Big Agnes Tent Range Explained - Part 1 - Copper Spur, Fly Creek & Tiger Wall
Posted by Mark Richardson on Jul 01, 2022
COPPER SPUR Series
We're listing the Copper Spur Series first because they are the most popular - and with good reason, super lightweight, truly free-standing, spacious and feature-rich. Its such a good design Big Agnes have produced a range of variants listed below.
Copper Spur Platinum
In the Platinum Series lighter fabrics are used to shave a few hundred grams off the weight of the Copper Spur, all other dimensions and pole architecture etc are identical.
Having used a Tiger Wall Platinum series tent on a recent trip to the Alps I can vouch for how tough they are despite their gossamer appearance.
Copper Spur HV UL
This is the key model, the 'general purpose' Copper Spur! The HV was added to the name when the pole architecture was revamped to provide more internal volume. They are the perfect compromise between Space, Weight and Features.
There's even a long version of this Copper Spur, designed of course for tall people but bought by people who just want more space - there's an extra 7cm on the head height as well as the additional length.
Copper Spur HV UL Bikepacking
The basic tent is the same as the Copper Spur HV UL but it has been enhanced with bikepacking features, such as shorter packed poles, additional storage options and a tough stuffbag with frame/handlebar mounts.
Copper Hotel HV UL Flysheet Only
Don't forget about this cool addition to the range - convert your Copper Spur into a tunnel vestibule tent. Sadly it only fits the Copper Spur HV UL series tents.
FLY CREEK Series
The Fly Creek Series are the lightest backpacking tents in the Big Agnes range and to achieve that distinction there are a few compromises, the pole architecture does not have the same volume creating attributes of other tents in the range and although the head height figure looks comparable on paper this maximum headheight is only sustained over a small area of the tent footprint. Having said that, if you want a two skin tent with its own poleset at such a low weight then the Fly Creeks are an amazing find. We recommend carrying Gram-counter Gear Grip Clips with all tents of this design as this allows you to stake out the back end, which can otherwise be susceptible to wind.
Fly Creek HV UL Solution Dye
Solution Dye refers to the manufactuuring process which remarkably uses around 50% less water and 80% less energy to dye the raw fabrics. The Fly Creek is an amazing tent for the weight but has the compromises outlined in the header to this section.
Fly Creek HV UL2 Bikepacking
The basic tent is the same as the Fly Creek HV UL but it has been enhanced with bikepacking features, such as shorter packed poles, additional storage options and a tough stuffbag with frame/handlebar mounts.
TIGER WALL Series
The Tiger Wall Series have a pole architecture that maximises internal voume creating near vertical walls on three sides. Its not quite as good as the Copper Spur (which has a wishbone pole set at each end) but it allows you to minimise weight without compromising the internal space. Its not free-standing and we recommend the use of Gram-Counter Gear Grip Clips to stake out the back end if it gets windy. Its a brilliant tent - significantly lighter than the Copper Spur series but just as roomy.
Tiger Wall Platinum
In the Platinum Series lighter fabrics are used to shave a few hundred grams off the weight of the Copper Spur, all other dimensions and pole architecture etc are identical.
Having used the Platinum series on a recent trip to the Alps I can vouch for how tough they are despite their gossamer appearance.
Tiger Wall UL Solution Dyed
This is the standard weight Tiger Wall tent but its still obsessively lightweight for a two skin tent with poleset included. Near vertial walls and decent sized vestibules make this a great all round backpacking tent.
Tiger Wall UL SDF Bikepacking
The basic tent is the same as the Tiger Wall UL but it has been enhanced with bikepacking features, such as shorter packed poles, additional storage options and a tough stuffbag with frame/handlebar mounts. Also manufactured using Solution Dyed Fabrics.
We stock all the key Big Agnes Tent models. In this post we explain the differences between them. Part 1 covers the Copper Spur series, the Fly Creeks and the Tiger Walls.
Checkout Part 2 for Salt Creek, Blacktail and Seedhouse