Awesome -- I really enjoyed the fact that this was a LONG-term review. It takes me a year to figure out if I am comfortable with a piece of gear (unless I kick myself immediately for buying it --> 😢), so well done on that . I just feel like since you have used it for a few trips out etc., then you can share the key points from a real user's perspective. For the ground cover under the tent..., a few will recommend Tyvek - which does a wonderful job. As I am pre-Tyvek, I have always carried a plain waterproof tarp which, is just a bit bigger than the tent footprint. Why a bit larger? I roll it up under the boundary the tent (roll going towards the ground, not towards the tent). I ride slow, sight-C, etc - so the weight is not any big deal, and it has come in so handy for other things! have fun 😎 !!!
Thanks for your perspective! My only "complaint" is the front door access and climbing in/out. I much prefer side doors. But that's just my preference... and I made my footprint out of an old Harbor Freight tarp and put my own grommets in. Easily replaceable. $75 for a small piece of plastic is extortion. I totally agree about fly's not being able to be tightly guyed out. My old REI Half Dome guys out very tight. Zero condensation.
Thanks for the review. It gave me a lot of insight on the fly creek I just bought. I normally watch reviews before I purchase any big ticket items. But I found an “only used 3 nights” Fly Creek w/footprint for $140 (they didn’t like the front entry/vestibule). For the price, I figured I could live with a little “trail dust”. 😉
Great update, QC! ✨ Your original video on the tent was what brought me to your channel! I'm a tall boi, 6'4, so probably wouldn't fit in this comfortably 😅. Super annoying the groundsheet can't be added to the stuff sack easily, if at all! BA needs to sort that! Glad you're getting on with it well though!!! 🧡
I have the UL2 as well and completely agree with you review! Good job Ps:195cm tall and the tent is really long enough. But always thought the extra space was to put the bags inside, learned from your video it was for an extra person😅
Invested in it largely due to short sticks and reputation, glad you are finding it a good purchase. I have yet to set mine up, but did fit footprint in bag,, we will see when setup and replaced in stuff sack if that is the case.
Really agree with all of your opinions and experiences here! This is my current tent and I am looking for one with poles in 4 corners. Worth the extra weight/space imho.
I used to have the backpacking version of this tent and mostly liked it. I live in the other kind of humid (rainy and cold) and found I could take down the body of the tent when the rain fly was soaking wet and keep them separated and reverse the process the next night so my stuff would stay dry during setup in a rainstorm. That is the main reason I like the overpriced ground sheet and now I have the Tiger Wall 1P which weighs 2lbs.
you might want to consider the Copper Spur 1 man bikepacking tent. You lose a little elbow room, but I think it addresses all the nitpicky issues you mentioned. I have just switched to the Fly Creek Carbon (I couldn't pass up the sale price) so, thank you for your review! I know what to look out for!
If BA made tent floors durable enough to negate the need a foot print, they could weigh three pounds easily. Virtually all of the major brands do it. The upside is my BA Fly Creek ll (2010) was on its second foot print before it aged out from use and sunstroke. This is a good review for especially for bike packers.
Agree with the price of the footprint in addition to the price of the tent itself. I did get my same tent and I have created one out of cheap tarp material.
I have the naturehike knockoff and really the only thing I hate is the end door opening. Its annoying crawling in and out and if you have to access anything you really need to keep your backpack right at the door which makes the tent feel smaller and cluttered. I think all my tents in the future will have side door openings, preferably one on each side.
I’ve always carried my footprints on the outside so the don’t get everything dirty, the harder it rains, the cleaner they get, and it’s ready to use if I need to sit on something.
I am diving into the world of bikes and bike packing, I always wanted to backpack too but so far just car camping/regular. I’ve been wanting to really invest in my tent and sleeping gear right now since I know they are costly… tho I’m also afraid for things breaking haha I will most likely have my dog with me so having some room would be nice, I plan on bringing a bivy style if I ever wanna just go alone or hopefully only tree area and carry a hammock haha. Thank you for these videos I learn so much and it feels like we are friends haha
I think bike packers for all the same reasons you mentioned would like the Gossamer Gear tents. I believe they pack down even smaller and lighter but do require you carry two carbon fiber poles. Big Agnes is great - I still have my older copper spur 1P. And A-freaking men on the footprint. They lost their minds with that. It was outrageous when it was 60.00. Use tyvek every day of the week and twice on sunday. Its 10 times better than their nylon.
oh this update came right on time! I watched your unpacking video about it yesterday and I was looking for the long term review, so yay! Im getting into bikepacking and I'm looking for some gears (lots of sales around this week), and this sounds like a tent that will be big enough for me (5'3) and my dog :D Do you place the tent on your handlebar? my bike is not that big but it looks like this would be snug enough in my handlebar
How fortuitous! This tent would be a great size for you. I usually put my tent on a rack or in a front handlebar bag. Depending on the width of your handlebars it might fit if you have drop bars. I think it’s just over a foot long in the stuff sack. You might be able to get it even more compact if you remove the poles
I sold my one person bikepacking version. The pockets are genius but the rain fly is flawed. I could never get the fly taught, and the tent itself flattened like a pancake in very windy weather. I’m still searching for the Goldilocks of UL semi-free standing tents!
Hello I am the brand owner of kapvoe glasses (a company specializing in sports sunglasses) I watched your video analyzing your product Your video analysis is very professional great Can I send you some kapvoe brand glasses for testing? Looking forward to your reply Thank you
Unfortunately almost all tent companies sell the footprint separate from the tent 🤷🏽♂️. By now you’ve prolly already figured it out but tyvek is a lot cheaper and is far superior to any nylon footprint. You just have to trim it to fit your tent….like the wind!
Hi queer cyclist. I have used this on long hikes and mostly like it too. I just find that the back pole with bend twist around a little annoyingly. Pretty light really. 😊
What is the deal with this annoying speach sluring? Can someone explain. I recognized some girls from the states speak like this, streaching some words in this weird voice. Is this a regional thing? Do they do this on purpose? I feel like they want to sound like a spoiled snob or something.
Awesome -- I really enjoyed the fact that this was a LONG-term review. It takes me a year to figure out if I am comfortable with a piece of gear (unless I kick myself immediately for buying it --> 😢), so well done on that . I just feel like since you have used it for a few trips out etc., then you can share the key points from a real user's perspective. For the ground cover under the tent..., a few will recommend Tyvek - which does a wonderful job. As I am pre-Tyvek, I have always carried a plain waterproof tarp which, is just a bit bigger than the tent footprint. Why a bit larger? I roll it up under the boundary the tent (roll going towards the ground, not towards the tent). I ride slow, sight-C, etc - so the weight is not any big deal, and it has come in so handy for other things! have fun 😎 !!!
Thanks for your perspective! My only "complaint" is the front door access and climbing in/out. I much prefer side doors. But that's just my preference... and I made my footprint out of an old Harbor Freight tarp and put my own grommets in. Easily replaceable. $75 for a small piece of plastic is extortion. I totally agree about fly's not being able to be tightly guyed out. My old REI Half Dome guys out very tight. Zero condensation.
thanks for posting. Just about to start buying gear for bike packing and good to see a review from a real user that didn't seem like a commercial
Thanks for the review. It gave me a lot of insight on the fly creek I just bought. I normally watch reviews before I purchase any big ticket items. But I found an “only used 3 nights” Fly Creek w/footprint for $140 (they didn’t like the front entry/vestibule). For the price, I figured I could live with a little “trail dust”. 😉
Great review. Appreciate your candor!
Great update, QC! ✨ Your original video on the tent was what brought me to your channel! I'm a tall boi, 6'4, so probably wouldn't fit in this comfortably 😅. Super annoying the groundsheet can't be added to the stuff sack easily, if at all! BA needs to sort that! Glad you're getting on with it well though!!! 🧡
Thanks for this review. Been looking at this and the tiger wall a lot and think this may have helped me pick a tent.
Nice review, I'm looking for gear and this tent was already top of my list.
So glad it was helpful, Yazan!
I have the UL2 as well and completely agree with you review! Good job
Ps:195cm tall and the tent is really long enough. But always thought the extra space was to put the bags inside, learned from your video it was for an extra person😅
Great review! I am using the single person version of this tent. Thanks for the tip about the side walls sagging. It happened to me last trip.
Invested in it largely due to short sticks and reputation, glad you are finding it a good purchase. I have yet to set mine up, but did fit footprint in bag,, we will see when setup and replaced in stuff sack if that is the case.
Really agree with all of your opinions and experiences here! This is my current tent and I am looking for one with poles in 4 corners. Worth the extra weight/space imho.
I used to have the backpacking version of this tent and mostly liked it. I live in the other kind of humid (rainy and cold) and found I could take down the body of the tent when the rain fly was soaking wet and keep them separated and reverse the process the next night so my stuff would stay dry during setup in a rainstorm. That is the main reason I like the overpriced ground sheet and now I have the Tiger Wall 1P which weighs 2lbs.
you might want to consider the Copper Spur 1 man bikepacking tent. You lose a little elbow room, but I think it addresses all the nitpicky issues you mentioned. I have just switched to the Fly Creek Carbon (I couldn't pass up the sale price) so, thank you for your review! I know what to look out for!
Good honest review.
If BA made tent floors durable enough to negate the need a foot print, they could weigh three pounds easily. Virtually all of the major brands do it. The upside is my BA Fly Creek ll (2010) was on its second foot print before it aged out from use and sunstroke. This is a good review for especially for bike packers.
Agree with the price of the footprint in addition to the price of the tent itself. I did get my same tent and I have created one out of cheap tarp material.
I have the naturehike knockoff and really the only thing I hate is the end door opening. Its annoying crawling in and out and if you have to access anything you really need to keep your backpack right at the door which makes the tent feel smaller and cluttered. I think all my tents in the future will have side door openings, preferably one on each side.
I’ve always carried my footprints on the outside so the don’t get everything dirty, the harder it rains, the cleaner they get, and it’s ready to use if I need to sit on something.
It's still on my list of wants, maybe someday.
I am diving into the world of bikes and bike packing, I always wanted to backpack too but so far just car camping/regular. I’ve been wanting to really invest in my tent and sleeping gear right now since I know they are costly… tho I’m also afraid for things breaking haha I will most likely have my dog with me so having some room would be nice, I plan on bringing a bivy style if I ever wanna just go alone or hopefully only tree area and carry a hammock haha. Thank you for these videos I learn so much and it feels like we are friends haha
What a lovely compliment. Thank you! I'm so glad you are enjoying the content :)
Nice review! Great tent. Well done. New follower here. Crow✌️
I prefer my hammock, but this tent is more compact. Still haven't used it yet. Carried it on a short tour but slept in my truck instead.
I think bike packers for all the same reasons you mentioned would like the Gossamer Gear tents. I believe they pack down even smaller and lighter but do require you carry two carbon fiber poles. Big Agnes is great - I still have my older copper spur 1P.
And A-freaking men on the footprint. They lost their minds with that. It was outrageous when it was 60.00. Use tyvek every day of the week and twice on sunday. Its 10 times better than their nylon.
As someone from Canada, camping in the Southeast is hot! I feel like I can't find a tent airy enough for it
It's so hot down here! Weather permitting I just leave the rainfly off in the summer
oh this update came right on time! I watched your unpacking video about it yesterday and I was looking for the long term review, so yay! Im getting into bikepacking and I'm looking for some gears (lots of sales around this week), and this sounds like a tent that will be big enough for me (5'3) and my dog :D
Do you place the tent on your handlebar? my bike is not that big but it looks like this would be snug enough in my handlebar
How fortuitous! This tent would be a great size for you. I usually put my tent on a rack or in a front handlebar bag. Depending on the width of your handlebars it might fit if you have drop bars. I think it’s just over a foot long in the stuff sack. You might be able to get it even more compact if you remove the poles
I sold my one person bikepacking version. The pockets are genius but the rain fly is flawed. I could never get the fly taught, and the tent itself flattened like a pancake in very windy weather. I’m still searching for the Goldilocks of UL semi-free standing tents!
Hello
I am the brand owner of kapvoe glasses (a company specializing in sports sunglasses)
I watched your video analyzing your product
Your video analysis is very professional
great
Can I send you some kapvoe brand glasses for testing?
Looking forward to your reply
Thank you
Unfortunately almost all tent companies sell the footprint separate from the tent 🤷🏽♂️. By now you’ve prolly already figured it out but tyvek is a lot cheaper and is far superior to any nylon footprint. You just have to trim it to fit your tent….like the wind!
Hi queer cyclist. I have used this on long hikes and mostly like it too. I just find that the back pole with bend twist around a little annoyingly. Pretty light really. 😊
$75. for a footprint?? Crazy overpriced and turns me off to BA.
Use Tyvek instead of the BA footprint.
What is the deal with this annoying speach sluring? Can someone explain. I recognized some girls from the states speak like this, streaching some words in this weird voice. Is this a regional thing? Do they do this on purpose? I feel like they want to sound like a spoiled snob or something.