Big Agnes - Fly Creek HV UL2

[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.

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.

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. 

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.