This isn't a review of a specific tent but rather some observations on the ones I have seen or own.
The purpose is to provide helpful insight on a variety of tents for people considering purchase.
Tents specifically commented on that I have good knowledge of include the BA Copper Spurs and Fly Creeks, TarpTents by Henry Shires (specifically Double Rainbow and RainShadow II), MSR Hubba Hubba.
Feel free to message me with any specific info not covered. I have not included pics but they are all findable with the help of Dr Google.
BA Copper Spur and MSR Hubba tents.
I put these tents together in assessment as they are very similar in design and weight etc.
The range for both includes 1, 2 and 3 person versions.
All are excellent tents, well made and very light for their space. The brand new MSR Hubba Hubba shows at about 1.7kg packaged weight and I think the Copper Spur II is 1.6kg.
The 2 person tents are able to fit 2 people comfortably in my view. The only thing I found when sharing my CS II with Annie was that I could not fit our packs in as well. I am about exactly 6 foot and Annie is only an inch shorter so we are not small people but we both fit well on 20inch wide pads. 25inch pads are not an option when sharing. For shorter people it would be practical to fit a pack in at one end. I believe the same restrictions would apply for the single person versions although a 25 inch pad might be an option. No comment on 3 person tents other than presumably ample room for 2 plus packs.
The inner is fully freestanding while the fly needs the vestibules and ends pegged out.
A freestanding inner is a godsend when pitching in a shelter or on a concrete floor and only needing bug protection. As this is a common scenario on my home trail the CS II was the best purchase I made while in the USA last year.
While vestibules may seem big enough for packs, in practice packs will lean against the inner or the fly and in heavy conditions this is not desirable. I carry a tarp poncho and in very wet conditions wrap my packs in this to keep them dry.
Small storage pockets on the inner make excellent places to stow headlamps, spectacles and the indispensible smartphone.
Summary - excellent tents for the number of people quoted. Taj Mahal for 1 person if using a 2 person.
BA Fly Creeks.
Again 1, 2 and 3 person tents.
Essentially all of the comments for Copper Spur apply to Fly Creek with some caveats.
1. They are a bit smaller. The restrictions on room noted for CS apply more.
2. The FC 2 has one entry at the head end and lacks the side entries and vestibules of the CS. This greatly reduces space outside the inner for gear stowage. (You have to get in and out over the top of anything in your vestibule.)
3. Not truly freestanding inner. The foot end pole comes down in the middle and the sides need pegging out. Probably not an issue if just pitching inner as sleeping mat or pack at foot end will push it out enough.
Summary - again excellent tents. For someone hiking the AT or similar I would thoroughly recommend the FC 2 as THE best ONE person tent to get. Never saw anyone unhappy with one. If you are going to have 2 people in it, you had better be smaller than Annie and me.
Henry Shires TarpTents
We found TarpTents in our search for llllooonnngggeerrrr lightweight tents. While the BA's are also good for taller people, nearly all supposed hiking tents available her in OZ are not suitable for people 6 foot and taller. IM is about 6'5" and touched both ends of most.
TarpTents are the roomiest, lightweight options with loads of length.
IM used the Double Rainbow for our entire AT hike and loved it. Roominess for weight is excellent. Not a truly freestanding tent (Tarptents are one piece - no seperate inner and fly although they are fully bug proof). It can be set up as freestanding tent using hiking poles but this is a bit finicky.
RainShadow 2 - Enormous tent for the weight. This is a three person tent and truly has room for 3 (and packs if friendly).
Drawback is I would describe it as 2 season tent. Insufficient side straps and it's enormous size made for ripped side in stormy weather in the Smokies and I got the BA CS as a replacement. I still have the Rainshadow and am getting it repaired and extra side straps sewn on. Absolutely not freestanding but in light weather has room for a party.
Other tents - there are more tent options design wise than pack options and we know how many different packs are out there.
The entire Litehart(?) range appear to be excellent tents and there are many others to choose from.
I would recommend that anyone buying a tent look at listing the criteria that you NEED in a tent and that you then purchase the lightest tent that meets your criteria. Weight should be the last thing to consider - all hiking tents are light and the extra 200gms to get what you need will be worth it in the long run.
Things to consider.
Freestanding/non freestanding - When considering this seperate the decision on freestanding inner only or freestanding entire tent. Only dome style tents are fully freestanding generally and you should think more in terms of "minimum stakes required".
Length - Someone 6'4" needs a longer tent than someone 5'8". You also need a longer bag, mat, clothes and probably more food. You should be used to adding 10-20% to your pack weight compared to someone like HB.
Height - Can you put on your clothes, especially rain jacket, inside the tent. i.e. can you sit up and get an arm through a shirt etc.
Storage spots - do you have spectacles, phone, radio, light etc at hand during night.
Access - can you (and your partner) get in and out with minimum fuss? Consider your decision in light of next point.
Gear storage - where do you expect to stow your pack and those incredibly smelly boots? Will this compromise your access?
A couple of extra points - ALL tents have condensation issues. (Unless you stop breathing). 2 person tents with one person in them have less. Try to have a shelter in which you can fit without touching the sides. The wipedown is necessary in all tents at some time or another. If you think someone saying they have no problems with condensation is proof you won't - google words like humidity, water vapour, condensation and bullshit.
Some will have LESS problems. IM wiped down the inside of his TT most of the hike. I would wrap the fly and put it on back of pack and dry out when sun came out. The advantage of a seperate fly/inner setup. Mind you the bottom of the inner (outside) usually needed drying too.
For consideration - I have noted that BA have a lighter version of the CS II that only has one side with a vestibule and also a lighter weight (but expensive) version of the FC2 (the Platinum) since I was there. I am particularly taken with the lighter FC2 on specs, so watch this space... (I can't justify it unless I go for another long hike without Annie - unlikely).
The purpose is to provide helpful insight on a variety of tents for people considering purchase.
Tents specifically commented on that I have good knowledge of include the BA Copper Spurs and Fly Creeks, TarpTents by Henry Shires (specifically Double Rainbow and RainShadow II), MSR Hubba Hubba.
Feel free to message me with any specific info not covered. I have not included pics but they are all findable with the help of Dr Google.
BA Copper Spur and MSR Hubba tents.
I put these tents together in assessment as they are very similar in design and weight etc.
The range for both includes 1, 2 and 3 person versions.
All are excellent tents, well made and very light for their space. The brand new MSR Hubba Hubba shows at about 1.7kg packaged weight and I think the Copper Spur II is 1.6kg.
The 2 person tents are able to fit 2 people comfortably in my view. The only thing I found when sharing my CS II with Annie was that I could not fit our packs in as well. I am about exactly 6 foot and Annie is only an inch shorter so we are not small people but we both fit well on 20inch wide pads. 25inch pads are not an option when sharing. For shorter people it would be practical to fit a pack in at one end. I believe the same restrictions would apply for the single person versions although a 25 inch pad might be an option. No comment on 3 person tents other than presumably ample room for 2 plus packs.
The inner is fully freestanding while the fly needs the vestibules and ends pegged out.
A freestanding inner is a godsend when pitching in a shelter or on a concrete floor and only needing bug protection. As this is a common scenario on my home trail the CS II was the best purchase I made while in the USA last year.
While vestibules may seem big enough for packs, in practice packs will lean against the inner or the fly and in heavy conditions this is not desirable. I carry a tarp poncho and in very wet conditions wrap my packs in this to keep them dry.
Small storage pockets on the inner make excellent places to stow headlamps, spectacles and the indispensible smartphone.
Summary - excellent tents for the number of people quoted. Taj Mahal for 1 person if using a 2 person.
BA Fly Creeks.
Again 1, 2 and 3 person tents.
Essentially all of the comments for Copper Spur apply to Fly Creek with some caveats.
1. They are a bit smaller. The restrictions on room noted for CS apply more.
2. The FC 2 has one entry at the head end and lacks the side entries and vestibules of the CS. This greatly reduces space outside the inner for gear stowage. (You have to get in and out over the top of anything in your vestibule.)
3. Not truly freestanding inner. The foot end pole comes down in the middle and the sides need pegging out. Probably not an issue if just pitching inner as sleeping mat or pack at foot end will push it out enough.
Summary - again excellent tents. For someone hiking the AT or similar I would thoroughly recommend the FC 2 as THE best ONE person tent to get. Never saw anyone unhappy with one. If you are going to have 2 people in it, you had better be smaller than Annie and me.
Henry Shires TarpTents
We found TarpTents in our search for llllooonnngggeerrrr lightweight tents. While the BA's are also good for taller people, nearly all supposed hiking tents available her in OZ are not suitable for people 6 foot and taller. IM is about 6'5" and touched both ends of most.
TarpTents are the roomiest, lightweight options with loads of length.
IM used the Double Rainbow for our entire AT hike and loved it. Roominess for weight is excellent. Not a truly freestanding tent (Tarptents are one piece - no seperate inner and fly although they are fully bug proof). It can be set up as freestanding tent using hiking poles but this is a bit finicky.
RainShadow 2 - Enormous tent for the weight. This is a three person tent and truly has room for 3 (and packs if friendly).
Drawback is I would describe it as 2 season tent. Insufficient side straps and it's enormous size made for ripped side in stormy weather in the Smokies and I got the BA CS as a replacement. I still have the Rainshadow and am getting it repaired and extra side straps sewn on. Absolutely not freestanding but in light weather has room for a party.
Other tents - there are more tent options design wise than pack options and we know how many different packs are out there.
The entire Litehart(?) range appear to be excellent tents and there are many others to choose from.
I would recommend that anyone buying a tent look at listing the criteria that you NEED in a tent and that you then purchase the lightest tent that meets your criteria. Weight should be the last thing to consider - all hiking tents are light and the extra 200gms to get what you need will be worth it in the long run.
Things to consider.
Freestanding/non freestanding - When considering this seperate the decision on freestanding inner only or freestanding entire tent. Only dome style tents are fully freestanding generally and you should think more in terms of "minimum stakes required".
Length - Someone 6'4" needs a longer tent than someone 5'8". You also need a longer bag, mat, clothes and probably more food. You should be used to adding 10-20% to your pack weight compared to someone like HB.
Height - Can you put on your clothes, especially rain jacket, inside the tent. i.e. can you sit up and get an arm through a shirt etc.
Storage spots - do you have spectacles, phone, radio, light etc at hand during night.
Access - can you (and your partner) get in and out with minimum fuss? Consider your decision in light of next point.
Gear storage - where do you expect to stow your pack and those incredibly smelly boots? Will this compromise your access?
A couple of extra points - ALL tents have condensation issues. (Unless you stop breathing). 2 person tents with one person in them have less. Try to have a shelter in which you can fit without touching the sides. The wipedown is necessary in all tents at some time or another. If you think someone saying they have no problems with condensation is proof you won't - google words like humidity, water vapour, condensation and bullshit.
Some will have LESS problems. IM wiped down the inside of his TT most of the hike. I would wrap the fly and put it on back of pack and dry out when sun came out. The advantage of a seperate fly/inner setup. Mind you the bottom of the inner (outside) usually needed drying too.
For consideration - I have noted that BA have a lighter version of the CS II that only has one side with a vestibule and also a lighter weight (but expensive) version of the FC2 (the Platinum) since I was there. I am particularly taken with the lighter FC2 on specs, so watch this space... (I can't justify it unless I go for another long hike without Annie - unlikely).
Resident Australian, proving being a grumpy old man is not just an American trait.