UltaMid 1

This is an update to my earlier review. I tried out my UltaMid 1 and insert at home (standard practice before bringing any gear on the trail) and based review on that positive expereince.

This update filed after just completed two weeks on AT in MD and PA. Unfortunately the East Coast was in the midst of unseasonably warm (okay hot) weather.

The ability to set up the tarp with 2-4 inches of ground clearence, combined with two peak vents, yielded excellent ventilation. Even with the vestibule flaps zipped closed in heavy rain, there was never any condensation inside the tent.

The 32" width of the insert was perfect for me on my 25" wide pad. The 100" length of the insert allowed me to bring all my gear inside and store forward of my 72" long pad. To keep my sleeping area cleaner, I chose to keep my pack (HMG 55L Windrider) and muddy boots safely under / inside the vestibule.

It does take a little set up practice to get the perfect pyramid shape and minimize insert sag under the tarp. That said, I found it well worth the effort. This has become my new "go to" tent for the often damp AT, and I see no reason why it won't be a winner on most any other trail.

Bruce G.

Houston, TX

I'm section hiking the AT (NOBO). I get out for 1-2 weeks in the spring and fall.

Striving to get close to ultra-lite pack weight, I started with a single wall tent. It was great in good weather when I could open the flaps for ventilation. When raining and blowing I had to close the flaps and then it rained inside my tent from condensation.

Next I tried a free standing double wall tent. It was and still is really nice, unless I have to set up or tear down in the rain (frequent occurrence on the AT). Order of operations in set up is that the rain fly clips onto poles last, by which time inside of tent is already wet if raining. Two friends both have HMG UltaMid 2s. They keep the inner-net attached inside the tent all the time. Advantage is faster set up, and inner-net is protected from rain during set up and tear down.

I own both UltaMid2 and UltaMid 4 tents. I love them for their durability but the UltaMid 2 is larger and heavier than I prefer for just myself when backpacking. Enter the UltaMid 1. Its double wall, light weight, compact for tent sites on the trail, and I can keep the inner-net connected for set up / tear down in the rain. I've slept in it at home. Its spacious enough for me and my gear. With the dedicated tent pole (I don't hike w/ trekking poles), guy lines and 10 stakes everything weighs in at less than 2 pounds.

Look forward to taking it on the trail for two weeks in PA later this month.

The UltaMid1 saves me a lot of weight and gives me all the shelter I need in multi-day three season, rain and snow storms. And a windy, stormy, buggy situations, I don’t put the pole jack up and synch the tent down to the ground. I like an incense stick when I want to keep the bugs out. Great manufacturing and durable materials. The design allows you to open either the left side or right side of the vestibule, depending on tent slope. I added a stick-on clip from Zpacks to the top to hang a headlamp from the ceiling.

Suggestion for improvement: add 2-3” length to the vestibule wall for those times you have the pole jack up and want to keep the sleeping side done closer to the ground. Then the vestibule side wouldn’t be as high.