Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 4 Review

A roomy, ultralight pyramid tent that delivers excellent waterproof performance.

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Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 4 White
Spruce Green Hyperlite UltaMid 4 Tent
Hyperlite UltaMid 4 Pyramid Tent
Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 4 Open
HMG UltaMid 4 Camping
Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 4 Basecamp
UltaMid 4 Cold Weather
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Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 4 White
Spruce Green Hyperlite UltaMid 4 Tent
Hyperlite UltaMid 4 Pyramid Tent
Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 4 Open
HMG UltaMid 4 Camping
Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 4 Basecamp
UltaMid 4 Cold Weather
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 4 White
Spruce Green Hyperlite UltaMid 4 Tent
Hyperlite UltaMid 4 Pyramid Tent
Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 4 Open
HMG UltaMid 4 Camping
Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 4 Basecamp
UltaMid 4 Cold Weather
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 Summary

  • The Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 4 is the 4-man version of Hyperlite’s UltaMid 2 tent. It also comes with the same ultralight and super portable characteristics we’ve come to expect from HMG products.
  • This pyramid-shaped shelter is made of waterproof and extremely durable DCF (Cuben Fiber), making it “bombproof” in a variety of weather conditions.
  • The simple and intuitive shape of the UltaMid 4 makes set up quick and easy.
  • With its optional inserts, this tent can be quite expensive. However, we believe its combination of portability, durability, and longevity justify the price tag.

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Introduction

MAKE:
Hyperlite Mountain Gear
MODEL:
UltaMid 4
TYPE:
Ultralight Pyramid Tent
MSRP PRICE:
$865
RECOMMENDED FOR:
Camping, expeditions, basecamp shelter, hiking, packrafting, backpacking, bikepacking
WARRANTY:
1-year
MODEL YEAR:
2018
WHERE TO BUY IT:
Hyperlite Mountain Gear’s Website

Tent Details

PACKED SIZE:
10″ x 7″ x 5.5″ / 25.4cm x 17.8cm x 14cm
WEIGHT:
1.44 lbs / 23.03 oz / 653g
MEASUREMENTS:
Width: 111″ / 281.9cm
Length: 111″ / 281.9cm
Height: 75″ / 190.5cm
AREA:
85 square feet
MATERIAL:
DCF8
AVAILABLE COLORS:
White, Spruce Green

Written Review

Camping in the great outdoors can be an excellent activity for families who want to spend time with each other far from the distractions of a bustling modern life. However, as with camping in any large group, logistics will always be a problem when packing camping gear for a whole family. Aside from needing a huge amount of supplies, you’ll also need to carry more sleeping bags and a larger tent. You can remove one item from this list of problems with the Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 4, an ultralight shelter that is large enough to fit 4 people comfortably.

Like the company’s Flat Gear Tarp and Echo II Shelter System, the Hyperlite UltaMid 4 is made from the same Dyneema Composite Fiber (DCF). DCF, which used to be called Cuben Fiber, is made of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene extruded through a spinneret to form a fiber with exceptional molecular alignment and a high degree of crystallization. These fibers are then laid and woven into a grid and sandwiched between thin layers of polyester film before being laminated together in a high-pressure and high-temperature environment. The result is a very thin waterproof fabric that is lighter than Silnylon but stronger than Kevlar.

At only 1.44 lbs, the UltaMid 4 is probably the lightest shelter you can get for 4 people and is only marginally heavier than the smaller UltaMid 2. Sure, there are lighter tents out there, but they don’t offer the 85 square feet of floor space that the UltaMid 4 does when it’s properly laid out. With a 6-foot tall pitch, even larger-than-average people can appreciate all the room inside the UltaMid 4. Folded up, the UltaMid 4 is just about the size of a rolled sleeping bag.

The UltaMid 4 achieves this incredible lightness by providing only the bare minimum for a shelter. It does not come with a central pole, pole inserts, or a set of stakes. Instead, you’ll need to use a pair of trekking poles or a paddle to prop up the tent. Some buyers may take issue with this deficiency, especially given the higher than usual price of the UltaMid 4.

Pitching the UltaMid 4 is a fast and intuitive process that takes no longer than 5 minutes even for a single person. You start by staking the four corners of the tent, propping up the center with your trekking poles, and stringing the tent fabric taut with the tie-outs and guy lines. The UltaMid 4 also offers an option to tie out the center of the cone should you decide to camp right below the tree line. The interior of the UltaMid 4 will easily fit 3 to 4 people, including gear, making it the perfect camping shelter for family hiking trips.

The pyramid shape of the UltaMid 4 helps in keeping the set-up simple while providing generous interior volume. This classic tent shape works well even in strong winds and can shed heavy amounts of rain and snow. The combination of the waterproof, super durable DCF material and the pyramid shape makes the UltaMid 4 a truly bombproof tent that can withstand months of exposure in the roughest weather conditions.

Despite being a minimalist shelter, the UltaMid 4 is reinforced where it matters. The central cone panel, where the tent comes in contact with the central pole, is made with multiple DCF layers. The same can be observed in the tie-out panels. The 2.8mm guy lines that come with the UltaMid 4 are made of an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene core covered with a polyester sheath, making it water-resistant and 30% lighter than nylon.

The UltaMid 4 is a floorless shelter which may not be appropriate if you are camping in areas with a lot of critters. For these cases, Hyperlite sells a variety of inner tents to augment your ultralight shelter. You may opt for the mesh insert without a floor that’s made with a “no-see-um”-proof mesh to keep those pesky bugs away and fits a bit smaller than the UltaMid 4 to eliminate condensation. If you are camping on moist ground, then your best option will be to get the half insert or full insert with a floor. The bathtub-style floor of these inserts is made with DCF11, a slightly thicker version of the same material used for the UltaMid 4.

Probably the biggest drawback of the UltaMid 4 is the fact that it’s much more expensive than typical 4-man tents. Buying the UltaMid 4 and the full insert with DCF11 floor will cost north of $1,000, easily more than double the price of a 4-man tent from other well-known companies. Although the UltaMid 4 makes up for the higher cost with superior longevity, durability, and portability, the high price tag might still turn off many casual campers.

 Warranty

Should the UltaMid 4 get damaged due to a manufacturing defect within a year of purchase, Hyperlite will provide repair, replacement, or a refund according to their discretion. Take note that this warranty does not cover damage due to an accident, regular wear and tear, neglect, misuse, and abuse. Using the UltaMid 4 for commercial purposes will also render your warranty void.

Lastly, the warranty will only cover the UltaMid 4 if it is purchased directly from Hyperlite and their authorized dealers. This doesn’t include websites such as Craigslist, Amazon, or eBay.

Pros:

  • Extremely lightweight and portable, especially considering its generous interior space
  • Quick and easy to set up
  • The waterproof and durable DCF material, combined with its pyramid shape, helps it withstand strong wind, heavy rains, and snow
  • Tried and tested through several months of camping in extreme conditions

Cons:

  • Expensive, especially if you opt for the optional mesh and floor inserts
  • Does not come with tent insert poles or stakes
  • The UltaMid 4 is a floorless shelter, which may not be appropriate for all types of camping grounds

 Final Thoughts

The UltaMid 4 is an excellent solution to the problem of having to carry lots of heavy gear when camping with your family. With an interior space that can comfortably fit up to 4 people, it’s impressive just how lightweight and portable this tent really is. Moreover, the extremely durable and waterproof DCF fabric makes the UltaMid 4 a very versatile shelter that can be used in a variety of weather conditions.

Given its benefits, it is hard to deny that the UltaMid 4 shelter is much more expensive than other 4-man tents. However, there’s probably no other product on the market that offers such a unique combination of durability, lightness, longevity, generous interior space, and storm protection. The top-notch level of design and craftsmanship that’s gone into the making of Hyperlite’s UltaMid 4 is more than enough to justify its price in our opinion.

Click Here to Buy Hyperlite Mountain Gear’s UltaMid 4

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