Shop Customer Emily has been putting the Copper Spur UL2 to the test around the UK and abroad. Here are her thoughts on the product.

1.What activities do you mostly use the tent for?

I mainly use my Copper Spur for multi day hikes around the Lake District and bike packing in Scotland. I have used it for solo activities and with friends. In all scenarios the tent has offered comfort and shelter away from the elements.

2. Does the weight and Pack ability allow you to access places you would not normally be able to access?  

Definitely! It meant that for the Tour de Mont Blanc I could use a 38L rucksack which seemed very small in comparison to others seen on the trail. I like the fact that the inner and outer can be completely separated and rolled super tightly then squished into my bag without worrying that it would be damaged. It also means that I can use it for bike packing even though it is not the specific bike packing model. I distribute the weight into different bags on my bike, and it works perfectly. It has allowed me to explore areas around the Cairngorms that I would not have otherwise discovered.

3. Have you found the tent durable even with it being so light weight?

The tent has experienced a wide range of weathers and tests. I was initially worried about durability as after a long day walk, I tend to rush putting it up and not making the tension even. The tent has been nothing but sturdy, reliable and durable. It seems to have no areas of weakness and offers excellent waterproof ability. Tested in the worst alpine storm I have experienced halfway around the Tour de Mont Blanc.

4. How easy it the tent to pitch?

As someone who uses this tent solo as well as with others, the fact that the tent is so easy to pitch is amazing. With it being free standing, you can focus on getting the inner erected and then clip the outer on securely using easy buckles at each corner and simple Velcro to ensure it sits appropriately over the poles. The porches are then held out away from the inner with pegs allowing you to easily distribute tension and ensure no water builds up anywhere. The straps and pole ends are also colour coded with either grey or orange and this identifies a wider and narrower end making it easy to not get it the wrong way round. This is super useful when it is windy as I use the colours to know which is narrower and face this side into the wind.

5.  Favorite feature of the tent. 

The best thing about this tent is the poles. The main structure is held up by a 4-way pole system all stemming off one central joint. This makes it super quick to pitch and helps with the strength. You then place a shorter pole over the top to maintain the width of the tent. The satisfying clicks of the poles all going into place makes me smile every time! Inside the tent there are also lots of pockets which means I don’t lose anything important, including one big one above your head which I use for warm layers I may want during the night.

6. Does the tent have enough room for two people?

Compared to other 2 man tents I have used; the Copper Spur offers adequate
room for 2. The easy access porches mean that any bags can be kept not in the sleeping area but remain dry and out of site. I have never had an issue with the tent length ways.

7. Is there anything you wished the tent did differently?

The only thing I wished was different was the number of pegs given in the pack. There is enough the pitch the tent but if you wish to use all the guy lines you may have to buy some more. I did this just because of the uncertainty of Lake District and Alpine weather. I have used the tent with and without a ground sheet. For peace of mind and to protect your tent, I would recommend getting the ground sheet, but I have never had a soggy bottom!

8. Rate the tent out of 5.
5/5

9. Any other comments…
The tent works amazingly with the Big Agnes Rapide Insulated Floor Pad sleeping mat. It fits perfectly and if you are using the tent with another person, it eliminates the issue of different thickness mats and the potential of not fitting them both in Flush.

You can check out the Copper Spur 2 and 3 on our Website or HERE.