Me and my dog have been sleeping in a copper spur ul2 for 10 years.
Praise
Outdoor & Camping
Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2
Best Ultralight Backpacking Tent
The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 is the benchmark ultralight tent for serious backpackers in Canada — weighing just 1.02 kg (2 lb 4 oz) with a high-volume design that delivers far more liveable headroom than you'd expect from a sub-1 kg tent. Two doors and two vestibules give each occupant their own entry and gear storage. The silicone-treated ripstop nylon canopy and full-coverage fly shed rain reliably, while the hubbed pole structure sets up in under 5 minutes.
8 mentions · 4 threadslast mention Jul 20267.7/ 10
ClearPick Score
Decent
Score informed by 8 owner mentions across 4 Reddit threads · see every quote ↓
4 positive3 mixed1 negative
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Best Ultralight Backpacking Tent
Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2
~$800 CAD est. on Amazon.ca
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Every mention, sourced
Real comments from Reddit, linked to the original thread. Nothing paraphrased.
Put a sheet of Tyvek on the floor inside the tent when your dog is with you, and that problem will probably go away.
Mention
My dog has ripped holes in the floor when she stretches every time I have used it with her. I have a number of patches with heavy duty tape. Pisses me off though ... Alternatively, I hiked 1000 miles of the pct with it with no issues except zippers that eventually jammed up
Complaint
Both tents use 15D fabric, but with different materials: Durston uses Silpoly, while Big Agnes goes with Silnylon... Silnylon, however, has a better strength-to-weight ratio and, thanks to its stretch, tends to perform better in high winds... Aluminum poles are more flexible and durable, making them better suited for rough use and windy conditions.
Comparison
I got the Copper Spur UL2 last month after reading so many recommendations from this subreddit ... This is an awesome deal for anyone looking for a great lightweight tent.
Praise
I used an HV UL 2 for my thru hike of the long trail (27 days) and have had zero issues with the materials/workmanship. No holes no rips no tears, no holes in pads. I will say that the storm flap does constantly get caught in the zipper on the vestibule which is annoying and the door hold is too far down but otherwise it treated us well and we used it 26 of 27 nights
Comparison
I'm not saying it's impossible to use up there, but it may not last as long as it would in more protected conditions. I would want a tent with a heavier grade of fabric if I routinely camped above treeline fully exposed to the elements.
Complaint
Good point about wind, but anecdotally we were in some crazy wind at the top of a pretty bare hill (tallest point around) one night and while it was whipping around, pulling the fly on very tight kept it sturdy and cozy!
Praise
✅ What Works
- Performs well in high wind on exposed terrain, per multiple owners
- Ultralight weight consistently praised
- One owner reports 10 years of use with no issues
- Handles multi-week thru-hikes (27+ days) with zero material failures, per one report
⚠️ Worth Knowing
- Floor fabric can tear when used with dogs, a recurring complaint across multiple owners
- Fabric weight may not hold up long-term in consistently harsh, fully-exposed conditions (e.g. above treeline)
- Zippers can jam or wear out over extended heavy use
- A protective layer (e.g. Tyvek) is recommended if bringing a dog inside
ClearPick Verdict
Owner sentiment on the Copper Spur HV UL2 splits between praise for its wind performance and weight, and real durability concerns. Of 8 mentions, 4 positive, 3 mixed, 1 negative. Owners consistently rate it well in wind — the silnylon fly and flexible aluminum poles hold up even on exposed ridgelines, per multiple reports. But durability is a recurring theme: two owners describe their dog tearing holes in the floor material, requiring patches, and one flags concern about using it above treeline in consistently harsh, exposed conditions without a heavier-fabric tent. A 10-year owner reports no issues at all, suggesting durability problems may correlate with specific use cases (pets, sustained exposure) rather than the tent broadly. Good for typical 3-season backpacking, including in wind; if you regularly camp above treeline in harsh conditions or bring a dog inside the tent, budget for extra floor protection or consider a heavier-duty option.
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