Hyperlite Mountain Gear · Camping Tents & Tarps
Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2 Seconds
High uncertainty; silnylon PFAS status is not publicly confirmed by brand; contact them directly.
The UltaMid 2 Seconds uses silnylon (silicone-coated nylon) for weatherproofing. While silicone coatings typically don't require PFAS, Hyperlite provides no public statement on PFAS presence or absence in their fabrics.
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Material
Silnylon (nylon + silicone coating); Dyneema fabric
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2 Seconds is made of, ingredients and materials
The UltaMid 2 Seconds uses silnylon (nylon fabric bonded with silicone coating) for water resistance and Dyneema reinforcement at stress points. Silicone coatings are chemically stable once cured and do not off-gas formaldehyde or volatile organics the way polyurethane coatings sometimes do. However, the manufacturing process and curing chemistry of silnylon vary by supplier, and whether fluorochemicals (PFAS) are used in dyeing, finishing, or water repellency is not publicly disclosed by Hyperlite for this model.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
UV degradation of nylon and silicone coating
Nylon fabrics and silicone coatings degrade under prolonged sun exposure, especially in high-altitude environments. Degradation reduces water resistance and can compromise seam integrity over 5-10 years; this is a known limitation of silnylon, not a toxicity hazard, but affects product safety and lifespan.
Silicone coating delamination
Silicone coatings can crack, peel, or separate from the nylon substrate if exposed to temperature extremes, mechanical stress, or poor storage. No recalls have been issued for the UltaMid 2 Seconds, but field reports occasionally mention coating issues; this reduces waterproofing rather than creating acute toxicity.
Nylon fiber shedding and microplastic generation
Nylon fabrics can shed microfibers, especially during abrasion or washing. For a tent, shedding risk is low during normal use, but high-impact or repeated friction on seams could generate microplastics over years; water runoff from the tent in camping could carry these fibers into ecosystems.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No reports or recalls indicate formaldehyde-releasing dyes or resins in Hyperlite's silnylon stock. Modern silnylon suppliers typically use low-formaldehyde or formaldehyde-free finishing, but Hyperlite does not disclose specifics; risk is not documented but unverified.
Source, ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
The UltaMid 2 Seconds is available in solid colors (typically gray or tan) that do not appear to use heavy-metal-containing pigments. No testing or recalls suggest lead, cadmium, or antimony in the fabric dyes; however, Hyperlite does not provide dye or pigment sourcing transparency.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Hyperlite Mountain Gear does not publish material safety data sheets, PFAS declarations, or third-party certifications for the UltaMid 2 Seconds on their website. The brand has not publicly committed to phasing out PFAS-containing treatments or disclosed whether their silnylon supplier uses PFAS-free water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finishes. This silence on PFAS is consistent across their product line and contrasts with competitors like Zpacks that explicitly state PFAS-free status.
How it compares in its category
Silnylon tents occupy a middle ground, they are lighter and cheaper than Dyneema or polycotton blends but heavier than ultralight polyester alternatives. Many ultralight tent makers (Zpacks, Hyperlite's own newer Dirigo line) now offer PFAS-free options, making the UltaMid 2 Seconds's undisclosed PFAS status a relative weakness. Nylon itself is durable but degrades under prolonged UV exposure; silicone coating mitigates this but can crack or lose water-shedding properties over 5-10 years of heavy use.
If you buy it
Store the tent dry in a cool place away from direct sunlight to slow UV degradation of the nylon. Do not apply heat near the fabric or use high-temperature cleaning; cold water and mild soap are recommended to prevent damage. Inspect the silicone coating annually for cracks or loss of beading; once degradation is visible, water resistance declines rapidly and repair or replacement becomes necessary. Contact Hyperlite directly to ask whether their UltaMid 2 Seconds silnylon and any water-repellent coating treatments contain PFAS before committing.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Hyperlite Mountain Gear has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.