I've had a Moss Stardome II for 25 years. An awesome tent, but now too heavy (haven't figured out if it's gotten heavier or I've gotten older).

Requirements - Lightweight (comparably), 2 person of avg. size (5'9 - 6' and smaller), full fly coverage, vestibules, good use of interior space, good ventilation. Ideally 2 doors.

I do 3 BWCA trips per year at 5 days each.

Without actually looking at any tents (will do that before purchase) I'm down to the following based on reviews, specs, price, etc.
- Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2
- Marmot Tungsten UL2
- MSR Hubba Hubba 2
- Nemo Dagger 2P

From all the reading I'm leaning towards the Nemo Dagger 2. It gets a slight advantage over the MSR on sq. ft and weight. Same price. $100 less (MSRP) than BA.

There are concerns (not sure if warranted) about the 20d floor on the BA being too thin, but I love that weight. And I've seen it $150 off, which makes it less than the MSR and Nemo (ignoring the 20% off at REI I'd wait for to purchase).

What I can't figure out is why the Marmot Tungsten isn't in any of the discussions. The articles all compare the BA, MSR and Nemo, yet the Tungsten has very comparable specs at $100 less than MSR and Nemo...and $200 less than BA.

Any feedback on these tents would be appreciated.

I use the BA Copper Spur HV UL3 and UL4 tents in the BWCA and I am very happy with them. I use the BA footprints so that will add cost and weight to your comparison checklist but I think they are great tents.

I don’t know the Marmot line at all so I can’t make an objective comment. I haven’t tried the Nemo tents but read some positive reviews of their newer tents and the other Nemo gear I own (sleeping bags, Fillo pillows and bug out shelter) are great.

I have tried the MSR Hubba line and I liked it but it had thicker fabric and a little heavier as a result.

Weight matters more to me so I went with BA Copper Spur.

I suspect all are solid choices. You will have to choose which elements of the cost, quality/sturdiness, weight “triangle” (pick any two as some like to say!) are most important to you. I wanted low weight and good quality so I paid a higher price point. (Although it does pay to shop around...pretty esay to get 25% off MSRP via online stores.)
No regrets but it is a personal choice once you get to a solid short list like yours.

I've used the CopperSpur and the MSR Hubba, familiar with the others. The Marmot is in a heavier weight class 25% plus more weight so not often included in light or u-light class. If the weight is low on wants list it would be a good choice as the rest. The fabric weight of materials is something I no longer look at or consider as several very light fabrics have performed well for me. Current favorite solo, I've lost count of the nites sleeping in, has a 1.1 ripstop silnylon floor.

Are you stuck with name brand big company tents? Many other similar class tents are available from small and cottage industry sources.

butthead

If you really want to be perplexed, add the Marmot Limelight to your consideration. Not much more expensive and barely any heavier than Tungsten, and a slightly more vertical wall at least down low which allows for a better feel and for taller things to be closer to the sides without pressing against the tent wall.

butthead: "Are you stuck with name brand big company tents? Many other similar class tents are available from small and cottage industry sources.


butthead"

Would you mind pointing me in a direction to get started. While I can name some small names in the hammock realm, I'm not well versed AT ALL on who's out there in the small/cottage industry making a good tent.

I'm not Butthead (though it's been said I'm a butthead among other things) but I think I can point you in the same direction he would. If not, you got what you paid for! In no particular order of desirability because they're all top notch:

Tarptent
Six Moon Designs
Mountain Laurel Designs
Hyperlite Mountain Gear
Bearpaw Wilderness Designs

There are others.

DeuceCoop: "I'm not Butthead (though it's been said I'm a butthead among other things) but I think I can point you in the same direction he would. If not, you got what you paid for! In no particular order of desirability because they're all top notch:


Tarptent
Six Moon Designs
Mountain Laurel Designs
Hyperlite Mountain Gear
Bearpaw Wilderness Designs


There are others. "

Is ultra-light the only niche any of these companies have interest in? I'm sure there are a ton of people who are into exactly that, but "ultra-light" always seems to mean "pay an extra $100 to shave one extra pound (or less)," and I'd rather carry an extra pound and save $100.

DeuceCoop hit most of the list. I worked off Directory of “Cottage Industry” Backpacking Gear Companies and purchased a BSI Chinook Solo, a modular style tent suitable for all seasons with U-light poles, heavy season poles fabric and net interiors. Must be approaching 200 nites camping in it by now. Some of the websites are not user friendly but the folks running the small companies work with customers well.
Some internet time looking will discover others not often available in the US but fine designs as well.
Nice to have so many choices.

butthead

The marmot tungsten UL 2 is only 3lbs 8.5 oz compared to the regular tungsten 2 at 5lb 4 oz, just to clarify, they are two different tents. I have camped in the regular tungsten and like it, and have been curious about the tungsten UL 2 as well. On paper it seems to fit in that group. My guess is it's still new enough it just hasn't had as many reviews yet.

Thanks for the correction Obe.
I'm familiar with the Tungsten 2, not the UL version and commented on the older version. That does make a difference, while taking the cost up comparatively.

butthead

BA Copper has been my go to tent for a few years. I've had rain pour through underneath the tent and the bathtub design worked well. Not a drop in...
It was fine for me and a dog. But two people might find the two man a little tight.
That's all I got...

DeuceCoop: "I'm not Butthead (though it's been said I'm a butthead among other things) but I think I can point you in the same direction he would. If not, you got what you paid for! In no particular order of desirability because they're all top notch:


Tarptent
Six Moon Designs
Mountain Laurel Designs
Hyperlite Mountain Gear
Bearpaw Wilderness Designs


There are others. "

My tripping buddy just bought the HyperLite UltaMid 4. He says it is awesome. Can't wait to try it in BWCA this September.

Is ultra-light the only niche any of these companies have interest in? I'm sure there are a ton of people who are into exactly that, but "ultra-light" always seems to mean "pay an extra $100 to shave one extra pound (or less)," and I'd rather carry an extra pound and save $100."

Tarptent is quite competitive in it's pricing.

Just like to second Ben's (Nctry) observations. I've used the Copper Spur 2 (before that the 1) for a couple of years. Very dry, sturdy and comfortable for its weight. Two people sharing it best be deeply in love- great solo though (the Copper Spur 3 is good for two).

mschi772: "

DeuceCoop: "I'm not Butthead (though it's been said I'm a butthead among other things) but I think I can point you in the same direction he would. If not, you got what you paid for! In no particular order of desirability because they're all top notch:



Tarptent
Six Moon Designs
Mountain Laurel Designs
Hyperlite Mountain Gear
Bearpaw Wilderness Designs



There are others. "

Is ultra-light the only niche any of these companies have interest in? I'm sure there are a ton of people who are into exactly that, but "ultra-light" always seems to mean "pay an extra $100 to shave one extra pound (or less)," and I'd rather carry an extra pound and save $100."

SMD offers the Lunar Duo Outfitter which is a heavier and less expensive version of the Lunar Duo. Weighs about the same as a quality backpacking tent (Copper Spur for instance) but costs much less and takes up much less pack space. Probably has less head room, but does have double vestibules which is nice. I really like mine but I only use it for weekend backpacking trips (which at present are the longest backpacking trips I take). Every option has pros and cons as you know.

I have the HV UL2 and it is a great tent. I am a Big Agnes fan ( I also own a 4 person). I have owned a lot of tents but their innovation,weight,quality, and customer service is top rate. There are certainly other fine and cheaper options. I would not want to sleep 2 in this tent unless it was my wife and it would be COZY.

I have spent well over 100 nights in a Hubba Hubba and love it.

Others say it is too small for two people but it works fine for me and I'm 6'2" and have shared with similar sized people. (All of us on the more slender side, I will admit.) Having said that, we do not keep gear in the tents with us and there would be little room to do so. The two vestibules are great. I love the ventilation but mine is an older model with more mesh than the current models so ventilation might be a bit less today.

I do not have personal experience camping in the others, so no help there.

Honestly, I have friends with many different tents and most seem happy. It is hard to go wrong these days. Go check them out in person and lay down in them with a sleeping bag if you can in the store.

Thought I'd provide some follow-up in case others are interested. It may seem like useless info, but to me its the small stuff that matters when all the specs are the same.

I've ruled out the Marmot. From what I can tell from pics online there are very few guy lines on the fly and the few they have don't look to be in the right places. That concerned me in heavy rain or snow (I know its a 3-season tent but my spring and fall BWCA trips regularly bring some snow/ice). Sure enough, one review said in a storm the fly sagged and touched the tent. That's a deal-breaker.

I setup and laid in the BA and MSR at REI. Both very similar.
- The BA has clips for the fly, which I like, as opposed to the MSR that has hook-n-loop using the tent poles
- The MSR has a single zipper on each door, which I like, as opposed to the BA which has 2 zippers on each door.
- The BA is 4 inches wider at the head, which I had a hard time believing. They both seemed very close in width, but I guess I have to believe the specs. It does narrow down 10" from head to toe, whereas the MSR is a perfect rectangle, providing more room at the foot of the tent.
- The BA has a traditional tent bag, as opposed to the MSR which has a huge opening in the bag that cinches closed. Much easier to get the tent into if rolled. I would assume it makes stuffing the tent more difficult.

That being said I am definitely leaning towards the Nemo if I can find one to setup and lay in. Here's why:
- all the advantages of the MSR (2 doors, single zipper, 2 vestibules)
- 30d floor just like MSR (as opposed to 20d on BA)
- 6" wider than the MSR (and that's huge), same length as MSR and BA
- lighter than the MSR (but not quite as light as the BA)
- same price as the MSR
- I've seen a video where the ground tarp clips to the corner of the tent poles, which is very nice to keep is taught and centered. Maybe MSR and BA do the same.

If I find a great price on the MSR I wouldn't have an issue buying it. If it's the same price when REI's next 20% off sale hits I'll order the Nemo.

butthead: " DeuceCoop hit most of the list. I worked off Directory of “Cottage Industry” Backpacking Gear Companies and purchased a BSI Chinook Solo, a modular style tent suitable for all seasons with U-light poles, heavy season poles fabric and net interiors. Must be approaching 200 nites camping in it by now. Some of the websites are not user friendly but the folks running the small companies work with customers well.
Some internet time looking will discover others not often available in the US but fine designs as well.
Nice to have so many choices.


butthead
"

Thank you Ken for posting this Cottage directory. It helped me look at other lightweight tent options rather then the big companies. - in fact I purchased from one of those listed!!!!

Have you bought a tent yet?
I too have been looking for a lighter weight 2p tent and the same list. I now have a Marmot Limelight 2p (old style) and it has served us quite well for 6 years. It is a value priced tent which includes the footprint. My main issue is the single door/single vestibule. Coupled with a couple extra pounds, time to move on and lighten the load.
Note, the Marmot Tungsten UL 2p does NOT include enough guy lines or stakes. If you add the extra guylines, I suspect the fly will fit just fine and tight. I also prefer the simplicity and function of the X arrangement of the poles, same as my Limelight. very durable and easy to set up. Each corner of the fly just clip to the tent body, and tighten with straps. The fly is a polyester which doesn't stretch like nylon.
It's at least a full $100 cheaper than the others, and that makes a difference to me.
Think I just sold myself.
Oh, be sure to check out the youtube videos of these tents.
Joe

I'm a BA fan, awesome tents. I would ,however, advise you to consider a 3 man. The 2 man tents by pretty much every manufacturer are barely large enough for 2 bags, and they better be mummys. Tents seem to be getting smaller for their rated size over the years. Must be the competition for light weight.

I ended up buying the Nemo. They were $100 off (25%) at numerous sites last month. Just got back from a 5-day trip and it worked awesome. I love that single pole design. Sets up in about 3 minutes. A little tight for 2 grown men, but just as I expected. I wanted something that I could also solo in without a lot of extra weight.

Thanks for the update. The Nemo looks like a nice tent. I have the BA UL2 and UL3 and like them both but even when camping along, I like the UL3.