Big Agnes Backpacking Tents: A Complete Guide
From weight and interior space to durability and features, we compare and contrast all of Big Agnes’ backpacking tent models for the 2025 season
Feb 20, 2025
Big Agnes is an industry leader in ultralight tents, from the legendary Copper Spur to the ultra-ultralight Tiger Wall Platinum. With all of the complexity and variations, it can be difficult to parse out which tent is best for you. Below we break down and compare Big Agnes’ well-regarded backpacking tent lineup. The three most popular models (the Copper Spur, Tiger Wall, and Fly Creek) have all been updated for 2025 with significant changes and added sustainability features. To see how Big Agnes’ tents stack up to other brands, see our complete guide to the best backpacking tents.
Weight: 3 lb. (2P)
Capacities: 1P, 2P, 3P, 4P, 5P
Key features: Freestanding, roomy interior, impressive weight-to-space ratio, partial-nylon tent body
Backpacking tents run the gamut from hefty 5-pound starter models to minimalist trekking pole-supported shelters that come in just over a pound. All have strengths and weaknesses, but few, if any, deftly balance weight, interior space and livability, and weather protection quite like the Copper Spur UL.
This tent put Big Agnes on the map back in 2008, and 17 years later with a fresh revamp for 2025, it’s the tent we recommend for the most people without hesitation. The latest version weighs exactly 3 pounds, which is impressive for a freestanding shelter with plenty of room for two campers. Its 29-square-foot floor, combined with its 40-inch peak height and steep walls (thanks to innovative pole architecture), is comfortable if not downright roomy for an ultralight tent. You can go lighter, of course, but with great ease of use—just about anybody can set it up on the first try—and with few of the compromises of true ultralight competitors, the Copper Spur is the Michael Jordan or LeBron James of backpacking tents (we are MJ people so we’ll go with that).
Now let’s get down to the nitty-gritty in terms of comparisons. The Copper Spur, Tiger Wall, and Fly Creek make up the “Big 3” for Big Agnes, and many backpackers are trying to decide between these options (that’s likely why you are here). It’s worth noting that all three tents were updated for 2025 with recycled materials, PFAS-free materials, and an assortment of new features.
The Tiger Wall UL2 allows you to cut a significant 8 ounces of weight—it comes at 2 pounds 8 ounces total for the 2-person version. What are the compromises? The Copper Spur is freestanding (you can set up the tent body without any tension provided by stakes) and the Tiger Wall is semi-freestanding (at least part of the body to be staked out—in this case, the foot end). In terms of getting a taut pitch with good structure, freestanding tents are significantly easier and can be pitched on a range of ground conditions, from loamy dirt to granite slab. Second, unlike the dome shape of the Copper Spur, the roof of the Tiger Wall slopes dramatically downward from its 39-inch peak height, detracting from livable space (the walls are closing in, so to speak). Lastly, the Copper Spur is more wind resistant with more nylon in its tent body (we've had the Tiger Wall turn into a dust storm on windy nights) and more durable with a 15-denier by 20D floor, rainfly, and canopy, whereas the Tiger Wall is 15D throughout.
In the end, we think the Tiger Wall works best for solo backpackers, smaller folks (or perhaps an adult and a child), and those who are willing to sacrifice some comfort to achieve a lower weight. It can technically fit two adults, but it’s pretty darn cramped inside. Combined with the more difficult setup, we just don’t think the weight savings are worth it most of the time compared to the well-rounded Copper Spur. To learn more, read our review of the Copper Spur UL 2.
Given the Copper Spur’s immense popularity, it’s no surprise that in addition to a whopping five size options to choose from, it also comes in some fun variations, which we break down below:
Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 XL ($580)
The floor dimensions of the regular Copper Spur are 88 inches by 54/42 inches, but for all you basketball-stars-turned-backpackers, there is a larger option. The floor of the XL version measures 96 inches by 54 inches with a rectangular shape (it does not taper toward the feet), along with an extra inch of headroom for a peak height of 41 inches. The net net is a floor area of 36 square feet compared to 29 square feet, which equates to a healthy 24% increase. The penalty? Five ounces of weight and an extra $30, to be exact. For those interested, the XL is available in 2-person and 3-person versions (see our review of the UL3 XL here). Fun fact: You can also tack on a long sleeping pad (like the 77-in. “Large” Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite) and sleeping bag (such as the Western Mountaineering AlpinLite sleeping bag in its 7-ft. version).
Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 Bikepack ($580)
Bikepackers seem to love Big Agnes, and this two-wheel-centric version of the Copper Spur comes with a shorter 12-inch Shortstik poleset that packs more easily onto handlebars, panniers, and saddlebags, along with a compression stuff sack with daisy-chain webbing for more flexibility attaching it your frame. This variation adds 8 ounces of weight (3 lb. 8 oz. total for the 2P version) plus $30 to your bill. It’s also available in 1- and 3-person versions as well.
Weight: 2 lb. 8 oz. (2P)
Capacities: 1P, 2P, 3P
Key features: Semi-freestanding, two side doors at a low weight, cramped interior space, mesh-heavy build
The Tiger Wall is Big Agnes’ second most popular backpacking tent and a notable $70 less than the Copper Spur. As we mentioned above, the shape and dimensions of the Tiger Wall are more restrictive overall and it feels considerably more cramped for two campers. At the head end, the floor is two inches narrower (86 in. vs. 88 in. on the 2P Copper Spur), and the peak height is 1 inch lower at 39 inches. But perhaps the biggest impact is the sloped ceiling, which turns down aggressively toward the foot end and makes moving inside the tent more of a chore. In the end, we love the Tiger Wall UL2 for solo backpackers—it’s perfect in terms of not feeling cramped—and it’s also a nice option for an adult and a child. Two adults in the 2-person version can be done, but it starts to feel a lot like sardines in a can—and good luck putting your packs or any significant amount of gear inside.
The Tiger Wall also shaves weight with a mesh-heavy canopy. This is great news for ventilation, but you'll definitely notice the lack of wind protection on blustery nights. We've spent a few nights in the Tiger Wall in heavy winds and woken up covered in a fine layer of dust.
For serious ounce-counters, the Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2 is 4 ounces lighter than the Tiger Wall for the 2-person version. How do they stack up? The floor dimensions are the same (86 x 52/42 in.), resulting in 28 square feet of space, and the Fly Creek manages a higher peak height at 42 inches. But the big difference is the single door on the Fly Creek at the head end. For two humans, double doors are a must if you ask us, but it’s even more than that. Side-entry doors, like on the Tiger Wall, feel much more practical for getting in and out, while front entry can be downright awkward. Some backpackers just don’t seem to mind front entry, but we aren’t in that camp and the 4 ounces saved with the Fly Creek just don’t merit the design compromises in our opinion.
It’s worth noting the Tiger Wall and Fly Creek both use the same recycled 15-denier ripstop nylon for the floor and rainfly, in addition to having canopies made out of predominantly mesh. The Copper Spur uses a 15D x 20D ripstop and has more nylon in its tent body, which is a small step up on the durability front. All three tents use Hyperbead and are now free of PFAS with the 2025 update. For a deeper dive, read our review of the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2.
Big Agnes Tiger Wall 2 Platinum ($650)
Given the popularity of the Tiger Wall’s two-door, two-vestibule design, Big Agnes just had to get greedy with its Platinum line. The dimensions remain the same, but Big Agnes goes down to 7-denier ripstop nylon for the floor, canopy, and rainfly (from 15D on the regular version). This thinning saves an impressive 5 ounces and brings the Tiger Wall Platinum down to an impressive 2 pounds 3 ounces total (1 oz. less than the Fly Creek). But caveat emptor: 15D is already thin to begin with, the Platinum version will require the utmost care. And if you’re feeling sassy, you can opt for the Tiger Wall 2 Carbon, which employs Dyneema fabric and carbon fiber poles for a tent that checks in at a total weight of 1 pound 11 ounces. The Carbon is on sale at the time of publishing for a heavily discounted $720, but is out of Big Agnes' lineup for 2025.
Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 Bikepack Solution Dye ($500)
Similar to the Copper Spur, Big Agnes offers a bikepacking version of the Tiger Wall. You get a shortened 12-inch Shortstik Poleset for easier handlebar, pannier, and saddlebag storage, along with a bikepacking-ready compression sack with integrated daisy chain webbing. It’s worth noting that the Tiger Wall Bikepack was not updated for 2025 like the standard version, which means it doesn’t use Big Agnes’ new Hyperbead fabric and PFAS-free DWR. The Bikepack currently costs $20 more than the standard version and has a packaged weight of 2 pounds 15 ounces.
Weight: 2 lb. 4 oz. (2P)
Capacities: 1P, 2P
Key features: Semi-freestanding, single door, ultra-ultralight, mesh-heavy build
We’ll borrow an excellent description from a friend who backpacks as much as anybody we know: “I use the Copper Spur for trips with two adults, the Tiger Wall for when I go out with myself and one child, and the Fly Creek for solo outings.” We think this sums up Big Agnes’ backpacking tent lineup extremely well and breaks it down on the practicality front.
As mentioned above, in addition to being semi-freestanding like the Tiger Wall, the big compromise on the Fly Creek UL2 is the single door at the front end of the tent. For solo backpackers, this can feel like a minor inconvenience, and we still haven’t figured out a great way to get in and out during wet conditions without bringing precipitation into the tent. For two campers, and especially in a tent that is tight on space to begin with, a single front entry seems like a nightmare and a situation that we would avoid if possible.
On a macro level, it’s worth noting that Big Agnes tents are relatively feature-rich, meaning true ultralighters who aim to get their packs as light as humanely possible while throwing creature comforts out the window may scoff even at the Fly Creek. For example, in the world of trekking-pole-supported shelters, the Zpacks Duplex (read our in-depth review of the Zpacks Duplex Zip) has a relatively spacious interior and comes in at a scant 1 pound 3.6 ounces without stakes. That said, you have to be a pro to get it set up with a taught pitch, you need to carry a pair of trekking poles, and it costs a whopping $729.
The larger point is that Big Agnes offers “real” backpacking tents at some of the lowest weights in the industry, which we appreciate. In practice, we’ve found that going as light as possible can have real compromises in terms of comfort and livability (many thru-hikers get to camp and go right to sleep), whereas Big Agnes tents are light but can feel downright luxurious in comparison. Yes, even the Fly Creek with its single door.
Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL2 Bikepack Solution Dye ($450)
All three of Big Agnes’ most popular backpacking tents are offered in bikepacking counterparts, including the Fly Creek. Once again, you get a shortened 12-inch Shortstik Poleset for easier handlebar, pannier, and saddlebag storage, along with a beefed-up compression sack with integrated daisy chain webbing. The bikepacking version of the Fly Creek comes with a weight penalty of 6 ounces (2 lb. 10 oz. total) and was not updated for 2025 like the standard version.
Weight: 4 lb. 4 oz. (2P)
Capacities: 2P, 3P
Key features: Balance of weight and durability, solid value, partial-nylon tent body
It’s not quite as exciting once you step out of Big Agnes’ "Big 3" (the company is known best for its ultralight options), but the Crag Lake is no slouch. This backpacking tent is built more for shorter trips and beginners on a budget, with a total weight of 4 pounds 4 ounces for the 2-person version. Interestingly, the Crag Lake is shaped similarly to the Tiger Wall (the floor dimensions are the same at 86 x 52/42 in.) but with a higher peak height (42 in.) and a simple x-shaped pole structure (i.e. no ridge pole) that results in more sloping walls. Most budget-oriented tents have traditional dome shapes, but the Crag Lake tapers to keep weight down.
We like the results of the design: the weight of the Crag Lake is significantly less than popular budget tents like the REI Co-op Trail Hut 2 (5 lb. 15 oz.) and Marmot Tungsten 2P (5 lb. 14.2 oz.). In this way, it’s an “entry-level plus” backpacking tent at a reasonable price of $350. That said, the Trail Hut and Tungsten are far roomier inside thanks to their more generous floor spaces and center ridge poles (for more, see our Tungsten 2P review). Back to some good news: In terms of durability, the Crag Lake has a 40-denier ripstop robic nylon floor, which is significantly thicker than the 15D x 20D nylon found on the Copper Spur and more trustworthy when camping on rock or other rough surfaces.
It’s worth noting that the Crag Lake did not receive any updates for 2025, although it was released in 2023, is free of PFAS, and uses a significant amount of recycled materials.
Weight: 4 lb. 1 oz. (2P)
Capacities: 2P, 3P
Key features: Three doors, tall peak height, trekking-pole supported awning, partial-nylon tent body
The Salt Creek might be one of Big Agnes’ most fun backpacking tents. Similar to the Crag Lake covered above, this tent comes in at just over 4 pounds, which is less than most budget-oriented models (but considerably more than Big Agnes’ true ultralight lineup, of course). We can’t help but love the three big doors on the Salt Creek SL2 (in this way, it almost feels more like a camping tent), along with its trekking-pole-supported awning in the front. With a tall peak height of 44 inches—the tallest in Big Agnes’ backpacking tent lineup—the Salt Creek is built for freedom of movement and easy access and viewing of the outside world. All told, it's a great option for backpackers or campers who like to hang out in their backcountry home.
Keep in mind that the Salt Creek is getting a little long in the tooth relative to Big Agnes’ other backpacking tents. It’s the only tent in this article that contains PFAS and uses no recycled materials. The Salt Creek has not received an update in a number of years, but if Big Agnes keeps it in its line going forward, we’d expect those changes to come.
Weight: 4 lb. 2 oz. (2P)
Capacities: 2P, 3P
Key features: Single door, durable 75D materials, partial-nylon body, great value
Backpacking tents have gotten quite expensive over the past handful of years (they’re not quite eggs, but inflation doesn’t discriminate). At just $250 and with a quality build that you can expect from Big Agnes, the C Bar is about as fun as it gets in the budget category. The tent pulls of a lower weight than most offerings in the budget category (4 lb. 2 oz.), with a single door at the front along with a tapered pole design that is reminiscent of the Fly Creek—but in a freestanding rather than semi-freestanding design. To continue the comparison, the C Bar has the exact same floor dimensions (86 x 52/42 in.), floor area (28 sq. ft.), and packed size (6 x 19 in.), along with a 1-inch lower peak height.
On the upside, the C Bar uses a burly 75-denier polyester taffeta for its floor, tent body, and fly materials, which is a whole lot more durable than the ultra-thin 15D nylon ripstop on the Fly Creek. In fact, along with the Blacktail it’s the most durable backpacking tent Big Agnes offers. Like other models that were updated this year, the C Bar is free of PFAS and uses a substantial amount of recycled materials, giving it a nice boost on the sustainability front.
In the end, we still don’t love the single door at the front, and especially for two backpackers, but that’s our only big complaint at this price point. The Crag Lake gets you a similar weight and shape with those desirable double doors, but for a significant $100 more. For deep value seekers, the C Bar is one of the realest budget backpacking tents out there.
Weight: 5 lb. 8 oz. (2P)
Capacities: 2P, 3P, 4P
Key features: Roomy, double doors, durable materials, budget price point
We will end with a tent that straddles the line between backpacking and car camping, but that’s a desirable trait for those who want that 2-for-1 functionality. At 5 pounds 8 ounces for the 2-person version, the Blacktail is substantially heavier than any other tent on the list. That said, this weight is not out of line within the budget category: The comparable Marmot Tungsten 2P comes in at 5 pounds 14.2 ounces, and the REI Co-op Trail Hut 2 is 5 pounds 15 ounces (read our Trail Hut 2 review). If you take into account that the Blacktail has a more generous floor area than either of those tents and with a similar shape and pole structure, there is a lot to like.
Similar to the C Bar, the Blacktail was updated for 2025 and uses burly 75-denier polyester for the floor, tent body, and fly, giving it a proper dose of durability compared to the many ultralight and ultra-thin tents that Big Agnes makes. Throw in a PFAS-free build and a healthy amount of recycled materials, and you have what should be a long-lasting and relatively sustainable budget tent.
It’s worth noting that the design of the Blacktail is traditional in that it’s not as unique or modern as other tents in Big Agnes’ lineup, but there is good rationale for that. The rectangular floor (no tapering here), generous shape in terms of roominess, two side doors, and durable materials mean that you can use this tent for shorter backpacking trips when weight and space aren’t at a premium, as well as for car camping. At $250, this comfort and versatility are core reasons why the Blacktrail remains a top seller year after year.
Our favorite do-it-all backpacking tent, the Copper Spur, gets a welcome update for 2025. It’s now even lighter, with updated fabrics and the same accommodating dimensions. Yes, its price is hard to swallow, but this tent won’t let you down.
Interior Space
Weight & Packed Size
Weather Protection
Durability
Ease of Use
Sustainability
The popular semi-freestanding Tiger Wall is superlight and a decent value. We found the two-person design is feathery enough for solo hiking, which might be its best use case: It’s a tight fit for two sleepers. We’d also rate the tent even higher if it was more durable.
Interior Space
Weight & Packed Size
Weather Protection
Durability
Ease of Use
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Lightweight at all costs, the Fly Creek is Big Agnes' most pared-down backpacking tent. Major compromises include a single door at the head end and a mesh-heavy design that's vulnerable to high winds and slopes sharply toward the feet.
Interior Space
Weight & Packed Size
Weather Protection
Durability
Ease of Use
Sustainability
Given Better Trail’s sustainability slant, we’d like to highlight Big Agnes’ strong push in this arena. As part of its 2025 updates to the popular Copper Spur, Tiger Wall, and Fly Creek, all three tents are now free of PFAS, use solution dyed fabrics, and are mostly built from recycled materials. Of our eight sustainability criteria for the backpacking tents category at both the product and brand levels, Big Agnes only lacks Bluesign materials and an annual impact report. In terms of how the brand stacks up, only Nemo makes more sustainable tents based on our criteria, but Big Agnes is helping lead the charge and has made big strides of late. Bravo.
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Best Backpacking Tents of 2025
