Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: Advice on a Shoulder Season Tent
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mjmkjun |
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. |
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pswith5 |
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catadromous |
Jack |
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BobDobbs |
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. |
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Northwoodsman |
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 |
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Franzenrp |
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walllee |
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minnmike |
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:) |
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Blatz |
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Northwoodsman |
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. |
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BobDobbs |
Don't ask me how we discovered this! LOL |
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MagicMan1 |
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PortageKeeper |
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deerfoot |
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butthead |
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 |
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Northwoodsman |
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. |