Big Agnes - Fly Creek HV2 Platinum

I had a Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2 Platinum. After one season (maybe 30 nights) it was scrap. (poles bent & rips in the outer and inner tent) After that I got myself a Hilleberg Enan. Just 150 grams more, but so much more durability.

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 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.

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?

Big Agnes. I have an older Fly Creek 2 and I’ve been in extremely high winds, rain, and snow and never had any problems at all.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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?

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.

Fly creek sucks. You want two side entry doors. The UL move is the BATWUL (big anus tigerwall UL).

I’d gladly take that weight over the coffin that is the creek. Just ain’t worth it. And we are talking about 4oz difference. I know this is UL but… come on now!

It's pretty similar in specs and price to my Alps Koda 1, which is simple, reliable, and totally bombproof, but I kept thinking I'd upgrade it to something lighter and fancier. Finally upgraded to a Big Agnes Fly Creek, which I hated. Resold the Fly Creek and kept the trusty old Koda after all.

I have the Big Agnus Fly Creek. It was one of the lighter backpacking tents I could find. They are doing a big sale currently too:)

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 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.