#2 in 1-Person Tents
Top pick in 1-Person Tents
Big Agnes Copper Spur UL1
A two-pound solo tent that still stands up on its own poles, for the hiker who would rather pay more than carry more.
4.6 · 6 Amazon ratings
Prices change daily, so we link to the listing instead of printing one.
- Trail weight
- 2 lb (911 g)
- Total weight
- 2 lb 6 oz (1.09 kg)
- Fast fly weight
- 1 lb 10 oz (736 g), footprint sold separately
The verdict
Is the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL1 worth it?
Yes, if weight matters more to you than cost. The Copper Spur UL1 is a freestanding solo tent with a 2 lb trail weight, 20 square feet of floor and a 38-inch peak. It is one of the most expensive tents in its class, and the floor narrows at the foot, but nothing freestanding here is lighter.
That is why it sits at the top of our 1-person tent ranking. Most tents this light get there by dropping the poles and pitching on trekking poles, which means more stakes, more fiddling and trouble on wooden platforms or rocky ground. The Copper Spur keeps a DAC aluminum pole frame and still lands near two pounds on the trail.
The 2025 version moved to Big Agnes' HyperBead fabric, which the brand says is lighter, more waterproof and stronger than what it replaced, with no intentionally added PFAS. The trade-offs are cost, a single door and a floor that tapers to 28 inches at your feet.
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Specs
Big Agnes Copper Spur UL1 specs
From Big Agnes's published specs.
What's good
What to know
How much room is in the Copper Spur UL1?
The floor is 88 inches long and 20 square feet in total, but it is a taper, not a rectangle: 38 inches wide at the head and 28 at the foot. A standard 20-inch pad fits with room for a few things beside it. A 25-inch wide pad will touch the walls at the foot end.
Sitting up works for most adults under the 38-inch peak. Taller hikers usually report the foot of the bag brushing the inner wall, which matters on wet nights when the fly sags.
Is the Copper Spur UL1 freestanding?
Yes. The pole set holds the inner tent up without stakes, so you can pitch it on a platform or move it after it is set up. You still stake out the fly and vestibule to keep the walls taut and the door usable in wind and rain, and the tent ships with 11 stakes for that.
What changed in the 2025 Copper Spur UL1?
The main change is the fabric. Big Agnes swapped to its HyperBead nylon for the fly and floor, which it rates 6% lighter, 25% more waterproof and 50% stronger than its previous fabric, with a waterproof finish made without intentionally added PFAS. The shape, door layout and footprint size stayed close to the earlier version.
Alternatives
What to buy instead of the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL1
Questions
Big Agnes Copper Spur UL1 FAQ
How much does the Copper Spur UL1 weigh?
Big Agnes lists a 2 lb trail weight (tent, fly and poles) and 2 lb 6 oz with everything in the box. Pitched as a fast fly with the separate footprint, it drops to 1 lb 10 oz.
Do you need a footprint for the Copper Spur UL1?
Not to pitch it, but the floor is thin 15D nylon, so a footprint or a cleared, debris-free spot adds years to it. The Big Agnes footprint also unlocks the lighter fast fly pitch.
Is the Copper Spur UL1 good for tall people?
It is tight above about six feet. The 88-inch floor is long enough, but the narrow foot and sloping walls mean taller hikers often push the bag against the inner tent.
Is the Copper Spur UL1 a three-season tent?
Yes. It is built for spring through fall, with mesh in the inner body for airflow. It handles rain and moderate wind well when guyed out, but it is not meant for snow loads.
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Sources
By Tom. Written from published specs, Amazon buyer reviews and AI-assisted research. We have not tested every product ourselves. Updated October 15, 2026.
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Big Agnes Copper Spur UL1