Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2 Review

A high-end ultralight pyramid tent that's 100% waterproof and super easy to set up.

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Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2 White
Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2 Spruce Green
UltaMid 2 Tent Door
Hyperlite UltaMid 2 Open
Hyperlite UltaMid 2 Packrafting
HMG UltaMid 2 Camping
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Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2 White
Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2 Spruce Green
UltaMid 2 Tent Door
Hyperlite UltaMid 2 Open
Hyperlite UltaMid 2 Packrafting
HMG UltaMid 2 Camping
Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2 White
Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2 Spruce Green
UltaMid 2 Tent Door
Hyperlite UltaMid 2 Open
Hyperlite UltaMid 2 Packrafting
HMG UltaMid 2 Camping
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 Summary

  • The Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2 is an extremely lightweight, minimalist tent that’s made of super-durable Cuben fiber which offers excellent waterproof, UV-resistant, and chemical-resistant performance.
  • When folded up, the extremely packable tent is about the size of a large water bottle.
  • The UltaMid 2 has been tried and tested in extreme weather conditions. Whether it’s in strong winds or heavy rains, the UltaMid 2 is designed to hold up and delivers top-shelf performance.
  • This tent does not come with tent poles and stakes, which may be surprising considering its lofty price tag.

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Introduction

MAKE:
Hyperlite Mountain Gear
MODEL:
UltaMid 2
TYPE:
Ultralight Pyramid Tent
MSRP PRICE:
$715
RECOMMENDED FOR:
Camping, solo hiking, packrafting, backpacking, bikepacking
WARRANTY:
1-year
MODEL YEAR:
2018
WHERE TO BUY IT:
Hyperlite Mountain Gear’s Website

Tent Details

PACKED SIZE:
8.5″ x 6″ x 5.5″ / 21.6cm x 15.2cm x 14cm
WEIGHT:
1.17 lbs / 18.85 oz / 534g
MEASUREMENTS:
Width: 6’11” / 83″ / 210.8cm
Length: 8’11” / 107″ / 271.8cm
Height: 5’4″ / 64″ / 162.6cm
AREA:
63 square feet
MATERIAL:
DCF8
AVAILABLE COLORS:
White, Spruce Green

Written Review

Ultralight backpacking is founded on the principle of bringing nothing more than the bare essentials on camping trips. By cutting down on the weight of their packs, backpackers waste less energy, move with more agility, and can cover larger distances in a single day of trekking. To achieve this, ultralight backpackers focus on camping items and equipment that are smaller and lighter than usual. Special focus is often given to using lighter versions of the “holy trinity” – the pack, sleeping bag, and tent. This is where the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 2 Ultralight Pyramid Tent comes in.

At only 18.85 oz, the Hyperlite UltaMid 2 is one of the lightest tents available today. It achieves this by using the technology of Dyneema Composite Fiber (DCF), more colloquially known as Cuben fiber (the company uses this same fabric on many of their products, including the Southwest and Windrider packsStuff Pack , and Hyperlite’s The Shell jacket. The main material of DCF is Dyneema fiber, an ultra-high molecular weight polyethyene that’s extruded into a fiber through a patented process that involves drawing, heating, stretching, and cooling the fiber. This fiber is then woven in an opposing grid pattern and sandwiched between two layers of polyester film. The result is a 100% waterproof, chemical and UV-resistant fiber that’s lighter than silnylon but is more robust than Kevlar.

The Hyperlite UltaMid 2 also achieves its lightweight form factor by its pyramid design. With such a simple and classic structure, the UltaMid 2 does away with unnecessary tent poles and instead relies on your trekking poles, ski poles, or a paddle to act as the central pole. To keep the tent walls taut, attached guy lines need to be secured to tent stakes, which also are not included with the tent. The UltaMid 2 really takes minimalism to the next level, which may be a turn-off for some. Still, with a little ingenuity and soft ground, the UltaMid 2 can be set up in less than 5 minutes.

There are few tent designs that have been as time-tested as the pyramid. Its offers excellent protection against the elements, whether it be rain, wind, or snow. The UltaMid 2 has been tried and tested in extremely windy conditions and heavy rains. With the superior durability and waterproofing that the DCF material provides, you can rest assured that the UltaMid 2 tent will keep you safe and dry. Since it is a single-skin tent, just remember to avoid contact with the tent walls as the condensation can get your clothes, pack, or sleeping bag wet.

Although the UltaMid 2 was designed as an ultralight, minimalist tent without added accessories, it doesn’t skimp on parts that are most prone to wear and tear. Its central panel (where it is in contact with the tent pole) and the panels connected to tie-outs and guy lines are heavily reinforced. It also features a large and waterproof two-way zipper that feels very rugged and durable. High-quality seam sealing preserves the waterproof characteristic of the DCF material. The attached guy lines, although lightweight, are also very durable. The UltaMid 2 was designed to endure and outlast even the roughest conditions that the great outdoors can throw at it.

Despite the fact that it rolls up into roughly the size of a water bottle, the UltaMid 2 provides enough room for 2 people to comfortably sleep (for a roomier interior, check out Hyperlite’s UltaMid 4). Although the space near the bottom of the panels is not very usable and better reserved for gear storage, the UltaMid 2 offers plenty of headroom, making it a good tent for tall people. Since the central pole is fully customizable, the height can be easily adjusted. By setting the pitch higher, you can increase the headroom inside the tent while allowing an increase in airflow.

In addition to its compact size, the use of DCF material makes it much easier to put away the tent in the morning. DCF does not wet out and sag like silnylon, making it easier to dry when it comes time to pack up camp. Minor damage to the DCF material can be easily remedied with some duct tape, which preserves its durability and waterproofing to some degree. However, DCF easily melts so cooking inside the UltaMid 2 is out of the question.

Being purely a “tarp tent”, the UltaMid 2 does not come with a floor. For campers who prefer the sense of protection and are not too keen on the “al fresco” sensation that a fully enclosed tent can provide, you can use the UltaMid 2 with Hyperlite’s Half Insert or Full Insert feature a mesh lining and DCF11 floor material. You don’t need to worry about violating the ultralight principle with the inserts, as the UltaMid 2 and Full Insert bundle is still lighter than a traditional 2-man tent.

There’s no doubt that the UltaMid 2 is one of the finest lightweight tents we’ve seen. However, it’s also one of the most expensive. Adding a Full Insert to protect yourself from critters will bring the total cost up to almost $1,000. This may be the biggest drawback of the UltaMid 2, as traditional 2-man tents can cost less than half of this amount.

 Warranty

The UltaMid 2, as well as all other Hyperlite products, are manufactured using the highest standards and the finest materials. As a testament to their confidence in the quality of their products, Hyperlite offers a refund or free repair/replacement should the tent fail within a year of the purchase date due to manufacturing defects. HMG’s warranty does not cover damage due to accidents or neglect, or if the product has undergone any unauthorized modification.

Additionally, take note that the warranty will be voided if you used the UltaMid 2 for commercial purposes. The warranty will also only cover products purchased directly from Hyperlite and authorized dealers. This does not include third-party websites such as Amazon or eBay.

Pros:

  • One of the lightest tents available today, the UltaMid 2 can be folded up to roughly the size of a large water bottle.
  • Highly durable and water-proof Cuben fiber provides year-round protection from the elements.
  • The classic pyramid design makes the UltaMid 2 resilient against strong winds and heavy rains.

Cons:

  • The UltaMid 2 does not come with accessories like tent poles and stakes, so you will have to improvise.
  • This tent does not have a floor or any mesh protection. If that’s important to you, you’ll have to purchase these separately.
  • The UltaMid 2 is far more expensive than traditional 2-man camping tents.

 Final Thoughts

The Hyperlite UltaMid 2 is an excellent tent for the minimalist ultralight backpacker who wants nothing but the best. This is a barebones model that doesn’t come with tent poles or stakes, relying instead on your existing gear to prop it up. The Cuben fiber material of the UltaMid 2 gives it superior durability and resistance against the elements while keeping it incredibly lightweight.

Probably the biggest hurdle that the average backpacker will have to overcome before they decide to buy the UltaMid 2 is the price. Traditional 2-man tents are available at less than half the price of the UltaMid 2. However, it can be argued that the quality of the UltaMid 2 is several notches higher if only for its lightweight characteristic and unequaled durability. The UltaMid 2 will provide years of service in the toughest conditions without getting damaged, and we’re certain that you’ll love how convenient it is to carry around this lightweight and portable tent.

Click Here to Buy Hyperlite Mountain Gear’s UltaMid 2

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