Head-to-head · Best 2-Person Backpacking Tents

Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 vs NEMO Hornet Elite OSMO 2P

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.7 vs 4.5). The gap is mostly about thru-hikers and frequent backpackers who can justify the premium for a tent that's both ultralight AND livable — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best 2-Person Backpacking Tents

Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2

4.7

$600

The Copper Spur HV UL2 is the gold standard for full-feature ultralight 2-person tents. 29 sq ft of floor + awning-extendable vestibules + 39" peak height in a 2 lb 10 oz minimum-weight package is unmatched by any other tent at this weight class. The trade-off is the price — at $600 it's roughly double the Naturehike Cloud-Up Pro 2 — and the delicate 15D floor that demands a footprint to last. For backpackers who logged 100+ nights last year, this is the buy.

Strengths

— 29 sq ft floor area and 39-inch peak height — most livable 2-person tent under 3.5 lb
— Two large doors and two awning-style vestibules with trekking-pole support
— Minimum packed weight of 2 lb 10 oz

Watch-outs

— Most expensive pick in this round-up
— 15D nylon floor is delicate — needs a footprint and careful site prep
— Awning poles add a packed pole-set that competitors don't require

$600 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #4 in Best 2-Person Backpacking Tents

NEMO Hornet Elite OSMO 2P

4.5

$550

The Hornet Elite OSMO 2P is the ultralight thru-hiker pick. At 2 lb 1 oz it's a full pound lighter than the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 and a pound and a half lighter than the Nemo Dagger OSMO 2P. The OSMO fabric story is the same as the Dagger's — PFAS-free, recycled, low wet stretch. The trade-offs are predictable for an ultralight: narrower foot end, smaller vestibules, semi-freestanding setup. For sub-3-lb base weights on PCT/CDT thru-hikes, this is the tent.

Strengths

— Lightest tent in this round-up — 2 lb 1 oz packed weight
— Two 7-sq-ft vestibules for shoes, packs, and poles
— OSMO fabric — PFAS-free, 100% recycled, 3x less wet stretch

Watch-outs

— Foot end tapers narrower — restless sleepers will feel the constraint
— Floor area smaller than the MSR Hubba Hubba LT and Nemo Dagger OSMO 2P
— Semi-freestanding — needs stakes to fully erect (won't fast-pitch on hard surfaces)

$550 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2

Most livable ultralight tent here. Beats the Nemo Hornet Elite OSMO 2P on interior space and the MSR Hubba Hubba LT on awning versatility, while undercutting both in packed weight. The Nemo Dagger OSMO 2P is more spacious but a full pound heavier; the Naturehike Cloud-Up Pro 2 is a third the price but heavier and less refined.

NEMO Hornet Elite OSMO 2P

Lightest tent in this lineup by a wide margin. Loses on floor space to the MSR Hubba Hubba LT and Nemo Dagger OSMO 2P. The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 weighs more (2 lb 10 oz) but offers more livability per ounce. Best for users where the last pound matters; worst for users who don't want to fight a narrow foot end.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2	NEMO Hornet Elite OSMO 2P
Packed Weight	3 lb 8 oz	2 lb 1 oz
Minimum Weight	2 lb 10 oz	1 lb 11 oz
Floor Area	29 sq ft	27.5 sq ft
Peak Height	39 in	37 in
Doors / Vestibules	2 / 2	2 / 2 (7 sq ft each)
Body Fabric	15D nylon (HyperBead)	No-see-um mesh
Floor Fabric	20D solution-dyed ripstop	OSMO ripstop, 1200 mm, PFAS-free
Setup	—	Semi-freestanding

← See the full ranking of best 2-person backpacking tents