Big Agnes Copper Spur UL3 Tent

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UOG TOP PICK – For Ultralight Comfort With Serious Upgrades: With stronger, lighter, and more waterproof Hyperbead fabric, plus refined space and setup, the updated Copper Spur UL3 maintains its ultralight pedigree while enhancing durability for reliable three-season performance.

Big Agnes says: 

Since its launch in 2008, the award-winning Copper Spur has been our most popular ultralight backpacking tent. Thanks to our proprietary HyperBead™ fabric, the latest Copper Spur UL is lighter, stronger, and more waterproof than ever!

High volume, freestanding design provides ample interior room and the stability to keep you sleeping soundly through the roughest backcountry nights. Fully featured, with design aspects that make the backcountry more comfortable – like multiple gear storage pockets, an awning-style door, and generous vestibule space. When ultralight comfort is the priority, the Copper Spur UL is your ultimate home away from home.

Our Verdict

Light, strong, and more waterproof than ever, the latest iteration of the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL3 refines an already stellar ultralight backpacking tent with new material innovations and design tweaks that improve both performance and durability.

The most significant upgrade is the introduction of Hyperbead fabric, a proprietary material that is 6% lighter, up to 100% stronger, and 25% more waterproof than its predecessor. Unlike traditional DWR coatings that wear off over time, Hyperbead maintains its water resistance without the need for reapplication. It’s also PFAS-free, making it a more eco-friendly choice without sacrificing performance.

Weight savings are minimal compared to the previous model, but the tent feels more robust and reliable in adverse conditions. The pole structure has been refined to increase interior space, and the awning-style vestibules offer excellent versatility, whether you need extra ventilation or additional covered gear storage. The new TipLok Tent Buckle system simplifies setup, securing pole tips, rainfly attachments, and stake-out points in one streamlined mechanism.

For those who loved the previous Copper Spur UL3, this update retains everything that made it a favourite while improving durability and weather protection. It’s still an excellent option for weight-conscious backpackers looking for a roomy, well-ventilated, easy-to-pitch shelter.

– Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear

Features

• Featuring our strongest and most durable proprietary fabric technology in our UL tent line. Engineered to perform season after season.
• Made with our proprietary technology that yields a fabric that is 6% lighter, 25% more waterproof, 50% stronger, and more dimensionally stable than fabric with traditional coatings.
•  New EZ Pack Stuff Sack with a large length-wise opening and compression feature makes packing up your tent much simpler
• New Cross Pole Socket: proprietary injection molded TPU part that allows for easy set up, and fast fly configuration
• Two doors and two vestibules
• Awning-style vestibule doors with double zippers
• Low Vent feature on the vestibule doors increases air flow while still providing vestibule coverage
• Supported roof vent for air circulation.
• Proprietary TipLok™ Tent Buckle streamlines tent set up by combining three functions: secure pole-tip capture, rainfly attachment and tensioner, and stake-out loop
• Dual-zipper doors, use only one zipper for quick, reach-through access
• Quick Stash door keeper on tent body makes stowing unzipped door quick and easy
• Hook & loop tabs connect fly to pole structure at guyout points providing perfect pitch and extra stability
• 3-D bin pocket at the foot provides massive, off-the-floor storage*; Ceiling and side pockets at the head provide great additional storage space
• Multiple interior loops for attaching gear lofts, accessories, and mtn-GLO® Tent & Camp Lights
• Ready to pitch; with pre-cut guylines and tensioners attached to fly
• Reflective guylines and webbing on tent corners make it easy to see at night
• Color-coded webbing and buckles make set up easy
• Includes Big Agnes Dirt Dagger™ UL Stakes

Specifications

UOG Specs:

• Inner tent weighs: 509g
• Flysheet weighs: 586g
• Poleset weighs: 480g
• Total weight: 1575g (excludes pegs and bags)
• x pegs supplied weigh:100g 

Big Agnes Specs:

• Trail weight (excludes pegs): 1590g
• Packed weight: 1760kg
• Fast fly weight: 1280g
• Packed size: 53 x 15cm
• Floor size: 3.8 m²
• Floor length: 229cm
• Floor width: 178 – 157cm
• Head height: 109cm
• Foot height: 41cm
• Vestibule area: 0.8m² x 0.8m²
• Pole Set Type:DAC Featherlite NFL 
• Pole Diameter:8.7mm 

Material & Construction

• Fabric
  • Rainfly: Proprietary fabric technology; 15D nylon with 20D solution dyed ripstop and a 1500mm (PFAS-free) waterproof silicone and polyurethane coating
  • Tent body: Proprietary fabric technology; breathable 15D nylon with 20D solution dyed ripstop, and 15D polyester mesh
  • Floor: Proprietary fabric technology; 15D nylon with 20D solution dyed ripstopand a 1500mm (PFAS-free) waterproof silicone and polyurethane coating
  • Footprint: 30D nylon ripstop with 1500mm (PFAS-free) waterproof polyurethane coating
  • All seams taped with waterproof, solvent-free polyurethane tape (No PVC or
  VOC’s)

• Poles/Buckles
  • DAC Featherlite NFL and NSL pole system
  • Ultralight plastic clips attach tent body to pole frame
  • 4-way high-volume hub pole design
  • TipLok™ Tent Buckle

• Stakes & Storage
  2 side pockets, 1 3-D bin pocket, 1 oversized ceiling pocket, 2 additional ceiling pockets, 2 media pockets & 8 x 6” Big Agnes Dirt Dagger
  • Gear loft loops

Help & advice:

• The Ultimate Guide to Ultralight Tents
• Time-Saver Guide to Choosing a Tent
• Big Agnes Tent Guide
• Bikepacking Advice Page
• The Ultimate Guide to Ultralight Tents
• Time-Saver Guide to Choosing a Tent
• When pegs go bad – Everything you need to know about tent pegs
• Are Tent Footprints Worth It?
• About Big Agnes
• Solution-Dyed Fabrics