Words and Photos by Jeff Wohl
HIGHLIGHTS
If you only own one shelter, the HMG UltaMid 2 will do it all! It is light enough for one person to carry comfortably on an expedition, yet spacious enough for three adults. When not in bug season or if you want more room, you can set up the UltaMid 2 fly only, without any of the insert options. When the bugs are bad, you've got multiple insert options to choose from. The UltaMid 2 is also one of the best lightweight winter shelters because its steep pyramid shape handles snow loads very well, and the fly-only setup allows for a dug-in winter shelter.
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THE HMG ULTAMID 2
Sometimes a piece of gear comes along that might not be the best at absolutely any one thing, but it's really good at so much. The UltaMid 2 is a great tent for anyone who plans on owning only one lightweight shelter or wants maximum versatility. This is the tent version of the HMG "Porter" pack that can be configured for mountaineering, packrafting, lightweight backpacking, and so much more. The UltaMid 2 may be the ultimate generalist as a shelter; there are few environments or conditions where this tent will not thrive.
The UltaMid's pyramid design makes it extremely strong and stormworthy. I've had three feet of snow fall on mine during one storm cycle in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, and it held up great. The steep angles of the walls make it extremely resistant to hail damage–the Achilles heel of Dyneema tents. I've pitched my UltaMid 2 on slick rock in Utah, on gravel bars and alpine meadows in the Rockies, and pristine, beautiful snow.
Because of this tent's simple, rectangular footprint, it is easy to get a symmetrical, tight pitch, which helps it weather storms. Also, because of its simple, intuitive design, it sets up quickly–a nice feature when that unexpected storm is rolling in.
I've been impressed with the quality of construction of the shelter. I appreciate a full-size zipper for its durability, as well as the snap at the base of the door, which allows tension to be taken off the zipper during opening and closing, thereby prolonging its lifespan.
SHOULD THIS ACTUALLY BE CALLED THE ULTAMID 3?
I feel like HMG has missed out on the marketing of this tent. With the full insert, the floor space measures 66 inches wide–easily wide enough for three, 20-inch pads with room to spare! Another well-known company markets its three-person tent with only a 60-inch floor space. This shelter definitely has room enough, even with the insert for three people (or two people and four dogs, as we often do).
When this tent is set up without the insert, it is a roomy three-person tent. The trick to making it a three-person shelter is to offset the pole, which is easily done, so that two people are on one side of the pole and a third person is on the other. We often think that with a pyramid tent, the pole has to be in the center of the shelter, but that is definitely not the case. It still sets up great with a pole offset and at an angle, and still handles weather well.
UltaMid 2 with two 20-inch wide pads and one 25-inch wide, pitched with pole off center.
Hiking poles attached together with Voile straps, grips at top and bottom to protect tent fabric.
Four-dog, two-person pile for the night.
ULTAMID 2 VERSATILITY
Pyramid tents really shine when it comes to camping on snow. Once you've packed out the initial tent site and have set up the fly, you can start digging down in the snow to create more room inside, turning it into a great kitchen shelter or cozy winter condo.
Unlike other pyramid tents out there, the UltaMid has plenty of supplemental tie points halfway up the fly that add extra stability in stormy conditions.
I think the options that are available add an incredible amount of versatility and customization. You can set up just the fly, or the fly with a half insert, a full insert, or the bug net only insert. There is plenty of storage space outside the body and under the fly, no matter what insert you choose. This is useful when sleeping with three people or sharing with pets.
If you are really looking to save some weight, you can provide significant bug protection by pitching the fly only, not insert, so the edge is tight to the ground. I do think an option that is missing is an integrated floor option like HMG has for the UltaMid 1. This would sacrifice some for the versatility of this shelter but add a lighter option for folks who want the bug net and floor all the time. Maybe HMG could find a clever way to make it removable?
SO WHAT DON'T I LIKE?
For just 1-2 people who camp mid-summer and like to have the full bug insert and floor, this tent is heavier than some of the other options out there, but it is also way more spacious. If the intended use is 1-2 people mid-summer in bug season, the Unbound 2 or CrossPeak2 will probably fit that need better. If you are a person who camps in multiple seasons and wants a shelter with the ultimate flexibility, the UltaMid 2 is hard to beat.
I think that a few ounces could be saved by using lighter reinforcement for the pole cup at the top of the shelter, as well as using lighter material or removing the reinforcement entirely in the center of the floor where the pole can sit. Since I am often camping with my partner and several dogs, we are offsetting the pole, which makes the reinforcement in the center of the floor unnecessary. Also, when using our hiking poles to support this tent, we make sure to attach our poles together, so the grips are out and no points are in contact with the tent in any way, reducing the need for heavy reinforcement.
I would like to see the Fastex-style buckles that hold the doors open on the fly switched to magnets like the Unbound 2 and add an extra tie-out on the bathtub floor to keep it open wide at the sides.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
The pyramid design has been around a long time, and I think it is still one of the most versatile and reliable designs out there. HMG has done a fantastic job making it even better. If you want a tent for all seasons and environments, or if you camp with friends, families, or pets, I am not sure if there is a better lightweight shelter out there. The UltaMid 2 will do it all.
Jeff Wohl grew up in Wyoming and has been backpacking since he was five. He has taught for NOLS since the late '90s, leading trips with teenagers to astronauts. He also guides for Andrew Skurka Adventures. He loves getting out on personal trips with Nikki, his partner, and their many rescue dogs.
