Big Agnes loaned me a set of camping gear to review this summer, which I was able to use on four separate occasions. I was first able to check out the Angel Springs UL2 tent at last year’s Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, and it immediately caught my eye as the perfect tent to use while backpacking, considering how small it packed down. I was also sent the Lost Lake SL 30 and Big Pine sleeping bags, as well as the Q-Core SL and Insulated Air Core sleeping pads.

I first used the gear over the 4th of July weekend at a cottage on Lake Huron, in Michigan’s thumb. This first use was in no way backwoods camping—the cottage was simply already full of people, so I opted to sleep outside. I used the gear again on two smaller trips, and finally on a backpacking trip to Michigan’s North Manitou Island over Labor Day weekend. The final trip was where the gear was truly able to be tested, as factors such as weight, size, and ease of set up and tear down really mattered.

Angel Springs UL2 Tent

At $379.95, the tent was clearly on the high end of tents I was considering to use while backpacking, but fortunately a gear loan from the brand allowed me to test it out. I’ve used a lot of tents over the years, most of which were not the easiest to assemble, namely because they were far larger than this one. The Angel Springs was super compact and took about five minutes to set up. Directions are included on the inside of the bag, so you’ll always have them handy. The tent is a bit narrower at one end, meant for your feet, but we actually put our heads on that end in favor of leaving more room for our packs at the larger end.

The tent features a single-wall section that eliminates unnecessary fabric, one D-shaped door, a storm flap on vestibule zipper, three media pockets, five interior mesh pockets, reflective guylines and webbing, silicone-treated nylon rip-stop with waterproof coating that comprise the fly and floor, silicone-treated rip-stop and polyester mesh that comprise the tent body, waterproof seams, DAC NFL pole system with lightweight hubs, light aluminum J stakes, gear loft loops, etc.

The Angel Springs was simple to set up and tear down, and was made by designers who were realistic of how large the bag should be in order to fit everything (although it’s still pretty small and easy to attach to a pack). There have been so many times where I’ve struggled to shove the tent, fly, poles, and stakes back into the bag. Big Agnes made this process much easier.

Because the tent is only a two-person, I’d suggest going with something a bit larger if you’re planning to store your packs in there each night as well. I’m 5’11 and shared the tent with my boyfriend, who is a bit taller, so it was definitely a tight squeeze with our packs. If you’re under 5’6″, I’d say the tent is a perfect size for people and their packs. For me, in the future I’d go with a three or maybe even four-person, depending on the kind of trip. However, when the tent was empty other than our sleeping bags, sans pads, we were able to fit four of us in there for a few games of euchre. Although we all had to sit cross-legged, it worked.

In the end, the price does seem a bit daunting, but if you’re the extreme adventurer who needs a solid tent for every summer weekend, or if you’re simply looking for something that will last a lifetime, the Angel Springs UL2 is a great buy. If you’re trying to stay on a budget for only the occasional trip, this probably isn’t the tent for you.

Lost Lake SL 30 and Big Pine Sleeping Bags

With the tagline, “The Mother of Comfort,” I expected a lot from these sleeping bags. Luckily, they delivered. My problems with sleeping bags in the past were typical—I was either too warm or too cold and it took far too long to pack back into its tiny stuff sack. With both of these bags, packing them away was incredibly simple, and I even had plenty of room to spare in the stuff sacks—they have drawstrings to tighten them up too. Both sleeping bags were very lightweight considering the warmth they provided, making both ideal for backpacking.

First, the Lost Lake SL 30 is a traditional men’s mummy bag. It features 700 DownTek and retails between $279.95-$299.95, depending on size. It comes with a no-draft collar that can seal around your neck, a no-draft zipper tube, a flow-optimized insulation system that delivers uniform heat distribution, etc. The Big Pine is a 35º traditional rectangular bag perfect for cooler early or late summer nights. It also features 700 DownTek and retails for $349.95. Although both are also on the high end of bags price wise, the Big Pine can also be used as a comforter.

This trip was the first time I was completely satisfied with the sleeping bags I was using (I used both during the trip). Sure, the weather could have played a part. It was a cooler night, but not cold enough that I had to wear a sweatshirt or thermal layers. I’ve camped on that same island in almost identical weather conditions, and I cannot remember ever being that comfortable in previous bags I’ve used.

Q-Core SL and Insulated Air Core Sleeping Pads

Of all the Big Agnes gear I reviewed, the sleeping pads were the products that didn’t leave me completely satisfied. Although they’re clearly high quality and inflated easily, they’re loud every time you turn over (as most air mattresses are), and it’s easy to slide off them because of how slippery the sleeping bags, pads, and bottom of the tent are when combined. I woke up many times throughout the night, each time contemplating if I should just push the pad to the side and sleep on the ground. However, my back did thank me in the morning, as I wasn’t in too much pain—aside from what was acquired from the previous day of hiking. The next night I chose to go without the pad, and although I didn’t wake up, my back was in a ton of pain. For me, it was a toss up. If you normally sleep well on an air mattress, these would both be good choices. The friends I was with on the trip didn’t have the same complaints when they used them, so I know a lot of it has to do with personal preference.

I think the pads would have been comfortable had I packed a blanket or towel to put between them and the bottom of the tent to make it less slippery, but there was simply no way I wanted to jam even more in my pack. The Q-Core SL retails between $139.95 and $219.95 and the Insulated Air Core retails between $79.95 and $129.95, both depending on size. If you don’t pack an inflatable mattress, make sure to pack a foam pad of some kind—your body will feel it the next day if you just sleep on the ground. If you’re hardcore enough to go without a pad, I applaud you—I definitely am not.

All in all, Big Agnes gear is great. It’s high-quality, comfortable, easy to unpack and pack, lightweight, and will last you for a very long time. But, it’s expensive. I think that’s the main aspect that’s going to hold most people back. When you add everything up, you’ll spend more than $1,000. If you’re an outdoors expert who spends most weekends outside, this gear is definitely worth it. Also, if you’re looking to invest in nice gear for your summer camping, even if it’s simple camping, it’s also a great choice. The tent, sleeping bags, and pads added plenty of ease to my trip and allowed me more time to do what I was there for—exploration.

Images by Ariel Black