Fly Creek UL2 (left) and Fly Creek UL3 (right) at Catalina Island
We used a two person tent with our dog Dakota for a few trips before we realized that the tent was too small for the three of us. Dakota would have a hard time finding a place to sleep, so much so that she would usually sleep on my head (don’t ask). We knew we needed a larger tent and we knew we wanted an ultra-light tent that was not much heavier than our Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2 (FC UL2). We decided to pick up the Big Agnes Fly Creek UL3 (FC UL3) in place of our FC UL2 for most of our trips. At 3 lbs 3 oz trail weight, it was about a pound heavier than the FC UL2, but offered more space and was a true free standing tent (unlike the UL2 model). To date, we have approximately 20 nights in the tent in varying conditions (summer, winter, spring).
Quick and Dirty
Gear Type: Tent
Material: Rip Stop Nylon
Trail weight: 51 oz tent + 7 oz foot print
Price: $449.95 tent, $70 foot print (street price is around $350)
Link: Big Agnes Fly Creek UL3
Pros: Light, tub expansion, excellent air circulation when guyed out, wide roof, true free standing, fast fly option, seam sealed.
Cons: Price, Sloping door design, extremely thin fabrics, flexing in windy conditions, inner tent pitch before fly.
Hike Now, Work Later 