Big Agnes - Fly Creek HV UL2 Carbon

I found a Big Agnes Flycreek UL2 on clearance a dew years back and have been using that for me and the dog. 

While I agree that you should plan on using a 1P tent for a long solo thru-hike, I consider the Fly Creek UL2 to be a misnamed 1P tent. Yes, I own one. I would never take it on a trip with my husband, but it's perfectly sized for one person and your gear. u/MonumentMan wrote: "Having a larger tent is a NEGATIVE - it literally will not fit at certain campsites." True, but a Fly Creek UL2 should fit just about anywhere.

I am one of those people who won't trade off much comfort to reduce weight. You can be surprisingly comfortable in camp while still carrying a light load. For example, a large tarp can actually be more comfortable than a tiny tent, especially if bugs are not significant. I've always seen the weight trade-off as more of a comfort on trail vs. comfort in camp balance. I've dramatically reduced my pack weight thanks to the information here and elsewhere, while still maintaining reasonable comfort in camp. If my husband and I tried to share our Fly Creek UL2, neither of us would get any sleep. The slightest noise or movement from either of us would wake the other up.

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 have the Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2 that one is amazing. I have the Eureka Suma 2 is which is great too but a little heavier (about 4lbs)

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.

I carried a 2person fly creek, it was awesome. Still very light, had a smaller footprint than most single wall trekking pole tents. Being able to sleep with all your gear in the tent was a bonus. Not waking up to water running down the inside of my tent every morning is also nice when you don’t want to stop to dry it out. Finally I got lucky and ended up hiking the last 3/4 of the PCT with a girl I met on trail…. The extra room as nice when we started hiking together.

I used it for one person mostly. It was a luxury item but for the weight it was worth it. We both had our own tents.

I am using a Big Gnes Fly Creek 2, and it's fine for me and my wife. Was in a rain last summer on and off for several hours and stated dry as a bone. I think it's right at 1 kg trail ready, maybe slightly less. Easy setup and takedown.

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.