Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 4 for Sale, Reviews, Deals and Guides

9.3
out of 10
8 Positive, 0 Mixed & 0 Negative
from 8 Reviews
Retail Price:
$890.00
Used Value:
$534.00
Sale Value:
$801.00

Hyperlite Mountain Gear's UltaMid 4 is a four-season shelter suitable for summer alpine climbs and winter ski tours. Weighing in a little over a pound, this compact shelter packs small and is so light in your pack that you might not believe it's even there. Its Dyneema fabric is surprisingly resilient against rain, snow, and abrasion. A waterproof two-way zipper and fully taped seams enhance protection against torrential downpours to keep you and your gear comfortably dry.

Dual peak vents provide airflow in warmer weather, and you can open or close them for versatile coverage. There are center panel tie-outs for staking the tent down, and a middle tie-out to hang the shelter from a tree if you don't have poles, skis, or a long stick to set up inside the tent. Hyperlite designed this shelter to fit an UltaMid 4 Mesh Insert or UltaMid Mesh Insert with DCF Floor for extra shelter from the elements.

Specifications

Capacity:
4-person
Floor Dimensions:
111 x 111 in
Interior Height:
6 ft 3 in
Manufacturer Warranty:
1 year
Material:
Dyneema
Number of Doors:
1
Packed Size:
10 x 7 x 5.5in
Packed Weight:
1 lb 5 oz
Pole Attachment:
Dyneema Hardline
Poles:
requires 2 trekking poles
Recommended Use:
ultralight backpacking, winter camping, alpine & expedition
Seams:
fully taped
Season:
4-season
Trail Weight:
1lb 7oz
Ventilation:
dual peak vents
Wall Type:
single

Full Reviews

8
I did not buy this shelter from BC.com, I bought it directly from HMG during their Black Friday sale. Although I list plenty of cons to this shelter, I believe the pros immensely outweigh the cons of this shelter. I use it primarily for packrafting trips as well as backpacking. It is by far my most favorite shelter I have ever owned to date. Pro's: Super light weight Easy to set up Huge amount of space inside Packs up pretty small if you fold it up right Con's: Price Condensation easily builds up inside, given it's a single wall shelter Pretty see through material if you're modest, allows sun to shine in easier in mornings so I find I get up earlier Friends are in awe so they routinely want to leave their shelter on trips and ask if they can share the mid Ships in a x-large stuff sack which is way too big for this mid, I fold it up nice and tightly and easily fit it inside a medium dc8 stuff sack Only one door, I'd prefer 2 doors to aid in breathability to help condensation issues
JasonEff, backcountry.com
March 4, 2019
10
This HMG shelter is by far the best tent/shelter/tarp/mid/etc I have ever owned. It is beyond anything I have used before. Durable, LIGHTWEIGHT, adaptable, easy to use, large, and did I say lightweight?!! I'll use it on the the glacier or down on the beach and everywhere in between.
Ian Provo, backcountry.com
December 5, 2018
10
Don't have enough good things to say about this shelter. So insanely light and durable, huge amount of space, holds up to mega alaskan storms etc. It works amazing in the winter as a base camp/Kitchen setup. The ultamid pictured here has been in heavy use for over 5 years now, its ruff around the edges but still holding strong!
Neil Provo, backcountry.com
September 6, 2018
8
Edit 11/23/2018: Revised review after additional use, including increasing rating from 3 to 4 stars. Ultamid 4 is great as a super light option with plenty of room to sleep multiple people and winter gear for extended use in spring and summer. I would not hesitate to also use it in milder winter conditions for several nights with a forecast for decent weather. I give it 4 instead of 5 stars because of the fragility and sub-optimal vents for the high price point. After a mild wind storm in the eastern Alaska Range in spring on my first trip with this shelter, the mid developed a two inch hole on one of the lower sides. I think that the moderate wind caused the shelter fabric to rub against my pack or ski boots. The dyneema composite fabric (DCF) is much more fragile than I expected given its marketing, at least relative to abrasion and punctures. Hyperlite's statement that the ultamid offers "maximum protection at high altitudes or in harsh conditions" seems misleading to me, and I would not rely on the Ultamid for shelter on trips with potential for extreme winter or high altitude conditions. Hyperlight Mountain Gear sells DCF patch tape, which makes a fast and durable repair, and I'm now careful not to let anything be closer than several inches to the shelter walls. The ultamid shines as a relatively fair-weather, ultralight, semi four-season shelter for anything from short trips to long expeditions. Setup takes some initial practice, but is otherwise simple. The x and y axes should not be over-tightened before the z axis has been adequately tightened. Once set up, it feels secure in mild conditions and comfortable for 3 people in spring or 4 in summer. Given the low weight, this tent is also a great option for two people, giving you one shelter that makes equal sense for a group of 2-4. The vents are designed in such a way that prevents them from fully opening. Condensation collects on the inside of the tent in wet/humid conditions. For summer use, this shelter is ideal except maybe in a handful of special cases (such as backpacking on Adak). Overall, this is a great shelter, but should not be marketed as a high altitude / extreme condition option IMO. The silnylon MLD Supermid seems like a competitive alternative given the much lower price and negligible weight difference (unless you highly prioritize cutting grams).
Timm, backcountry.com
June 9, 2018
10
This is great for any application where light weight and plenty of space are critical. It particularly excels for ski touring--the photo was taken on the Sierra High Route, where it comfortably slept three men and gear. With a mesh insert, it's also excellent for buggy weather, although you lose a little interior space. It covers a large footprint, so it may not always fit established tent sites, but the floorless design means you can pitch it over a few rocks with no harm done, and I've always found a good place to set it up in the High Sierra, including in summer. It's easy to repair small punctures or tears caused by abuse (I carry some cuben fiber tape).
James R., backcountry.com
December 12, 2017
10
I have become a huge fan of Hyperlite products. Expensive but well worth every penny. I've used the Echo II shelter system on bear hunts in the Bitteroot Wilderness. I needed something larger for when I take my wife. This is now my go-to. Lots of space for more than one person or for gear in extreme weather. Had it in winds upwards of 50-60mph at Andrews Creek and it stayed firm!
Michael W., backcountry.com
November 8, 2017
10
crazy light. if its what you want, you probably already know
ch, backcountry.com
May 1, 2017
8
The thing weighs almost nothing, and we pitched it at the top of Anderson Peak in Tahoe, around 8.5k. Weather forecast was for calm winds but we ended up with 50 mph winds. The tent is really noisy in those conditions, and you will want to guy it out. Also bring earplugs if you want to sleep better. Also tent is very translucent, we had a full moon and it was like someone left the light on inside the tent. Bombproof, and reasonably easy to set up.
Tom Grant, backcountry.com
April 12, 2017