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REVIEWS

TENT

Over the past few years, we have taken a greater interest in walking and being self-sufficient carrying our home and belongings for that particular journey. 

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So our first walking tent we invested in was the MSR Elixir 3, which is a fantastic tent. However, as the dream of walking the PCT started to become a reality, we looked for a lighter tent that we could call home for 6 months and we settled on the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL 3. 

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Both of these tents are fabulous tents for different reasons. 

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There are certain things we look for in a tent which includes: 

  • 3 person tent - we value the extra space a 3 person tent gives over a 2 person tent 

  • 2 doors - there is nothing more annoying than scrabbling to get out of a single door 

  • Vestibules - these are invaluable when you need to store your bags, shoes etc protected from the elements 

  • Headspace - we appreciate we won't be able to stand up in the tent, however it makes life more comfortable when you feel like there is enough space  

  • Easy to construct - noone wants to spend valuable minutes setting up a tent when it's pouring down with rain, it has to be a quick set up that even one person can easily do

MSR ELIXIR 3

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The MSR Elixir is advertised as a backpacking tent suitable for 3 people. 

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This was the first backpacking tent that we took with us on our Hadrian's wall walk and we were pleasantly surprised. This is a great tent with plenty of space and head height. 

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The tent is easy to assemble, even for one person with colour coded poles and tabs. 

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We particularly like the two doors each with a vestibule, gone are the days of trying to both exit via one door. 

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Inside the tent, there are large handy pockets to keep smaller items safe. 

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Pros 

  • Robust

  • Spacious 

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Cons 

  • Heavy - when compared with other backpacking tents 

  • Large packed size 

  • Expensive 

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Verdict 

This is a great tent, particularly for hikers who want to invest in a decent tent to explore longer distances. This tent retails for ~ £300 depending on where you purchase it, which can be seen as expensive when compared with other tents. 

Although this tent is heavier than our Big Agnes Copper Spur tent many of the features are similar albeit with different materials. 

This tent provides a vast amount of space for a comfortable nights sleep. 

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Specification (taken from the MSR website)

  • Capacity: 3

  • Minimum Weight (Standard): 5 lbs 14 oz

  • Minimum Weight (Metric): 2.66 kg

  • Packaged Weight (Standard): 7 lbs

  • Floor Dimensions (Standard) in: 84 x 68 in

  • Floor Dimensions (Metric) cm: 213 x 172 cm

  • Floor Area (Standard): 39.5 sq. ft

  • Floor Area (Metric): 3.67 sq. m

  • Vestibule Area (Standard): 24 sq. ft

  • Vestibule Area (Metric): 2.22 sq. m

  • Tent Volume (Standard): 63 cu. ft

  • Number of Poles: 2 Aluminum 7000 Series

  • Tent Volume (Metric): 1784 liters

  • Interior Peak Height (Standard): 41 in

  • Interior Peak Height (Metric): 104 cm

  • Packed Size (Standard): 20 x 8 in

  • Packed Size (Metric): 51 x 20 cm

  • Number of Doors: 2

  • Rainfly Fabric: 68D ripstop polyester 1500mm Polyurethane & DWR

  • Canopy Fabric: 40D ripstop nylon & DWR

  • Mesh Type: 20D polyester micromesh

  • Floor Fabric: 70D taffeta nylon 3000mm Polyurethane & DWR

  • Vestibule Volume (Metric): 708 liters

  • Vestibule Volume (Standard): 25 cu. ft

COPPER SPUR HV UL3

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The Copper Spur is advertised as an ultralight backpacking shelter which provides the luxury of space and strength without adding weight. 

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Although the MSR Elixir 3 is a great tent we wanted something that was lighter without compromising on space. After a long search, we came across the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3. Coming in at 1.73Kg (including pegs) this provided us with the lighter tent we were looking for. 

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This tent is advertised as 3 person however it would be a particularly tight squeeze. The tent has sufficient headspace with its HV (high volume) design.  

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The tent is quick and easy to assemble with a colour-coded system for the poles and inner sheet, and a click mechanism for the flysheet. 

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The groundsheet can be purchased separately, we chose not to purchase this as we have a tyvex sheet. 

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As this tent is UL (ultralight) the material does feel quite fragile. Care needs to be taken when assembling the tent and using the zips. 

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There are a number of pockets and features inside the tent which was a pleasant surprise considering the weight. 

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There are two doors, one on each side of the tent each with a vestibule, perfect space to leave bags and shoes. 

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Pros 

  • Lightweight - especially split between the two of us 

  • Spacious 

  • Easy to assemble

  • Easy access with two doors 

  • Internal pockets

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Cons 

  • Expensive - £300-£400

  • Delicate zips 

  • Delicate materials - feels less durable, care to be taken

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Verdict 

This is a great tent and overall we are happy with our choice. 

We took the tent with us on our Coast to Coast walk and it withheld strong winds and the great British weather. 

There is plenty of space for the two of us with baggage, enough space for us to call home for 5-6 months on the PCT. 

There are some lovely detailed features that make this tent premium. 

 

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Specification (taken from the Big Agnes website)

  • Design: Dome tent

  • Fly: 100% polyamide 

  • Body: 100% polyester 

  • Floor: 100% polyamide 

  • Fabric treatment: PU coated, sealed seams 

  • The number of people:  3

  • Pole system: DAC Featherlight NFL pole system 

  • Number of entrances: 2 

  • Number of vestibules: 2 

  • Dimensions (interior): 229 x 158-178 x 109 cm (L x W x H) 

  • Weight: 1.73kg 

  • Extras: freestanding; 2 media pockets on the head end; large pocket on the roof; 5 mesh pockets; 1 ventilation opening; Tent corners and guy lines reflective; incl. 8 aluminium pegs

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