LUXURY or LIES? True 2 Person Backpacking Tents?

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A lot of people use one person tents like they are one person tents. But sometimes you actually want to put two people in a tent. So I checked out 3 of the top 2 person backpacking tents available on the market today. And these are some REALLY Nice Tents!

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[WheelsonaBike]

Thank you for this comparison! I've used two of these tents, the 2021 MSR Hubba Hubba and the Big Agnes Cooper Spur Bikepacking on my 5 month long bicycle trip across Canada. The MSR Hubba Hubba leaked and had terrible condensation issues and MSR was not helpful in troubleshooting - they wanted me to send the fly for evaluation in the middle of my trip, without sending out a replacement. The Big Agnes tent has been exceptional. No leaks, no excessive condensation, just a little workhorse. I do use it for myself only and do agree that it would not fit two 25 inch pads, which I also sleep on.

[henke]

THANK YOU for the metric weights and measurements

[jeffpeters]

Steven, I absolutely love the way you can see the bigger integrated picture of backpacking. Gear doesn't exist & function by itself, it impacts EVERYTHING else. Another great topic. Thank you for your perspective!

[kristymoore]

I LOVE my copper spur. Tried several others before settling. Me only. Not 2 p., just me AND all my gear if I want. The “marketing gimmick” can be a hassle to use as directed, but well worth it in light rain or needed shade. The real great part is that you can unzip the vestibule from both ends and just stuff it between the mesh and the fly for easy-peasy access. I also love the door keepers and the storage all over. I seriously love this tent.

[peterduncan]

Love the channel. The metric conversions are very useful to us elsewhere in the world

[ManivanAdventures]

Your channel kills it man. Your videos are so well made and the information is incredibly helpful! It’s very much appreciated! 🤙🏼

[michaelburke]

I was snowed in at 10, 000 ft.for three days on Mt. Adams in Washington State....I was certainly glad to have the room for all our gear and room to sit up, stretch out, etc. Sierra Designs Glacier tent weighed in at 7lbs. and I was happy to carry the extra weight for room and durability, believe me!

[charlestherrien]

I had the MSR one and I returned it after 1 use. It feels cheap and the poles look like they're going to break at anytime. Plus, the carbon fiber poles leaves small carbon in the head and it kinda Hurts a little. Really happy with my Copper Spur on the other hand

[juliajuanafernandaalvarez]

I would choose the Nemo. For me it feels like the best tend overall. The only negative about it compared to the other tents is the weight but it´s not to crazy and for me not to big of an issue.

[Stilez]

I have the Nemo Dagger Osmo 2p & it's simply fantastic.
I"m short & skinny, yet barely notice the weight. Especially if you split the pole/stakes bags with another person.

[jasondm]

All three of these tents made it to the top of my list when I wanted a lighter 2-person, not-4-season tent to supplant my massive, heavy, and aged but still really good REI arete asl 3 as my primary tent just a month or so ago.

The nemo dagger was actually on the top of my list (by price and features) but it had one real con for me: Nemo's weird cutout on the rainfly. I want the ability to get the fly as low as possible, even hugging the ground, in blowing rain, sand and dust storms. I experienced blowing dust in a basecamp scenario and getting back to find all your sleep gear (and everything else) covered in dirt and dust sucks. The weight was also a consideration at that price point for me.

The MSR hubba was second on my list but it had another major con that some others have already touched on: the poles apparently have a problem with splinters, damaging the tent/fly and injuring people. I have no doubt that they'll remedy this but I wouldn't be able to know if I would be another unlucky customer so I put it off.

Third was the BA Copper Spur (HV UL2) which was all around the best for me except for one thing: the price, $100-$150 more than the other options without any major feature "improvement", the footprint was also nearly 2x the price of the footprints for the others. Two major factors ended up putting it at the top of my list and ultimately led to my purchase: The bikepacking version with the shorter pole sections and the fact the price disparity with the other options vanished during the labor day sales. Oh, and I liked the colors (or lack of) of the bikepacking version the most out of all the tents I looked at.

[mojaslovenija]

Good point. My 2€ cents... I spend about 100 days a year wildcamping and was with a various types and brands of tents, what I am missing... the data about the wind resistance. Only one brand is with such tests and I verified them with my practice. I was with a throuhike in Corsica and the wind gust was 180 km/h... Robens tent survived the wind undamages, while Nemo was teared completly. Hiking in Europe is always with wind... Ireland, Scotland, Alps, ...so the wind resistance is a key feature. What is the use of ultralight tent when is not functional?

[Reuben_hikes]

We needed with the BA CS 3person so we could fit 2 25" pads. Really like this tent. Awnings are a nice feature when it's raining. We use the DD xmid 2 the most though. It's fits both pads with ease.

[chrishyde]

I dig the fan art! Thank you for your video comparing these tents. I'm in the market for a new 2 or 3 person tent and this is helping to guide my purchasing decision. I appreciate how you brought the topic of the real life situation of fitting wider sleeping pads (floor space/width) and the expense to weight ratio to the conversation for tent selection.

[chrisschell]

Such a great channel. Especially compared to the total shills out there. Looking at you Dan becker.

[brucehunter]

Hi Steven, I've been running the HV UL2 for 2 years exclusively with 2 persons. The floor size over time is a problem. We needed to ditch the 2 wide pads and went to the BA 2 person custom pad which incorporated the diminishing floor (no longer sold).
Had all three of these tents out with our group for 2 weeks in the Alberta Rockies a few weeks back in all conditions, they all preformed very well.

The MSR seemed to be the most comfortable and the tent we recommend - just not very attractive.
Night after night setup I found quicker with the BA but pad / floor noise can become unbearable. I agree the awning feature is a gimmick and the doors always fall in ones face and wont stay out of the way when exiting.
Had a hailstorm come in with the hail and water bouncing up under the fly - not fun for us as we also have a down investment.
The BA has always felt like 2 tents mashed together.

That said I forward another contender for an affordable full-size 2 person freestanding tent that anyone can use, how about the Marmot HV UL2.






Just replaced my BA with a Durston - gotta try 🙂

[marijn]

Hi Steven, thanks for getting me interested in backbacking. Your videos are very informative and im looking forward to going backbacking myself in the future! :)

[dlawrence]

If you’re applying a ‘leave no trace’ approach, I don’t know how you could leave a cross pole behind.

[ladk]

I bought the BA tiger wall 3p to use as a 2p since it is so much light than the copper spur. It’s been great to have to extra room. But it also is only partially free standing. Great videos, love your input and details.

[randyleehesser]

I’m excited for a new tent. I have been using a North Face Micah ul for many years but refused to upgrade because of the door and rain fly door placement on new tents. I live in a rainforest and have very specific ways to deal with rain, mosquitoes, and no-see-ums. I look forward to getting my hands on the MSR. Thanks for your review.