With its innovative design and features, Copper Spur is one of the best backpacking tents in the market. In this Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL1 vs UL2 comparison, I will be helping you to choose the suitable one for you.
In summary, both tents have the same features (except the vestibule, UL2 offers 2 vestibules and 2 doors) the only thing that changes is the sizes. SO, if weight and pack size is the biggest factor for you, and if you’re not taller than 6 feet, Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL1 would be the better shelter for you. But if you don’t mind carrying an extra 12 oz and a bit bigger volume in your backpack for better interior volume, Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 would be a better option for you.
Specifications: Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL1 vs UL2
| Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL1 | Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 | |
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| Packed Weight | 2lb 6oz / 1.08kg | 3lb 2oz / 1.42kg |
| Trail Weight | 2lb 2oz / 964 g | 2lb 11oz / 1.22kg |
| Fast Fly Weight | 1lb 10oz / 737g | 2lb 2oz / 964g |
| Footprint Weight | 4oz / 113g | 5oz / 142g |
| Pack Size | Ø 5.5" x 17.5" / Ø 14 x 44 cm | Ø 6" x 19.5" / Ø 15 x 50 cm |
| Floor Dimensions | 88" x 38" (Head Side) x 28" (Feet Side) / 224 cm x 97 cm (Head Side) x 71 cm (Feet Side) | 88" x 52" (Head Side) x 42" (Feet Side) / 224 cm x 132 cm (Head Side) x 107 cm (Feet Side) |
| Height | 38" / 97cm | 40" / 102cm |
| Floor Area | 20 ft² / 1.9 m² | 29 ft² / 2.7 m² |
| Vestibule Area | 9 ft² / 0.8 m² | 9 ft² + 9 ft² / 0.8 m² + 0.8 m² |
| Canopy Fabric | Ripstop nylon/polyester mesh | Ripstop nylon/polyester mesh |
| Pole Diameter | 8.7 mm | 8.7 mm |
| Fly Fabric | Silicone-treated patterned double ripstop nylon with waterproof polyurethane coating | Silicone-treated patterned double ripstop nylon with waterproof polyurethane coating |
| Floor Fabric | Silicone-treated patterned double ripstop nylon with waterproof polyurethane coating | Silicone-treated patterned double ripstop nylon with waterproof polyurethane coating |
| Freestanding | Semi-Freestanding | Freestanding |
| Check Prices | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon |
Capacity: Big Agnes Copper Spur UL1 vs UL2
Floor & Vestibule Dimensions
As I have demonstrated below, both tents have a tapered floor design that is wider at the head area and gets narrower through the feet area.
Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 has a much bigger floor area than Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL1 (%45 bigger to be exact).
Copper Spur HV UL1 offers 20 ft² floor area, while HV UL2 offers 29 ft² floor area. The difference might seem highly big, but there is enough room in the vestibule so you can keep your gear outside to create a roomier space inside the tent.
For the vestibule area, as you can see at my demonstration above, Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 offers 2 vestibules each 9 ft², on the other hand, Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL1 offers only one vestibule that has the area of 9 ft².
Interior Volume
The interior volume of a tent depends on the strategic clip placement on the canopy. The more you tighten the canopy with the clips attached to poles the more room you will get.
That being said, Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL1 gets assembled with only one pole to decrease the weight and pack size but that causes the sacrification of interior volume (it’s not possible to have a high strategic clip placement with only one pole).
Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 has a better strategic clip placement, therefore, it offers better interior volume.
For Big Fellows Out There: Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL1 is 38″ tall while Copper Spur HV UL2 is 40″ tall. If you’re taller than 6 feet then you would most likely hit your head to the upper side of the tent when you sit up, but if you are less than 6 feet it shouldn’t be a problem.
Weight & Pack Size of HV UL1 and HV UL2
Weight and pack size are the most important factors when backpacking, Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL1 weighs 2lb 6oz and packs down to Ø 5.5″ x 17.5″.
On the other hand, Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 weighs 3lb 2oz and packs down to Ø 6″ x 19.5″.
If you want an even lighter tent I would recommend Nemo Hornet (which weighs 2 lbs), you can also check out my article where I compared Nemo Hornet and Nemo Hornet Elite.
Other Features of Copper Spur HV UL1 and UL2
Easiness of Setting Up
Both tents are extremely easy to set up, it takes max 2-3 min to set up Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL1, and 4-5 min to set up Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2.
Being Freestanding
Freestanding means taking the tent from one place to another without having to set it up again. Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 is freestanding, on the other hand, Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL1 is only semi-freestanding.
Durability
Both tents are made of same waterproof ripstop nylon, they are equally durable, but the fabric they are made of is 1200 mm (a metric for waterproofness) which is below average.
If you want a more waterproof and durable tent I would recommend MSR Hubba Hubba (made of 3000mm fabric). You can also check out my article where I compared MSR Hubba Hubba and Big Agnes Copper Spur.
Big Agnes Copper Spur series don’t come with a footprint, you need to purchase it separately. And If you want to use your tent for years, I strongly recommend a footprint. Check out the latest price of Big Agnes Copper Spur Footprint on Amazon.
Pockets
Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 has 2 interior mesh pockets, 1 3-D bin pocket and 1 oversized mesh pocket with two cord routing portals.
On the other hand, Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL1 has 3 interior mesh pockets, 1 3-D bin pocket and 1 media pocket.
Other Features
Both tents feature;
- Easy-grip dual-zipper doors
- Quick Stash door-keepers to quick and easy access
- Low-vent vestibule doors and high fly vent to maximize active and passive airflow.
Check out the latest prices of Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL1 and Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2.