Big Agnes - Fly Creek HV2 Platinum

Heads up you will want a 3P tent (or four, even) - all the more so in the context of a thru. Big Agnes is good and has lighter versions of some of their models, called the Platinum (ultralight) or Carbon (stupidly light) lines. I did my thru five years ago with a Fly Creek 2 platinum, and still use it to this day. You don’t have to treat them like spun glass, but you do need some basic thoughtfulness and common sense.

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

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 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 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 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 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?

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).

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.