I think there was a recent post on this subject but I can't locate it. I did read through several old threads talking about expedition and 4-season tents. The complaints about both types are weight, expense, and ventilation. Have these problems been solved?

Big Agnes came out with the Copper Spur Expedition last year but they have just recently started showing up on the retail market. The weight for the Big Agnes Copper Spur Expedition 3P is down around 6 pounds. It appears to have decent ventilation and the list price is $549. I found it on a popular well-known outdoor recreation store website for $439 (using $110 off coupon). I'm looking for something to use in the fall in the BWCA. The temps are usually around 50°- 60° during the day and down to 35° - 45° at night. I don't have a shortage of tents with several from Big Agnes, a couple from Nemo, a Eureka, and a CCS Lean but I'm intrigued by this model. I don't need the snow load durability but I like the zipper pulls, the stake out loops, the cloth body, the zippered vents in the doors and ceiling, and two doors and vestibules. It's looks extremely durable, and it's semi free standing (the vestibules need to be staked out). I would love your opinions and comments on this tent. Even if you don't own one, give me your pro's and con's.
Big Agnes Copper Spur Expedition HV 3

I love my fly creek in the shoulder seasons. Of course, more of my warmth falls on my sleeping bag. Hard to argue about B.A. quality. If you don't mind extra weight I say go for it. Looks like you are getting a good deal. If there is a Mrs. Northwoodsman you can tell her how much you saved!!

After looking at the specs and reading reviews on MooseJaw ...
Impressive!
41" height isn't bad. 48" would be better. But it is what it is. A fine, lightweight, expedition style tent.

thread: Scroll to member "homers" post. Maybe shoot him an email for some feedback on this model.

At those temps I would just use a 3 season tent with plenty of room (actually I would use a hot tent, but that is not what you are asking for). With no snow load, what's the difference?

REI dropped the price even lower with the sale that started today. It's down to $411.99. For the past two weeks their website has listed it as no longer available. Today I decided to use the GEARUP2018 and purchase the footprint and both the tent and the footprint were 25% off. Suddenly available? Cha-ching.

I have a couple other BA tents and the quality is unsurpassed but I'm always worried about tears, rips, snags, holes, zippers, etc. because they are UL and ultra-thin with a lot of netting for the reduced weight. In warmer temps I'm not as worried because I'm careful about taking shoes off and probably more cautious because I'm wearing shorts or other thin, lightweight clothing. I take excellent care with my gear and and super-careful but I have to admit that when I come off the water cold & wet, and set-up my tent in the cold, rain, and wind I'm not as careful about taking my jacket & boots off. This one with minimal netting looks more durable.

I have never been too warm in September, but that could change any year. I also like to camp during the winter months here in North TX and it can be in the 20's and 30's. I also can't rule out winter camping in MN. I personally may not use it in a snow event but I have other family members that live in MN that are always welcome to use it.

I have a Copper Spur UL HV 4P and love it. Thanks for the input so far.

First off, you just can't go wrong with the Copper spur line, or any tent by BA.

You're asking about shoulder seasons specifically, so my feedback is that this tent is just overkill for 3 season usage in the BW.

As a frame of reference, we use a BA seedhouse 3. We've been snowed on with that tent several times (May, Sept, Oct), and it's held up fine. It would not be appropriate for an April/November heavy wet snow, but that's not really shoulder season in the BW.

A 4 season tent, IMO, is useful if you anticipate getting snowed on regularly. The slightly thicker fabric isn't going to keep you warm, but is there to maintain the structural integrity of the tent if you get dumped on. Same thing for the thicker poles. Of course this comes with a weight penalty, which is why, IMO this tent is overkill. Also, shoulder seasons can get WARM, in which case ventilation is paramount. While it looks like the ventilation on this model is pretty good, I'd rather have GREAT ventilation on the 3 season copper spur.

Unless you plan on at least occasional heavy, wet snow, I recommend the standard copper spur.

4 season camper here. While mine (Shoulder Season Tent), is a solo tent (Chinook), It is available in 1 1/2 and 2 person, and a similar design 3 person (Revolution 3), Big Sky International. Small company primarily direct sales. The website has been problematical but the service and quality as well as designs are very good.
I use a 3 pound Chinook Solo with fabric (not mesh) interior. Warm and strong, deep vestibules, 2 door, many options, light weight, and has worked well in snow season.
The Revolution 3P tent is very comparable to the Copper Spur HV3 Expedition. While the website does not list all the options available a call or email will get results.

Have owned BA Copper Spurs and have sold them since buying the Chinook,. It's been in use since 2014 with a over a hundred nites of use, and is my go to backpacking shelter.

If I'm not packing it and want more room, I now use an Alps Extreme 3 Outfitter. It does weigh 9 pounds all up, but packs small and is a spacious warm and very sturdy shelter.

butthead

PS: While technically an all fabric interior is no warmer, it does stop a lot of breeze and does feel warmer in shoulder thru winter conditions. bh

I used a Tarptent Bowfin 1 and a 15 degree sleeping bag with an Exped DownMat. The sleeping bag and pad are more important than the tent at that time of year

Shoulder season camper/tripper here also. I have used a Eureka Tundraline tent for several years. It is a Cliff Jacobsen remake of the long gone Cannondale Aroostook. It is very spacious for two and would easily accommodate three people. It served a buddy and myself well a couple of weeks ago in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan when it snowed 4-5”. It is a heavy duty tent Jacobsen used on artic trips. So it is heavy and bulky but very weather resistant. It is no longer manufactured. I got mine from Piragis when they were closing them out.

I use a Mountan Hardwear Trango when tripping in the shoulder season. It is heavy, but bomb proof. Been through to many trips that brought snow, sleet, cold wind, and other adverse conditions and it performs flawless.

I now the question was about tents, but during early spring and fall during shoulder season I personally love my CCS Lean a lot more because of the little bit of condensation that it builds up. I would rather carry and bring a little warmer bag and pad and have a little more space that the Lean provides. I do bring the Easton poles and leave them securely strapped in the canoe instead of the packs on portages which makes setup I believe much easier. Did some twenty plus days canoeing this fall with the lean and found myself most nights sleeping under a tarp instead of the Lean. Used my new BA bag Mystic down bag and did bring my Yampa over bag that I did use sparingly I do love this system with my Exped 7. As for tents I did purchase a BA Copper spur HV UL two person tent and used it a little bit on some hikes with my wife as we wanted to try and go a little lighter with our gear while out hiking, the tent worked great and is roomy enough for two, and lite enough to be used as a solo shelter.

Franzenrp,

I agree with the CCS Lean. I have a Lean 3 and we used it on our trip this past September and it was great. There were 4 of us with 25" wide pads and down bags and the Lean 3 was the perfect size for us and all of our gear. I really appreciated the fact that you didn't have to crawl around inside, or out the door on your hands and knees. I also loved the fact that you could take your boots and shoes off outside under the awning in rain without getting the inside wet, or you could take them off inside because the "floor" doesn't have to go all the way of the screened front. It's also nice to have an awning to pack, unpack, sort, or to sit under. I also have a 10' x 14' CCS tarp but having two covered areas was nice. The large size is also a downside. It was difficult to find the perfect spot for it because we needed the entire space to be usable for sleeping. A 5 star site doesn't mean you can find room for an 10' x 11.5' Lean on a flat spot, without roots or stumps. Also it needs to be staked down all around if it's windy and raining so pitching it an a huge rock surface doesn't work well. I'm torn between a 3P tent or a Lean 1. I don't absolutely need another tent because if I add any more gear to my collection I think I can officially be called an outfitter, but I'm lacking a good quality, heavy duty, weather-proof tent for 2 people. I already have a Copper Spur HV UL2 and and a Copper Spur UL4 for warmer weather use, and I was looking for something in between so I thought why not go with the rugged Copper Spur Expedition 3 to fill the gap. I pulled the trigger on it yesterday since it's 25% off at REI during their current sale. $412 is a good price for a high quality 3 person tent, that is semi-lightweight. At 6 lbs. it's heavier than my Copper Spur's but still lighter than my Nemo's. I appreciate all the input from everyone.

Why not take out a second or third mortgage on your house and buy a Hilleberg tent? Was recently canoe camping with a close friend that owns the 2 person Staika when temps dropped to low 20s, sleet came in, then blowing snow in winds of 30mph. Tent didn't budge, we remained dry as a bone, and cozy warm. It was a cinch to pitch--even in the dark night. Yes, heavy at 9lbs., but packed down well when separated into pole bag and tent bag. Never felt so secure in a tent!

I bought a 1 man Hilleberg Akto and I don't regret it. Did a 27 day solo in it this fall and it handled like a champ. The freezing rain and snow wiped right off it and it didn't get all stiff and frozen like other tents I've used in wintry conditions. Yeah they are spendy but I plan on using it many nights. They are also easy to set up as the footprint, tent body and fly stay hooked together all the time unless you unhook them.
With the tent and my 10x8 CCS tarp set up over the vestibule I feel ready for anything mother nature throws at me. I'm learning after going thru a lot of gear that if you buy good gear you save money in the long runnot replacing them every few years. Also the headache and/or danger of a failure in the wilderness.
I also must say that I don't have any other spendy habits or hobbies and don't buy anything I don't have the cash for. I may spend $1000-2500 a year for tripping 16-40 days each year but I consider that damn cheap vacationing and I own my own high quality gear:)

I have been mostly a lurker on this forum. I really appreciate the depth of experience folks have. The Copper Spur Expedition is on sale at REI now for $356.

Jack

if you happen to own a BA seedhouse - try sleeping with your head at the 'foot' end - you will be slightly claustrophobic, but sleep MUCH warmer.

Don't ask me how we discovered this! LOL