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Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2 Tent
Tester Bio:
Name: Taylor Cockrell
Age: 22
Gender: Male
Height: 6’ 0” (1.83 Meters)
Weight: 190 Pounds (86.2 Kilograms)
Email address: [email protected]
City, State, Country: Abilene, Texas, U.S.
Date: March 13, 2015
Backpacking Background: My backpacking obsession began in High School after going on a weeklong wilderness trek. Since then, I have remained passionate about backpacking. I like to backpack overnight when I can, simply because I love playing with all my gearJ That being said, my pack normally weighs in between 35 and 50 pounds. I normally backpack in the Big Bend area or in the Rio Grande area of Northern New Mexico. I also love to camp out with family in local state parks around West Texas.
Product Information
Manufacturer: Big Agnes
Year of Manufacture: 2013
URL: https://www.bigagnes.com https://www.bigagnes.com
Packed Weight: 2lb 5oz
Trail Weight: 1lb 15oz
Product Description: The Fly Creek UL2 is an ultra light, backpacking tent designed to sleep two people.
Price: $349.95
Field Information
Time Tested: Approximately 20 nights in this tent over the past year and a half.
Location of Test:
1. Abilene State Park (Abilene, Texas)
- West Texas area. Flat, wooded terrain. Elevation: 1,719 ft. (524 m).
- Tested in October when temperature was cool during the day and cold at night. Temperature dropped to approximately 38 degrees Fahrenheit (3.3 degrees Celcius). No precipitation.
2. Ruidoso, New Mexico
- Central New Mexico area. Mountain terrain. Elevation: 7,000 ft. (2,134 m).
- Tested in early April. Temperature dropped to below freezing. Encountered light precipitation.
Review:
When looking to buy a tent there are several things that I want to know upfront. I want to know: A) How does the tent hold up in rainy or wet conditions? B) How easy is it to set up the tent? C) Is the tent ideal for four-season backpacking? D) Is the tent durable/will this be a good investment?
Upon testing, I was more than satisfied with 3 out of 4 of these questions. I spent two nights camping in Ruidoso and encountered light rain showers both nights. Not a single drop of rain made it through the rain fly. I have yet to test this tent in a downpour but I would assume that it would excel in a deluge as well. It would be a good idea to use the Fly Creek UL2 footprint in downpour conditions or conditions where the ground is already soaked.
The tent is extremely easy to set up. It only took me a couple minutes. I love the single pole design of the Fly Creek UL Series. When the tent is set up, you get a better idea of how extremely light it is. When it comes time to pack this tent up, you can simply pick it up by the pole and shake out the dirt and dust before breaking it down. When I tested the tent in Abilene, I camped on pretty hard ground. I had to find a rock in order to bang the stakes into the ground. On the bright side, the stakes are extremely strong and durable and would be able to penetrate most dirt.
This is not a four-season tent (meaning there are tents out there that will give you better cold-weather protection) but it doesn’t claim to be. So my only complaint about this product is that when camping in freezing weather, don’t expect this ultra-light to be what keeps you warm. That’s what your bag is forJ
If you believe that every ounce matters (and it totally does) then the Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2 would be an excellent investment. I have probably spent a total of 20 nights in this tent over the past year and a half and it still looks and works like new. The zipper always seems to be the first thing on the tent to give out. This zipper construction is top notch and does not catch on any fabric.
Summary
If you love backcountry camping excursions and prefer a tent, it really does not get any better than the Fly Creek UL2. It is the best price/product ratio on the market in my opinion.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED