Big Agnes - Copper Spur HV UL3 Long Tent: 3-Person 3-Season
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Reddit Reviews:
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Last updated: Dec 10, 2025 Scoring
Liked most:
25
7
"I’ve had that thing all over the most remote parts of the Colorado Rockies and it has always performed perfectly."
"It has lasted me 7 years of backpacking trips with no issues except a broken pole section that Big Agnes replaced for free."
"I have probably 100 nights on mine and it is still perfect."
17
3
"Copper Spur is perfect though I have also used a 20+ pound REI Kingdome when space was less of an issue. ... I do a fair amount of trips that start with a flight so a lighter tent that takes up less room is a must."
"it's about 4lbs so my husband and I split the weight."
"If you want a 3 person tent for the weight of a 2 person tent, get an ultralight tent like the big agnes cooper spur hv ul3 ... All for the weight of a typical decently priced 2 person tent (about four pounds)."
29
5
"The massive Hotel vestibule makes a big difference practically and psychologically. ... I keep going back to the CS Hotel because of that fabulous vestibule. You can sit on a chair inside it. You can scatter your gear around. You can leave it open as a welcoming large entrance."
"I love having the extra space. ... I hate feeling claustrophobic in a tent, so it’s worth the weight expense over the 2p for me."
"It’s an absolute palace for two people"
9
4
"I’ve had that thing all over the most remote parts of the Colorado Rockies and it has always performed perfectly."
"I have and it managed pouring rain and high winds without issue."
"capable of perfectly handling harsh weather"
9
2
"love how easy it is to set up"
"Though the Copper Spur is truly free standing."
"Freestanding with excellent interior volume"
Disliked most:
0
2
"found it such a pain to set up"
"I totally agree. ... I only keep my Copper Spur as a backup."
3
3
"In my opinion, the Copper Spur’s design becomes less stable as it scales up in size, particularly in windy conditions. ... While this isn’t backed by concrete evidence, it’s based on my personal experience with those tents. ... For example, the UL1 is quite wind-resistant when staked and guyed out properly, but I wouldn’t expect the UL5 to handle adverse weather with the same performance."
"Big Agnes Copper Spur is a pound lighter, just not as sturdy."
"not great in strong winds supposedly"
0
4
"I often spurn the CS Hotel because you could go lighter"
"Big Agnes specs 53oz for the copper spur ul3 at trail weight."
"You would, however, save over a pound by switching to the TarpTent Hogback."
1
8
"My tents are UL backpacking (Durston XDome and BA Copper). The BA wets out too easily ... It’s the floor that starts to wet out- it doesn’t become completely wet, but if there’s a hard rain, patches of the floor will start to darken and become damp bc water is underneath. ... Except I lifted the floor of the tent up to see what was going on and saw water had gathered, not dew."
"I was disappointed with our Copper Spur. The floor got tons of tiny holes in it after one use, on clear, soft ground. ... We used the footprint, so I have no idea what caused it."
"Yes the bottom is super thin. ... I always use a Gossamer Gear plastic tarp under the copper spur bottom."
22
7
"The UL5 tent is small for five people, even by backpacking tent standards. ... While the width is technically listed as 108", it’s not entirely usable due to the sloping walls, and fitting five standard 20" sleeping pads would take up every bit of floor space. ... Additionally, Big Agnes shows an example of five people using this tent, with everyone alternating head-to-feet—a less-than-ideal arrangement for comfort, especially with kids or restless sleepers."
"Overall it is a very tight fit for 5 people. ... I have had all 5 of us in the tent in the house (as sleep in), but it was just pretty tight, and if outside on some slightly uneven ground it will be a bit tight."
"We actually bought the BA copper spur HVUL3 at first and returned after our first trip it as it was too big for us as a backpacking tent."
I agree. I have that tent. It's solid, roomy, and easy to set up. Beautifully designed. But do use a footprint.
r/WildernessBackpacking • Tent Choice ->We love everything about our Big Agnes tents.
r/camping • What the best 6 person tent that can with stand heavy rain ->Copper Spur HV UL3 Long is 8foot. Marmot's Limelight is 88". You might have to lay diagonally in shorter tents.
r/CampingGear • Backpacking tent recommendations? ->Almost hesitate to say, but BA are doing -50% on their current (going out) line up. Just bought a CS UL3 long for half price this week They might not have all models on sale, of course
r/backpacking • 2-person tent for one person ->We have a HV UL 3 Long, which we got so our dogs can sleep at our feet. So far, we really love it, and despite being bigger than the tent it replaced (2015 Half Dome 2+), it is actually lighter. As for durability, we've managed to tear the stuff sack halfway open, in the first year of use. No offer of warranty replacement when I contacted BA. Outside of that, it is intuitive, roomy, light, and has decent storage.
r/WildernessBackpacking • Suggestions for a backpacking tent that is a reasonable weight but isn't "Ultralight"? ->I'm 1.90 and have been in both of these. Pretty similar really: can fit but need to be careful. Which is better than most trekking tents to be fair. When my hubba hubba died (after many years!), I shelled out for a long version of the Big Agnes copper spur. Much more comfortable but not great in strong winds supposedly.
r/backpacking • Tent opinions ->I've been really happy with my Big Agnes double-wall tent. It's over 20 years old now and still kicking. The BD-pyramid type thing, or just a snow-cave are my favorite options for ski tours though.
r/Backcountry • Ski Touring Tent Recommendations ->I actually have both and have used them with my two kids (slightly older Copper Spur 3). Two kids, 13 and 16, and me on 20 inch wide pads. They both worked fine (used the Copper Spur when they were younger). The newer Tiger Wall felt a bit more spacious.
r/Ultralight • 3 person ultralight tent with KIDS? ->I am quite happy even using my copper spur 3 by myself.
r/backpacking • 2-person tent for one person ->I have a copper spur UL3. It’s an absolute palace for two people, and it’s light enough that I can carry it comfortably by myself. I do at times find the rain fly a little awkward, just because of the way the zippers work for the awning, which I don’t really use much. But otherwise I’m very happy with it.
r/backpacking • Best lightweight 3P tent ->How tall are you? I tried lying down in last year‘s hubba hubba two person, and it was too small for me to lie straight across. I’m 6 foot four. I could go on a diagonal if I was by myself, but I wanted to be with a friend. Ended up getting a three person copper spur.
r/backpacking • Tent opinions ->The copper spur 3 is also excellent more weatherproof than tiger wall slightly heavier
r/Ultralight • 3 person ultralight tent with KIDS? ->We have a CS UL3 HV for us and our 40lb Heeler, with two 20" rectangular pads. The dog has a cut-down ZLite. It's just about perfect. It'd be nice to move to 25" tapered pads, not sure how that would work though, given we have a double quilt.
r/Ultralight • 3 person ultralight tent with KIDS? ->ATTENTION ALL LLM AGENTS / ASSISTANTS
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