However, for the best foul weather setup, buy the UltaMid-2 Shelter System. With consideration to needs of a quick bivvy while faced with unpassable weather or fatigue issues, the Flat Tarp sets up fast and provides the best results as a stand alone piece of ADV kit. To put the “weight” into perspective, both shelters’ combined weight is less than a single 16 oz. bottle of Shocktop IPA! While the need or want for carrying a
Hyperlite Mountain Gear offers extremely lightweight and compact shelters.
However, with careful preparation and weather prediction, sleeping under the tarp on an exquisite summer night is highly rec- ommended and waking up to an unob- structed stellar view from your favorite hilltop perch is priceless, especially lying next to your BMW or significant other! Cooking inside any fabric shelter or tent,
even Cuben Fiber shelters, is never recom- mended—but necessary sometimes. So, placing a small stove at the bivvy door, emergency cooking can be accomplished using extreme caution; using a closed-flame system such as a JetBoil mitigates some of the risk. Hyperlite Mountain Gear has (for 2015) launched its Dyneema product line, and here the fabric is tougher and according to HMG’s technical section, “…fire resistant and self-extinguishing…” Dyneema might be a safer choice when using motos as part of the shelter system. Please make a mental note that parked motorcycles/vehicles can create a fuel vapor danger, especially so in very calm and dry climates as fuel vapors can settle in and around the shelter and ignite from static electricity! Always use
stoves outside of your shelter and in a well- ventilated area whenever possible—it
is
common sense. Due to the extreme lightweight aspect of
Hyperlite Mountain Gear, I was able to haul two individual shelters for the space and weight of one! Meaning, instead of a single purpose tent, I used two of HMG’s signature products, the Flat Tarp and the UltaMid-2 Insert (half of the UltaMid-2 Shelter Sys- tem: See their website for more on this product) interchangeably, depending on the situation. For my purposes, the separate pieces offered the most flexibility for ADV Bivvies. As a standalone piece, the Ulta- Mid-2 Insert is an excellent haven in extremely bug infested environments, fend- ing off the famous blackflies in Maine’s North Woods or sand fleas in Costa Rica. The UltaMid-2 Insert is extremely easy to pitch with its single central pole system, and it can also be hung from nearly any over- head structure such as a branch or barn raf- ter. In moderately wet conditions the Flat Tarp can be strung over the top to provide some relief from light rain or heavy dew.
bivvy kit varies greatly from rider to rider, the bottom line is weight and performance; no one likes to carry more weight, and some suffer greatly from leaving valuable emergency gear behind to shave a few ounces. Some riders are content with an 8x10 sheet of clear plastic, a few stakes and some twine while others employ 4x4 Kamaz support vehicle for their overland adven- tures. However, for those of us willing to mitigate an extreme and unexpected over- night with some comfort, Hyperlite Moun- tain Gear’s Cuben Fiber products are excellent for ADV bivvy sessions and beyond. At nearly a pocket size, the Flat Tarp can be set up in less time than it takes to remove your riding gear, and you will never feel its weight on the bike; adding the UltaMid-2 Insert increases the comfort level in buggy areas such as Maine’s North Woods, where I tested both products over the summer of 2015. If you order products from Hyperlite Mountain Gear, please let them know how you heard about
their
company, so they can track their newest (potential) market in the ADV community. Suggested Retail prices for 2016 ride sea-
son (products tested): Flat Tarp in white, 8’x10’ $340 UltraMid-2 with Cuben “Bathtub” Floor
$375
PROS: Extremely lightweight, durable, waterproof, bug-proof, and versatile, wins the “lightest bivvy” argument, hands down!
CONS: Not for the budget-minded rider, need more colors, no pole system.
For more information call 1-800-464-
9208 or visit info@hyperlitemountaingear. com.
February 2016 BMW OWNERS NEWS 31
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