Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL1 1 Person Tent

Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL1 1 Person Tent Product Review

The Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL1 1 Person Tent is a free standing, ultra-lightweight, easy pitch, single person tent.

Weighting a total of 2 lbs. 1 oz packed, the Fly Creek is one of the most lightweight tents on the market.  It’s designed for the backpacker who prefers to travel with the basics and doesn’t want to be held back by the weight of their load.

The design of the Fly Creek revolves around the pole, a DAC angle SF hub system that is pre-bent and simple to connect, which allows for the shelter to have a vertical door construction.  The complete assembly of this exceptionally easy to pitch tent takes less than 10 minutes; putting the poles through the grommets that are part of the body is a straightforward task.

Since it’s a free standing tent, the usage of the 11 aluminum J stakes included in the bundle is optional, but we do highly recommend it, as the tent body weighs less than 1 pound and it could easily fly away in windy conditions.

The floor area measures 20 sq ft, and the structure reaches a peak height of 38 inches.  Featuring a 38 x 86 x 28 inch bathtub, the Fly Creek HV UL1 is strictly a 1 person tent, though, if needed, one can make room for a small, furry friend.

Inside the tent, we find small mesh pockets, solid enough to hold the weight of a cell phone or a head lamp.  The overall construction is made of breathable rip-stop nylon and polyester, and all seams are bonded with an ecofriendly, waterproof polyurethane solvent tape.  As limited as the space is, a standard sleeping pad can fit inside with no problem.

The rain fly and floor are made of silicone treated nylon rip-stop fabric with a waterproof index of 1200 mm.  The fly can be attached to the body by simply joining the 3 clips on the ends to the connecting 3 end poles of the already erected inner structure.

What is interesting about the design of the rain fly is the interior clip that, when attached to loops on the sides of the tent body, draws out the body a bit further, that way maximizing the tent space.  Essentially, by completely staking out the fly, it affects the overall area of the structure, which allows for a bigger, more livable interior.

Due to the global vertical design and SF hub poles, the angles on this tent are taller and steeper, which creates interior volume without the need of having to put together a multitude of parts.  The tent packs down to a small and portable 4 x 19 inch bundle, and the package includes an emergency pole piece in case of breakage.

A small vestibule lends for a crowded space, which is a bit of an inconvenience and the one drawback found on the Fly Creek.  Measuring a total of 5 sq ft, the area is adequate to store a pair of boots and a small backpack at most.  Anything else would obstruct the already cramped entrance.

However, those hikers who are willing to prioritize weight over space will find the above disadvantage to be a welcome benefit.  Big Agnes clearly sacrificed plenty of inches here and there, and that is exactly why this tent fits so perfectly in the ultra light category.

A corresponding footprint is sold separately, but if the backpacker chose to purchase one, we are happy to inform this model does have a fly-only pitch option for the minimalist survivalist, reducing the packed weight of the product down to 20 oz.  It’s definitely neat to have this camping choice while hiking in nice weather.

USA made, the Fly Creek looks like a fragile little tent, but it’s actually quite sturdy and durable.  Big Agnes warranty policy states that that products will be repaired or replaced at their discretion, and all are guaranteed against manufacturing or material defect.  Overall, we really dig the hub architecture and steeper walls, and considering the production quality, we find the price fair.

For the uncomplicated backpacker, the Fly Creek might just be the best choice.