When it first came out in 2009, the Big Agnes Fly Creek was the lightest double-wall two-person backpacking tent on the market. Over a decade later, it is still one of the lightest semi-freestanding tents available. However, the tent is far from perfect. The Fly Creek is notoriously cramped, has sagging walls, and only has just one entry door. Now, there are plenty of alternatives to the Fly Creek tent which are still lightweight yet without these faults.
The Fly Creek UL2 is ultralight but it’s also cramped!
Here are some of the best Fly Creek HV UL2 tent alternatives, including top picks for comfort, durability, and budget.
Quick Picks
- Best Overall: Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2
- Best for Spaciousness and Comfort: Nemo Dagger 2P
- Best On a Budget: Naturehike CloudUp 2
Comparison
| Tent | Packed Weight | Floor Area | Head Height | Doors | Packed Size | Floor | Freestanding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fly Creek HV UL2 | 2lb 5oz | 28sq ft | 40” | 1 | 4x19” | 20D | Semi |
| Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 | 2lbs 8oz | 28sq. ft. | 39” | 2 | 5.5x18” | 15D | Semi |
| Nemo Hornet 2P | 2lbs 5oz | 28sq. ft. | 40” | 2 | 5x19” | 20D | Semi |
| Nemo Dragonfly 2 | 3lbs 1oz | 29sq. ft. | 40” | 2 | 4.5x19.5” | 20D | Yes |
| NatureHike CloudUp 2 | 3lbs 6.4oz | 28sq. ft. | 39” | 1 | 6x17.3” | 20D | Semi |
| Nemo Dagger 2 | 3lbs 14oz | 31.3sq. ft. | 42” | 2 | 6.5x19.5” | 30D | Yes |
| Mountain Hardwear Aspect 2 | 3lbs 5oz | 29.3sq. ft. | 41” | 2 | 6x20.5” | 20D | Yes |
Best Fly Creek HV UL2 Alternatives
All of the alternatives to the Fly Creek here are also 2-person, double-wall, freestanding or semi-freestanding, and lightweight. Most are in the same price range as the Fly Creek HV UL2 but there is a budget pick too.
*Tip: You can often find great deals on last season’s UL tents at REI’s Outlet.
1. Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2: Best Overall
Specs:
- Packed Weight: 2lbs 8oz
- Minimum Weight: 1lb 11oz
- Floor Area: 28sq. ft.
- Head Height: 39”
- Doors: 2
- Vestibules: 2x8sq. ft.
- Packed size: 5.5×18”
- Floor: 15D
- Freestanding: Semi
- Buy at: REI
Review
The Tiger Wall is Big Agnes’s upgrade of the Fly Creek tent. It’s been made so that it is even more lightweight than the Fly Creek yet fixes the livability issues.
Unlike the single front entry door with the Fly Creek, the Tiger Wall 2 has two side door for easy entry. The two vestibules aren’t just good for storing gear but mean that the fly wall is set further away from the inner tent than with the Fly Creek. Thus, you are less likely to have issues with the fly and inner tent coming in contact and creating condensation issues. The vestibules aren’t giant: just 8 sq. feet each, but it’s enough to store your gear. There is a center ridgepole overhead which extends the vestibule space and keeps the inner tent from sagging.
The Tiger Wall is still pretty cramped for two people, but the inner living space is incredibly improved over the Fly Creek so you won’t feel as claustrophobic.
As for weight, the Tiger Wall 2 is only 3oz heavier than the Fly Creek HV UL2. If you are really obsessed with cutting every ounce, there are two lighter versions of the Tiger Wall available: the Platinum and Carbon. Not surprisingly, these are much pricier.
The main downside of the Big Agnes Tiger Wall is the 15D floor and fragile material. You’ve got to be used to taking good care of your gear or can accidentally rip the tent. It’s also not a truly freestanding tent as one side must be staked out, which isn’t ideal for camping in canyons or on rock surfaces.
Check price at REI
2. Nemo Hornet 2P: Best Ultralight
Specs:
- Packed Weight: 2lbs 6oz
- Minimum Weight: 1lb 15oz
- Floor Area: 27.5sq ft
- Head Height: 40”
- Doors: 2
- Vestibules: 2×7.1sq ft
- Packed size: 19×5”
- Floor: 20D
- Freestanding: Semi
- Buy at: REI, Amazon
Review
The Nemo Hornet 2P tent is almost exactly the same as the Fly Creek HV UL2 and their specs are nearly the same too. However, there is one very important different: the Hornet has dual entry at the sides and two vestibules.
Compared to the new Big Agnes Tiger Wall, the Nemo Hornet is more affordable and wins for weight. However, its center ridgepole isn’t quite as long. The vestibules are slightly smaller and the overall tent seems more cramped. It’s still a great tent but you might want to spend the extra money for the Tiger Wall or get a slightly heavier Nemo tent, such as the Dragonfly listed below.
Unfortunately, the Nemo Hornet isn’t in production anymore and hard to find.
3. Nemo Dragonfly 2: Best for Balance between Weight and Space
Specs:
- Packed Weight: 3lbs 1oz
- Minimum Weight: 2lbs 9oz
- Floor Area: 29sq. ft.
- Head Height: 40”
- Doors: 2
- Packed size: 4.5×19.5”
- Floor: 20D
- Freestanding: Yes
- Buy At: REI
Review
The Nemo Dragonfly 2 has mostly replaced the Hornet 2 tent. At first glance, it seems almost identical to the Hornet (and thus almost identical to the Big Agnes Fly Creek). However, if you look at how the inner tent is sewn, you’ll see it has a different slope. This gives you more livable space inside for things like sitting up and changing your clothes.
The vestibules are also much larger than with the Fly Creek and Hornet, so you can fit more gear there. The two side doors are unusually large; it’s useful if you want to leave one door closed as a wind block and the other door open for ventilation.
While the Dragonfly might be more comfortable than the Fly Creek, it’s still not the largest or roomiest backpacking tent. However, it is a good balance between size and weight.
Check price at REI
4. NatureHike CloudUp: Best Budget Pick
Specs:
- Packed Weight: 3lbs 12oz
- Minimum Weight: NA
- Floor Area: 28sq ft.
- Head Height: 39”
- Doors: 1
- Packed size: 3”
- Floor: 20D
- Freestanding: Semi
- Buy At: Amazon
Review
NatureHike’s CloudUp 2 tent is almost a direct clone of the Fly Creek tent. While it might not be ethical for them to copy Big Agnes’s intellectual property, it’s hard to argue with the price: the CloudUp 2 costs a fraction of the Fly Creek.
Other than the price, the biggest difference between the two tents is the weight. The CloudUp doesn’t use as high-tech materials as the Fly Creek, so it weighs more than a pound more. Note that the CloudUp weight does include the groundsheet.
There are a few other minor differences between the CloudUp and Fly Creek, like in the number of clips used and that the Fly Creek has two extra pockets inside. However, these are minor differences and you are basically getting the same slightly-heavier tent for significantly cheaper. I’ve used the CloudUp 2 in hail storms and heavy winds and, despite being so cheap, it has held up impressively well.
*Read my full review of the NatureHike CloudUp 2 here.
Check price on Amazon
5. Nemo Dagger 2: Best for Durability and Livability
Specs:
- Packed Weight: 3lb 14oz
- Minimum Weight: 3lbs 5oz
- Floor Area: 31.3sq. ft.
- Head Height: 42
- Doors: 2
- Vestibules: 2×11.4sq. ft.
- Packed size: 5×19.5”
- Floor: 30D
- Freestanding: Yes
- Buy At: REI
Review
If you want an ultralight two-person tent which actually can fit two people, the Nemo Dagger 2 is one of the best bets. It is still pretty lightweight at just 3lb 14oz. While this is quite heavier than the Fly Creek HV UL2, the Dagger has a lot more space.
The Dagger is truly freestanding. Staking it down is recommended but entirely optional. The tent is constructed so the sides don’t sag down on you like with the Fly Creek. The head height is 42 inches and keeps that height for most of the interior- the side walls are almost vertical. There are two doors and, best of all, two MASSIVE vestibules of 11.4 sq. ft. each. The interior floor space is approximately 90×50 inches (31.3sq. ft.), so you’ll still be side-to-side with your backpacking partner. However, at least you’ll be able to keep all your gear outside in the vestibules.
Another key difference about the Dagger tent is that it has a 30D floor which is much more durable than the 20D floors in most ultralight tents. You can use it without a groundsheet if you are careful when pitching.
Some people complain that the Nemo Dagger isn’t waterproof and leaks. Upon closer inspection, this problem is actually because the fly and interior tent touch near the bottom, which can cause condensation and make it seem like water is leaking inside. Make sure you stake out your tent well! The real main downside is that the tent is fairly pricy.
Check price on REI
6. Mountain Hardwear Aspect 2 Tent: Best Comfortable Freestanding Tent
Specs:
- Packed Weight: 3lbs 5oz
- Minimum Weight: 2lbs 14.7oz
- Floor Area: 29.3sq. ft.
- Head Height: 41”
- Doors: 2
- Packed size: 6×20.5”
- Floor: 20D
- Freestanding: Yes
- Buy At: REI
Review
The Mountain Hardwear Aspect 2 is a gorgeous backpacking tent which is even designed to allow star gazing. It is lightweight at 3lbs 5oz but holds up against wind and bad weather better than most other lightweight tents. It’s also a completely freestanding tent and can be pitched without any guylines or staking down (though you’ll obviously still want to do this in bad weather).
There are two main poles for the tent plus a pre-bent pole for over the door area. This gives the tent almost vertical side walls and allows for much more interior living space. The Aspect 2 is easy to set up, but there is one big downside compared to the Fly Creek HV UL2: you can’t use a fast-pitch with it: the groundsheet doesn’t have grommets so you must use the inner tent. It’s also impossible to setup/take down the inner tent with the fly still in place, so your inner tent will get wet if pitching or taking down in bad weather.
Compared to the Fly Creek though, the Aspect 2 is certainly more comfortable and durable while still being very lightweight. It’s not as popular though, probably because it is pricier.
Check price at REI
If your main concern is cutting weight, then also check out these best trekking pole tents.
Image credits:
“Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2” (CC BY 2.0) by Matt-Zimmerman,
“Camped in Hope” (CC BY 2.0) by ErikHalfacre
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