Sarvis vs Copper Spur vs String Ridge are the Best Big Agnes Tent Options to Consider For Backpacking
This article is sponsored by REI Co-op, but the opinions are my own
Choosing the best Big Agnes tent for backpacking is a matter of cross referencing your intended user capacity with which tier-1 options are available. This buyer’s guide is 100% focused on functionality and volume-to-weight ratio, offering a highly critical ultralight perspective. We have cut through the chaff, eliminating most options to present you with a simpler choice between only the four best Big Agnes tents for backpacking. Here are my top four power rankings in order:
- Best All-Around: Sarvis VST
- Best Ultralight: String Ridge VST
- Most Spacious: Copper Spur UL XL
- Jack of All Trades: Copper Spur UL
It sounds harsh, but there is no real world no circumstance where I would choose any other Big Agnes tent, apart from Sarvis vs Copper Spur vs String Ridge!
While you’re here, don’t miss more Sarvis VST review, Copper Spur Review. and guides to ultralight 1P, 2P, 3P, and 4P tents, as well as ultralight freestanding tents.
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Comparing each size of Sarvis vs Copper Spur vs String Ridge
Which Big Agnes Tent to choose based on your intended capacity
Ranked for your convenience
Best for 1P
- String Ridge VST 1.5 – Pros: Lightest option by far. Spacious for 1P. Cons: Non-freestanding. Single wall
- Sarvis VST 2 – Pros: Third lightest, only 2 oz heavier than CS UL1. Cons: Overkill for 1P. Partially single wall
- Copper Spur UL1 – Pros: Second lightest, double wall, freestanding. Small footprint. Cons: Low area-to-weight
Best for Mixed 1-2P
- Sarvis VST 2 – Pros: Lightest option, freestanding, full-size for 2P. Cons: Overkill for 1P. Partially single wall
- Copper Spur UL2 – Pros: Third lightest, freestanding, double wall. Cons: Cramped for 2P, heavy for 1P
Best for Dedicated 2P
- String Ridge VST 2.5 – Pros: Lightest option, spacious for 2p. Cons: Non-freestanding, single wall
- Sarvsis VST 2 – Pros: Second light option, full size for 2P, freestanding. Cons: Partially single wall
- Copper Spur UL2 XL – Pros: Most spacious 2P, only 4 oz heavier than baseline CS UL2. Cons: Heavier. Less wind stable
Best for Mixed 2-3P
- Sarvis VST 3 – Pros: Lightest option. Fully freestanding. Full size for 3P. Cons: Partially single wall
- Copper Spur UL3: Pros: Second lightest. Fully freestanding. Double wall. Cons: Cramped for 3P. Heavy for 2P
Best for Dedicated 3P
- Copper Spur UL3 XL – Pros: Most spacious for 3P. Fully freestanding. Double wall. Cons: Heavy. Less wind stable
- Sarvis VST 3: Pros: Lightest option. Full size for 3p. Fully freestanding. Cons: Partially single wall
Best for 4P
- X2 String Ridge VST 2.5 Pros: Lightest. Fits most sites. Spacious. Cons: Separates Group. Not freestanding. Single wall
- Copper Spur UL4: Pros: Keeps group together. Freestanding. Double wall. Cons: Heavy Cramped for 4P
Comparing the Best Big Agnes Tents
Copper Spur vs Sarvis vs String Ridge
Mobile users rotate device for full-width table
| Model & Capacity | Price ($) | Trail Weight (oz) | Interior Area (sq ft) | Int Area/Weight (sq ft / oz) | Int Area per Person (sq ft / oz) | Height (in) |
Pole Diameter (mm)
|
| CS UL1 | 500 | 38 | 20 | 0.53 | 20 | 38 | 8.7 |
| ST RI VST 1.5 | 550 | 19 | 22 | 1.16 | 22 | 47 | N/A |
| SRVS VST 2 | 750 | 40 | 32 | 0.80 | 16 | 40 | 8.7 |
| CS UL2 | 600 | 42 | 29 | 0.69 | 14.5 | 40 | 8.7 |
| CS UL2 XL | 650 | 46 | 36 | 0.78 | 18 | 43 | 8.7 |
| ST RI VST 2.5 | 680 | 30 | 35 | 1.17 | 17.5 | 47 | N/A |
| SAR VST 3 | 850 | 48 | 44 | 0.92 | 14.7 | 42 | 9.3 |
| CS UL3 | 650 | 54 | 41 | 0.76 | 13.7 | 43 | 9.3 |
| CS UL3 XL | 700 | 57 | 48 | 0.84 | 16 | 47 | 9.3 |
| CS UL4 | 850 | 80 | 57 | 0.71 | 14.3 | 50 | 10.3 |
Big Agnes Copper Spur UL 1
3rd best for 1P use
Copper Spur UL1 is the smallest and least expensive fully-freestanding double wall Big Agnes tent. However, it has a poor size-to-weight ratio relative to its tier-1 peers. It’s smaller and twice as heavy as the String Ridge VST 1.5, which is my preferred 1P option because weight savings are critical for soloists who can’t share gear. It’s also only two ounces lighter than the Sarvis VST 2, which is a full size two person tent; much larger and more versatile. As such, Copper Spur UL1 is relegated to third string 1P option, and you should really only choose it if you need a small foot print, or can’t stomach non-freestanding.
- Price: $500
- Weight: 38 oz
- Pros: Fully-freestanding. Double wall. Second lightest among tier-1 options. Least expensive among tier-1 options.
- Cons: Smallest 1P option, lowest area-to-weight.
Big Agnes String Ridge VST 1.5
Best for 1P use
String Ridge VST 1.5 is far and away the best 1P Big Agnes tent because it’s significantly lighter than all other options. Weight savings are critical for soloists who can’t share gear. It is literally half the weight of the Copper Spur UL1. Single wall non-freestanding shelters like this are a tried and true success recipe on the PCT, and the addition of a second trekking pole is a nifty innovation to boost interior volume and ventilation.
- Price: $550
- Weight: 19 oz
- Pros: Single lightest Big Agnes tent. Spacious for 1P. Great area-to-weight ratio. Second pole boosts headroom.
- Cons: Non-freestanding. Single wall.
Big Agnes Sarvis VST 2
Best for Mixed 1-2P use, second best for 1P use, second best for 2P use
Sarvis VST 2 is large, lightweight, and versatile, making it the best overall Big Agnes tent for backpacking. It is lighter than the comparably sized Copper Spur UL2, and has a better area-to-weight ratio than Copper Spur UL2 XL. And the fact that it’s only two ounce heavier than Copper Spur UL1 makes it a significantly better choice for soloists who insist on freestanding. The only tent that you would choose over Sarvis VST 2 is String Ridge VST 2.5 if you’re okay with non-freestanding, because that one is even lighter and larger. If you must have the largest 2P option, CS UL2 XL is a bit bigger, though much heavier. But considering the popularity, ease, and versatility of freestanding tents, Sarvis VST 2 is our #1 overall pick for best Big Agnes tent.
- Price: $750
- Weight: 40 oz
- Pros: Freestanding. Fly first pitch. Lighter and larger than average. Good area-to-weight ratio. Double wall ceiling. Good top vent.
- Cons: Expensive. Single wall sidewalls.
Big Agnes String Ridge VST 2.5
Best for 2P use
String Ridge VST 2.5 is an enlarged version of the trustworthy dual apex trekking pole tent design, with a unique beak vent that improves air flow. This is our top pick for two backpackers because it is so large and so light; no Big Agnes tent has a better area-to-weight ratio. Drawbacks are the fact that single wall shelters inevitably lead to more contact with condensation on interior walls, and non-freestanding tents are less beginner friendly to pitch. But once you get the hang of setup, it’s no issue at all; perhaps even faster than poled alternatives. Despite the fact that it helps to ventilate, the beak vent is a liability in strong wind.
- Price: $680
- Weight: 30 oz
- Pros: Very spacious for 2P. Very light. Well ventilated.
- Cons: Single wall. Non-freestanding. Beak vent is a liability in high wind. Requires three trekking poles, not good for soloists.
Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2
2nd best for mixed 1-2P use
Copper Spur UL2 is the most popular and beloved Big Agnes tent for backpacking, renown for its light weight, double-wall, fully freestanding construction. It remains a good tent, but with the XL version and VST series added to the mix, baseline CS UL2 is relegated to third string, no longer best in any category. Freestanding Sarvis VST 2 is larger and lighter, while String Ridge VST 2.5 is even larger and lighter still. UL2 XL is only a few ounces heavier for a lot more space. Copper Spur UL2 is the second best option for mixed 1-2P use, but still inferior to Sarvis VST. To be honest, CS UL2 is nearly too heavy for singles and nearly too small for duos. With only 29 sq ft, it feels cramped with two full size adults and all of their gear. While on the other hand its peers deliver 32-36 sq ft, and 2-10 ounces of weight savings.
- Price: $600
- Weight: 42 oz
- Pros: Fully-freestanding. Double wall. Versatile use cases.
- Cons: Poor area-to-weight. Multiple options outcompete it on weight and space. Not great at anything.
Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 XL
Third best for 2P use
For dedicated 2P use, we prefer the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 XL over the baseline UL2. It adds only four ounces of extra weight for seven additional sq ft; turning a cramped 2P shelter into a palace. The only use case where I wouldn’t recommend CS UL2 XL over CS UL2 is for mixed 1-2P use, since the XL version is overkill when you use it under max capacity. If you’re willing to go with a non-freestanding pitch, the String Ridge 2.5 is just as spacious and weighs a pound less. One minor drawback to the CS UL XL series is that they use the same pole diameter as the corresponding CS UL. Ergo, having the same poles supporting a larger volume of tent fly means lower wind stability.
- Price: $650
- Weight: 45 oz
- Pros: High area to weight. Fully-freestanding. Double wall. Better for two people than baseline CS UL2.
- Cons: Too large/heavy to flex into 1P use. Lower wind stability.
Big Agnes Sarvis VST 3
Best for mixed 2-3P use, second best for 3P use
Sarvis VST 3 is the lightest fully-freestanding 3P Big Agnes tent, and our top pick for three backpackers. It is lighter and larger than Copper Spur UL3, and has a superior area-to-weight ratio than CS UL3 XL. Apart from price tag, the biggest drawback is that it’s only double-walled on the ceiling. On the other hand, the exterior poles yield fly-first pitching so you never have to expose the mesh canopy to rain during setup.
- Price: $850
- Weight: 48 oz
- Pros: Fully-freestanding. Lightest freestanding 3P option. Good area-to-weight ratio. Fly first pitch. Double wall ceiling. Good top vent.
- Cons: Single-wall sidewalls. Very expensive.
Big Agnes Copper Spur UL3
Second best for mixed 2-3P use
Baseline Copper Spur UL3 slots into the lineup as a second string option for mixed 2-3P use. But it’s a clear notch below Sarvis VST 3, which is both larger and lighter. Yes, fully freestanding double wall tents are comforting and user-friendly, but Sarvis’s specs are just so much better. This one is just too heavy for 2p use and too small for 3P use, making it a jack of all trades that can do both, but does neither well.
- Price: $700
- Weight: 54 oz
- Pros: Fully-freestanding. Double wall. Versatile.
- Cons: Heavier and lower area-to-weight ratio than its 3P peers.
Big Agnes Copper Spur UL3 XL
Best for 3P use
For three backpackers, Copper Spur UL3 XL is a great choice. It is the largest 3P Big Agnes tent, with a fully-freestanding pitch, double wall construction, and a respectable area-to-weight ratio. Compared to baseline CS UL3, the XL adds seven additional square feet at the cost three measly ounces. What a worthwhile exchange! So unless you plan to use the tent under capacity, this is an obvious upgrade. For those keen on traveling fast and light, the Sarvis VST 3 offers nine ounces of weight savings at the cost of four fewer square feet of interior area. One minor drawback to the Copper Spur UL XL series is that they use the same pole diameter as the corresponding non-XL version. Ergo, having the same poles supporting a larger volume of tent means lower wind stability.
- Price: $700
- Weight: 57 oz
- Pros: Most spacious 3P option. Fully freestanding. Double-wall. High area-to-weight ratio. Obvious upgrade over baseline CSUL3.
- Cons: Heavy. Overkill for 2P. Lower wind stability.
Big Agnes Copper Spur UL4
Best 4P tent for 4P use
Rounding things out is the largest Big Agnes tent worth considering, Copper Spur UL4. For those serious about optimizing weight, space, and functionality, a pair of 2P tents is going to be more effective. Two tents can fit into more types of campsites, create more space for people and gear, all while weighing less; a pair of String Ridge VST 2.5s is 20 lighter and with 13 extra square feet interior area. However, we understand the desire to keep your family (or close friends) together at night, in which case the CS UL4 is basically your only option. That being said, it’s significantly heavier than all the other tents, and we list it begrudingly.
- Price: $850
- Weight: 80 oz
- Pros: Fully-freestanding. Double wall. High ceiling. Keeps family together. Not versatile.
- Cons: Very heavy. Very expensive. Low area-per-person. Only one top vent.
Avoid These Big Agnes Tents
When we recommend choosing ONLY between Sarvis vs String Ridge vs Copper Spur, we have our reasons. The following tents are excluded from consideration due to inferior performance and/or specs.
- Tiger Wall UL – Semi-freestanding pitch has poor lateral wind stability. If you want weight savings, go with the much larger and lighter String Ridge VST, which is also more wind-resistant. If you want wind stability, size, and all-surface versatility, go with the larger and only slightly heavier Sarvis VST.
- Fly Creek UL – Semi-freestanding pitch has poor lateral wind stability. Single door means poor ventilation. If you want weight savings, go with the much larger and lighter String Ridge VST, which is also more wind-resistant. If you want wind stability, size, and all-surface versatility, go with the larger and only slightly heavier Sarvis VST.
- Pitch Pine VST – Semi-freestanding pitch has poor lateral wind stability. If you want weight savings, go with the much larger and lighter String Ridge VST, which is also more wind-resistant. If you want wind stability, size, and all-surface versatility, go with the larger and only slightly heavier Sarvis VST.
- Black Tail – Extremely heavy. If you want a top performing budget tent, shop other brands instead.
- Crag Lake – Heavy. If you want a top performing budget tent, shop at other brands instead.
The single spine pole frame of Big Agnes Pitchpine VST 1.5 lacks lateral stability, warps easily with slight pressure.
Conclusion to choosing the best big agnes tent
Big Agnes makes tons of great tents, but Sarvis VST, String Ridge VST, and Copper Spur UL stand a cut above the rest. To figure out which is the best Big Agnes tent for you, first identify your capacity needs, and then figure out which of the tier-1 options fits your needs and preferences best. And when in doubt, we recommend you choose the Sarvis VST 2, which is the most versatile size of the best overall model.
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