Our Take
The Big Agnes Scout 2 Platinum Tent is built for ultralight obsessives who count every ounce, coming in at a ridiculous one-pound trail weight while still offering 29 square feet of floor space and vertical walls that give you actual headroom.
It handles four-season conditions well and scores high on the intangibles that make a tent enjoyable to live in.
That said, the 7D fabric is genuinely fragile and the front zipper likes to snag, so this isn't the tent for rough handling or careless packing.
At $450, you're paying a premium for weight savings, and the durability trade-off means it's best suited for careful hikers who prioritize a light pack over bombproof construction.
Ask our AI for instant answers from our reviews and specs — comparisons, sizing, and who it's best for.
How We Rated It
Pros & Cons
PROS
- ✓One pound trail weight
- ✓Roomy 27-sqft floor plan
- ✓Vertical walls maximize headroom
CONS
- ✕Fragile 7D fabric
- ✕Snag-prone front zipper
How It Compares
| Tent | Score | Est. Price | Weight | Sleeps | Seasons | Floor Area | Vestibule | Doors | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() Big Agnes Big Agnes Scout 2 Platinum Tent This tent | ★ 8.1 | $450 | 2 lbs | 1 people | 4-season | 29 sq ft | 9 sq ft | 1 | ✓ Current |
![]() Hyperlite Hyperlite Mountain Gear Flat Tarp | ★ 8.1 | $390 | 0.6 lbs | 1 people | 3-season | 52 sq ft | 0 sq ft | — | vs → |
![]() SlingFin SlingFin SplitWing UL Tarp | ★ 8.1 | $200 | 7.9 oz | 1 people | 3-season | 27 sq ft | 7 sq ft | — | vs → |
![]() River Country River Country Products Trekker Tent | ★ 8.3 | $60 | 3 lb 5 oz | 1 people | 3-season | 35 sq ft | 0 sq ft | 1 | vs → |
![]() SlingFin SlingFin SplitWing Shelter Bundle | ★ 8.3 | $400 | 1.3 lbs | 1 people | 3-season | 28 sq ft | 7 sq ft | 2 | vs → |
![]() ZPacks ZPacks Duplex Tent | ★ 7.5 | $699 | 1.13 lbs | 1 people | 3-season | 28 sq ft | 12 sq ft | 4 | vs → |
What We Think
At just over a pound of trail weight, the Big Agnes Scout 2 Platinum represents the bleeding edge of ultralight shelter design, and owners are overwhelmingly enthusiastic about what they're getting.
This single-wall, trekking pole-supported A-frame scored a 8.1 overall, with a perfect 10 in User Reviews reflecting genuine owner satisfaction rather than marketing hype.
The tradeoffs are real, but for the right backpacker, this tent delivers exactly what it promises.
User Reviews
The perfect 10 here is striking, and the owner feedback patterns explain why.
The most common praise centers on that one-pound trail weight, which owners describe as transformative for long-distance hiking.
Equally notable: owners consistently highlight the 27-square-foot floor plan as genuinely roomy for an ultralight shelter, with vertical walls that maximize usable headroom rather than sloping inward like many competitors.
This combination of minimal weight and livable space is what earns the enthusiasm.
Features & Extras
Scoring a 9 in Features & Extras, the Scout 2 Platinum packs legitimate 4-season capability into a sub-two-pound package, which is a technical achievement worth acknowledging.
The trekking pole-supported design eliminates dedicated tent poles entirely, and the single-wall construction further cuts weight.
For minimalist backpackers building out their overnight backpacking checklist, this tent becomes a cornerstone piece that frees up weight budget elsewhere.
Space & Comfort
The 29-square-foot floor area and 40-inch peak height deliver surprisingly livable interior volume, earning a solid 8 in Space & Comfort.
Those vertical walls that owners consistently praise mean you're not fighting sloped fabric when sitting up or organizing gear.
The single door and 9-square-foot vestibule are adequate for solo use, though pairs will find gear storage tight.
Weather Resistance
An 8 in Weather Resistance reflects genuine 4-season capability, though the single-wall design requires attention to ventilation management in humid conditions.
The ZPacks Duplex at $699 offers similar ultralight weather protection at 1.13 pounds, but the Scout 2 Platinum's 4-season rating gives it an edge for shoulder-season and winter missions.
Ease of Use
The 7-10 minute setup time earned an 8 in Ease of Use, which is reasonable for a non-freestanding shelter requiring proper staking.
Site selection matters more here than with freestanding designs, so you'll want to scout for stakeable ground.
Investing in quality stakes from our best tent stakes roundup will make a real difference with this shelter.
Quality & Durability
Here's the required honesty: the Scout 2 Platinum scored a 7 in Quality & Durability, and owner feedback confirms the concern.
The 7D fabric that enables that one-pound weight is genuinely fragile, and a recurring theme in negative reviews is the snag-prone front zipper.
This tent demands careful handling and thoughtful site selection to avoid punctures and tears.
The River Country Products Trekker Tent at $60 and 3 pounds 5 ounces offers dramatically more durability if you can accept the weight penalty.
Value for Money
At $450, the Scout 2 Platinum scored a 7 in Value for Money, which reflects the premium you pay for cutting-edge ultralight engineering.
The lack of a stated warranty is notable at this price point, and the fragile materials mean replacement costs could add up for rough users.
You're paying for grams saved, and that math only works if weight is your primary constraint.
Who It's For
This tent belongs to the gram-counting thru-hiker or fast-and-light weekend warrior who has already dialed in their kit and knows exactly what they're trading for that one-pound carry weight.
If you treat gear gently, choose campsites carefully, and prioritize mobility over bombproof durability, the Scout 2 Platinum rewards that approach.
Casual backpackers or anyone rough on gear should look elsewhere.
The Bottom Line
The Big Agnes Scout 2 Platinum scored a 8.1 by delivering an almost impossibly light 4-season shelter with genuinely livable interior space.
That perfect User Reviews score reflects real owner enthusiasm from people who understand the ultralight bargain.
The fragile 7D fabric is the price of admission, and if you accept that tradeoff knowingly, this tent will transform how you move through the backcountry.
Full Specifications
| Tent Type | A-frame, Backpacking |
|---|---|
| Seasons | 4-season |
| Sleeps | 1 people |
| Weight | 2 lbs |
| Floor Area | 29 sq ft |
| Vestibule Area | 9 |
| Peak Height | 3' 4" |
| Floor Dimensions | 90 x 54 x 40 in |
| Doors | 1 |
| Setup Time | 7-10 mins |
| Pole Material | Aluminum |
| Footprint Included | No |
| Made In | USA |
| Warranty | None |
| Additional Notes | Ultralight, Waterproof, Lightweight |
| Price | $450 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the Big Agnes Scout 2 Platinum Tent best for?
How long does the Big Agnes Scout 2 Platinum take to set up?
How does the Big Agnes Scout 2 Platinum handle rain and wind?
Is the Big Agnes Scout 2 Platinum worth $450?
How much interior space does the Big Agnes Scout 2 Platinum offer?
How does the Big Agnes Scout 2 Platinum compare to the ZPacks Duplex?
How does the Big Agnes Scout 2 Platinum compare to the River Country Products Trekker Tent?
What do other owners say about the Big Agnes Scout 2 Platinum?
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