Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3: A Comprehensive Tent Review

Greetings fellow outdoor enthusiasts! I’m Jaden, a seasoned camper. Recently, I had the pleasure of putting the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3 through its paces on my camping adventures, and I’m thrilled to share my experiences with you.

The Copper Spur HV UL3 tent caught my attention for its comfort, weather resistance, weight, durability, ease of set-up, and packed size, and the reputable brand behind it.

Through my review, I aim to provide campers with comprehensive insights to help them make informed decisions about their gear. Let’s embark on this camping gear journey together!

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Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3 Details

Best for: Camping & Hiking
Brand: Big Agnes
Occupant Capacity: 3 persons
Design: Camping Tent
Material: Nylon
Seasons: 4 Season
Color: Orange
Dimensions: 20.87″L x 5.91″W x 5.91″H
Price: $552.98

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

Our Verdict

I recently had the pleasure of using the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3 tent, it’s a high-quality three-person backpacking tent that offers a good balance of weight, performance, and features.

It was easy to set up (only taking a few minutes), even thanks to its clear design and color-coded features. The tent weighs 1.76 kg, which is less than many other three-person backpacking tents.

One of the best features of the tent is its two vestibules, which provide extra storage space and make the tent more versatile.

On a recent trip, I encountered a dust storm with winds of 60-70 mph, but the tent held up great. It stood up to the strong winds for three days and kept me comfortable and protected. The tent also stayed perfectly dry, even when the vestibule door was open, which shows how well it sheds water.

The inside of the tent is also well-designed, with overhead pockets for storing quick-access items.

I also appreciate the thoughtful design features, like the option to use trekking poles to convert a vestibule wall into a rain roof. However, it’s worth noting that this feature may not be effective in strong winds.

The Copper Spur HV UL3 is a relatively expensive tent ($552.98), but it’s well-made and offers a number of features that make it a good choice for backpackers and campers who value lightweight design, durability, and functionality.

Pros:

Spacious Design
Ease of Setup
Lightweight and Compact
Excellent Ventilation
Durable Construction
Two large side doors and expansive headroom
Tiny reflective guy attachments aid in locating the tent at night

Cons:

Rainfly can produce disruptive noise in the wind
Limited Vestibule Space
The need to set up the inner tent before the rainfly.

Similar Tents Comparison Table

Tent Model	Comfort	Weather Resistance	Weight (kg)	Durability	Ease of Set-Up	Packed Size
Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3	High	Excellent	‎1.59KG	Good	Easy	Moderate
NEMO Hornet Elite Osmo	Moderate	Good	0.97KG	Good	Easy	Compact
Mountain Hardwear Nimbus UL 2	Moderate	Good	1.04KG	Good	Moderate	Compact
Tarptent Double Rainbow	Moderate	Moderate	1.18KG	Moderate	Moderate	Compact
Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2	Moderate	Excellent	1.40KG	Good	Easy	Moderate
SlingFin Portal 2	High	Excellent	1.44KG	Excellent	Easy	Moderate
MSR Hubba Hubba	High	Excellent	1.47KG	Excellent	Easy	Moderate
NEMO Dragonfly Osmo 2	High	Good	1.49KG	Good	Easy	Compact
Sea to Summit Telos TR2	Moderate	Excellent	1.66KG	Excellent	Easy	Compact
NEMO Dagger Osmo	High	Excellent	1.86KG	Good	Easy	Compact
Hilleberg Anjan 2 GT	High	Excellent	2.15KG	Excellent	Moderate	Bulky
REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2	High	Excellent	2.19KG	Excellent	Easy	Moderate

The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3 excels in comfort, weather resistance, and ease of setup. Its weight, at 1.59 kg, positions it favorably against alternatives, offering a balance of value and performance.

Our Analysis and Test Results

In testing this tent, my focus was on assessing its performance across key factors to provide you with an insightful and comprehensive review.

I delved into various aspects, including comfort, weather resistance, weight, durability, ease of set-up, and packed size, to give you a nuanced understanding of the tent’s capabilities.

Our detailed testing reveals the tent’s strengths and considerations. From comfort to durability, the Copper Spur HV UL3 impresses with thoughtful design. You should be aware of potential wind challenges and consider additional protective measures.

1. Comfort

Designed for three, this tent ensures comfort with its mesh walls and two large side doors for easy access, which provide good ventilation even in humid conditions.

It has also a spacious interior with 38 inches of headroom and ‎41 Square Feet of floor area. This makes it comfortable for three people to sleep and move around in, particularly useful during long spells of bad weather.

The unique dual-zipper design offers easy access, smooth exits, and effective ventilation. While it may require a bit of extra effort to secure, this becomes especially apparent when swiftly closing the tent or doing so in low-light conditions.

To resolve this, you could consider adding reflective pulls can ease locating them in the dark. Furthermore, regular use can make the dual-zipper system as intuitive as a single zipper one. This tent promises a comfortable, user-friendly camping experience.

2. Weather Resistance

The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3 tent excels in its weather resistance capabilities.

Starting with the stakes, they offer space between the tent body and the fly which is beneficial in preventing contact during rainfall – a smart, yet simple design choice.

The vestibule is highly adaptable; it’s neither too large to compromise the tent’s structure nor too small to limit its functionality. It provides ample storage and space for movement, even accommodating bulky gear efficiently.

A standout feature are the fly doors which can be transformed into awnings using a set of trekking poles. While this might be a bit of a chore depending on your arrival time at camp, it offers an additional layer of protection against light rain and sun.

Moreover, the Spur allows numerous configurations in-between, providing a good balance between ventilation and protection from wind and rain.

The tent also features a ‘bathtub floor’ that reduces splashback remarkably, made from waterproof PU-coated ripstop nylon. So, even in a downpour, you can be assured of staying dry.

Another convenient feature is the pre-attached guyline and tensioners on the fly. While not unique to this tent, being pre-installed means users are more likely to utilize them, improving the overall stability of the tent.

However, it’s worth noting some user reports indicate the Copper Spur HV UL3 may struggle in high winds. While this isn’t a universal experience, it could be a potential concern for campers in particularly windy areas.

Lastly, the fly, while commendably waterproof, does have a tendency to retain water slightly longer than other ultralight counterparts. But, this is a minor issue and does not significantly detract from the tent’s overall performance.

3. Weight

One of this tent’s standout features is its weight. With a sub-four-pound packed weight, carrying this tent between two people is more than manageable.

It’s a feature that makes this tent not just practical, but convenient for backpackers looking to distribute load or reduce individual carrying weight.

A significant aspect to highlight is the tent’s fast-fly approach. This option approach reduces the weight of the tent by 0.4 kg. It’s an admirable trait ideal for longer hikes and challenging terrains, where every pound saved counts.

the Spur UL3 is the epitome of versatility, largely due to its lightweight design. Whether you’re camping as a duo or trio, this tent doesn’t add significant extra weight, adhering to the principle of efficiency without sacrificing comfort and space.

If we compare it to other options on the market, the tent weighs ‎1.59 kg, which is 0.2 kg less than the average weight of a three-person backpacking tent. It provides more room, yet stays lighter, adding weight only where it counts: in value.

Deciding to invest in this tent means opting for spaciousness, lightness, and versatility all packaged into one impeccable tent.

4. Durability

When discussing the durability of the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3, it is essential to appreciate the balance struck by the manufacturers in creating a tent that offers durability while still prioritizing weight reduction.

The materials used in the tent’s construction have been chosen for their robustness in relation to their weight, hence successfully scoring on the aspect of toughness.

But, it’s important to note that, like most lightweight materials, the fabric is still susceptible to punctures.

This vulnerability is not a significant disadvantage but rather a realistic expectation when considering the tent’s weight to strength ratio. It’s a small trade-off for the advantage of carrying a lighter load on your hiking or camping trip.

Throughout my testing phase, I faced no major durability issues with The Copper Spur HV UL3 tent, further reinstating the reliability of its construction.

Nevertheless, to ensure longevity and provide an additional layer of protection to the tent’s bottom, I recommend using an inexpensive piece of plastic contractor tarp, Tyvek wrap, or polycro.

This suggestion comes as a prevention measure, helping to protect the tent from rough terrains and enhance its lifespan.

This tent provides a decent durability level, keeping in mind the necessity of maintaining a reduced weight for hikers and campers.

With a few practical measures, such as the addition of a protective layer at the bottom, users can confidently rely on the tent’s durability on their outdoor adventures.

5. Ease of Set-Up

The Copper Spur HV UL3 tent is renowned for its ease of set-up, even for a solo adventurer.

At its core, the tent’s structure is an intuitive X-shape, established by two primary poles that intersect at a central metal hub.

Each pole end is securely fitted into teardrop-shaped holes at the tent’s corners, enhancing stability and preventing unwanted movement.

A tangible improvement in this tent design is the addition of a cross pole. This ingenious feature broadens the lateral space within the tent, making it comfortable for occupants to sit up, thereby increasing the overall livability of the interior space.

Unique to this tent, the design uses color-coded fly clips and poles. This highly intuitive system saves precious time during setup, by allowing you to quickly and accurately orient each piece before attaching it.

This clever innovation speaks volumes about the thoughtfulness invested in the tent’s design.

One aspect that requires some attention is the inclusion of generic grey shovel stakes. While these stakes are absolutely fit for purpose, being effective and highly resistant to bending, they lack any reflective or brightly colored cord.

It is strongly recommended that before heading out on your camping adventure, you add some form of visible cord to the stakes.

This simple step will ensure that the stakes are easy to locate and retrieve, helping you avoid any loss in the wilderness.

The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3 scores high on ease of setup, boasting an array of features that are user-friendly and designed with comfort, stability, and efficiency in mind.

The minor catch of the shovel stakes is easily remedied, making this tent a reliable companion for your outdoor escapades.

6. Packed Size

The Spur is a true champ when it comes to compactness and versatility. With a packing size of 21 x 6 inches, it beats some larger 2-person tents in the market.

The weight distribution is also commendable, averaging just over a pound and a quarter per person when split three ways. Whether you’re adjusting the party size or bringing a pet, this tent remains a great choice due to its adaptability.

This combination of compactness, light-weightiness, and practicality makes it a top pick for campers and backpackers alike.

Comfort is ensured with mesh walls and ample headroom. Weather resistance is excellent, though users may want to address potential noise from the rainfly. At 1.59 kg, the tent strikes a commendable balance between weight and space, showcasing its versatility.

Conclusion

The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3 offers a top-tier camping experience with its lightweight design, weather resilience, and user-friendly setup. With minor considerations in mind, it stands as a reliable companion for outdoor adventures.