Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL 3 mtnGLO Backpacking Tent is an ultralight backpacking 3-season freestanding shelter, reliable and easy to setup, with dual side doors and award-winning mtnGLO Tent Light Technology. Its steep, almost vertical walls offer a lot of internal space for three people.
Key benefits
- Ultra-lightweight.
- Integrated light system.
- Many interior pockets.
Description
The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL 3 mtnGLO is with a high price which corresponds to its features and quality. The tent is with two side doors, quite large and nicely designed, you can roll them to the side and fix on the wall.
The fly is with good vestibules on both sides, and they give 1.6 square meters (18 square feet) of covered space in total. Inside, you have 5 mesh pockets and 2 media pockets, this is something rarely seen in tents of this type. In addition, there are several integrated loops in the same area. Here you can attach gear lofts from the same brand, there are several types of them available, like the Large Wall, Large Trapezoid, and Triangle gear loft, and they can be ordered separately.
The inner tent body is practically all mesh, see the picture above, very breathable and translucent, two-toned for privacy yet still allowing for stargazing. The fly and the floor are with a 1200 mm waterproof rating, and all seams are tape-sealed. The fabric is a unique weave with a high tenacity yarn and high filament count; this increases fabric tear strength by 25%, decreases the weight, and improves water resistance.
The tent is without a footprint, but it can be ordered separately, please check the links below. Having the footprint allows for the fast-fly variant, which includes the poles, the fly, and the footprint only. This super lightweight variant is only 1.25 kg (2.76 lb).
The poles
You have two main poles which together with the grommets in the tent corners give the tent its freestanding feature, and a brow pole that pulls the wall up and adds a lot of interior volume. The sections of the main poles are pre-curved, and the clips are a very lightweight and durable plastic.
Integrated light
The tent comes with patent-pending mtnGLO Tent Light Technology with durable LED lights which illuminate the interior of the tent with enough light for ordinary activities like sorting gear, playing cards etc., but do not expect to read a book with it. You have a single push button with three settings, on, off and 50% brightness, simple and efficient.
LED light strand is integrated into tent seams, see the picture below. This is all durable and flexible enough to withstand all that you do with the tent, repeated pitching, and stuffing. The light operates on three AAA batteries (not included). Light routing is above your head on the ceiling as you can see from pictures.
What is in the name
The letters HV mean ‘high volume’, and this feature is achieved by the brow pole and pre-curved main poles. The word ‘mntGLO’ tells you that the tent comes with an integrated light system.
Who is it for
If you are looking for a backpacking tent for three people, then this is the best example of it. With a weight of 1.79 kg, this implies less than 600 grams per person.
But as always, I would say it is best if used by two people only, plus perhaps a dog. You can see this if you bear in mind its width 70 inches (178 cm), with three narrow pads of 50 cm you hardly have any space left. Note, even if used by two people, you are with the weight per person which is less than you have with the lightest solo backpacking tents.
Now, if it is good for backpackers, this makes it great for practically any outdoor activity in relatively mild 3-season weather conditions. So, I see it as a great tool for hikers, mountaineers, kayakers, bikers, etc. Its packed size 20 x 4.5 inches (51 x 11 cm) is surely small enough for any of these activities.
In view of its high price tag, if you need something for occasional use only or if you are a complete beginner, you might want to check some less expensive options. Many tents are reviewed in this site, so please visit my page about tents and bivies. But if the price is not an issue, this is a great and reliable tool, from a renown brand.
Specifications & summary of features
- Type: 3-season, freestanding.
- Capacity: 3 people.
- Packed weight: 3 lb 15 oz (1.79 kg).
- Trail weight: 3 lb 8 oz (1.59 kg).
- Fast Fly weight: 1.25 kg (2.76 lb).
- Floor area: 41 sq ft (3.8 sq m).
- Vestibule area: 9 + 9 sq ft (0.8 + 0.8 sq m).
- Vestibule depth: 30 in (76 cm).
- Packed size: 20 x 4.5 in (51 x 11 cm).
- Floor dimension: 90 x 70/62 in (229 x 178/158 cm).
- Peak interior height: 43 in (109 cm).
- Materials:
– Fly and floor: silicone treated, proprietary patterned random rip-stop nylon, 1200 mm waterproof polyurethane coating.
– Tent body: proprietary patterned random rip-stop nylon breathable and polyester mesh.
– DAC Featherlite NFL pole system.
– Ultralight plastic clips for attaching the tent to the pole frame.
– 8 superlight aluminum J stakes. - Footprint weight: 8 oz (227 g), not included.
- All seams taped with waterproof, solvent-free polyurethane tape.
- 2 doors and 2 vestibules with storm flaps on the vestibule zippers.
- Large dual zipper door with discrete seams.
- CE certified.
- Quick Stash on tent body door.
- Proprietary random rip-stop pattern nylon is 25% stronger.
- Velcro tabs connect fly to pole structure.
- Easy-grip zipper pulls.
- Reflective guylines and webbing on tent corners.
- 5 interior mesh pockets and 2 media pockets.
- 8 superlight aluminum J stakes included.
Summary, rating, pros & cons
To conclude this Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL 3 mtnGLO Backpacking Tent review, the best feature of this tent is its weight, and the worst is its price. But this is a top-notch tent, I have no doubts about this and I can fully recommend it. Note that this series includes also the tent for 2 people and a solo tent, see the links below.
Please see how I rate it:
Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL MtnGLO Backpacking Tent 3
Pros
- Freestanding.
- Easy setup.
- Spacious vestibules.
- Side doors.
- Integrated light system.
- Reliable.
Cons
- Very expensive.
- Only one fly vent.
If you are not willing to pay that much, please check my page with tents, there are many other options available. In particular this ultra-lightweight Marmot Tungsten UL 3P tent designed for backpackers.
Thank you for reading, in the case of comments and questions please use the comment box below. I wish you a nice day.
Stephen Willis says
Hi Jovo,
Many tents have flies with an 1800 waterproof rating. The ultra light tents are around 1200. If I’m deep in the woods and need to stay dry even in a big storm, should I be concerned that 1200 isn’t enough? All these UL tents look flimsy when I see them in stores and I just don’t trust them on a big canoe trip. I do like the weight though. Am I overly paranoid?
Jovo says
Hi Stephen, I do understand you well and share the same “paranoia” because of my personal experience. Imagine, at almost 3000 meters high in the Alps, a strong storm around midnight and I realize my completely new tent (not the one described here of course) is leaking everywhere, the sleeping bag becomes wet, incredibly cold, strong winds. This is a true story which I shall never forget.
But, in most cases, such leaks happen at seams and reliable brands are careful about that. Those tents’ fabric is indeed thinner than paper and noisy in the wind, but this is all to shed the weight. So even 1200 mm is completely enough if everything else is done properly. Just think about the meaning of the number, in reality, you will never have such a column of water on the tent. This rating can be expressed also in PSI (pounds per square inch) which has a more understandable meaning because it includes also the effective pressure which can come from the wind which might force the water through the fabric. Note also that an umbrella is with the rating around 400 mm and this is completely enough. Long story short, one must go for a reliable brand when this is about the tools that may put you in danger. Staying dry in such deep woods is a must.
I truly hope I have answered your question, frankly speaking, I feel this is one of the most important I have ever written. One can be unlucky to get a backpack that does not fit well, who cares, this will not put your life in danger; but a tent, or an inflatable sleeping pad, or a sleeping bag, this is a totally different story. Such essential tools must be reliable.
Paul says
Thank you Jovo your review of the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL3 mtnGLO tent. I’m hoping I’ll be able to make my first foray into backpacking very soon, and when I do I’ll certainly be looking into quality tents like this one. Are there any tents similar to this one in terms of features and materials that are designed for less than 3 people? I suspect the digit after the “UL” represents the intended occupancy.
Jovo says
Hi Paul, thank you for the comment. As for your question, yes there are tents form the same series Big Agnes Copper Spur UL1 mtnGLO, and UL2 mtnGLO. I shall add some texts about them sooner or later. Presently there are tents UL1 and UL2 described but this is not mtnGLO-type.
Michel says
Great looking tent. Camping has really become hi tech in recent years. What a great idea to incorporate lighting into a tent. That can come in very useful when camping.
When I was young we would go camping and end up sleeping under the stars as the tent was always too cumbersome to put up.
The lightweight tents of today Make camping a breeze.
Jovo says
Hi Michel, yes you are right, these tents are incredibly light and free-standing so you can pitch them anywhere in no time. My memories are similar, we had a tent which was terribly heavy, it is in fact still in a good state, but you could not carry it anywhere, just somewhere close to car. All the best to you.
braxa0103@gmail.com says
As someone who has been camping on numerous occasions, I found this post to be an interesting read.
One of the biggest challenges that me an other campers often face is finding tents that can comfortably accommodate a specified number of people without leaving the campers cramped and uncomfortable.
I will definitely to some further research into the Copper Slur and will suggest this tent as a viable alternative to other competing product in the marketplace.
Thanks.
Jovo says
Hi, thank you, great to read the comment from somebody with experience with tents. Yes, they are usually small and if it is for N people it is better to use it as a tent for N-1 people if possible. All the best.