Massive Agnes might have simply rocked the boat for the world of ultralight tents. The Steamboat Springs backpacking model introduced its new HyperBead cloth this week, which it claims is 6% lighter, 25% extra waterproof, and 50-100% stronger than conventional ultralight tent materials. HyperBead makes use of no PFAS chemical substances, DWR, or different water resistant therapies, so it’s environmentally pleasant besides.
“We’re always looking for new supplies and processes that enhance our buyer’s backcountry experiences, improve product sturdiness, and produce environmentally acutely aware merchandise,” Michael Thompson, director of design and growth at Massive Agnes, instructed GearJunkie.
Massive Agnes is launching upgraded variations of 5 flagship tents with the brand new HyperBead materials. If this proprietary new cloth lives as much as Massive Agnes’ hype, it might start a brand new period for the model’s backpacking tents — perhaps even for backpackers at massive.
“We’ve spent two years sweating over each ounce and each element of this course of and know-how,” Thomspon mentioned in a press launch.
HyperBead: Coming to Massive Agnes’ Flagship Tents
I requested Massive Agnes particularly the way it developed the HyperBead materials to be lighter, stronger, and extra waterproof. However the model was a bit cagey about its course of.
“Excessive-quality cloth weaving and coating is a really intricate course of that includes many aspects corresponding to coating varieties, thickness, variety of passes, facility, and equipment sophistication,” Thompson mentioned. “So, there’s, sadly, a whole lot of proprietary HyperBead info we aren’t keen to share.”
What Massive Agnes was keen to share is that HyperBead is waterproof at a molecular degree. The model mentioned that’s why the fabric wants no chemical therapies to remain dry and by no means requires re-waterproofing.
Massive Agnes additionally improved the material’s dimensional stability in order that it’s snag-resistant and received’t distort “even below load.”
“HyperBead is a superb instance of a multi-year effort targeted on maximizing the mixed expertise and expertise we’ve on our staff in addition to at our manufacturing companions and materials suppliers,” Thompson mentioned.
Massive Agnes is providing its flagship tents with HyperBead in 2025 — the Copper Spur UL & XL, the Tiger Wall UL, Fly Creek UL, and Tiger Wall Platinum Tents. They’re accessible on the model’s web site below the “HyperBead” dropdown. Thompson mentioned HyperBead could also be “perfect for different merchandise” within the Massive Agnes line. Nonetheless, he declined to remark additional on which of them.
“HyperBead is a whole reimagining of ultralight gear,” Thompson mentioned. “[It’s] a know-how that performs higher, weighs much less, and is less complicated on the setting. This cloth is the end result of that imaginative and prescient.”
The GearJunkie staff will check HyperBead in depth for spring 2025 evaluations. Keep tuned!
