Tramping Equipment: Big Agnes Copper Spur UL 1 tent

2018...a New Year and a new light weight tent

I am starting to swap out some of my normal tramping gear for ultra light (UL) versions more suited to a thru-hiker.

My tent set up in the Totaranui camp grounds, April 2018

My first purchase is a new tent, in this case the well regarded Big Agnes Copper Spur range.

Big Agnes Copper Spur tents

Big Agnes is a well known and respected American outdoor equipment firm specialising in tents, sleeping bags, mats and ancillary equipment. Many of the Te Araroa trail walkers over the past 2 years have been using these tents very successfully. 

The Big Agnes Copper Spur UL 1: 3+ season free standing tent

The Copper Spur UL 1 person is a true 3+ season free standing tent, i.e. they do not need to be pegged to the ground to be erected. This is an advantage in areas where it is rocky or hard to find peg  friendly spots. These tents are also supposed to be stable which is useful in windy old New Zealand. This particular tent design has won multiple international awards over the last 3-4 years. 

Big Agnes Copper Spur: Inner tent and pole system

I brought the one person version of this tent (they range from 1-4 people) so it weighs around 1 kg, that is light for a free standing tent. With my normal plastic groundsheet I'm looking at 1.1 kg total!

It is also very roomy with the same dimensions as my current two person tent but with more headroom. I'm 6'3" tall and I still have ample space at head and foot when prone in this tent.

Dimensions of the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL 1

The vestibule on these tents is very generous...I have room under it for my pack, boots, walking pole and cooking gear with space to spare. The one person version has one entrance/vestibule but all the other sizes have two entrances/vestibules.

This tent was purchased online from Gear Shop, who I believe are the sole distributors for Big Agnes gear in New Zealand. They had a 2017 summer sale so I managed to buy mine for only $450 NZD when the usual retail price is over $700 NZD. That is a stunning price given these tents cost $375 USD in the United States.

A real bargain!

Big Agnes Copper Spur:with the fly sheet closed down

 I have yet to use this 'operationally' but will be sure to post some shots once I do. Next to buy is a new lighter pack, trail shoes and UL down sleeping bag/quilt and I'm ready to go...

That should get my base weight down to around 8-9 kgs total.

Some photos of the Copper Spur in use

The Copper Spur UL 1 set up in the Totaranui camp grounds, April 2018