A tale of two philosophies. The X-Mid 2 uses your trekking poles to deliver more space for far less weight and money, while the Copper Spur uses its own poles to stand freely anywhere.
| Durston X-Mid 2 | Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 | |
|---|---|---|
| GearScore | 81✓ | 74 |
| Sleeps | 2 person | 2 person |
| Min. trail weight | 31.3 oz✓ | 42.0 oz |
| Weight per person | 15.7 oz✓ | 21.0 oz |
| Floor area | 33.2 sq ft✓ | 29 sq ft |
| Area per person | 16.6 sq ft✓ | 14.5 sq ft |
| Space-to-weight | 17.0 /lb✓ | 11.0 /lb |
| Peak height | 48 in✓ | 40 in |
| Doors | 2 | 2 |
| Price | $319✓ | $600 |
| Type | Ultralight | Ultralight |
Highlighted cells mark the better spec: X-Mid 2 in blue, Copper Spur UL2 in amber. A blank spec is never counted as a win. Every headline number is per person, so different capacities compare fairly. GearScore is the overall rating (0 to 100); re-weight it on the full tent comparison. Prices are current MSRP.
This is trekking-pole value against freestanding convenience. The Durston X-Mid 2 pitches with your trekking poles, which lets it hit a lower weight, a bigger floor, and a much lower price, all in a double-wall design that handles condensation well. The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 brings its own poles and stands on any surface, which is easier on solid tent platforms, rock, or snow, and it has the steep high-volume walls Big Agnes is known for.
The data favors the X-Mid on paper: it is lighter, has more floor area, and costs less than half the Copper Spur. The Copper Spur’s case is not the spec sheet but the setup: fully freestanding pitching, a slightly taller peak, and no reliance on trekking poles. If you do not hike with poles, or you camp where you cannot stake out a tent, that convenience is worth real money.
Pick the X-Mid 2 if you use trekking poles and want the most space and value for the least weight, which describes most backpackers. Pick the Copper Spur if you need a freestanding tent, do not carry poles, or often camp on platforms and hard ground where staking is difficult. The X-Mid wins on the numbers; the Copper Spur wins on flexibility.
No. The Durston X-Mid 2 pitches with two trekking poles and stakes, which is how it keeps weight and cost so low. If you already hike with poles, that is no extra carry. If you do not, the freestanding Copper Spur may suit you better.
The Durston X-Mid 2, by a large margin, at less than half the Copper Spur HV UL2’s price. It also weighs less and has more floor area, which is why it is one of the best values in the backpacking-tent market.
For freestanding convenience. The Copper Spur stands on its own poles, so it pitches on any surface, including tent platforms and rock where you cannot drive stakes, and it needs no trekking poles. That flexibility, plus its high-volume walls, is what you pay the premium for.