Runner-Up Best Backpacking Tent of 2021

A quiver killer, the NEMO Dagger 2 is the “quintessential backpacking tent.” It’s light enough to carry for multiple days and large enough to comfortably wait out storms. The fabric has been designed to be lightweight but durable in the right areas with 30D nylon as the base. There is not an included footprint, however, you can buy one for around $50 to add more durability to the tent. The fly comes with ventilation ports, but it does not quite cover the ends of the tent. We think that’s something that could be improved. The features throughout the interior of the tent are excellent, and the space between the interior and the vestibules is downright luxurious.

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See Our Best Backpacking Tent Review 2021 HERE!

The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 is ready for any situation, from car camping comfort to lightweight backpacking efficiency. The Copper Spur succeeds in creating space for two campers while performing when the weather gets frisky. The tent quickly became our go-to choice for any adventure, and we look forward to many more nights under the canopy of the Copper Spur HV UL2. Simply due to the fact that its vestibules are a bit smaller and it is more expensive than the NEMO Dragonfly, we could only give it Runner-Up as the Best Backpacking Tent of 2021.

Comfort

Lightweight tents get a bad rap for being uncomfortable, and oftentimes companies will try to squeeze the campers together to accommodate the amount of fabric needed for the tent. With the continuous innovation in outdoor fabrics, we are finding more and more space in tents for less and less weight. It feels like magic sometimes. The Copper Spur HV UL2’s floor dimensions are impressive. With a length of 88 inches (7.3 feet) and a tapering width from 52 inches at the head to 42 inches at the feet, there is plenty of room. While it doesn’t break the 30-square-foot mark—sitting at a comfortable 29sqft, the Copper Spur uses pre-bent poles to help create near vertical walls. The vertical walls help to create a very spacious-feeling interior. The 40 inches of headroom certainly helps in this area as well, leaving lots of room to sit up and challenge your tentmate to a game of UNO.

The two vestibules are 9 square feet each, which are respectable numbers, but the real star of the vestibule is the ability to fully unzip each side to create an “awning.” Using your own trekking poles (not included with the purchase of the tent), you can sit outside your tent while still under a roof, offering a reprieve from the glaring sun or a light drizzle.

Inside the tent, there are features to make it feel more like a home than a polyester shelter. Along the ceiling, you’ll find two storage pockets, a large 3D mesh pocket at the foot of the tent, and an additional pocket that includes earbud cord routing at the head. Right at the head of the tent along the wall, you’ll also find two smaller pockets that are easy for each camper to access. As you can see, there is a lot on offer for trail comfort with the Copper Spur HV UL2.

Ease of Setup

Weatherproofing

When set up with the rainfly, the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 has great geometry, staying very steady in high winds. The “awning” setup on the fly can create lots of ventilation, and if all hatches need to be battened down, there are vents at the top of the fly that can be propped open to allow for protected airflow. The zipper on the fly has a storm flap to keep water from sneaking in, while the fly itself completely protects and covers the tent.

Durability

With lightweight tents, durability is always a concern. Big Agnes has used lighter and more fragile fabrics to shed ounces off the overall weight. The Copper Spur HV UL2 has very lightweight materials throughout, but they stand up to the normal tests that tents deal with—such as high winds, snow build-up, and heavy rains. The fly is made with proprietary, double-ripstop mixed-denier fabric for extra tear resistance. The poles are aluminum and provide rigidity and flexibility when needed, and the pre-bent design helps to add support where needed. Do be careful if you travel with a dog, as their nails might be the undoing of this high-performance tent.

Weight

For the amount of interior space and cool features that come with the Copper Spur HV UL2, you’re probably thinking that the tent weighs 20 pounds. As mentioned earlier, as if by magic, this tent is comfortable and only weighs 3lbs 2oz (1.41kg). It comes in at the same weight as the Nemo Dragonfly 2, another extremely impressive lightweight tent. Both tents offer the same floor space, with the Dragonfly taking the win for headroom by one inch.

The Bottom Line

The Copper Spur HV UL2 is impressive, and there really isn’t too much more to say than that. It comes with excellent interior space, lots of interior features and pockets, and a backpacking-appropriate weight. The only negative of the tent may be the price ($449.95). While it is a high price tag, the utility and versatility of the Copper Spur HV UL2 can make it your one-tent-fits-all tent. While the initial investment is hefty, the long-term enjoyment and uses are endless, especially if you go on several camping trips per year. It is the initial investment and smaller vestibules that make it the Runner-Up as our Best Backpacking Tent of 2021.

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