Big Agnes Copper Spur UL1 tent review: A supremely liveable solo shelter

First impressions

Big Agnes has built a strong reputation in the US for making lightweight backpacking gear that doesn’t compromise on comfort or performance – and the Copper Spur UL1 continues that tradition in fine style. It’s a solo tent aimed squarely at thru-hikers, bike-packers and wild campers who need something light and packable, but who also want to enjoy their time at camp (not just survive it).

The tent weighs in at just 2lb 6oz (1.09 kg), which is very respectable for a fully enclosed one-person setup, and packs down to around the size of a wine bottle – seriously impressive given the amount of usable space it provides. This makes it easy to stuff into the bottom of a rucksack without reshuffling all your other gear.

Price wise, it falls firmly in the premium bracket. For context, it's costs roughly the same as the MSR Hubba NX solo, and a lot more than the average one-person tent. But what you’re paying for here is comfort, liveability and ease of use – and in those areas, it more than delivers.

In the wild

I tested the Copper Spur UL1 over a number of months, in everything from sunny summer wild camps to stormy overnighters. My first outing was a solo mission to Dartmoor, where I pitched it atop one of the national park’s exposed tors. With gusts whipping across the moorland all night, it got a proper shake-down – but it held up remarkably well. For something this light, the structural integrity is seriously impressive.

I also took it on a multi-day wild camping trip across the Brecon Beacons in warm weather, where the excellent ventilation kept things dry and breezy, even during muggy evenings. Add in a few casual overnights in local woodland, and I’ve clocked up around 10 nights in total – enough to confidently say this is one of the most comfortable one-person backpacking tents I’ve used.

Features

The first thing that struck me about the Copper Spur UL1 was just how easy it is to pitch. The hubbed pole system is brilliantly simple – you just clip the corners into their colour-coded lugs, pop the poles together, and you’re done. It’s an inner-first pitch, which could be a worry in persistent rain, but I found it so quick to set up that even in a Dartmoor downpour, it didn’t matter. You’re inside and out of the weather in no time.

Once you’re in, the tent really starts to shine. For a solo shelter, the amount of usable space is impressive. Big Agnes has opted for steep, almost vertical sidewalls, which totally change the feel of the interior. You can sit up comfortably, get changed without contorting yourself, and move around without brushing against mesh or sagging fabric. It feels more like a compact two-person tent in terms of volume, which is a rare and very welcome surprise at this weight.

Those steep walls also bring some real-world performance perks. Because the fly sits taut and upright, rain just runs straight off – I never saw any pooling, even in heavy weather. And structurally, it holds its shape well in the wind. On Dartmoor, I had it pitched in the open on top of a tor, and it stayed solid through overnight gusts of around 30mph. It doesn’t just look stable – it is.

Living in the tent for a few nights also gave me a real appreciation for how well thought-out the interior is. There’s a large overhead pocket above your head – perfect for a lantern or keeping small items close to hand – plus corner pockets and a couple of stash points that help keep everything organised. If you’ve ever spent a night in a tent where you’re constantly fumbling around for your headlamp or trying not to lose your phone, you’ll know how valuable this is.

The door design is another clever touch. You can roll it back entirely to open up the tent and let the air in, or – my favourite setup – prop it up with trekking poles to create a makeshift awning. It’s great for a bit of extra shade or rain protection while cooking, and it keeps the air flowing without leaving you completely exposed. On warm evenings, I spent a lot of time lounging just inside the door, with the breeze drifting in and everything within arm’s reach.

Ventilation throughout is excellent. The lower half of the inner is solid nylon to block out draughts, while the upper half is mesh to let the air circulate. There’s a vent on the fly, and the door zips are two-way, so you can crack the top open to let warm air escape. Even in cool, damp conditions, I didn’t have any condensation issues – which is more than I can say for a lot of tents I’ve used over the years.

Finally, it’s worth mentioning the Fast Fly setup, which lets you leave the inner at home and pitch just the fly with a compatible footprint (sold separately). I didn’t test the Copper Spur UL1 in this stripped-back mode, but I’ve used a similar configuration on Big Agnes’s Fly Creek model before. Personally, I found it a bit too exposed for UK conditions – there’s a lot of space between the fly and the ground, and on breezy nights it can feel pretty draughty, even in a winter bag. Still, if you’re heading out in reliably dry weather and want to cut your pack weight right down, it’s a handy option to have.

Durability

You don’t buy an ultralight tent expecting indestructible materials, but the Copper Spur UL1 still feels reassuringly well made. The silicone-treated nylon fly is tough for its weight, the stitching is tidy throughout, and the construction has clearly been well thought out. After 10 nights, mine still looks practically new.

That said, I’d still be cautious where you pitch it – thorns, sharp rocks or rough ground will always pose a risk to lightweight fabrics. I wouldn’t drag it across grit or throw it down on Dartmoor scree. But treat it with a bit of care, and I’m confident it’ll last years.

The bottom line

I’ve used plenty of solo tents over the years, but the Copper Spur UL1 stands out for how genuinely comfortable and well thought-out it is. It’s light enough for serious backpacking, yet roomy enough to actually enjoy being inside. The fast, intuitive pitch, clever storage, and excellent ventilation all add up to a tent that feels like a little home in the hills. Yes, it’s a big investment – but if you’re out often and value comfort as much as weight savings, it’s one that makes a lot of sense.

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