Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 2 Review

The Ultamid 2 is an extremely lightweight, minimalist option for a 4-season shelter. We were really impressed with the high-quality Dyneema composite material and other design features that gave it high scores in our testing. Completely waterproof, you'll stay bone dry in this spacious and tall mid. However, it is worth noting that accessories are not included, like a floor, bug netting, stakes, or a central pole. They are available but must be purchased separately, which will obviously increase your final price.

Performance Comparison

Weather and Storm Resistance

The Ultamid 2 is, without a doubt, one of the most waterproof 4-season tents we tested. It endured a multi-day storm that transitioned from rain to snow, staying completely dry inside the entire time. As for wind, well, you've got to really anchor any mid-style tent. Fortunately, the Ultamid has fifteen potential anchor points that either stakes or cords can be attached to. With proper anchoring, this shelter will withstand moderate to strong winds just fine.

What makes the Ultamid so moisture-resistant is its burly Dyneema composite fabric, waterproof front zipper, super-strong taped seams, and vents with large overhangs. Even with the vents open, water is effectively kept out. Additionally, the nice thing about this shelter in a snowy environment is that the snow builds up at the base and helps to block wind from entering underneath the structure. That said, if the walls are not flush with the ground and there is a gap, wind and snow may enter at will. We also strongly encourage you to purchase the mesh insert for bug protection (which is available with or without a floor for very different price points) if you will be in a buggy area — trust us, you'll thank yourself later.

Ease of Use

Setting up the Ultamid 2 (or any mid, for that matter) is a bit of a chore. There are plenty of attachment points (15 in all), many of which must be anchored strongly to boulders, trees, deadman snow anchors, etc., in order to withstand windy conditions. But, once set up, this spacious dwelling offers 63 square feet of floor space and a 64-inch peak height, making it the roomiest tent in our review.

Conversely, breaking down the Ultamid 2 is a breeze, and it packs quickly into the bottom of a pack or its Dyneema composite stuff sack. Living inside is super comfortable, with more than enough space for two people and their gear. Condensation is effectively minimized by two vents near the peak that have large overhangs to keep precipitation out. Unless you like sleeping right on top of Mother Earth, you'll also need to purchase a tarp or Hyperlite's insert, stakes, and either use your trekking poles strapped together or the Ultamid carbon fiber tent pole, also sold separately.

Weight

We measured the Ultamid 2 at 1.49 pounds, which is about as light as you can go for a 4-season tent. That does not, however, include stakes, a central pole, or an insert/floor.

When you figure out how to really anchor a mid well, the weight savings and packability are significant. Keep in mind if it's buggy out, you'll definitely want to add an insert, which makes this tent heavier. The Ultamid 2 Mesh Insert with DCF11 Floor weighs an additional 1.4 pounds.

Quality of Construction

Dyneema composite fabrics are revolutionizing the outdoor industry, and the Ultamid 2 is a classic example. Dyneema is extremely strong and waterproof and is laminated with other polyester fibers to create this amazing tent. All connection points are reinforced, and the waterproof zipper is burly.

Other than the incredibly durable fabric, the design of this mid is very functional, with cords that are easy to tighten but hard to loosen, a smooth zipper pull, and large eaves covering the vents near the top of the pyramid shape.

Versatility

The Ultamid 2 is versatile enough to take on mountaineering trips, river trips, bike-packing trips, backpacking trips, and expeditions. Since it is lightweight, interchangeable, and packable, it can be used in many different venues and environments. However, it certainly wouldn't be our first choice for longer expeditions on glaciers in Alaska or the Himalayas. And for certain alpine climbs, where a tent's footprint is often determined by the terrain, a mid is sometimes too big to fit in an established bivy site.

Another consideration with this tent is the fact that you have to accessorize on your own by purchasing stakes, poles, and an insert/floor if you wish to have those things. Even with all those parts, this tent does not do very well in high winds and needs attention when there is precipitation. When the materials become damp, all contact points need to be re-tightened — though this is true with many tents. The Ultamid is best in sheltered locations, though it excels as a very lightweight option for the minimalist backpacker or fastpacker.

Should You Buy the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 2?

If you're looking to shave weight in your pack, on your bike, or in your canoe, the Ultamid 2 is an excellent shelter for minimalists. It will keep you completely dry but will also require diligence to set up properly, especially in high winds. While we highly recommend it for many adventures, we would point you elsewhere for full-on expedition tents and up-and-over alpine climbing with smaller bivy sites.

What Other 4-Season Tents Should You Consider?