Big Agnes overhauls its bikepacking tents with smarter fabrics and bar-friendly packs

Trying to strap a tent that’s too long between your handle bars, or digging through panniers in the rain for a soggy stuff sack are probably the biggest annoyances when it comes to bikepacking.

To try fix this, Colorado outdoors brand, Big Agnes has overhauled its two bikepacking-specific shelters - the Copper Spur UL Bikepack and the Tiger Wall UL Bikepack - to make packing, pitching and drying kit less of a pain in the tent pegs.

What’s actually new?

An update might not sound like the biggest news, but there are some decent design upgrades in both models.

The headline change is a new Hyperbead fabric across the fly and inner. Big Agnes says it’s stronger and more waterproof, so you get the same low weight with a bit more peace of mind when the weather takes a turn for the worst. There’s also a new waterproof stuff sack that’s built with bike mounting in mind, plus a 12-inch Shortstik pole set that finally plays nicely with handlebar bags, fork cages and tight frame triangles.

On the storage front, both tents add a larger, dedicated helmet pocket to avoid collecting dew, and there are exterior daisy chains on the fly and body for drying socks or clipping on a light.

Copper Spur vs Tiger Wall

Looking for which is the best out of the two? If you want the full works, the Copper Spur UL Bikepack is the one to beat. It’s a three-season, fully freestanding dome with big vestibules and clever 3D “bins” that turn dead corners into usable shelves, so packs and wet kit stay off the floor. The new 12-inch Shortstick poles and waterproof stuff sack make bar-mounting far less of a faff, and the Hyperbead fabric is tougher and more waterproof than before. It comes in 1, 2 and 3-person sizes from $519.95.

If you prefer to keep the weight down and don’t mind a semi-freestanding pitch, then the Tiger Wall UL Bikepack might be a better fit. It uses the same Hyperbead fabric, short pole set and bike-friendly sack, plus two doors and vestibules for easy exits and storage. Its Wheelie Stake Out Loops let you use your bike as corner anchors when stakes won’t bite on rocky ground. It’s available in 1 and 2-person versions from $479.95.