Ultralight Freestanding Tents · 2026 Comparison
Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 vs NEMO Hornet OSMO 2P
Side-by-side published specs and one research-based review plus the other side's specs. No fabricated verdicts.
Quick Answer
For most ultralight freestanding tents shoppers, the NEMO Hornet OSMO 2P is the simpler pick — on published specs it's both 242 g lighter and $19 cheaper than the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2. The other side wins only on non-spec factors like fit, availability, or brand preference.
The Specs Side by Side
ShelterBig Agnes
Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2
- Price (MSRP)
- $499
- Weight
- 1.19 kg (1190 g)
- Ultralight
- Yes
- Our rating
- 9.3/10
Our verdict
The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 remains one of the best ultralight 2-person tents on the market. Its combination of trail weight under 3 pounds, generous livable space, and remarkably fast setup make it the go-to choice for backpackers who refuse to sacrifice comfort for weight savings.
ShelterNEMO
NEMO Hornet OSMO 2P
- Price (MSRP)
- $480
- Weight
- 0.95 kg (948 g)
- Ultralight
- Yes
- Our rating
- specs only — no full review yet
Manufacturer description
Semi-freestanding 2-person, ~0.95 kg minimum trail weight, OSMO ripstop, two doors, 27.7 sq ft floor.
What the Numbers Say
- ▸Weight: NEMO Hornet OSMO 2P is the lighter of the two by 242 g (0.95 kg vs 1.19 kg). For thru-hiking and any pursuit where carry weight compounds across days, that delta matters.
- ▸Price: NEMO Hornet OSMO 2P is cheaper at MSRP by $19 ($480 vs $499). Real-world street prices vary, but the starting MSRP gap is consistent.
- ▸Ultralight classification: both products are classified ultralight in their category — built for weight-conscious backpackers from the start.
- ▸Review coverage: only the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 has a full research-based review (rated 9.3/10). The NEMO Hornet OSMO 2P figures here are manufacturer-published specs only.
Detailed Breakdown
Carry weight and packed size
On the published spec sheet, the NEMO Hornet OSMO 2P comes in at 948 grams against the 1190 grams of the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2. That 242-gram gap may sound trivial in isolation but compounds across multi-day trips — at 25 km a day for a week, you're carrying that delta for about 175 km of trail. The NEMO Hornet OSMO 2P's ultralight classification reflects the deliberate design choices that produce the saving: thinner fabrics, simpler architectures, or fewer secondary features.
Price and total cost of ownership
MSRP gap: $19 (NEMO Hornet OSMO 2P cheaper). For most buyers that's the only price number that matters short-term. Long-term cost depends on durability and warranty handling: a product that lasts seven seasons at $499 costs less per use than a product that lasts three at $480. Without long-term field data on both we won't claim a winner on durability, but it's the lens to apply if you re-sell or replace gear infrequently. Look for current sales on either before assuming MSRP is what you'll pay.
Materials and durability
Material composition for both products comes from the manufacturer product pages and is not always reported in directly comparable units. The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 has a full research-based review (rated 9.3/10); the NEMO Hornet OSMO 2P carries the manufacturer's published spec only. For the reviewed product, the durability verdict in the linked review draws on published testing and owner feedback. For the spec-only product, treat material claims as starting points, not verified data.
Features and ergonomics
Manufacturer feature descriptions: the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 (no manufacturer description filed). The NEMO Hornet OSMO 2P — Semi-freestanding 2-person, ~0.95 kg minimum trail weight, OSMO ripstop, two doors, 27.7 sq ft floor. Pay particular attention to fit, adjustability, and hand-feel — three dimensions that don't show on a spec sheet and that disproportionately determine whether you'll actually reach for the gear after the first trip.
Use-case fit
The ultralight freestanding tents category covers a wide range of trip styles. For weight-counted thru-hikes, lean toward whichever is lighter on this page — every gram in your pack rides with you for thousands of kilometers. For weekend trips and base-camp days, weight matters less and durability, comfort, and feature count matter more — the heavier of the two on this page often makes more sense in those scenarios. For three-season generalist use, our recommendation: prioritize the product you can read a full research-based verdict on — that's the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 here.
Brand support and availability
Big Agnes and NEMO both produce ultralight freestanding tents for the North American and EU markets. Availability varies: smaller cottage brands may require direct-from-manufacturer ordering with 2-6 week lead times, while bigger brands stock through REI, Backcountry, and large EU outdoor chains with same-week shipping. Before buying either, check the manufacturer's warranty terms (often 1, 2, or 10 years depending on brand culture) and the brand's reputation for honoring claims on minor failures versus catastrophic ones. Our research-based review notes warranty interactions where relevant, based on owner reports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is lighter, the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 or the NEMO Hornet OSMO 2P?
On published manufacturer specs, the NEMO Hornet OSMO 2P is the lighter of the two by 242 grams (0.95 kg vs 1.19 kg). For ultralight backpackers counting grams in the ultralight freestanding tents category, that's a meaningful difference.
Which costs less, the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 or the NEMO Hornet OSMO 2P?
At MSRP, the NEMO Hornet OSMO 2P costs $19 less than the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 ($480 vs $499). Real-world prices fluctuate with sales and seasonal promotions, but the spec-sheet starting price is clear.
Does this site have full reviews of both products?
The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 has a full research-based review (rated 9.3/10), drawing on published testing and owner feedback. The NEMO Hornet OSMO 2P figures on this page are published manufacturer specs only.
Is the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 ultralight by industry standards?
Yes. The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 is classified ultralight in our database (1.19 kg, sub-threshold for its shelter category). Ultralight ultralight freestanding tents typically means built for thru-hikers and gram counters rather than three-season car-camping use.
Is the NEMO Hornet OSMO 2P ultralight by industry standards?
Yes. The NEMO Hornet OSMO 2P is classified ultralight in our database (0.95 kg, sub-threshold for its shelter category). Built for thru-hikers and weight-conscious backpackers.
Is the price difference worth it?
The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 costs $19 more without a corresponding weight or spec advantage on paper. Unless it has a hidden benefit (better fit, longer warranty, brand reputation), the NEMO Hornet OSMO 2P is the better value spec-sheet pick.
Where can I read the full review?
Only the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 has a full review at https://peakgearguide.com/reviews/big-agnes-copper-spur. The NEMO Hornet OSMO 2P does not have a full review yet — we list its manufacturer specifications only.
Bottom Line
Winner on weight: the NEMO Hornet OSMO 2P by 242 g (0.95 kg vs 1.19 kg). If your trip style punishes grams, that's the pick.
Winner on price: the NEMO Hornet OSMO 2P at $480 versus $499 for the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 — a $19 gap that may close or widen with current sales.
Our overall lean: the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 is the safer pick because it has a full research-based review (9.3/10) where published testing and owner feedback corroborate the spec claims. The NEMO Hornet OSMO 2P may well be excellent, but we can't say so from spec data alone.
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Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 — full review
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