Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 1 Review: Is This 8oz Tarp Worth $450?

YoIn the world of ultralight shelters, there is a fine line between saving weight and still being functional. This season, I pulled out the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 1 to see how it handled nights on the trail. As someone who appreciates the simplicity of a pyramid-style tarp, I wanted to see if the premium price and Dyneema construction lived up to HMG’s reputation.

Recommended RRP: $450
Weight: 8.3 ounces.
Length: 107.0″ | 271.8cm (Approximately 9 feet)
Number of bets needed: 4 needed for the most basic tone
Sizing: a person

Buy Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 1

Intended use

Hyperlite Mountain Gear designed the UltaMid 1 for a «solo traveler looking for a lightweight, versatile shelter.»

However, it is important to note the manufacturer’s warnings: the UltaMid 1 is not an alpine, mountaineering, or 4-season shelter. This shelter is designed to save weight compared to extreme environmental protection and should be used as such.

Review circumstances

I tested the HMG UltaMid 1 on a backpacking trip in the middle of winter in Colorado. While I wouldn’t normally use a tarp for a winter trip, the winter season in Colorado has been alarmingly warm and dry, so the dry ground allowed me to comfortably use a tarp. The trip provided a good opportunity to evaluate the setup process, weight, packability, and overall performance of the tarp under typical backpacking conditions.

Features of the Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 1

Optional UltaMid 1 Insert: While I used the UltaMid 1 as a standalone tarp for this review, HMG offers a dedicated UltaMid 1 Insert ($275 | 10.3 ounces). This add-on features a tub floor and invisible mesh, effectively turning the tarp into a double-walled tent for those who need a barrier against bugs and groundwater. As is, the tap is perfect for trips on drier trails (think PCT or AZT), and with the insert, it becomes super handy on wetter, buggier trails (looking at you, Appalachian Trail).

Magnetic door retainers: Instead of having to fumble with little levers or plastic loops when you want to push your doors back, magnetic door retainers allow you to quickly and safely pin your doors open for maximum airflow. I’ve mentioned this a lot in recent shelter reviews, but it seems to have become the gold standard for shelter doors. I, for one, am not complaining about that.

Single trekking pole configuration: Simplicity is key here. The UltaMid 1 is launched with a single trekking pole set to approximately 130-135 cm. If you don’t walk with canes, you will need to purchase a dedicated carbon fiber cane to keep this upright. As someone who sometimes hikes with just one trekking pole, I appreciate not needing both poles to get the shelter upright. In addition to a single trekking pole, the tarp uses a minimum of four stakes.

Maximum vents and ties: To combat condensation issues that often plague single-wall shelters, UltaMid features two maximum vents. Additionally, there are several tie-downs on the center panel that allow you to pull the walls outward, increasing interior volume and adding stability in high winds.

Use

The features are great to nitpick, but let’s talk about how the shelter really works as a place to sleep and live in the country.

Habitability

Living in UltaMid 1 is wonderfully spacious. Because there’s no internal mesh wall cutting into your space, the 107-inch length feels enormous. I had plenty of room to store my backpack on top of the duffel and still had a foot of empty space on the bottom.

The verticality of the pyramid design means you can sit fully upright near the center post to change clothes or organize gear without brushing your head on wet fabric. However, by not having a floor, you share your space with the local geography. If you choose a dusty or buggy site, you’ll feel it.

You also have that trekking pole in what seems like the center of your living space. The pole actually sits where the mesh would start on a traditional tent, so you’re not really losing any functional space, but you do have to mentally get used to the fact that it’s there and you can’t just flail around wildly once inside without hitting it.

Configuration

Setup is simple but requires a bit of observation to achieve the perfect geometry. You stake out the four corners into a rough rectangle, insert your trekking pole into the top, and then tighten the remaining lines. Once you find the sweet spot for the pole height, which can vary slightly depending on the slope of the ground, the tarp takes on a rigid, streamlined shape. It took me about three tries to get a pitch I was proud of, but after that, I could have done it in the dark.

Interior Space

For an individual shelter, the UltaMid 1 is quite spacious. The footprint is large enough that you’ve never felt the coffin-like feeling common to many ultralight one-person tents. Even with my gear extended, there was still room to walk (traceable?) floor space.

HMG lists the shelter area as 40 square feet, which seems about right to me. Compared to similar tarps, the UltaMid 1 has a 54″ higher ceiling (4.5 feet) and a wider floor (also 54″).

Weather resistance

This is where the UltaMid 1 justifies its price compared to similar tarps. The pyramid shape is possibly the most stable design for high winds, as the wind is deflected up and over the sloping sides from any direction. During one particularly gusty night, the DCF barely stirred as my hiking partner’s semi-freestanding tent tilted inward.

Tarps vs. Tents: A Brief Overview

By choosing a tarp, you are choosing to trade a sealed, bug-free environment for weight savings and better airflow. Wearing the UltaMid 1 without the insert means you’re closer to nature. Yes, you will see the occasional spider and you will have to be careful where you cast to avoid internal splashes during heavy rains.

I’ve used tents and tarps on longer trails, and I’ve decided that the decision between a tarp and a tent often depends on your personal discomfort threshold and the specific trail you choose. Tarps are better suited to the lifestyle of a high mileage hiker. When you ride 25 miles a day, every gram saved is a direct investment in your joint health and energy levels.

A traditional tent (or using the UltaMid with its mesh insert) is more about creating a psychological and physical safe haven from any creepy crawlies that may be lurking outside your living space. Having a tub floor means you don’t have to be as careful with site selection, and the mesh walls provide a sense of security that allows for deeper, less nervous sleep.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 1 Pros

Ultra-small packaged size: Without the insert, this tarp disappears in your backpack. It compresses down to the size of a Nalgene bottle and fits inside my backpack horizontally, vertically, diagonally, or however I like.

Independent rolling door: Thanks to the magnetic closures, you can roll up one door or both. This allows you to customize your views and ventilation depending on which direction the wind is blowing. You still need to stake out the remaining door, so if you plan to never stake out the sides of the tent, you’ll need to bring an extra stake for the door.

Lots of living space: Between the 107-inch length and vertical space, the UltaMid 1 offers a surprising amount of hallway space. You can easily keep all your gear dry under the fly while still having enough room to stretch out. Not having the screen gives you additional “lobby” space to use as you wish; I don’t actually store my bag in that space, but instead use it to put wet clothes and other things I still want to be able to grab at night.

Zipper door: Unlike many other ultralight tarps that use hooks or levers, the UltaMid 1 features a high-quality water-resistant zipper. It feels much safer and is much more effective at preventing drafts and water.

Cons of Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 1

When we talk about the disadvantages of the UltaMid 1 without using the insert, I want to focus on how the shelter works as a tarp. If the defects of a tarp (no error prevention, etc.) are already a deal-breaker for you, then I don’t think the seamless setup is right for you anyway. However, when it comes to the performance of the UltaMid 1 as a tarp, I only have one frustration.

See through: The white DCF used in this banner is quite translucent. In a crowded campsite, your neighbors will see a very clear silhouette of you changing or moving around inside. If you value privacy, this could be a point of contention.

Worth

Is it worth $450? If you’re a casual weekend warrior who sticks to camping at established campgrounds during the summer, probably not. But for a backpacker traveling long distances, the value lies in the weight savings.

You’re paying for a shelter that won’t fail in windy weather and takes up very little space in your backpack. It’s specialized equipment that does exactly its only job: protect you from the elements. If you want something more from your shelter, perhaps you should consider the insert.

Would I recommend this shelter?

Tarps are not for everyone!

Your sleep is very important on a long hike and if not having mosquito nets is going to compromise your comfort each night, consider a different tent. However, if you’re specifically interested in a tarp, it’s great to keep an eye out for this one.

It’s tent-shaped, so it eliminates the learning curve of setup, but you still get all the weight and ventilation savings of a tarp. Unless you’re totally against anyone seeing you moving around inside your tarp (which is fair, and I hope HMG creates this tent in a different color to mitigate this), there’s really no downside to using this as shelter.

Buy Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 1

Comparable shelters

Zpacks hexamide canvas

• Recommended RRP: $379
• Weight: 5.5 ounces

Deschutes Ultralight Backpacking Tarp by Six Moon Designs

Gossamer Gear DCF Whisper

• Recommended RRP: $499
• Weight: 9.8 ounces

The Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 1 was donated for review purposes