Anybody have a BA Copper Spur?

[vtflyfish]

I'm considering buying a Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 tent but am concerned about durability and storm-worthiness in real Adirondack conditions. Your thoughts?

[montcalm]

No direct experience with that model from the UL line from BA, but the SL line (Seedhouse, Jackrabbit - now Rattlesnake) series is durable and weatherproof enough for the Adirondacks, without a huge weight penalty over the UL line. I find the UL line to be too frail and tight (space-wise) for my liking.

[stripperguy]

I have a Big Agnes Lynx Pass I solo...not ultralight but it seems plenty durable.
My SIL has a 3 man ultralight from Big Agnes, I can't remember the specific model, but we refer to it as "The condom", Seriously, the thing is sort of translucent in a very creepy way.

It is thin.

SIL has had it out on quite a few occasions in the 4 or 5 years that he's had it, he's had no problems with it that I know of.
I think it might be lighter in weight than my BA solo...

[oldcoach]

I have been using this BA CS UL2 as a solo tent for two years. Quite satisfied. I bought it largely to get the added length and headroom compared to the competitors The double doors are not necessary when using it as a solo, but it is nice to have the two vestibules. The Fly Creek model with one door would be the other choice. With the fly removed, nice sky view. The materials were improved a bit in the 2014 model, but are thin, so care must be taken. Make sure to get the footprint.

Easy to pitch, sturdy in the winds alongside ADK waterbodies, tight/large fly that nicely handles wind and sheds water away from the tent. Nice features like reflective cord guy lines and built-in pockets on walls. It has weathered several ADK storms dry and tight. Screened/adjustable vent above the head that minimizes condensation buildup.

Some reviews criticize the rainbow doors that fall to the floor when opened, but this is easy to adjust to. My only criticism is that the waterproofing flaps over the fly zippers often snag when opening/closing. Care required. Can't be in a big hurry opening and closing these fly/vestibule zippers.

Bruce

[vtflyfish]

Thanks, guys,

Now I have to decide between the Copper Spur and the new Seedhouse UL...

[vtflyfish]

After much angst and review reading I bought the Copper Spur UL1. Review to follow after I've put it through its paces.

[Connecticut Yankee]

Just saw this thread, You should be happy with the Copper Spur. I got one 2 years ago, very satisfied. Plenty of interior room, I'm 6'3" and 220 lbs , I like the longer length and head room, yet still in a light tent. I've had 0 problems in heavy rain etc. I usually solo and it is the Taj Mahal for that purpose, but still a nice size for my son and I. I'll let you know how durable it is in 15-20 years, at 65 yrs. old it should be the last tent I will buy.

John M.

[desmobob]

I've had a Seedhouse 1 for several years and it is a wonderful piece of gear! It has endured some pretty hard-core weather at times. If I ever wore it out, I'd probably try a Copper Spur. I went the hammock route several years ago and the tents don't get out much these days.

Take it easy,
Bob

[wiiawiwb]

One approach to improve the storm-worthiness of a tent is to ditch the specific tent fly and replace it with a larger fly. For example, using the BA Copper Spur UL2 and putting it beneath a Mamajamba, Cloudburst, Superfly or other tarp of your choosing.

It will create a small weight penalty but you get three benefits in return. You add a ton more of airflow, it keeps the rain much farther away from the inner tent, and you can get to view your surroundings from your tent even when it's raining.

[vtflyfish]

One approach to improve the storm-worthiness of a tent is to ditch the specific tent fly and replace it with a larger fly. For example, using the BA Copper Spur UL2 and putting it beneath a Mamajamba, Cloudburst, Superfly or other tarp of your choosing.

It will create a small weight penalty but you get three benefits in return. You add a ton more of airflow, it keeps the rain much farther away from the inner tent, and you can get to view your surroundings from your tent even when it's raining.

Very interesting and out-of-the-box idea!!!

[aft paddle]

After much angst and review reading I bought the Copper Spur UL1. Review to follow after I've put it through its paces.

I, for one, am quite impressed at the lengths this guy will go just to complete his review.

[serotonin]

I, for one, am quite impressed at the lengths this guy will go just to complete his review.

He is nothing if not thorough; won't be satisfied until he crawls in there and undergoes a week-long fire-hosing.

[aft paddle]

How'd it go???

Recap...At the time of my original post this guy was on a "backcountry" fishing trip with some of the nastiest rainy weather of the year, something I personally would not like to encounter in a small tent. Too miserable to discuss?? Bad memories?? Did your worms drown??

[vtflyfish]

Recap...At the time of my original post this guy was on a "backcountry" fishing trip with some of the nastiest rainy weather of the year, something I personally would not like to encounter in a small tent. Too miserable to discuss?? Bad memories?? Did your worms drown??

I did get my chance to put this tent through it's paces and I love it. The concerns I had about durability or handling wet weather were completely unwarranted. The tent stood up to two days of really nasty weather plus a few more dubious ones. Wind driven rain? Not an issue in the slightest.

Ingress and egress in bad weather was OK, too. I really like the vestibule/side entrance concept. And that vestibule is definitely big enough for a backpack, boots, rain gear, etc. The other big plus is being able to sit up in this tent, a big bonus as I turn inexorably into a stiff(er) old goat.

So, this tent gets an unqualified rating. I'm really impressed.

Note: No worms were harmed during this gear review.