Big Agnes Copper Spur – Advice needed

[David K]

I’m looking for a new tent for myself, my wife, and eventually a little one or a dog.  Definitely trying to keep things light but also comfortable.  The Copper Spur UL 3 person tent is looking like a nice, spacious freestanding tent and weighs in with a trail weight of 3.5 lbs. We are currently using an old Sierra  Designs Lightning 1 that is 5.5 lbs for a two person, so that would be a big improvement.  And on sale these can be found for $350-400.

Does anyone have any experience with this tent?  Is 3.5lbs for a 3 person tent particularly excessive?  Are there any significantly lighter 3 person tents that I should look at that aren’t DCF and $800?

[David K]

Oh…and things that are important to us/considerations:

1). It needs to be able to be set up without the rain fly for stargazing.  I never use a rain fly in nice weather.

2) Hydrostatic Head.  The Copper Spur has a hydrostatic hear if 1200mm.  I’ve also been looking at the Eolus from Seek Outside.  It’s has a smaller nest, but larger vestibules and either a 3000mm or 5000mm hydrostatic head and weighs in at 2.5 lbs. Is 1200mm sufficient and is 3000mm overkill?

3) We both use 25″ pads.

4) Vestibules larger than my shoe are really nice.

 

 

[Roger Caffin]

1200 mm HH may be enough when NEW, but it reduces over time.
The industry consensus used to be 1500 mm was enough, but that may have been because getting anything more was at that stage difficult (= $$ and kg).
Today, I suggest that anything under 2000 mm should be avoided.

Cheers
PS: vestibules +++

[David K]

Thank you Roger.  How is it that so many big companies are gettt away with it?  I’ve seen that rating on Big Agnes, Nemo, Sierra Designs, MSR, and REI.  I’m confused as to why so many would use something so likely to fail over time.

[Roger Caffin]

There are some wide-spread industry assumptions here:
* most customers won’t use the gear they have bought more than a few times per year
* most customers will want to buy new gear every few years, just because they can – and glossy marketing spiel
* most customers will be out only in fine calm weather

So who cares? The lower-quality fabrics are cheaper too.

Cheers

[bradmacmt]

We’ve been using the BA CS’s going back ten(+) years. We currently have the 2019 1P and 2P models.

For two 25” pads, definitely the 3P…

 

[bradmacmt]

[David K]

Hi Brad.  How have they held up?  Do you replace them regularly or keep them for years?  Lots of use?  And how have they held up in storms?

We are in New York and expect to be out at least 4 nights/month

[David K]

Well that’s a bummer.  It seems that all the brands that have 3 person tents are either single wall or 1200-1500HH so far.  Or around 7-10lbs.   :-/

Kinda strange that I can’t find anything in between.

[Roger Caffin]

Market forces.
Try the cottage mfrs.

Cheers

[David K]

I’m working on it.  Any suggestions?  I’ve looked at TarpTent, MLD, SMD, Seek Outside, SlingFin, and ZPacks.

[Roger Caffin]

I am reluctant to endorse any of them, but the first two are well-known here.

Cheers

[David K]

They are indeed.  With excellent reputations.  But all only make single wall tents…

 

Is there any way to change the title of this?  I meant to add in “advice needed”

[Roger Caffin]

The first tent I looked at on the TT web site is the Double Rainbow. It seems to have an inner tent – although only netting.

Cheers

[bradmacmt]

Hi Brad. How have they held up? Do you replace them regularly or keep them for years? Lots of use? And how have they held up in storms?

We are in New York and expect to be out at least 4 nights/month

We keep ours for years. Only reason we changed in 2018 was a great deal on the newer, lighter versions. The older models are still great, and still going strong 10 years on.

I think you’re “overthinking” this a bit. I’ve been in the CS above timberline in 60 mph winds with sideways rain and snow. They’ve been fantastic.

[Sean P]

The CS UL3 is a nice 2 person tent and, on a couple of occasions, has easily housed a 40 kg Pointer dog as well.

My reservations are not about the fly but about the floor. It is much thinner than I’d like. I think that if you’re considering a dog, it would quickly destroy the floor if you’re not careful.

I sold my  1 person CS because when snow camping the floor absorbed moisture under my pad and I decided that it wan’t waterproof enough. That, and the lack of guy ropes on the foot end, made me decide it was a fair weather/ below treeline tent and I rarely camp in non-alpine areas.

but I know thousands of walkers have done thousands of kms without issues, so just my observations. I do really like the three man which gets less remote use.

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