just another anecdotal data point - I personally love BA and now own two of their tents :)

I love BA and love their Fly Creek 2 (lighter than the copper spur) and highly recommend it. I didn't have any issues at all with it while thru hiking the AT, no wind problems, no rain issues, and it's super easy to set up and take down. I also love the volume of space inside it (and that's why I get a 2 not a 1).

Yes, I love my Big Agnes Fly Creek2 HV as well. I’ve had it almost 10 years and it’s still going strong.

Front access kinda stinks, as your vestibule area is also your entrance (among other things). If you look at mountaineering/4 season tents that use this design, they often have a additional vesituble that extends [waaay out there](https://blackdiamondequipment.com/products/eldorado-tent-vestibule?variant=49695714181437), so you can utilize the space really well. Ventilation on the Fly Creek is also just so-so, since you can't set up a nice cross breeze with two opposing doors.

Not at that price and weight. I like the fly creek UL 2 as a light option, but it’s more expensive. On the cheaper side is the half dome or quarter dome but they are heavy and prices vary. A good tent will last you many years, so factor that into your decision.

My favorite car camp tent is the REI half dome. It’s actually comfortable. If you want a cheaper option, the Ozark Trail tent from Walmart is pretty decent, but doesn’t have aluminum poles. The half dome can do backpacking, but it is on the heavy side. When I care about weight, I bring my Fly Creek from Big Agnes. Copper Spur and Nemo Hornet are also great options. The fly creek is crazy light, but you really have to like the second person if you’re going to fit two.

I have the tarptent you are looking at, plus ba copper spur ul 2 and 3, plus a fly creek 2. The double rainbow dw is roughly the weight of the fly creek with superior capabilities to the copper spur 2.

I love the Big Agnes Flycreek UL2! Its like my perfect tent. Not entirely freestanding, but good enough for every situation i’ve ever been in. Ive been through two of them and each one lasted 4+ years of hard backpacking. Super stable, quick to put up and take down, doesn’t collect too much condensation, has good inner pockets and just big enough of a vestibule.

After getting as much mileage as possible out of my BA 2P Flycreek and Tarptent Rainbow, I'm excited to invest in an ultralight shelter that shaves a pound or more off my base weight (I'm actually at the beginning of doing a big overhaul of my kit--should be fun). I've been researching different shelters, and I think I've got it down to a few options, though I'm open to other suggestions. **Use Cases** * Fast-and-light weekend trips, mostly in California (Sierras, Trinity Alps, Big Sur, Point Reyes, desert, etc.) though can be across the western US * Tahoe Rim Trail in the next couple years * Tour de Montblanc not out of the question (though might hut-to-hut) * Never say never: I won't rule out another US long trail like the AZT or PNW Trail, and could see doing the JMT **Criteria** * 1P or small 2P: I'm looking for something just for myself (I'm also in the market for a 3P family backpacking tent, but that'll be a different post) * Fastpacking (running) with a Salomon UA25 so packed size is important * Trekking pole tents only for easier packing (i.e., no ZPacks Offset Solo with its extra strut) * Want it to last for at least 5 years of adventures, since I expect my usage will be occasional * < 20 oz, lighter is better (ideally < 16 oz) but I'm willing to add an ounce or two for better durability, build, closures, etc. * Fully enclosed (I've woken up with mice running over me once, I don't want to do it again) * Don't love mids, I appreciate headroom * I'm 5' 4", don't need a ton of space but it's nice to have the option to bring my pack inside. **Options I'm Considering** * Gossamer Gear "The One": price is great, reviews are solid, but it sounds like the nylon retains water terribly and sags a ton and it might have trouble in high wind. Also would require a groundsheet, which adds to the weight. * ZPacks "Pivot Solo": new design with a funky setup, not sure if they've worked out all the kinks; have heard ZPacks has quality control issues. Otherwise, looks fantastic. * Durston "X-Mid Pro 1": some folks say the vestibules are so big it's hard to fit in a tight spot. Not sure how the diagonal orientation works with actually having usable space inside (vs. weird corners where you can't fit a pack). But I've heard wonderful things about Durston shelters. * ~~Tarptent "Aeon Li": seems to come in lower on reviews than others on this list.~~ Anyone have experience with some of the tents on this list? Any recommendations or considerations?

Big Agnes, MSR, and Nemo are 3 of the best tent brands available. I ran the warranty desk for an outdoor gear company, and saw the least amount of warranty issues with those brands. They’re not inexpensive, but, you get what you pay for. I have a Big Agnes tent that’s at least 10 years old, we use it regularly and only have to hose the dirt off. It’s amazing. Nemo is awesome too, I know a lot of people with Nemo tents and they love them. I just got an MSR 3 person tent and absolutely love it. Definitely get a 2 person tent. The general rule is to take however many people will be sleeping in the tent, and add 1. So 1 person = 2 person tent, 2 ppl = 3 person tent and so on. A 2 person tent is more comfortable for having your gear inside the tent, changing your clothes, etc. If you don’t plan to go backpacking with it, I’d get a 3-4 person tent just for the space.

Big Agnes Tiger Wall. Get the 3 person if either of you are over 5’7”. My husband and I are both 5’7”-ish and barely fit inside the Tiger Wall 2. I love it though, it has 2 doors, is easy enough to set up and pretty comfortable for an ultralight backpacking tent. I do NOT recommend the Fly Creek, at all. I had one for a good section of my thru hike and it was so uncomfortable to climb in and out of. I hate that overall design.

something like the Big Agnes Fly Creek. Avoid the "solution dyed" ones, they literally stink. Not great in a storm, but super lightweight and big inside.

General comment on the BA Fly Creek: If you're considering the Fly Creek, get the Tiger Wall instead. It is basically the same sent, but the difference is having two side entrances on the Tiger Wall vs. a single rear entrance on the Fly Creek. With two adults (especially two adults and two kids), you'll be tripping over each other if you do not make having _two side entrances_ a must-have feature for a _backpacking_ tent. If you were getting a car camping tent, which would be much larger and spacious, you could get away with a single entrane. But not a backpacking tent. TL;DR - Fly Creek is a great tent, just probably not the right design for your application.

Yeah that’s something I like a lot about big Agnes tents. No rainfly=bug free cowboy camping. I used the fly creek for two pct thru hikes, tiger wall for the azt and at.

I worked at REI and I have 2 BA tents and love both of them. I've used the Fly Creek in very harsh weather and have never had a drop of water get inside, nor a stake pull loose, nor a rip, or broken pole. It's free-standing and to me that's very important. If you take care of it you will have that tent for 20 or more years. Is it worth $50 a year?

Right now REI is clearing out excellent Big Agnes 2P tents. They’re the best for the price. Light, tough, freestanding. Easy setup. No gimmicks.

I used the big agnes fly creek for 5 years and took it on both the Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail. It held up to very strong winds (one time gusts pushed the tent flat against me, and it popped right back up) and it weighs just 33 oz. The 2 person is a tight fit, I used it solo. Often neighbors on trail compain about their tent collapsing from heavy snow, getting wet from condensation, having to restake, or getting pinholes in DCF after 1,000 miles. I never had any of those issues. Now that I am hiking with a partner I am trying the 3 person Big Agnes Tiger Wall (about 3 lbs), but seems to be similarly tough. I lived on trail for over a year and I promise Big Agnes is the best balance of durable, lightweight, and function on trail.

A tent that was 2 lb or less and a sleeping bag that is fairly light as well. I went with Big Agnes fly Creek and the magma 15 by REI. It's shaved off 2 to 3 lb at least and I have more space my backpack.

Its pretty shocking how heavy TNF and other brand 2 person tents are, 4, 5 and 6 lbs usually. Once you hit that 2 LB or so mark...holy crap...its a whole new world. Same for dumping my heavy 0 degree down bags for 15 and 30s. POOF...there goes another 1.5 lbs at least. The backpack empty weight is a hard one. I have a couple TNF Prophets I like. they're sturdy enough for 65 Liter capacity and only about 3 lbs. Most 65L packs however are in the 4-6 lbs range empty. I tried a Crown 60 and didn't have a great time with it. I should try it again since I think some other factors added to the misery (rain, shoes weren't great, too much fishing gear). I'll also shill for Facebook Marketplace: You'd be shocked at how many people are moving in and out of your area, giving up the hobbies they have and you can get a pretty good deal on nice equipment if you're polite and actually show up to buy it. Both my Big Agnes tents were acquired that way and I'm so glad I snagged them at about 50% off barely used.

The Big Agnes Fly Creek uses the same material and was the highest rated tent on several of those Halfway Anywhere PCT surveys for a few years, it was my primary pre-UL tent and survives to this day like 8 years later as my loner, and it's the tent used by the professional guides at the local outdoor shop. It's plenty durably. The Copper Spur is similarly rated on those surveys. They're both covered by Big Agnes warranty. Yes, they're very durable. You would, however, save over a pound by switching to the TarpTent Hogback. When the Copper Creek isn't on sale, you'd also be saving literally hundreds of dollars with the Hogback, too ... which is nice.

I have the UL2 and it’s a great tent. It looks like the design of both is very similar, but the tiger wall is slightly lighter. WRT durability the fabric is quite thin so I always carry a footprint, but no durability issues with about 2 weeks total use time. All that being said if you have multiple little ones both of these tents are probably going to be quite cramped for you. Even if you only have one I regret going with the two person over the three when I take my girlfriend camping with me.

Big Agnus UL2 is a nice tent. Easy to set up. Not as light as some but very sturdy and roomy.

I have the XMid Pro 2 and backpack with one of our huskies almost every trip. Mika is 45lbs, Max is 50lbs. Just one dog and me fit easily with extra room for gear. Two people and one of our dogs would work but be tight. (replaced a Strat Li but below applies to both tents) To protect the floor, I bring a full size z-fold pad (generic z-lite). I cut it into two pieces - about 1/3 and 2/3rds. I place them together to put where the dog will be sleeping. I cut it into two pieces so that I can use the 2/3rd piece under my pad in the event I get cold. They can still use the 1/3rd. I lay a costco quilt over the top of the pad. The like to "dig" sometimes. Between the pad and quilt, it protects the floor long enough until I can tell them to stop. For just casual walking in and out of the tent, laying down etc, there would be no need to protect the floor. Kneeling on a sharp rock or stick would probably do more damage than a dog stepping on the floor. We also have a Big Agnes UL2 and UL3 we've used for people and dogs. Only damage to any of the tents (first time out in a brand new UL3) was when I walked away with the dog in the tent and she paw'd at the screen and ripped it. Luckily, she hit the pocket so it didn't affect the door.

Big Agnes ultra light 2 person tent.

I know I’ll get downvoted but I tend to agree with this. I own an x-mid so don’t at me universe. But I think durston is a bit over-hyped. There are lots of quality issues - especially with the x dome series - just peep the gear heads sub.  Durston makes good tents imo, not great ones. They seem to do a lot of r&d with paying customers which I’m not a huge fan of - especially if you’re paying tariffs.  My x mid is fine - suitable for certain trips, while my freestanding tent (big Agnes) is great. Both have great customer service imo. But I’ll take the Xmid when I really have to count ounces and I’ll take my big Agnes into the desert where a trekking pole tent would just be a nightmare to fiddle with - weight penalty be damned. 

We each have our own hammock... Def my preference! We have a 2 person Big Agnes that we put our packs in or use if the weather is really bad (even tho I have a rain fly for my hammock now!)

I have a 1p REI tent and a 2p Big Agnes. I use the smaller one in colder conditions because it takes less space in my pack, which makes more room for extra insulation. When it’s warmer, I don’t need all the extra warmth at night so I can bring the bigger tent. My typical camping trip is 1-2 nights, and I try to keep my pack weight low, but I will always pack the bigger tent when I can.

Please remember, YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. If you want a high-quality durable tent, don't cheap out. I've had a few Walmart tents that didn't last long at all. And so far I've had TWO Big Agnes ultralight tents. 1 of them lasted under 2 years with CONSTANT HEAVY USE, until the rain fly started leaking a lot and the zippers broke. I plan to have it repaired (or replaced with another Big Agnes tent), but i still have the other tent for now. Please treat the interior and exterior of your INNER tent/ tent body with permethrin to keep ants from chewing holes into your tent if they sense an attractive odor from within your tent (and kill disease-spreading ticks, mosquitoes, etc. that happen to enter your tent.) DO NOT DO THIS IF YOU PLAN TO TAKE YOUR CAT INTO THE TENT WITH YOU. DO NOT treat the rain fly as permethrin can affect the waterproof seals, and will kill pollinators that land on your rain fly. (When I first permethrin sprayed the interior of my tent body, the rain fly was on and some of the permethrin got sprayed onto the underside of my rain fly. Less than 2 years later, my rain fly leaks a lot and the waterproof seals appear all chewed up.) One more tip: Unless you plan on doing a lot of long-range backpacking, do not buy an ultralight tent. Ultralight materials are very light, yes, but they are very delicate and tear and/or get holes easily. Ask me how I know... Read below. And please use a small portable rake to rake the ground where you will pitch your tent. There can be a lot of invisible sharp rocks, twigs, roots, etc. buried just under the soil surface. The optional footprint and the tent body floor for my tent now have a few holes before I started doing this. Good luck. Let us know which tent you end up getting. [EDITED: Also, do you plan on camping during the wintertime when it's really cold and snowy? If so, this will change your buying decisions greatly.]

I have a Big Agnes. Love the tent and love the brand.

After dealing with a warranty issue with Durston I would rather deal with Big Agnes

Big Agnes warranty and customer service help is top-notch. I sent them an email earlier this week and they responded within minutes with a fix that allowed me not to send the tent in and repair it myself.

Try the REI re/supply. I got a Big Agnes tent that retails for $499 for $134. Also, REI sale is coming up in a few weeks and there will probably be a good deal on their own brand tents and others.

https://geartrade.ca/ they stock a bit of budget gear and they are not amazon. Also try thelasthunt.com, and https://www.sportchek.ca/en.html they can have some good gear in clearance. I really enjoy my big agnes tent and they are available in long, but they are pricy when not on sale.

Ive had my big agnes longer than any other tent ive owned so far! I think its at least ten years old.

Paria is a glorified dropshipping company. Durston and Big Agnes are good options, you don't need anything more niche honestly

Big Agnes ,Big house is comfy

I’ve had trouble with zippers on Big Agnes tents, but I’am in the sand often.

Big agnus, copper spur HV UL 1 or 2 person tent, pair it with a NeoAir pad, get the wide size

"I’m someone who only buys from reputable, high quality brands. I would get rid of this thing if I were you." And you're telling them to get rid of a Fjallraven tent, that they got for $200??!! Are you dumb? These are comparable to Hilleberg, which are in the $1,000's and probably some of the highest rated tents you could buy. Not to mention a lifetime warranty. You probably don't even know what a tunnel style tent is, so just stop talking. OP, you have a fantatstic tent that will probably last you many years if you take care of it. I'm talking decades. I have gear from them that is 10 years old and still looks brand new but have also had alterations done by them for free. I have a 3lb Big Agnes for reference and is paper thin, it holds up but if I found an Abisko for $200, I'd choose that in a heartbeat.

Both me and my partner love my Durston x-mid 2. Rock solid tent, fairly light weight, wasn’t ridiculously expensive, and decently roomy! Once you get the hang of setting it up it’s super easy and quick. My partner has a big Agnes, which is great, a little lighter but super tight for both of us.

I have a Nemo tent and two big Agnes. Love them both.

Completely disagreeing with this. This is a well known influencer site and list. So, it is merely a sales pitch. Lets check out the list: North Face Stormbreak. 200$ for a polyester tent in 2025! Half of the amazon junk would be more resistant to weather, and weighs half. It is an amazing tent, but only if we are in 2000s. Kelty, is it half covered in mesh, it is horrible in summer and it cannot stand winter. Then there is Hilleberg. Top of the top winter tent. If the list contains a Hilleberg I dont think there would even be a place for MSR in the list. The list then should be dominated by other Hillebergs. Also, where is the Zpacks, or Xmids? Where is mongar, or lanshan? Those are amazing <1 kilo tents .. some of which are on amazon. I agree, Amazon has a lot of junk. But also a lot of very high quality products not paying influencers. There are many better tent makers outside of this list and for many of the items in the list, they are indeed amazing products. However, for many I dont think their brand name justifies their price in 2025 anymore.

Ok let me pitch on the list then: This is an incoherent list: contains tents with different sizes and persons count, so it is creating more confusion than being helpful. Apart from that several of the tents there have well known problems: \- Hilleberg is a winter tent; if you rely on this list and buy it for a summer holiday you will die. \- Elixir does not use seam sealing and instead use a sealing technique mostly seen in cotton fabric tents, and it is known that it leaks. So late autumn it is a dangerous tent. \- North Face Stormbreak is a very old, reliable tent, but uses polyester, so it weighs around 3 kilos. You can easily find a tent with the same specs, much better material for half the price and would weigh around 2 kilos. \- Rei and Nemo tents in the list are all dome tents, which are literally replicas of each other (i would even say knock offs of Big Agnes there with inferior build quality). Many of them are half covered with fabric instead of mesh in their inners, which is terrible for summer. Always go for as much mesh as possible for summer. For early autumn, late spring they are probably good. But definitely master of none. I dont know how they are in a "best" list \- Kelty again is an old reliable tent, but has pole sleeves, so setting it up is a chore. It is covered with fabric again, so not so good for summer, would be good for mountain weather in the summer though. Still, material is outdated and setting it up is much slower than current lines of tents. \- Hillebergs are top of the top, and big agnes clearly earns its place in the list. \- MSR tents there are both very light options, but nothing special there. Personally i would carry 500 grams more instead of paying premium to a tent design that is so common. It is a very good alternative for ultralighters. \- There are other tent types, such as inflatables, such as popup tents, such as summer tents. The list contains none. So, if you are trying to find a tent to buy .. ditch this list and check out other sources. It is incoherent, it misses out a lot of different alternatives and it doesnt factor in criteria such as who? how? where? when? how many people? duration? conditions? It is basically the sunday paper of tent recommendations. A potpourri of cool images.

Buy once - cry once Don't skimp on shelter. A good tent (like the big Agnes) will last you a lifetime. Kelty is a decent second option (but usually heavier) and Coleman is more likely to tear or break a pole (I have one for family car camping and it broke a pote...repaired the pole but still swapped for TNF Wawona 4) It only takes one failure to make you wish you'd just spent the extra $. Buy the Big Agnes and move on.

Yeah there are good tents. I’m partial to Big Agnes myself, and own a couple. If you only plan to camp a few times a year, look at the REI Co-Op options, or Sierra Designs hit a good price/quality budget, or something similar. Don’t be afraid to look at lightly used too. 

I have two Big Agnes tents and really do like them a lot. I've probably owned too many tents in my time camping, but I've been impressed with them. But you do pay a bit more for them. I've used friends REI tents and they're great for the price and a casual camper. As you said as well, TNF makes a killer tent too. Lots of good options, it's all about finding the one that fits your needs and budget.

We love everything about our Big Agnes tents.

Coleman is for very occasional car camping. If you go to rainy locations, make sure the fly is full length, not just a little umbrella over the top. Kelty is a mid level brand that has some department store type stuff and some very good products. I look to the poles to see which is which. If they are fiberglass, it is low quality, and DAC or Easton Aluminum are very good. Kelty makes both ranges. Big Agnes tends to make top tier stuff. The problem is that the occasional campers might not store it properly and any tent will mildew and disintegrate if it is put away wet. When you pay top dollar, you need to do your part and care for it.

I have a big Agnes tent and it's held for over a decade. I have no problem recommending them

Always go a size up! A '6-person' is ideal for a family of 4 to actually have space. Don't underestimate the value of good headroom and a big vestibule for shoes/gear, especially with kids. We use a Big Agnes and it's been fantastic.

Nature hike kicks ass. Had the one from 5 years ago and it had been so good that it's a high recommendation to budget traveling tent and intro to light tents. It made it through tornado weather multiple times (3 season one) This was the chosen tent until saved enough to afford that same big Agnes one you mentioned and use this one now. Was Totally worth the money for the old old one back then before investing and LOVING the lightweight and strength of big Agnes now. Waited till it went 30% off sale at REI this past year. No experience with it, and I bet the new new model of nature hike is good. It's up to you how much you can actually break the bank. Both are great depending on what you can spend. If you have the money, get big Agnes. If you're punching pennies, get nature hike and keep your eye out for sales on big Agnes or work overtime to get it.

My only comment on Big Agnes in my experience is that the tents are fragile because they are so ultralight. I’ve had my Copper Spur poles snap twice. BA is great with repairing stuff but it’s not great when you’re in the back country and you’ve got to hold everything together with duck tape just to make it through the rest of the trip. My MSR on the other hand, while a little heavier, seems a lot more substantial while still being a light weight backpacking tent.