Big Agnes HyperBead Tent Series
May 01, 2025
What is HyperBead™ Technology?
HyperBead™ is a proprietary waterproof coating currently being applied to a handful of our Ultralight tent fabrics. Its highly specialised chemistry and application process makes it the most technically advanced and effective water proofing treatment we’ve ever utilised.
6% Lighter
50-100% Stronger
25% More Waterproof
Than Traditional Tent Fabrics
Starting in our Spring 2025 product line, you can look forward to seeing HyperBead™ in our updated Copper Spur UL and XL lines as well as the Tiger Wall UL and Fly Creek UL tents. Our development and design team made an array of awesome changes to all of these styles, and HyperBead™ is at the centre of it all.
Waterproof By Design
HyperBead™ fabric technology is inherently waterproof at a molecular level, without relying on added DWR treatments or coatings.
Ultimate Durability
HyperBead™ provides water repellency that doesn't wear off over time, so no need to re-waterproof your tent!
Stretch Resistant
Improved dimensional stability means less fabric stretching, even when wet.
Environmentally Safe
Superior water resistance, without intentionally added PFAS chemicals or other harmful waterproofing methods.
HyperBead™ Fabric Development
HyperBead™ was developed out of a period of extremely close collaboration with our top fabric manufacturer. We were both motivated to create a new, innovative technology that was able to not only forego the use of forever chemicals but actually improve upon the PFAS-free alternatives currently in the market. We saw a huge opportunity to go beyond just eliminating harmful chemicals and traditional WR’s to make something new that’s stronger, lighter, and better for the consumer in every way.
Because it contains no PFAS chemicals, WR’s or C0 finishes, HyperBead™ is far more durable and more sustainable than even its C6 DWR counterparts. It won’t wash out or degrade the same way your C6 and C0 finishes will, and it won’t contribute to the buildup of forever chemicals in our bodies or the environment.
Additionally, not only is the coating itself more effective, durable and sustainable, but it actually makes the resulting fabric as a whole lighter and stronger. In many cases, additional or thicker coatings can lead to heavier, weaker fabrics, especially when they aren’t applied with fine-tuned processes and machinery. However, the makeup and processing technique used in HyperBead™ works to make the fabric stronger and more lightweight in the end.
The Copper Spur Limited is impressively light for a freestanding, fully featured tent with dual doors and vestibules. It comes in 91g lighter than the current Copper Spur, a respectable 7% drop that feels meaningful when counting grams.
Copper Spur Limited 2P Tent & Footprint Weighs: 1145g
Copper Spur Limited 3P Tent & Footprint Weighs: 1401g
Light, strong, and more waterproof than ever, the latest iteration of the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL refines an already stellar ultralight backpacking tent with new material innovations and design tweaks that improve both performance and durability.
Copper Spur UL1 Tent Weighs: 964g
Copper Spur UL2 Tent Weighs: 1236g
Copper Spur UL3 Tent Weighs: 1590g
Copper Spur UL4 Tent Weighs: 2361g
Copper Spur UL5 Tent Weighs: 3115g
Copper Spur UL2 XL Tent Weighs: 1344g
Copper Spur UL3 XL Tent Weighs: 1698g
Tiger Wall UL Series
The Tiger Wall UL has long been a go-to for solo hikers after a side-entry tent that doesn't compromise on weight or comfort—and the 2025 update builds on that reputation.
It’s light enough to satisfy even the most weight-conscious hikers, yet still feels like a proper, fully enclosed shelter.
Tiger Wall UL1 Tent Weighs: 849g
Tiger Wall UL2 Tent (Coming Soon)
Tiger Wall UL3 Tent (Coming Soon)
If you're counting every gram but still want a fully enclosed shelter, the Fly Creek UL2 continues to hit that sweet spot. The 2025 update builds on a tried-and-tested design with lighter, stronger materials and subtle tweaks that improve durability without compromising weight. It’s squarely aimed at fastpackers and thru-hikers.
Fly Creek UL1 Tent Weighs: 781g
Fly Creek UL2 Tent Weighs: 886g
HyperBead™ is a proprietary waterproof coating currently being applied to a handful of our Ultralight tent fabrics. Its highly specialised chemistry and application process makes it the most technically advanced and effective water proofing treatment we’ve ever utilised. Starting in our Spring 2025 product line, you can look forward to seeing HyperBead™ in our updated Copper Spur UL and XL lines as well as the Tiger Wall UL, Tiger Wall Platinum, and Fly Creek UL tents.