Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL Bikepack Tent Review
An ultralight, semi-freestanding Bikepacking tent with shorter tent poles and a dry bag stuff sack
September 26, 2026
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Our verdict
The Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL Bikepack Tent is a $500, 2-lb, semi-freestanding ultralight tent with 12-inch poles that packs to 15 x 5 inches. It’s specifically designed for bikepacking, but you can also use it for backpacking. This is essentially the same tent as the standard Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL, but with shorter tent pole segments and a thicker, more durable waterproof roll-top stuff sack.
The heavy-duty dry bag stuff sack and included straps let you strap this tent to your bike’s handlebars, fork, or cargo rack. The shorter, 12-inch pole segments also mean it packs smaller, so it can fit on narrow handlebars and other small spaces on your bike. Or, you can stuff the tent without the stuff sack into your existing bikepacking bags to save weight. This tent also comes with Big Agnes’ Wheelie Stake Out Loops, which let you pitch it with your bike wheels pulling out the foot-end corners, essentially making it possible to pitch the tent fully freestanding with a bike.
We tested the Tiger Wall UL Bikepack while bikepacking in Idaho in the late summer. We also took it on bikepacking and backpacking trips in Colorado’s Sawatch and Elk Mountains. We experienced overnight lows in the low 30s, plus rain and high winds. We packed it into a Swift Industries Zeitgeist Handlebar Bag, strapped it in the stuff sack onto a rear cargo rack, and used it on backpacking trips with a Pa'lante V2 and a Hyperlite Southwest backpack.
The Tiger Wall UL Bikepack Tent excels in packability, stormworthiness, and ease of setup. We found we like using this tent more than our lighter NEMO Hornet Elite when we have less space in our packs. Packability matters a lot in bikepacking because you don’t have much space in the typical handlebar, frame, and seat bag setup most people use. It also matters when backpacking. We regularly used this tent for peak-bagging missions, carrying a 30-liter backpack full of gear to basecamp. Along with our standard backpacking kit, we also had to carry a running vest, climbing helmet, and camera, and the compact Tiger Wall shelter let us fit all the other gear we needed.
Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL Bikepack Tent
UL1
UL2
We regularly left this tent set up all day while we climbed mountain summits in the surrounding area, then returned to our camp at night. During those long days away from the tent, it never collapsed in high winds. It also kept our gear dry during afternoon rainstorms.
This tent is also extremely easy to set up. It has a Y-shaped tent pole with color-coded ends, so you can quickly see where the poles fit into the mesh body. The rainfly uses the same color-coded system, so you can attach it just as quickly.
The biggest downside is that this tent isn’t the lightest. There are lighter semi-freestanding and freestanding tents available, such as the NEMO Hornet Elite and Gossamer Gear The Free. However, both of these other tents have longer tent pole segments, so they aren’t as packable even if they are lighter. We can fit the shorter 12-inch tent poles from the Tiger Wall Bikepack inside our 30L backpack, whereas the 17-18 inch poles from the Hornet Elite and The Free only fit in an outside pocket.
If you’re looking for an ultra-packable semi-freestanding tent for your next bikepacking adventure, the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL Bikepack Tent is an excellent option.
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Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL Bikepack Tent Specifications
Setup: Semi-freestanding
Total Weight: 42 oz
Price: $500 (UL1); $550 (UL2)
UL1 Floor Dimensions: 38/28” x 84” (head/foot)
UL2 Floor Dimensions: 52/42” x 86” (head/foot)
UL1 Floor Area: 19 ft²
UL2 Floor Area: 28 ft²
Peak Height: 39”
Pole Shortened Size: 12”
Pole Material: Aluminum
Stakes Included: 9 Dirt Dagger UL stakes
Rainfly and Floor Fabric: 15D HyperBead nylon ripstop
Waterproof Rating: 1500mm
Tent Body Fabric: Recycled 15D nylon ripstop and polyester mesh
Taped Seams: Yes
Helmet Pocket: Yes
Stuff sack: 15" x 5" waterproof dry bag stuff sack with daisy chains and straps
Gear Loft Compatible: Yes, but it costs extra
mtnGLO Tent Lights Compatible: Yes, but it costs extra
Warranty: Limited Warranty against manufacturing or material defect
Comparison Table
| BIKEPACKING TENT | MSRP | FREE-STANDING | WALLS | SLEEPS | DOORS | VESTIBULES | PACKAGED WEIGHT | LENGTH | WIDTH | PEAK HEIGHT | FLOOR AREA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL1 Bikepack | $500 | Semi | Double | 1 | 1 | 1 | 42.0 oz | 84 in | 28-38 in | 39 in | 19.0 ft² |
| Big Agnes Copper Spur UL1 Bikepack | $550 | Yes | Double | 1 | 1 | 1 | 48.0 oz | 88 in | 28-38 in | 38 in | 20.0 ft² |
| MSR Hubba Hubba Bikepack 1P | $500 | Yes | Double | 1 | 1 | 1 | 45.0 oz | 85 in | 30 in | 38 in | 18.0 ft² |
| NEMO Dragonfly Bikepack OSMO 1P | $530 | Yes | Double | 1 | 1 | 1 | 50.0 oz | 88 in | 32-35 in | 40 in | 20.5 ft² |
Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL1 and UL2 Bikepack Comparison
| Tiger Wall UL1 Bikepack Tent | Tiger Wall UL2 Bikepack Tent | |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $500 | $550 |
| Fast Fly Weight | 1 lb, 10 oz | 2 lb |
| Trail Weight | 2 lb | 2 lb, 6 oz |
| Packaged Weight | 2 lb, 10 oz | 3 lb |
| Packed Size | 15 x 5 in | 15 x 5 in |
| Floor Area | 19 ft² | 28 ft² |
| Vestibule Area | 8 ft² | 8 ft² + 8 ft² |
| Peak Height | 39 in | 39 in |
| Doors | 1 | 2 |
| Included Stakes | 9 | 9 |
| Footprint Weight | 5 oz | 8 oz |
Best for
Bikepacking trips where space is at a premium
Those getting into bikepacking who don’t already have a handlebar bag
Backpackers who don’t use trekking poles
Backpacking trips where you’ll need your trekking poles separate from your tent
What we liked
Shorter tent poles are easier to pack
Easy to pitch
Tons of interior pockets
Durable stuff sack works as a handlebar bag or other cargo bag strapped to the bike
Roomy interior
What we didn’t like
Heavier than some semi-freestanding tents
Not fully freestanding
Single door on the UL1
Tapered 28-inch foot
Less headroom than the Dragonfly
How we tested
We tested the Tiger Wall UL Bikepack while bikepacking in Idaho and Colorado in the late summer. We also regularly used it on backpacking trips, and we love the shorter tent poles for the packability, whether that’s cramming it into a Swift Zeitgeist Handlebar Bag or a 30-liter backpacking pack. We strapped the stuff sack onto a rear cargo rack for overnight bikepacking and also used it as a handlebar bag.
We took it on a bikepacking trip in Idaho on the Lick Creek Loop, which weaves through the Lick Creek Range in central Idaho. During that trip, we fit it, along with other camping gear, into a 12-liter handlebar bag. We experienced rain and wind, slept in several spots near rivers and lakes, and barely experienced any condensation while having no other issues with the tent.
We used it for several backpacking trips in Colorado’s Sawatch and Elk Mountains, where we experienced overnight lows in the low 30s, plus rain and high winds. During those trips, we often left the tent set up at a basecamp while we summited nearby peaks. Every time, when we returned to our camp at the end of the day, the tent was still standing despite the high winds.
We also tested this bikepacking tent alongside others in our Best Bikepacking Tents guide.
What's New: HyperBead Fabric
The newest version of the Tiger Wall UL Bikepack has Big Agnes’ proprietary HyperBead fabric technology. This technology eliminates the need for a traditional DWR coating on the outside of the fabric by using a molecular-level polymer formulation integrated with a thin coating to achieve permanent water resistance. DWR coatings are traditionally a source of PFAS (forever chemicals), so this technology is also PFAS-free. You can read about our in-depth testing on the HyperBead fabric in our Copper Spur HyperBead tent review. It's the same fabric, just in a differently shaped tent.
Bike-Specific Features of the Tiger Wall
12" Shortstik Poleset
The Tiger Wall Bikepack features shorter, 12-inch pole segments. This is shorter than the 17-inch pole segments on the standard Tiger Wall UL, and shorter than the 19-inch poles from the NEMO Hornet Elite, for example.
Dry bag stuff sack
It has a dry bag stuff sack with a roll-top closure. The stuff sack also has a daisy chain and polyurethane (PU) straps so you can lash the tent anywhere else on your bike. This dry bag is a different shape and size than the backpacking Tiger Wall and is designed for easier use on a bike.
Pockets
This tent has a large overhead canopy pocket that’s large enough for your bike helmet and other gear. Honestly, we wish every tent had this feature. The standard Tiger Wall UL (non-bikepack version) also has this same overhead pocket. When you have a bunch of gear in this pocket and it’s sagging down, you can still sit up because it’s positioned on the foot end side of the tent’s peak.
Daisy-chain webbing
The dry bag stuff sack has daisy-chain PU webbing on the outside, so you can strap it onto your bike.
Handlebar mounting
The dry bag stuff sack with daisy-chain webbing allows you to mount the tent to your handlebars. You can also stuff the tent in another bag and use the stuff sack for other items you want to strap to your handlebars. When using a gravel bike on the extremely rocky and bumpy Colorado Trail, this tent felt very secure—the Voile straps never budged, and the daisy-chain loops kept the tent and stuff sack in the same position on the handlebars.
Secure ride
The PU straps securely attach the bag to your handlebars or elsewhere on your bike. I never had the bag or tent fall off during testing, even on washboard roads or rough singletrack trails.
Wheelie Stake Out Loops
This tent comes with Big Agnes’ Wheelie Stake Out Loops, which allow you to pull out the corners of the tent’s foot end without stakes. To do this, you lay your bike down on the ground at the foot end of the tent. Then, attach one stake-out loop to the tent corner, wrap it around one bike wheel, and attach the other hook to the loop itself. Repeat for the other corner and adjust your bike as needed.
Honestly, this feature is cool, and it works in a pinch. But I normally just use stakes to pitch the tent so I can better access my bike at camp.
Sustainability
The HyperBead fabric used on the Tiger Wall UL Bikepack is made with recycled 15D nylon ripstop without intentionally added PFAS. You also don’t have to reapply a waterproof coating to this tent, so it will last longer without adding chemicals. This material is also solution-dyed, which reduces water and energy consumption during manufacturing.
Many PFAS-free waterproof coatings need to be washed and re-waterproofed more often, but that isn’t the case with the HyperBead fabric used on the Tiger Wall UL or other Big Agnes tents because the waterproofing is integrated into the fabric. So, there is no need to wash this tent more often or renew the waterproof coating.
Big Agnes strives to incorporate practices that protect the outdoors. They partner with over 20 organizations that help protect public lands, support sustainable practices, and lead in equality and inclusivity. They are part of the Outdoor Industry Association’s Climate Action Corps, which works to bring the outdoor industry together to address sustainability and climate issues.
Big Agnes also has a robust repair policy called the 2nd Routt Program. This program boils down to the following: build durable gear, repair if damaged, and recycle and harvest reusable parts if something can’t be repaired.
They have three US facilities that purchase 100% renewable electric energy through several offset programs. Their Steamboat Springs warranty and repair facility has been powered by the Yampa Valley Electric Association’s Green Choice 100% renewable energy offset program since 2006. Their Steamboat Springs headquarters joined the same program with the City of Steamboat Springs in 2020. And their Salt Lake City, UT distribution center transitioned to a 100% renewable energy offset program in 2021.
You can read more about Big Agnes’ sustainability initiatives here.
Tiger Wall Bikepack Performance
Weather protection
The Tiger Wall UL1 Bikepack provides excellent weather protection. We weathered multiple rainstorms in this tent and tons of high winds, and it never got wet or collapsed in a strong gust.
The HyperBead fabric doesn’t stretch as much as traditional nylon fabrics when wet. Even when rain poured down on the rainfly, we stayed dry inside. The double-wall design creates a barrier between the inner mesh tent and the rainfly, adding extra protection from the weather outside.
Ventilation
It provides good ventilation and isn’t prone to condensation issues. Once, we camped directly next to a creek just after a heavy rainstorm. In the morning, the rainfly was dry.
The double-walled design helps prevent condensation by putting a layer of air between the inner mesh tent and the rainfly. The rainfly extends almost to the ground, but leaves a channel for air to pass underneath on all sides. You can also roll back the doors on clear nights to create more airflow.
Stability
The Tiger Wall Bikepack is extremely stable in windy conditions. The Y-shaped DAC poles flex in the wind, which prevents them from breaking and causing the tent to collapse. It has two extra guy-out points on the head and foot ends, and secondary guy-out points that allow you to further reinforce the ridgeline pole, which runs perpendicular to the main tent pole and head-to-foot orientation.
We often set this tent up in exposed campsites and left it set up for the day while we explored the surrounding mountains. On several occasions, while the wind whipped at our clothes on mountain ridges, we wondered whether our tent would still be standing when we returned. Every time, the tent was still standing when we returned, keeping our camping gear safe and dry inside.
Setup notes
The Tiger Wall Bikepack is a very straightforward tent to set up. The tent poles, rainfly, and inner mesh tent have color-coded ends, so you can quickly set it up without guessing how the rainfly should be oriented.
We’ve set up a lot of other semi-freestanding tents, and this is one of the easiest to set up. We intentionally didn’t read the instructions before pitching it for the first time. This first pitch, which was during a rainstorm, took about two minutes.
Durability
The Tiger Wall Bikepack tent is very durable. The 15D rainfly, inner mesh tent, bathtub floor, and dry bag stuff sack all look almost new after two months of testing. The tent we tested was also a Big Agnes test model, which means other people have used it before us as well.
We expect the Tiger Wall to last for years, and Big Agnes will repair any tent for customers if anything tears or breaks.
Tent Space and Size
The Tiger Wall UL1’s interior footprint is 84 inches by 38/28 inches head/foot, with 39 inches of headroom at the top of the tent dome. This is enough space for one person and all their gear. The tent walls aren’t perfectly vertical, but they’re close to it. Even with a bunch of gear in the overhead pocket—helmet, bike bags, and more—you can still sit up because the pocket is on the downsloping side of the ceiling heading to the foot end.
Storage
It has a large pocket above the foot end, another pocket on the wall at the head end, and a third smaller pocket on the side, just above the bathtub floor between the door and head end. We keep bulkier items in the overhead pocket, an extra layer in the head-end pocket, and our phone and headlamp in the small pocket near the floor.
Interior Space
The Tiger Wall UL1 has enough space for you and all your gear. The walls are near-vertical, but not quite. There is enough headroom to sit up and read, even if you have a bunch of gear in the top pocket.
Livability
We tested the 1-person version of this tent. This size gives you enough space to sit up and read, cook dinner in the vestibule (note: Treeline Review does not recommend people do this due to fire and carbon monoxide hazards, but we recognize it happens), and stretch while sitting up.
The 1-person version is also large enough for two people when sitting up. During testing, we had two people wait out multiple rainstorms sitting in this tent. It was cozy, but doable. The 1-person version isn’t large enough for two to sleep inside, but you can cram two people in here if they’re sitting up and willing to be close to each other.
Interior Access
The Tiger Wall Bikepack has three interior pockets on the inner mesh tent. It has a side pocket, which is perfect for small items such as a phone and headlamp. It has an oversized 3D bin pocket at the head end of the tent, which is great for extra layers you might want overnight. And it has an oversized pocket overhead that’s large enough for your bike helmet plus more.
Vestibules
The Tiger Wall UL1 has a single zippered vestibule on the side with the inner mesh tent’s entry door. At 8 ft², the vestibule is large enough for two pairs of shoes, packs or bike bags, and your camp stove.
Trail Weight vs. Total Weight vs. Fast Fly / Shelter Mode Weight
The Tiger Wall Bikepack’s trail weight is 2 pounds, the total weight is 2 pounds, 10 ounces, and the fast fly mode weighs 1 pound, 10 ounces.
Trail weight means how much the tent weighs without the stuff sacks and only the necessary stakes. Total weight means how much everything that comes with the tent weighs, including the burly roll-top dry bag stuff sack, all tent stakes and guylines, and the stuff sacks for those items. The Fast Fly weight is how much the tent rainfly, tent poles, and footprint weigh. We tested the Tiger Wall UL1 Bikepack without the footprint, so we didn’t test it in Fast Fly mode.
FAQ
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HyperBead fabric is a proprietary molecular-level waterproofing technology that achieves water repellency without traditional chemical coatings or DWR treatments. Big Agnes claims this material is 25% more waterproof than traditional coated fabric. We don’t have a lab to verify the 1500mm hydrostatic head rating, but in practice this tent kept us dry in multiple rainstorms (and in simulated rain testing seemed more waterproof than other fabrics in previous versions), so that’s good enough for us.
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At 12", the Tiger Wall UL Bikepack has shorter tent pole segments than the standard Tiger Wall UL (17 inches). The bikepack version also has a waterproof stuff sack with daisy-chain webbing and straps that allows you to use it as a handlebar bag or strap it to another place on your bike. The bikepack version also has a larger overhead pocket for storing your bike helmet while you sleep, and allows you to pitch the foot end with your bike instead of tent stakes.
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You use the waterproof roll-top stuff sack and included PU straps (commonly referred to as Voile straps) to strap it onto your handlebars, cargo rack, or in a cargo cage mounted elsewhere on your bike. This is the method commonly used in bikepacking to attach anything else to your bike.
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We tested the Tiger Wall UL1, so we can’t verify that the two person version is roomy enough for two people. But, the 1-person Tiger Wall Bikepack has enough interior space for one person to sit up and read, cook in the vestibule (we DO NOT recommend this), and stretch inside of the tent. We also had two people sit up inside of the Tiger Wall UL1, and while it was a tight fit, neither person got wet during a rainstorm.
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You don’t need a footprint with the Tiger Wall UL1 Bikepack. We tested this tent without a footprint, placing the inner tent’s bathtub floor directly on the ground. We never got wet and our inflatable sleeping pads never punctured, either.
Who Should Buy the Big Agnes Tiger Wall Bikepack Tent?
Buy if
You want a semi-freestanding bikepacking tent that comes with a durable dry bag you can use as a handlebar bag.
You want a durable, weatherproof, and packable tent for bikepacking and backpacking.
You value sustainability and want a semi-freestanding tent that the manufacturer will repair if necessary for the life of the tent.
You’re an ultralight backpacker who hikes without trekking poles and needs to cram your tent into a small pack.
Skip if
You don’t plan to use the dry bag stuff sack and don’t care about a tent with shorter tent pole segments.
You want the lightest tent possible but don’t need a semi-freestanding design.
Where to buy the Big Agnes Tiger Wall bikepack tent
The Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL bikepacking tent is popular, so you have options when it comes to retailers. Here are the pros of each retailer.
REI
Pros: 100% satisfaction policy for 1 year; 10% dividend for members.
Amazon
Pros: Free 2-day shipping with Amazon Prime membership (can be same-day delivery in major metropolitan cities)
Backcountry
Pros: Frequent sales for Expedition Perks members (free to join), fast shipping, Gearhead chat customer service is excellent
Advice on where to buy
In general for gear, we recommend purchasing from a place with easy or free returns, like REI.
Similar bikepacking tents
Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL1 Bikepack Tent vs. Big Agnes Copper Spur UL1 Bikepack Tent
MSRP: $550
Total Weight: 48.0 oz
Floor Area: 20.0 ft²
Vestibule Area: 9 ft²
Head Height: 38 in
The Big Agnes Copper Spur UL1 Bikepack is slightly heavier than the Tiger Wall UL1 Bikepack. The Copper Spur has more interior space, a larger vestibule area, and a dual-zippered vestibule that makes getting in and out of the tent easier. The dual-zippered vestibule also allows you to create an awning with trekking poles, if you’re carrying them.
The Copper Spur interior is the same width as the Tiger Wall, but 4 inches longer from head to foot, creating an extra square foot of interior space. The Copper Spur has 20 square feet of interior space, while the Tiger Wall has 19.
Both the Tiger Wall and Copper Spur come with a dry bag stuff sack that you can lash to your bike. If you’re counting ounces, you should go with the Tiger Wall, but if you value a little extra space and don’t mind the extra 5 ounces of weight, get the Copper Spur. See our in-depth review of the Big Agnes Copper Spur bikepacking tent for more information.
Big Agnes Copper Spur UL1 Bikepack
Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL1 Bikepack vs. MSR Hubba Hubba Bikepack 1
MSRP: $500
Total Weight: 45.0 oz
Floor Area: 18.0 ft²
Vestibule Area: 9 ft²
Head Height: 38 in
The MSR Hubba Hubba Bikepack is another tent designed for bikepacking. The Hubba Hubba’s minimal trail weight is 2 pounds, 1 ounce, so it weighs an ounce more than the Tiger Wall UL1 Bikepack. The Hubba Hubba is freestanding, however, while the Tiger Wall needs a minimum of two stakes to pitch the inner tent and two more to pull out the rainfly. To fully pitch the Hubba Hubba, you don’t need any stakes, though you need two stakes to pull out the rainfly. The Hubba Hubba also comes with a stuff sack that you can lash to your bike and use as a handlebar bag.
The Hubba Hubba is fully rectangular on the interior at 30 inches across and 85 inches from head to foot, compared to the Tiger Wall, which is tapered from end to end—38 inches across at the head end and 28 inches at the foot, and 84 inches from head to foot. The Hubba Hubba and Tiger Wall bikepack cost the same.
MSR Hubba Hubba Bikepack
Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL1 Bikepack vs. NEMO Dragonfly Bikepack OSMO 1-Person
MSRP: $530
Total Weight: 50.0 oz
Floor Area: 20.5 ft²
Vestibule Area: 8.6 ft²
Head Height: 40 in
The NEMO Dragonfly OSMO Bikepack is a freestanding tent that’s also designed for bikepacking. The trail weight is 2 pounds, 3 ounces, compared to the Tiger Wall, which weighs 2 pounds without the dry bag stuff sack. The Dragonfly has a unique volumizing crossbar, creating a near-horizontal roof, so the inner mesh tent isn’t as close to your face when sitting up compared to the Tiger Wall.
The Dragonfly’s floor is also larger than the Tiger Wall, and measures 88 inches by 35 inches at the head (tapering to 32 inches at the foot end). This is 4 inches longer than the Tiger Wall. Though the Tiger Wall is wider at the head end, at 38 inches, it has a sharper taper, going down to 28 inches at the foot end. The Dragonfly’s interior space of 20.5 square feet is more than the Tiger Wall’s 19 square feet.
If you value maximum interior space and headroom or are over 6 feet tall, the Dragonfly is worth considering. See our in-depth review of the similar NEMO Dragonfly OSMO backpacking tent for more information.
NEMO Dragonfly Bikepack OSMO 1-Person
Why You Should Trust Us / About the Author
Sam Schild is a thru-hiker, trail runner, bikepacking cyclist, and mountain athlete based in Colorado. He has bikepacked across the country and all over the American Southwest, including on the Colorado Trail and Kokopelli Trail.
He has thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, Appalachian Trail, Grand Enchantment Trail, Arizona Trail, Hayduke Trail, Pacific Northwest Trail, and the Colorado Trail twice. On every trip, he’s used an ultralight tent.
You can read more about Sam on his author page, website, or on Instagram.
