Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2 Review

The Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2 is an ultralight, four-season, pyramid-style backpacking shelter designed to be set up with two trekking poles lashed together, with optional straps provided by Hyperlite Mountain Gear, or with an optional carbon fiber pole if you don’t use trekking poles. Since it’s a pyramid, there are no vestibules, but it has 63 ft² / 5.85 m² of interior floor space, and the entire shelter (without optional poles or straps) weighs 18.85 oz / 534 g.

Testing Conditions

I used the UltaMid 2 during a trip to Nepal and the Sierra Nevada in California. I used just the UltaMid 2 (I did not use any of the optional mesh inserts) and primarily used it in shoulder seasons. Since I do not (usually) carry trekking poles, I set up the shelter using the carbon fiber pole (available from Hyperlite Mountain Gear). This pole adds 8.4 oz / 238 g to the total weight of the shelter and is adjustable in 1 in / 2.54 cm increments, up to 8 in / 20.32 cm in length. I also had the Spruce Green version of the shelter (which weighs exactly the same but is more stylish and $65 more expensive than the white one).

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The Good

The Weight

The UltaMid 2, when used with trekking poles, weighs 18.85 oz / 534 g. As far as four-season, two-person shelters go, there isn’t much competition at this weight. The shelter is made of Dyneema Composite Fabric 8 (DCF8 – formerly known as Cuben Fiber) and is fully seam-sealed with a water-resistant two-way zipper. The reinforced peak of the shelter has two vents to prevent condensation.

The Weather Resistance

The UltaMid 2 is a pyramid-style shelter (in case you haven’t been paying attention) – also known as a “mid” (where the name of the shelter comes from, get it?). Pyramids are structurally sound and capable of withstanding the elements, whether it be wind, rain, or snow. You might think that because it uses just a single pole, it wouldn’t hold up well in a storm, but if pitched correctly and properly guyed out, you can count on the UltaMid to keep you protected no matter the elements. Depending on the weather, the shelter can also be easily pitched up or down (by adjusting the length of the center pole or trekking poles).

The Interior Space

Mids can take some getting used to if you’ve never used one before, and the UltaMid 2 is no exception. The usable space inside is interrupted by the pole in the middle (which makes mids a bad choice if you’re looking to snuggle), and you’re left with lots of low-clearance space near the edges. The shelter’s perimeter is great for storing gear, and with 63 ft² / 5.85 m² of floor space overall, you won’t have much of an issue fitting yourself and all your things inside – even if you’re sharing the shelter with someone else.

The Okay

The Pitch

If you’ve never used a mid before – and especially if you’ve only ever used freestanding (or semi-freestanding) shelters – the Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2 can take some getting used to. Since the footprint is a square, it’s not as complicated as pitching some other shelters, and in fair weather, you shouldn’t have any trouble setting it up. It can be a bit more of a pain if you’re setting up in the wind or otherwise inclement weather or if you’re setting up somewhere where the ground isn’t very accepting of your stakes. If you have to set up the UltaMid 2 in the wind and use rocks instead of stakes, have fun. The advantage of setting it up in wet conditions is that your interior won’t get wet once you’ve pitched your tent (if you have a mesh interior, you’ll set this up second).

The Bad

The Bulk: My biggest complaint with the Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2 is its bulk. It’s far bulkier than I expected a lightweight shelter would be – a result of the DCF8 it’s made from. It helps to know that the bulk is simply an attribute of the shelter’s fabric and not an error in judgment during its production. Over time, the fabric will begin to pack down smaller, but when it’s new, you may struggle to get it back into its stuff sack each morning.

The Price

The UltaMid 2 is expensive. At $699 for white and $729 for green (plus any applicable taxes), it’s a substantial investment for what’s essentially a single piece of fancy fabric. Additionally, you’ll incur an extra $15 for Ultamid Pole Straps, $30 for an Ultamid Stake Kit (more on these two below), and an additional $405 if you opt for the full-size interior mesh with a floor. That means you could see $1,250 (before taxes) for the most expensive UltaMid 2 setup. You could literally buy an old beater car for that price.

The Stakes & Straps

If you’re spending $699 on a shelter ($729 if you want the green version), you would expect it to come with everything you need to set it up. However, if you opt to use trekking poles, you’ll need to purchase the Ultamid Pole Straps separately (if you don’t already have something to secure your poles together); the cost is an additional $15 for two straps, and each weighs 0.5 oz / 14 g. Similarly, the shelter does not include any stakes. That said, many ultralight enthusiasts have their favorite stakes, but Hyperlite also offers a stake kit (a set of eight weighing 0.4 oz | 12g per stake) for an additional $30. Since they’re omitted, maybe a discount on the straps/stakes would be nice with an UltaMid purchase. I don’t know. I know that $729 is a lot for a shelter that requires additional purchases to set it up.

Who is it for?

Beginner Backpackers: If you’re starting out backpacking, there’s no reason you should look at the UltaMid 2. Not sure how you found yourself here, but welcome. That said, don’t let me stop you if you’re determined to get one. Remember what your friend Mac said: when you use it once, it lives forever in storage.

Weekend Warriors: If you’re doing some serious occasional backpacking trips in adverse conditions and don’t worry about burning through some cash, the UltaMid 2 could be a good option. That said, if you’re more of a casual weekend excursion taker, this shelter might be overkill.

Thru-hikers: The Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2 could be an excellent choice for a thru-hike, but its bulk might make someone think twice about carrying this shelter on a long-distance hike. Something like the Unbound 2 is probably better suited for a thru-hike, but that doesn’t mean you should rule out the UltaMid 2.

Couples: As noted above, mids aren’t great for snuggling but can be great for couples as they provide plenty of interior space for people and gear. You’ll only have one entrance/exit, but you won’t have to climb over one another to reach it. The only question will be who must carry the bulky shelter since it can’t be split.

Optional Accessories

If you’re not completely sold on the idea of having a pyramid-style shelter with no interior, you’re in luck. The Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2 can be paired with one of three different interiors to complete the shelter, providing additional protection from the elements, bugs, or the ground. If you want to be completely enclosed, you have the option of either a half insert or a full-size insert, complete with no-see-um mesh and a Dyneema Composite Fabrics floor. They add 14.29 oz / 405 g and 22.08 oz / 626 g, respectively. Alternatively, if you don’t care about having a floor for your shelter (or you’re using something else as a floor), you can get a mesh insert (without a floor), which adds 14.74 oz / 418 g.

Most-popular Alternatives

Shelter	Price	Weight	Floor	Freestanding	Capacity
Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2	$500	2.69 lb | 1.22 kg	29 ft² / 2.7 m²	Yes	2
Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL2	$370	1.94 lb | 879 g	28 ft² / 2.6 m²	Semi	2
Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2	$400	1.88 lb | 853 g	28 ft² / 2.6 m²	Semi	2
MSR Hubba Hubba NX	$480	2.87 lb | 1.30 kg	29 ft² / 2.7 m²	Yes	2
Gossamer Gear The Two	$375	2 lbs | 907 g	26.3 ft² / 2.44 m²	No	2
NEMO Hornet Elite OSMO 2P	$599	1.45 lb | 657 g	21.8 ft² / 2 m²	Semi	2
Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo Explorer	$385	2.81 lb | 1.27 kg	34 ft² / 3.2 m²	No	2
SlingFin SplitWing	$335	1.31 lb | 595 g	24.8 ft² / 2.3 m²	No	2
Zpacks Duplex	$699	1.19 lb | 539 g	28 ft² / 2.6 m²	No	2

Wrap Up

The Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2 is an excellent shelter capable of withstanding the elements and keeping you protected, regardless of your adventure.

It’s versatile and can be used alone or with one of three different interiors, accommodating two people comfortably (or possibly even three in a pinch). Hyperlite Mountain Gear’s attention to detail and pride in its products justify the high price tag, and despite the shelter’s bulk, there’s little to complain about.

I’m still not too into mids – simply as a personal preference – but the UltaMid 2 has set my expectations high for future mids. Questions, comments, or personal experience with the UltaMid 2? Leave a comment below and let me know!

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