My Ultralight Tent Quest Begins...

So, there I was, knee-deep in mud (literally!), at the base of Mount Whitney, wrestling with my old, beat-up tent. Rain was lashing down, my gear was soaked, and I was starting to question every life choice that led me to this soggy predicament. That's when I decided – enough was enough! I needed a new tent, a lightweight, bomb-proof ultralight tent that would survive anything Mother Nature could throw at me. And so began my quest to find the perfect shelter for my backpacking adventures. I narrowed it down to two contenders: the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL and the Nemo Hornet Elite. Both are titans in the ultralight backpacking tent world, and choosing between them felt like picking between two amazing chocolate bars. Both delicious, but one is just slightly better... right?

Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL: Spacious and Stable

Let's start with the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL. This tent is known for its spacious interior. I'm not gonna lie, I'm a bit of a tent-hoarder (packing way more than I need, I know, it's a bad habit). The Copper Spur HV UL easily accommodated me and all my stuff—gear, and extra snacks, of course! I also loved how sturdy it felt. It shrugged off some pretty gnarly wind gusts on my last trip to Yosemite. Setup was a breeze, mostly because I practiced putting it up in my backyard until I knew it backwards and forwards. What's not to love, am I right? Except, there is one thing. It does have a slightly heavier weight than its main competition. That's a drawback, which we will discuss later.

Nemo Hornet Elite: Lightweight Champion

Next up, the Nemo Hornet Elite. This tent is all about weight savings. It's ridiculously light! I could practically carry it in my teeth. Honestly, it felt like I wasn't even carrying a tent. If I had a dog, I would be worried it might run off with this thing on its head. This thing is light! But! Size, or lack thereof, is a trade-off. It's snug, which is great for solo trips, but forget about bringing a friend and all your gear, unless they are extremely small and travel light. The setup is a bit trickier than the Copper Spur, but with practice, it becomes easier. I had to watch a youtube video a few times, but it's all good now. Setting it up is a bit of a puzzle, but once you've done it once or twice, it's pretty quick and easy.

Head-to-Head Showdown: Copper Spur vs. Hornet

So, which tent wins? It depends entirely on your priorities. If you prioritize space and stability, the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL is the clear winner. If weight is your ultimate concern, you're going to love the Nemo Hornet Elite. My friend, Steve, opted for the Hornet Elite because he's crazy about weight. He loves his 'ultralight' lifestyle, no matter what it takes. He is a better person than I am, for this particular trait. But I really do like the space of the Copper Spur HV UL. To make this easier, here is a handy little table:

See? It all comes down to what you value most. You'll find the perfect tent for you. It's a simple equation that you can solve using this handy table.

Choosing Your Ultralight Champion: A Final Verdict

Ultimately, there's no single