Big Agnes
Big Agnes Sarvis VST 2
Where it fits
- Also works for
- Backpacking and wild camping
- Not for
- Winter mountain
Why these labels
- Backpacking and wild camping: Light to carry: 1.1 kg
- Winter mountain: 3-season rating, not built for winter storms
From the maker's stated use and the published specs.
- Summer wild camp: 8/10 UK, roughly May to September, nights above about 8 °C, sheltered pitches.
- Three-season hills: 7/10 UK hills in spring and autumn. Wind, rain, and nights near freezing.
- Winter camp: 4/10 UK winter or high ground. Below freezing, strong wind, possibly snow. Capped at 4: needs the maker's 4-season rating and wind 7+.
- Weight: 8/10 How much it adds to your pack, compared with the whole market.
Lowest price we found
£639.99 at Ultralight Outdoor Gear
Go to Ultralight Outdoor Gear Compare 2 shopsTwo people who want a light, roomy freestanding tent for spring to autumn trips
- Freestanding
- Yes
- Sleeps
- 2
- Seasons
- 3-season
- Min. weight
- 1.13 kg
- Flysheet
- 4,000 mm
Packed size 4.37 L, 46 cm long and 11 cm across Compare with a 2-litre bottle
About one and a half 2-litre bottles long and about as wide as one. Drawn to scale.
Where to buy
Ultralight Outdoor Gear £639.99 In stock. Free delivery.
View at shop: Ultralight Outdoor GearAlpinetrek £664.95 In stock. Free delivery.
View at shop: AlpinetrekPrices checked 8 Nov 2026 on each shop's own page; shops can change them. We earn no commission on these links; shops are listed by price. More
Our ratings (out of 10)
1 to 10, compared with the whole market. Each says what it's based on. How we score
Weight
From maker's figures 8/10How much it adds to your pack. This is the whole tent: two people sharing can split it. 8: Clearly better than most.
Big Agnes's trail weight of 1.13 kg sits in the 1.0–1.49 kg band (1.27 kg with stakes and sack).
Rain protection
From maker's figures 7/10How well it keeps out heavy, long rain. 7: Better than most.
Fly 4,000 mm is the 3,000 mm+ band (the top band), then one band lower because the floor is only 1,500 mm, under 2,000 mm.
Wind
Estimate from maker's specs: maker's season rating (fewer than 3 reviews about wind) 5/10How steady it stays in strong wind on open ground. 5: Does the job. Average for wild-camping gear.
No published review says how it copes with wind, so this is an estimate from the maker's season rating.
Space
From maker's figures 8/10Room to lie, sit up and keep kit inside. 8: Clearly better than most.
Big Agnes's 3.0 m² inner floor ÷ 2 people = 1.5 m² each, in the 1.35–1.59 band; Ultralight Outdoor Gear found that two wide sleeping pads fit side by side.
Packed size
From maker's figures 8/10How much room it takes in your rucksack. 8: Clearly better than most.
Packs to 46 cm long x 11 cm across: 3.1416 x 5.5 x 5.5 x 46 = 4,371 cm³, so 4.37 L, in the 4–6.9 L band.
What reviewers say (out of 10)
Ratings marked * are from reviews and are not part of the trip score. They are reviewers' scores, not our own measurements. How we score
Pitching*
Reviewers' average 8/10How quickly and easily one person can pitch it, including in wind and rain.
4 reviews on pitching, e.g. "This just has this huge wide sleeve at the top. Very easy to put through.".
Reviewers disagree on this.
Condensation*
Estimate: only 1 review about condensation (fewer than the 3 we need, so never above 8) 8/10How dry it stays inside on still, damp nights; higher is drier.
1 review on condensation, e.g. "Inside, however, I remain dry.".
Durability*
Estimate: only 1 review about durability (fewer than the 3 we need, so never above 8) 6/10How well the fabric, poles, zips and seams hold up over seasons of use.
1 review on durability, e.g. "But during the three days, it stays tight.".
In short
Good for
- Two people who want a light, roomy freestanding tent for spring to autumn trips
- Trekkers who will pitch in rain often and want the inner kept dry
- Warm or muggy nights where strong ventilation matters
Strengths
- 1.13 kg minimum weight for a freestanding two-door tent with a 3.0 m² floor
- Fly and inner pitch together, so the inner stays dry during setup in rain (Haze Outdoors, Ultralight Outdoor Gear)
- Two large peak vents and a mesh ceiling give strong airflow
- 4,000 mm HyperBead polyester fly
- Packs small at 46 x 11 cm (4.4 L)
Weaknesses
- Floor is only 1,500 mm and 15D, thin for rough ground
- Hybrid single/double-wall design: some fly fabric is exposed inside, so condensation may touch you
- Only 10 stakes supplied, and Haze Outdoors and Ultralight Outdoor Gear say two more are needed to peg out every guy point
- New for 2026, so no long-term durability reports yet
Sources
We haven't tested this ourselves. Every score comes from these specs, tests and reviews.
ShowHide sources (6)
- Big Agnes: Sarvis VST 2 product page
- Haze Outdoors: The Big Agnes Sarvis VST 2 (video, bought with his own money)
- Ambra Piper: Big Agnes Sarvis VST 2 person tent review (video)
- Ultralight Outdoor Gear: Sarvis VST 2 Tent (specifications and shop notes)
- Galaxus product test: Lightweight, plenty of space: That's what the Sarvis VST 2 tent from Big Agnes offers (three nights, tent supplied by the maker)
- Adventure Alan: Big Agnes Sarvis VST Review (REI-sponsored, limited use so far)