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Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL4
Editor’s Conclusion
The Big Agnes Copper Spur has been designed for families, and for more space, with two awnings that provide vestibule storage areas. The floor space sleeps 4 persons and for 3, it is even better. For internal space, this tent looks good.
The Copper Spur has had an overhaul and redesigning has produced a string of promising new features. The makers describe this as a light tent for use by backpackers. This three-season tent certainly has a potentially wider range of users.
As with many outdoor pieces of gear, before buying. It is a good idea to know more about durability, ease of use, and performance. So let's take a closer look at the tent.
The Copper Spur has had an overhaul and redesigning has produced a string of promising new features. The makers describe this as a light tent for use by backpackers. This three-season tent certainly has a potentially wider range of users.
As with many outdoor pieces of gear, before buying. It is a good idea to know more about durability, ease of use, and performance. So let's take a closer look at the tent.
Editor's Pros & Cons
Pros
Large interior space & 2 vestibules
Easy to set-up
8 interior mesh pockets
4 media pockets
1 door
1 window
Durable waterproof fabric
Ideal for a family or group
Cons
The price is above moderate
The poles can be wieldy in strong wind
Tall profile in prolonged windy conditions
Key Features
A Quick Overview
This is a good tent for family backpacking trips out in the wilds. Looking closely at this model it is designed for family use and many of the included features are designed for family or group use.
The tent is really easy to set up and has strong light poles, which assemble into a high frame creating steep walls. This means less crouching and more space to move around inside the tent.
For a family, the vestibules at the front and rear provide lots of storage area and this allows even more space inside. The interior has many pockets so that all types of useful stuff can be kept safe and close at hand.
The rear window when fully unzipped is large enough to step through and this can double up as another entry-exit method
The lightness of the tent is a result of careful design and the right durable materials. The tent is durable and protective to the point it can handle unexpected foul weather.
Seasonal Use
A family winter camping trip won't work with this tent but spring, summertime, and fall are fine. This tent is capable of keeping a family dry in the types of rain you can meet during these three seasons. The two vestibules will keep your gear dry in a downpour.
The rain fly does its job and keeps a family dry during downpours and gear stored in the vestibules is well protected.
A good three-season tent, it's designed to stand up to seasonal weather but not snow and winter camping.
Size & Weight
When packed the tent weighs 5 lbs 4 oz, this weight shared out among a family or group means each person is carrying lightweight. The weight increases if you bring along a footprint (groundsheet).
Size and space are top features for this tent, the floor area is 5.3 square meters ( 57 square feet). The middle area of the tent reaches up to 50 inches (127cm). The combined vestibule space is 14 square feet (1.3 sq meters) and this all adds up to a lot of space for a family-sized backpacking tent.
Materials
The fabric used for the tent is nylon with decent puncture-resistant durability. The tent stakes are aluminum, they are sturdy but consider bringing a few backup stakes in case you need them.
A built-in large ceiling pocket offers lots of storage space. This tent has interior media pockets, including headphone routing. There are also interior loops to hang a lamp or other accessories.
The tent poles are aluminum and they have good durability, they are built to securely hold up a tent, even in windy weather. The free-standing design makes putting up the tent really easy, if you're not confident, instructions for assembling are provided.
The inner tent material can produce condensation during the night for a family-sized group. To counter this you will need to pull down the zippers on the door and window enough to allow a flow of air. During warm evenings just at least the front vestibule unzipped for a good flow of air.
The window has a large area when unzipped and this provides extra ventilation on warm sunny nights. When fully unzipped the window is big enough to use as an exit. The window and door zippers are sturdy and all the seams are treated and reinforced against rain. However, with regular use, remember to spray the tent with waterproofing protection.
The floor is a bathtub design and keeps out rain and splashback. The tub floor feature allows a tent to sit in wet and muddy areas without any problems while keeping nice and dry.
The rain-fly is light and made from thicker puncture-proof nylon, simply throw it over the tent frame. Use the built-in TipLok Tent Buckle to secure the fly and stake it down with guide ropes.
A good sized carry bag is provided for packing the tent,
Stability
Though the tent is a freestanding design, in windy weather it should be pegged down using the stakes provided with it. Even in the three popular camping seasons, unexpected rainfall and wind can happen. The tent is stable and protective enough to keep everyone inside nice and dry.
If you anticipate tough windy weather bring a few extra stakes just in case they are useful. The tent has good stability when used in context as a 3 season tent and will give good protection.
The Vestibules
Both vestibules can be erected by using the extra poles which are included. This will create more space for storing gear, keeping it out of the rain, or even a sun shield on hot days. Or just a place to sit back, read a book and relax.
This is a good tent for family backpacking trips out in the wilds. Looking closely at this model it is designed for family use and many of the included features are designed for family or group use.
The tent is really easy to set up and has strong light poles, which assemble into a high frame creating steep walls. This means less crouching and more space to move around inside the tent.
For a family, the vestibules at the front and rear provide lots of storage area and this allows even more space inside. The interior has many pockets so that all types of useful stuff can be kept safe and close at hand.
The rear window when fully unzipped is large enough to step through and this can double up as another entry-exit method
The lightness of the tent is a result of careful design and the right durable materials. The tent is durable and protective to the point it can handle unexpected foul weather.
Seasonal Use
A family winter camping trip won't work with this tent but spring, summertime, and fall are fine. This tent is capable of keeping a family dry in the types of rain you can meet during these three seasons. The two vestibules will keep your gear dry in a downpour.
The rain fly does its job and keeps a family dry during downpours and gear stored in the vestibules is well protected.
A good three-season tent, it's designed to stand up to seasonal weather but not snow and winter camping.
Size & Weight
When packed the tent weighs 5 lbs 4 oz, this weight shared out among a family or group means each person is carrying lightweight. The weight increases if you bring along a footprint (groundsheet).
Size and space are top features for this tent, the floor area is 5.3 square meters ( 57 square feet). The middle area of the tent reaches up to 50 inches (127cm). The combined vestibule space is 14 square feet (1.3 sq meters) and this all adds up to a lot of space for a family-sized backpacking tent.
Materials
The fabric used for the tent is nylon with decent puncture-resistant durability. The tent stakes are aluminum, they are sturdy but consider bringing a few backup stakes in case you need them.
A built-in large ceiling pocket offers lots of storage space. This tent has interior media pockets, including headphone routing. There are also interior loops to hang a lamp or other accessories.
The tent poles are aluminum and they have good durability, they are built to securely hold up a tent, even in windy weather. The free-standing design makes putting up the tent really easy, if you're not confident, instructions for assembling are provided.
The inner tent material can produce condensation during the night for a family-sized group. To counter this you will need to pull down the zippers on the door and window enough to allow a flow of air. During warm evenings just at least the front vestibule unzipped for a good flow of air.
The window has a large area when unzipped and this provides extra ventilation on warm sunny nights. When fully unzipped the window is big enough to use as an exit. The window and door zippers are sturdy and all the seams are treated and reinforced against rain. However, with regular use, remember to spray the tent with waterproofing protection.
The floor is a bathtub design and keeps out rain and splashback. The tub floor feature allows a tent to sit in wet and muddy areas without any problems while keeping nice and dry.
The rain-fly is light and made from thicker puncture-proof nylon, simply throw it over the tent frame. Use the built-in TipLok Tent Buckle to secure the fly and stake it down with guide ropes.
A good sized carry bag is provided for packing the tent,
Stability
Though the tent is a freestanding design, in windy weather it should be pegged down using the stakes provided with it. Even in the three popular camping seasons, unexpected rainfall and wind can happen. The tent is stable and protective enough to keep everyone inside nice and dry.
If you anticipate tough windy weather bring a few extra stakes just in case they are useful. The tent has good stability when used in context as a 3 season tent and will give good protection.
The Vestibules
Both vestibules can be erected by using the extra poles which are included. This will create more space for storing gear, keeping it out of the rain, or even a sun shield on hot days. Or just a place to sit back, read a book and relax.
Comparisons
The design of this tent suggests it is for a family or group, two parents and 3 children can be comfortable. It is light to carry when shared out to backpacks or ideal to be carried in a car trunk.
The nearest comparative tent is the Kelty Late Start 4 Person with an interior of 55.07 sq ft, a peak height of 56 inches. This model has just one vestibule giving 9.14 sq ft of storage space.
The Kelty tent is available at a lower price but has less space when factoring in 2 vestibule areas for the Big Agnes. This tent also offers fewer internal storage pockets. Both comparative tents are freestanding and made from similar materials.
For those on a budget the Pacific Pass 4 Person Family Dome Tent is very affordable and compares reasonably well against the Big Agness. This model does not have vestibule space. Internally there are just 2 mesh pockets for storage and a net pocket built-in at the top. This tent even has an e-port for power. This is a dome-style tent with less space, but it can sleep four people.
The Big Agnes compares favorably against other family backpacking tents for its lightness, good range of features and durability. The price tag is comparably higher than other options and this is because quality increases cost.
The nearest comparative tent is the Kelty Late Start 4 Person with an interior of 55.07 sq ft, a peak height of 56 inches. This model has just one vestibule giving 9.14 sq ft of storage space.
The Kelty tent is available at a lower price but has less space when factoring in 2 vestibule areas for the Big Agnes. This tent also offers fewer internal storage pockets. Both comparative tents are freestanding and made from similar materials.
For those on a budget the Pacific Pass 4 Person Family Dome Tent is very affordable and compares reasonably well against the Big Agness. This model does not have vestibule space. Internally there are just 2 mesh pockets for storage and a net pocket built-in at the top. This tent even has an e-port for power. This is a dome-style tent with less space, but it can sleep four people.
The Big Agnes compares favorably against other family backpacking tents for its lightness, good range of features and durability. The price tag is comparably higher than other options and this is because quality increases cost.
Verdict
The key design purpose for the Agnes 4 person tent is that it is designed with a family in mind.
it is very good for car trips and for weight it works well for backpacking. The weight can be distributed among a family's backpacks. The advantage of this tent, when compared to others, is how much space for storage and sleeping.
For families who like camping out in three friendlier weather, this tent is purpose-designed for them. It is easy to transport, easy to set up, and provides features that will serve the needs of a group.
The tent has a high profile which means plenty more space for moving around inside. However, a high profile can mean a buffeting in prolonged windy weather, the tent is stable enough for that.
For space, ease of use, and good protection, this model is a nice long-term investment for a family.
it is very good for car trips and for weight it works well for backpacking. The weight can be distributed among a family's backpacks. The advantage of this tent, when compared to others, is how much space for storage and sleeping.
For families who like camping out in three friendlier weather, this tent is purpose-designed for them. It is easy to transport, easy to set up, and provides features that will serve the needs of a group.
The tent has a high profile which means plenty more space for moving around inside. However, a high profile can mean a buffeting in prolonged windy weather, the tent is stable enough for that.
For space, ease of use, and good protection, this model is a nice long-term investment for a family.
$424.99See Deal 
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