Copper Spur 1, did I make the right decision??

[Rockchuck]

So, a while back I sold my Hilleberg Akto and picked up a Golite SL5 and have been using that for the last year with a bearpaw design 2 man nest inside. Can you say palace for 1!! I really like ot for most situations and have a stove jack I need to sew into it as well. However, this last year, on an exposed ridge in high winds it was a bit flappy and noisy to say the least. I had it buttoned down pretty good and it held, but due to conditions didn't sleep all that well.

I decided to get another 1 man tent to compliment it for the times I am higher and exposed. I went with the copper spur 1 for a light weight decent sized 1 man tent. I like the room it provides, but it sure seems paper thin to me as opposed to the akto I had. I realize the akto was an all season tent and should be more robust, but the contrast sure struck me. I wish Hilleberg would come out with a lighter 3 season version of the soulo. I like the freestanding concept.

Anyway, anyone with experience in high winds/tough conditions that can share their experience with the copper spur would be much appreciated.

I will be putting it thru its paces this weekend for a couple nights and should get more familiar with it.

Thanks!

 

[tttoadman]

I had my copper spur 2 in a very high wind situation last year. The frame was bowing over about 8 inches in a sustained wind. I guyed out on the wind side a little extra to be safe, but I thought it did really good. I have the footprint, and just work hard to clean the ground good to protect the light materials.

I think the width of the CS1 makes it a great tent compared to most of the other 1 man tents. With that said, my next tent will be a Tarptent.

 

[5MilesBack]

I think the width of the CS1 makes it a great tent compared to most of the other 1 man tents. With that said, my next tent will be a Tarptent.

I must be the only guy around that doesn't like living in a cocoon. I thought the CS2 was too tight in the width for even myself. I have the CS4 and feel too cramped with two people in that. I also have the Tarptent Rainshadow that's supposed to sleep 3, and I would have trouble putting more than myself in it because of the low walls.

 

[tttoadman]

I must be the only guy around that doesn't like living in a cocoon. I thought the CS2 was too tight in the width for even myself. I have the CS4 and feel too cramped with two people in that. I also have the Tarptent Rainshadow that's supposed to sleep 3, and I would have trouble putting more than myself in it because of the low walls.

I am a pretty skinny guy, and I will never have 2 people in it. It is just me and my bag. I am with you. I would need a 60" wide tent before i would sleep next to someone.

 

[Matt W.]

I've run the CS3 for the last 3 years. It has seen its fair share of high winds. One thing I have done to ease my mind in a heavy wind storm is to take my trekking poles and use one on each side under the vestibule as additional poles. I'll try to take a picture to better explain that on my upcoming sheep hunt. If I don't do it right I wake up and the tent is fine and dandy and the pole is lying on the ground in the vestibule. I guess what I am saying is that while the tent my move and concern me it has yet to fail.

 

[boom]

I'm not a big guy. Setting up my super small one man in the forest for the first time I was shocked at the space. I think my fly creek is even smaller. I was pleasantly surprised how comfy I was. Inside it felt pretty vast. I think the best advice is to just try it. In a deluge I bet I could even bring my pack in with me. Id prop my head and neck with it.

 

[Rockchuck]

Thanks for the input. I will report back after this weekend with my thoughts on it after spending a few nights in it.

 

[wapitibob]

I have the CS3 and love it, 2 man max.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Copper spur is a great design. You'll like it.

 

[Rockchuck]

So, I put a couple nights in with the copper spur 1 this weekend and came away impressed overall. The setup was very easy and quick as anticipated. I loved the additional width of the tent at the shoulders and head vs what I had with the akto. The vestibule size is good enough to fit my pack, boots, and extra camp items while not blocking access in and out. I figured out that the way to get the best tight pitch on the vestibule, I needed to set up the tent, stake out the vestibule and back side of the fly, then simply pull out on the poles a bit on each end to stretch tight the fabric nicely on the vestibule.

I didnt really have to think about that with the akto since the pole ran through there anyway and supported it. However, I don't see the lack of pole as a negative. In fact, I like that I can roll both sides of the vestibule back for airflow and a view. Back to interior space, I can sit up easier as the walls of the inner tent are much steeper.

The one ding I can give the copper spur is on length. It is stated at 90 inches which is 3 more than the akto. I never had an issue with touching the ends with the akto, but do a bit in the foot area of the copper spur. I think this is largely due to shape as the akto's ends actually lay out at an angle with the carbon stay design while the dome design of copper spur has the walls start to slant in immediately. I will have to measure it. There seems to be plenty of spacing between the inner tent and fly though, so I am not too concerned about condensation at this point. I think I have a winner on my hands with all the features I really need. I look forward to using it more and to see how it does in a blow and a squall!

 

[5MilesBack]

The one ding I can give the copper spur is on length. It is stated at 90 inches which is 3 more than the akto.

Ya, I'm not sure what kind of measuring device they use to measure it, but it's always 6" shorter than they state. My UL2 was 84" and listed at 90" (and the 90" is why I bought it). The UL4 is listed at 96x86 and it's 90x80. Whatever they use for measuring is 6" off.