Backpacking tents · owner-verdict comparison

Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 vs Kelty Late Start 2P: what real owners say

Real owners rate these about evenly: 84% of 112 Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 owners recommend it, vs 80% of 10 for the Kelty Late Start 2P.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2

84%of 112 owners recommend

84% recommend · 5% neutral · 11% don't

Owners praise

Very lightweight, packs down small at around 3 lbs
Roomy, livable interior for the weight
Durable and holds up in high winds and bad weather

Owners complain about

Expensive, premium price tag
Thin, fragile fabric and mesh that needs care
Tight for two people or tall sleepers

Full owner report →

Kelty Late Start 2P

80%of 10 owners recommend

80% recommend · 20% neutral · 0% don't

Owners praise

Holds up for years of hard backpacking use without failing, owners report 5, 10, even 11 years of reliable service
Genuinely waterproof, owners say it's never leaked through torrential overnight rain
Quick, easy setup, even solo

Owners complain about

Heavy for its class, around 4 lbs for a 1-person tent (up to 6 lbs packed), which owners say undercuts its backpacking claims
Look and build feel cheap, with several owners comparing it unfavorably to a Walmart/Ozark Trail tent
Interior feels narrow and cramped, especially at the top and foot end, with too little room to spare

Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 if

✓Long-distance thru-hikers on the AT, PCT, or JMT
✓Solo backpackers wanting freestanding room and dual doors
✓Hunters and scouters needing a durable 3-season tent
✓Campers who value quick, easy setup

Skip it if

Two adults expecting a roomy fit (tight for two)
Careless handlers (fragile zippers, thin fabric)

Get the Kelty Late Start 2P if

✓Budget-conscious backpackers who want a durable, easy-to-pitch entry-level tent
✓Solo or 2-person backpackers who prioritize dry, leak-proof performance over ultralight weight
✓Beginners new to backpacking who want simple, no-frills setup and reliable weather protection
✓Backyard or short-hike family campers who don't need packed weight to be minimal

Skip it if

Ultralight backpackers who count every ounce, since the ~4lb weight for a 1-person tent draws frequent complaints
Taller or broader-shouldered campers, since several owners found the length and width too tight

What Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 owners say

“Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2. Upgraded from Marmot Limelight 2p (which is still awesome btw) but saving 3.5 lbs makes a huge difference.”
— thatonedayinmay on Reddit

“Get a Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 Bikepack and forget about it. I just did a 8,571-mile cross-country moto trip and camped most of the way, and my Copper Spur was incredible in all kinds of weather.”
— lowfox on Reddit

“I’m currently in the older model Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 and am looking to get something else. Every sleeping pad I use in the copper spur sounds like a rubbery balloon squeaking as it rubs against the floor. Not ideal for anyone else sleeping nearby.”
— bb-backl8er on Reddit

What Kelty Late Start 2P owners say

“I've never had any issues.”
— @gunsofmasseffect4321 on YouTube

“it has worked great for 3-4 years”
— @realJohnLab on YouTube

“4 lbs for a 1 person tent is nuts”
— @SomeRandomGuy-1985 on YouTube

Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 vs Kelty Late Start 2P: frequently asked questions

Is the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 or the Kelty Late Start 2P better?

Real owners rate these about evenly: 84% of 112 Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 owners recommend it, vs 80% of 10 for the Kelty Late Start 2P.

Who should get the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2?

Owners point the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 at long-distance thru-hikers on the AT, PCT, or JMT, and solo backpackers wanting freestanding room and dual doors.

Who should get the Kelty Late Start 2P?

Owners point the Kelty Late Start 2P at budget-conscious backpackers who want a durable, easy-to-pitch entry-level tent, and solo or 2-person backpackers who prioritize dry, leak-proof performance over ultralight weight.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 is expensive, premium price tag. For the Kelty Late Start 2P, it's heavy for its class, around 4 lbs for a 1-person tent (up to 6 lbs packed), which owners say undercuts its backpacking claims.