Big Agnes mtnGLO Copper Spur UL 2 Tent Review
New for Spring 2015, Big Agnes has released their latest line – mtnGLO backpacking tents with LED lighting technology sewn into the tent fabric. The collection launch was introduced in 2014 and was only available at REI for a limited time, and now it’s available at other retailers as well.
Experience ambient lighting with mtnGLO
Initially, my first impression was that having built in lights on backpacking tents was a frivolous or a bit unnecessary. I was concerned about bulk and weight of the tent. But since acquiring one of these tents, I feel the addition of the lighting does not interfere in any way with regards to bulk, and is very handy to have.
The Copper Spur UL 2 tent is the version of the mtnGLO that we base this review on. But mtnGLO technology is also available on many other models, including: the Copper Spur 3 (the 3 person version of this tent), Rattlesnake, Chimney Creek, Rocky Peak, and the Tumble.
In addition, you can purchase the accessory lighting kit (cost of $39.95) is available that can be strung on virtually any tent to achieve the same effect.
Construction
The construction is the same as the Copper Spur UL, non-mtnGLO version, with the sole difference being the lights sewn into the top of the tent. The LED strand is very durable and flexible enough to withstand repeated stuffing and pinching. Pack up and unpack your tent as you would one without the lighting.
The tent canopy is constructed of lightweight nylon/polyester mesh, and the floor and rainfly are ripstop nylon.
Tent Setup
This tent is quick to set up. It consists of one main pole for the body, and another short cross pole to stabilize. The cross pole and steep tent walls allow for greater interior headspace.
The clips on the fly are color-coded to the tent body so you know which way the fly fits on the tent. No guess work.
Advantages
Weight
This tent is ultra light and packs extremely small. If you are looking for low weight/low bulk, Big Agnes makes the best tents out there for that criteria. We can’t emphasize enough how lightweight this tent is. The trail weight is only 2 lbs and 24 ounces for the 2 person version.
LED Lighting
After using it all summer, we have come to love the lighting system. It’s perfect for getting ready for sleep at night and for starts at the crack of dawn.
The lights are sewn into the tent fabric, so you don’t have to worry about packing them away and setting them up. Simply, they provide a gentle ambient light which allows you to read, organize your gear and so on without fussing with a headlamp. It also keeps you from blinding your partner with a headlamp. It comes in three settings: on, off, and 50% brightness, which is regulated at the touch of a button which sits on the tent ceiling.
Ventilation
The tent offers great ventilation thanks to it’s mesh tent body, and storm flaps on the vestibule that can be opened for extra airflow. It’s recommended for hot weather.
Great in the Rain
This tent also performs really well in rain, and though it’s not meant for it, snow, too. The tent fly sheds water quickly, and because of the mesh body, condensation does not collect on the inside. All seams are taped with polyurethane tape (no PVC).
Packability
In addition to the lightweight, the tent is also very packable. This tent packs extremely small. On a quick overnight backcountry trip, the tent took up less than a third of a 30L backpack.
2022 Update
We have been using the Copper Spur for many years now. After a year with the 2-person we recieved a 3-person version of this same tent. It stands up extremely well in the rain, noted after several ocean kayaking trips, on the west coast of B.C., where later in the summer the rain literally falls sideways, blown by the strong winds. We never experienced any leaking or water pooling in this tent.
Disadvantages
Delicate Mesh
There are a few drawbacks, mostly due to it’s minimalist design. The mesh needs to be cared for, and doesn’t tolerate getting stepped on very well. So you have to treat this tent with caution.
The mesh on the tent body is rather fragile. Be careful not to step on it or get it caught in the zipper. After opening the tent door a few times, accidentally stepping on the mesh caused it to puncture rather easily when pressed into the ground.
Price
The tent is priced accordingly for it’s lightweight – this means, it’s expensive, and it gets more expensive as you have to purchase the big agnes footprint separately. The footprint isn’t included and costs $70, and you really shouldn’t try to go without it. The tent is lightweight and the fabric can tear easier than on heavier tents, so you want to protect it with a footprint. The footprint will also allow you to use the tent in an ultra-minimalist way: set it up with only the rainfly and skip the tent body for a super light setup. This is not recommended if there are lots of bugs!
Size
The 2 person set up is rather small for two people, and wouldn’t recommend it on extended backpacking trips with bad weather because it’s hard to fit large backpacks in the vestibules. Even if you are purchasing the tent for only for two people, we would highly recommend the 3 person version as it’s only marginally heavier – just under a pound heavier – but you gain much more space.
The 2 person has 29 square feet of floor space while the 3 person has 44 sq. ft. Of course, this will cost you an extra $100, as well.
Vestibule sag
You know when you set up your tent, stake it out and after awhile the tent starts to sag and you need to re-adjust to make the tent nice and tight again? You can adjust the tension on the four points of the fly where they clip into the tent body, but not on the vestibule. This means that overnight, particularly if it rains, the vestibules will sag slightly. Since most likely you will be storing your backpack in the vestibule, make sure you adjust the tent peg so the vestibule is tight before you go to bed.
You’ll still need a headlamp
The mtnGLO lighting is nice, however it doesn’t eliminate the need for a headlamp. The light is a bit dim to read by, though it is possible. Remember you’re paying an extra $50 on top of the regular Copper Spur tent without mtnGLO lighting. There is virtually no difference in weight (the mtgGLO version weighs only 2 ounces more!) so your main consideration is price.
The disadvantages of this design are few. The only disadvantage is you have to remember that the lights are there and disconnect the batteries by switching to the ‘off’ position to save battery while storing the tent. And the batteries need to be replaced regularly (like headlamp batteries). Though they are LED, the batteries literally last a very long time and only fade slowly. If you do purchase the tent, you should be sure you want the lights because there is no way of removing them if you decide you don’t like them. However, once you have them, there is virtually no reason why you wouldn’t want them. They are very convenient to have.
2022 Update
After heavy use, we experienced no other issues with the mesh which seemed delicate when we first received the tent. After a few tiny holes we made in the beginning, we would not say this mesh is in any way too delicate and instead would call it quite robust, as long as you take care of it when packing, especially what we put this tent through.
The vestibule ‘sag’ in the rain is also not a real issue. We’ve put his tent through some very extreme weather events, including heavy rain on Haida Gwaii. We never experienced the fly touching the tent and leaking, and never had leaking floors.
In addition, though nice to have, we find we can go without the footprint at times, the tent bottom is robust and does not tear or damage easily.
Yes, the tent is expensive but I need to say – you really get what you pay for here. You can buy a cheaper tent and replace it every few years (not to mention get soaked in storms, or have other issues), or just spend the money and literally not have to replace the tent in 8-10 years, or more.
Ultralight Options
One option includes being able to set up the tent using only the fly and footprint. This is a great option for a bivy, as it only just over 2 pounds.
Available Accessories
We couldn’t resist some of these cute accessories. Additional accessories available include the PowerCase Loft which protects your electronic devices, such as a tablet, while at camp. You can hang your PowerCase from the ceiling of your tent and watch a movie, for example. The PowerCase has an integrated power supply that charges your electronics while you’re away from camp. The PowerCase is compatible with the gear loft, a mesh loft sleeve on the tent ceiling.
Where to Buy
This tent and other Big Agnes tents with mtnGLO lighting are available at REI. To search for availability, check our outdoor gear price checker. Until May 29th, you can Save 20% on all Big Agnes tents.
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