Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 Tent Review

Weight:

2 lbs. 8 oz.

Floor area:

28 sq. ft.

Capacities:

2P, 3P

What we like:

One of the lightest two-door-and-vestibule designs on the market.

What we don’t:

Semi-freestanding build can be hard to pitch on hard surfaces like rock.

Rating:

(4.5/5)

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Big Agnes’ Tiger Wall is a combination of two of their top backpacking styles–the famos Copper Spur and Fly Creek–into an intriguing ultralight unit. We took the UL2 model backpacking in Utah’s Canyon Country and found that the mixture worked: the two-door-and-vestibule layout and hubbed pole system offer decent livability, while the tapered foot end and semi-freestanding build keep weight to a minimum. The tent isn’t as spacious inside for two backpackers however, it’s among the most durable designs available, in relation the weight. Below , we’ll go over our experiences using Tiger Wall. Tiger Wall. To find out how it stacks against the other tents check out our review of the top backpacking tents.

Editor’s note: As of our last test, Big Agnes has updated the Tiger Wall. In the 2021 Tiger Wall UL2 Solution Dye The most recent model features an emulsion dyed fabric that consumes less energy and water in production and is specifically created to improve UV resistance and less fade in time. Furthermore, a modern pole-clip system is designed to make installation faster and simpler and the new aluminum stakes are more sturdy for their weight. The specifications (including the weight and cost) are the same as before, and we’ve highlighted any changes in the text below.

Performance

Weight and Size of Packed

Among two-door-and-vestibule designs, the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 is one of the lightest tents on the market. Its weight is 2.85 pounds, 8 ounces it’s a whopping 10 pounds less than Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 and is easily a cut above the most popular models such as Nemo’s Dagger or MSR’s Hubba Hubba NX (both 3 2 pounds. 14 oz.). It is important to note that the three mentioned tents are freestanding. However, The Tiger Wall can only be considered semi-freestanding. For other semi-freestanding models, you can make the choice to go lighter by using one of them, the Nemo Hornet (2 lbs. 6 oz. ) However, that tent is smaller inside. 

The Tiger Wall’s packing capacity is the same as it’s weight. The light mesh, nylon as well as the superlight DAC poles that have a minimal hub can all be packed into the 5.5 18-inch stuff bag. It was easy to find an area to store the tent, which is available in a range of 60 or 58 and even 38-liter bags. Furthermore, the bag is spacious enough to take care of a bad packing task if you need to quickly break camp early in the day (nothing can be more frustrating than a pile of piles that leave no space for mistakes).

Weight

LIVABILITY as well as Interior Space

Ultralight tents usually compromise interior space, however, we believe Big Agnes did a good job in maximizing the size of its Tiger Wall UL2. Drawing inspiration from The Copper Spur, the head side is almost vertical and is easily opened using an hubbed pole. Furthermore, the sides stretch out by the central ridgepole. This allows two people to be straight when compared to alternatives similar to that of the Nemo Hornet which only has narrow, short bars in the middle, instead of a broad ridgepole. The Tiger Wall is a bit more aggressive in its tapering downwards towards the bottom however Big Agnes squared off the lower edges to form a box surrounding the feet. Overall the Tiger Wall UL2 is very big enough for one person, and is suitable for two backpackers who value the weight over all-out comfort.

ut comfort.

The only place where the Tiger Wall falls short of a tent similar to it’s cousin, the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 is due to its semi-freestanding design which means that you need to anchor the bottom end of the tent in order to create a solid foundation. It was not a problem for us when we were on dirt, however it was a challenge the night we stayed in the Canyonlands in the Canyonlands when our camp was set on the rocks. In this scenario the non-freestanding side of the tent proved difficult to make tight, making the foot portion of the interior quite cramped. This shouldn’t be a problem for many backpackers, however when you have to camp on rocks or snow, or any other difficult terrain, it might be worthwhile considering a stand-alone style such as The Copper Spur or Nemo Dagger (for the weight loss).

Durability

If you’re buying an camping tent that weighs only 2.5 pounds isn’t it as a shock that you have to compromise on quality and durability. The tent is made of 15-denier floor as well as a rainfly which is extremely light and requires attention and the same footprint for all occasions to prolong its life. Big Agnes did improve tear resistance through the addition of an anti-slip treatment to the fabric, but it’s difficult to ignore the fact that all fabrics are so thin that they’re transparent. If you’re familiar with ultralight gear, this shouldn’t be a problem (and Big Agnes does have the ability to make their gear last, as the DAC poles are a tried and true design). But backpackers who aren’t experienced and who tend to be rough on their gear might want to steer clear of an ultralight model.

Weather Protection

It’s a great choice for a tent. Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 does not have the strong structure of a freestanding model however, it’s designed to stand up to the most demanding conditions of three seasons effectively. The rainfly provides complete coverage and we love the fact that Big Agnes has pre-cut guylines along the entire length that the tent (you must bring additional stakes in order to use the guylines). However, the semi-freestanding design has an effect on rain and wind protection. A single-pole extends from the middle of your tent down to the foot ends makes the structure less robust and more vulnerable to being tossed by a powerful gust from the sides. In addition, you’ll have to make sure that you have it set up properly with all the guylines in order to ensure that it doesn’t slide during rain. If you’ve got the hang of it and are completely manning it out the Tiger Wall will provide ample protection for the majority of hikers, including thru-hikers.

Ventilation

We haven’t had the chance to fully test the ventilating capabilities on the Tiger Wall as of yet (our Utah trip was cooler than average) However, we’re not sure it’s going to be an outstanding model. The tent body is made of plenty of mesh, and there’s plenty of space in the double-wall construction, however, the rainfly doesn’t have built-in vents. That means you’ll have to carefully stake out the fly to allow for maximum airflow. On sunny days that don’t have rain, it’s an excellent idea to open the top or bottom part of the vestibule door to let the air out of the humidity. With the options available we’d have preferred the large roof vent that the one you get when you purchase The Agnes Copper Spur. Agnes Copper Spur, however, can add weight.

doors, vestibules and Storage

One of our biggest complaints concerning Big Agnes Fly Creek is that Big Agnes Fly Creek is the single door that makes it difficult to store two backpackers. It’s also not convenient to get in and out. A Tiger Wall Tiger Wall addresses this with two vestibules and doors which provide sixteen square feet of space that is a decent amount when compared with the other. As a reference this is twice the size of the vestibules on The Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL2 and is more than the vestibule layout that is featured in the Nemo Hornet by 1.8 square feet. More spacious and feature-packed tents offer some more space, for instance, the Nemo Dagger has a whopping 22.8 square feet of space, for instance. However, we believe that the majority of backpackers who are light will be content with the vestibule design that is this Tiger Wall. On the inside the storage area is adequate given the minimalist design The Tiger Wall comes with a big space on the ceiling that has ports for routing cords to headphone and mesh storage on the floor (a feature that is new to this model) Solution Dye model) and two smaller pockets that are accessible even while lying down.

doors, vestibules, and Storage

One of the biggest complaints we have about one of the main complaints about Big Agnes Fly Creek is its one door, which restricts storage space for two backpackers. It’s also not ideal to exit and enter. A Tiger Wall Tiger Wall addresses this with two vestibules and two doors which provide sixteen square feet of space that is a decent amount when compared with the other. As a reference it’s twice the size of the vestibules in The Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL2 and beats the vestibules with two doors on the Nemo Hornet by 1.8 square feet. More spacious and features-rich tents offer an extra space–the Nemo Dagger has a whopping 22.8 square feet of space, for instance. However, we think that the majority of backpackers who are light will be content with the vestibule design that is this Tiger Wall. On the inside the storage area is adequate in light of the minimalist style The Tiger Wall comes with a big space on the ceiling that has ports to run headphones, as well as mesh storage on the floor (a feature that is new to this model) Solution Dye model) and two smaller pockets that you can access when lying down.

Setup and Take Down

Most modern camping tents with poles are simple to set up including it is the case with Large Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 isn’t an exception. The poles have been color-coded using grommets that are corresponding to the webbing on the tent’s body that make it simple to set the poles and rainfly in the proper direction. Additionally, the single-hubbed system is simple to clip into the right spot. It’s also important to note it’s true that Big Agnes streamlined the design even more for the most recent Solution Dye model with a new pole clip system , which includes an elongated design that has an opening to hold the pole in place, a buckled rainfly attachment, as well as a stake-out loop. As mentioned above the main issue is putting it up over a hard surface like a rock that doesn’t allow you to make a stake-out at the feet end. If you don’t it’s a breeze to set up the Tiger Wall goes up easily and is also easy to take down and pack away in the spacious storage bag.

The most significant issue I’ve encountered is due to those exposed areas of blown rubber at the side of the sole. They did not just have an adverse effect on the grip during running and squeezing, but the pads already show noticeable indications of wearing. The foam-like material has scratches and tears all over the entire boot, and will surely remain to wear down over the course of time. The boot will probably be able to last for a long time, but that middle part of the rubber is probably going to become flat after a few years. However, I believe Hoka could have made a better effort of increasing durability by giving the Anacapa an all-rubber outsole (like they did in its Speedgoat hiking boots).

Other Capacity that are part of the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL

The 2-person Tiger Wall in the Utah’s Canyon Country for this review The tent is available in two sizes, and Big Agnes also makes the tent available in oneas well as three-person versions. Its UL1 Solution Dye costs $360and weighs 2 pounds and 2 ounces in all and features 19 square feet of interior space and the headroom of 39 inches. If you choose the UL3 version, you’ll get the same semi-freestanding structure, however, with 10 square feet of space inside and three inches of room (for an additional weight of 7 ounces.). If you’ll frequently use the tent to accommodate two campers It might be worth it to invest in the 3P model. (2 2 lbs. 15 oz. and 470 dollars). The price is $470. the 2P that we tested was ample for one person and able to work for two people, though more space could have been useful.

Other Capacity that are part of the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL

The 2-person Tiger Wall in the Utah’s Canyon Country for this review The tent is available in two sizes, and Big Agnes also makes the tent available in oneas well as three-person versions. Its UL1 Solution Dye costs $360and weighs 2 pounds and 2 ounces in all and features 19 square feet of interior space and the headroom of 39 inches. If you choose the UL3 version, you’ll get the same semi-freestanding structure, however, with 10 square feet of space inside and three inches of room (for an additional weight of 7 ounces.). If you’ll frequently use the tent to accommodate two campers It might be worth it to invest in the 3P model. (2 2 lbs. 15 oz. and 470 dollars). The price is $470. the 2P that we tested was ample for one person and able to work for two people, though more space could have been useful.

models. They are built on the concept described here, but using lighter materials that maintain a weight that is extremely low. It is the Tiger Wall 2 Platinum (2 2 lbs. 4 oz.) is made up of a thin 7-denier rainfly and floor to reduce weight, but nevertheless, it has similar dimensions compact dimensions and semi-freestanding layout that is the standard model. The Carbon version is a step further. It utilizes Easton carbon-fiber poles as well as Dyneema Composite Fabrics as the floor and fly and brings the weight of the trail down to 1 11 ounces a pound. This means you’ll lose the sq ft of space for the floor and its thin Dyneema structure, although sturdy in terms of tear-resistance, it will require more attention over the long haul. Overall, the more expensive Tiger Wall Platinum ($550) and Carbon ($1,000) tents are able to claim their place among the light and fast crowd, but they make major sacrifices in terms of durability and price.

What We Like About HTML0

• A successful blend of Copper Spur and Fly Creek designs. The Tiger Wall is very lightweight, decently livable, and has a convenient two-door-and-vestibule layout.
• The central ridgepole allows the tent to be more usable inside than competitors like Nemo Hornet. Nemo Hornet.
• Made from high-quality materials across The silicone-treated nylon improves longevity, and the seam taping as well as DAC poles are of the highest quality.
•  

The Things We Do Not

• It’s pretty comfortable in the interior for two persons. If you’re looking for space inside it might be worthwhile moving up to this 3P variant or Copper Spur.
• Semi-freestanding constructions are hard to put up on a rock and doesn’t have the same weatherproof qualities as a freestanding model.
• As with all ultralight equipment the materials are thin and require additional care for long-term reliability.
•  

The Competition

Among two-door-and-vestibule ultralight options, the Tiger Wall’s closest competition comes from the Nemo Hornet. The Hornet has the edge in price at $370 vs. $400, weighs a couple ounces less at 2 pounds 6 ounces (vs. 2 lbs. 8 oz. for the Tiger Wall), and has proven to be surprisingly durable despite the thin construction. But we think the Tiger Wall is the better overall tent: the large ridgepole across the middle greatly increases interior space, it has larger vestibules, and the rainfly provides full coverage (the Hornet’s rainfly doesn’t completely cover the tent body at the head end). Importantly, Nemo did give the Hornet a recent bump in space with two “FlyBar” pole clips that stretch the walls a bit more, but it’s still pretty tight for two. All told, both options are popular among the solo backpacking crowd, but the Tiger Wall gets the edge for those that want to occasionally fit a second person.

Another alternative to the Tiger Wall is Big Agnes’ own uber-popular , which was updated last year. This tent is our favorite all-around backpacking design for 2021 by combining true livability at a feathery 3 pounds 2 ounces. The Tiger Wall has the advantage in weight by 10 ounces, but if you’ll consistently need the two-person capacity, the Copper Spur is what we’d recommend. The high-volume hub design and center pole open the interior with near-vertical walls, and the freestanding build makes it easy to get a taut set-up just about anywhere. Both tents require care with the ultralight fabrics, but unless you are a true ounce counter, we think the Copper Spur is the better all-around tent.

As we touched on above, we prefer the Tiger Wall’s layout to Big Agnes’ Fly Creek HV UL2, which only has one door and vestibule but clocks in at a feathery 2 pound 4 ounces. The two tents share the same semi-freestanding design and now use Big Agnes’ new solution-dyed fabric. And impressively, the Fly Creek has the same floor area at 28 square feet along with 3 inches more headroom (for more, see our in-depth Fly Creek review). All that said, for $30 and 4 ounces more, we prefer the two-door-and-vestibule design of the Tiger Wall, which gives it a lot more versatility, storage space, and overall comfort—especially for two backpackers.

REI offers an intriguing alternative to the Tiger Wall in their Quarter Dome SL 2. Both tents are semi-freestanding, taper at the foot end, feature two doors and two vestibules, and use thin materials including 15-denier floors. In parsing out the differences, the REI is slightly roomier with 28.7 square feet of floor area, has larger vestibules, and is cheaper at $349. However, the Tiger Wall gets the edge in weight at 6 ounces lighter than the Quarter Dome. Both are leading ultralight tents that nicely balance weight and space, but we give the slight nod to the Tiger Wall for its similar livability in a lighter package.

Last but not least, it’s worth mentioning two of our top-rated backpacking tents over the past few years: the  and MSR Hubba Hubba NX. The Tiger Wall has the clear edge in weight over these designs, undercutting both the Dagger and Hubba Hubba by 1 pound 6 ounces. But it can’t compete in terms of interior space and durability, not to mention these tents are in the same price range (the Dagger is $430 and the Hubba Hubba is $450). Ultralight will prefer the Tiger Wall, but for most backpackers, the more balanced Nemo and MSR designs are the better choice.