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

Tramping Equipment: Lowa Tibet GTX Boots

New tramping boots for a new year...

I recently brought a new pair of boots to eventually replace my current footwear as my La Sportiva's are starting to wear. I would gladly have brought a new pair of La Sportiva Valojets (my currently boots) but unfortunately they are no longer available in New Zealand. It is great pity because they are exactly the right boot for my foot size, foot type and style of tramping.

My trusty La Sportiva boots on the Harpers Pass Track in 2017...

I wanted to buy a really good pair of boots with the potential to last me a long time so I went with the Lowa brand. I have previously owned a pair of Lowa Rangers and they were excellent so I decided to buy some new ones....

Unfortunately they did not have any Rangers in my size (I wear a size 13 UK, 14 US or 48-49 Euro..big feet!) so I brought some Lowa Tibets instead.

My new Lowa Tibet boots...

Lowa Tibet GTX boots

Lowa is a German company that make a wide range of both women and men's boots and trail shoes. They have been making boots since the end of the 19th century so are well versed in designing and manufacturing top quality gear.

My new boots may be top quality but they cost a top price as well...$700 NZD a pair....ouch!

They are now the most expensive piece of tramping gear I have ever purchased. I've been wearing my $400 La Sportiva's for four years now so I figure I need to get at least six-eight years of use out of these boots for them to make financial sense. 

Lowa Tibets....full rand, high length, crampon compatible..

Lowa Tibets are high ankle tramping/hunting boots with a full rubber rand around them and thick and aggressive soles. They can be used for tramping, hunting and easy climbing and will accept most crampon sets.

They are really more boot than I need for most of my trips but they are well known for their comfort and durability once fully worn in.

As you can see in the photo below, even Max the cat approves of my purchase...

Max says...YES Jon...Vibram soles good....dogs bad!!!!!

These were purchased from the Hunting and Fishing store in Tower Junction and came with an extra set of laces, spare inner soles and a jar of leather conditioner. Nice!

Better view of the lacing system on the Lowa Tibet...

Lowa Tibet GTX: German precision!

All good quality tramping boots will have Vibram rubber soles on them. Vibram is the leading sole making company in the world and their products are widely used because of their quality and durability. I will only buy boots with Vibram soles on them.

...deep lugs on those Vibram soles...

I am currently wearing these to work a couple of times a week to wear them in. I will let you know how they work out when I take them for their first tramp.

PS: I wore them up to Packhorse Hut, they were super comfortable and had awesome traction.

Wearing the Lowa's outside the Packhorse Hut wardens biv, January 2018

I recently went up the Waimakiriri River to Carrington hut and the Tibets performed well. This is the kind of terrain these boots were made for... step, muddy and rough travel with plenty of boulder bashing involved.

One of my feet in a Lowa Tibet near Carrington Hut, February 2018

On a side note; I'm 50 in August, so these could quite easily be the last pair of boots I ever buy.