Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2 Shelter Review

Nice review, thanks!

How are the Cuben panels connected? And at the diagonal ridge seams?

Tape and sewed? What kind of tape?

A fair review. I would have liked more on the basic construction and layout. EG: cat cut, type of seams as mentioned above. Cuben is generally stitched and glued for maximum strength. Hard to tell from the pics.

Thank you for another solo/duo tent to mull over! Between ZPack's Solplex, MLD's Duomid, and now this one, the decision's getting harder instead of easier.

I think the Ruta Locura Lone Peak should be also included in the comparisons. Its wind shedding conical shape would be of particular interest to those who regularly camp above treeline. I have found the rectangular designs, while being perhaps more roomy, do not fare as well in high winds.

Ross,
Gary,
Others,

You've got the products in hand. Use Will's data, add your own for the two person version, and post the table here. How hard can that be?

I'd like to see how they compare and I'm sure others would too.

Oh, yeh….

Nice Job Will!

I appreciate the effort and the results.

Ross,
I still need the fabric weight, and the height.

Thanks.

There are some trade-offs that aren't really addressed, though I do like the large top venting.

One is the greater height and overall dimensions of the HMG mid, which imply greater wind resistance, greater weight, more and/or larger pegs etc.

I would imagine that also means that a two-pole connector like the Locus Gear DPTE can't be used (without lengthy pole extensions), to free up the central space that provides the greatest headroom. Hence one could argue that the Locus Khufu (or DuoMid), used with a DPTE, might actually provide greater unhindered internal space.

So there is an issue of scale (I used to get real frustrated in the BearPaw PyraTent, with the effort required to reach the closed lower zip from within – the plan dimensions make it too distant for easy access – maybe BP could provide arm extenders). By contrast, the Khufu just fits so much better.

…

A Comparison Table, including a Ruta Locura Lone Peak

Edit: Corrected weights and measures.

Thanks for this article, very interesting. Can you just check your metric conversions (under the photo and again in the table), 500cm means the thing is about 16ft long doesn't it!?

I have always been put off by the lack of mossie proofing in a mid and when I need privacy and a bugless nights sleep I have stuck with my heavy old Hubba (when will they put a roof vent on those things, sometimes its drier outside than in!) .

In Australia we rarely encounter real soil to put pegs into, so the hexamid is sadly a non starter here (hence the Hubba which holds itself up). A four cornered mid is a bit more enticing, we have plenty of rocks!!

In my experience, vents like that do very little. Not enough area.

If it's not windy or raining and condensation is a problem, leave door open all the way. It would be better if door went all the way to the peak. That provides enough area to do some venting, but you can still get condensation.

Having complained about no mossie net (my post above) I took a look at the Bear Paw Pyra 2. Lo ! it can be fitted with an internal mossie net/bug bivy, hurrah.

Now, what I'd really like to know is why would I look at an HMG Ulta Mid when the Bear Paw Pyra 2 is nearly half the price, lighter, the same size AND I can add a bug bivy during mossie season? Can anyone shed light on any pros and cons between these two shelters?

Could those people that have used shelters of this type comment on how the sloped entrance works on a rainy night? It does seem like LOTS of water could come in during avery short time if you have to get out during storm. I ask this because I often camp with my kids, and there is little hope of controlling when they decide to go.
Thanks,
Tom