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Huge Agnes could 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 compounds, DWR, or different waterproof remedies, so it’s environmentally pleasant in addition.
“We are constantly in search of new materials and processes that improve our customer’s backcountry experiences, increase product durability, and produce environmentally conscious products,” Michael Thompson, director of design and improvement at Huge Agnes, instructed GearJunkie.
Huge Agnes is launching upgraded variations of 5 flagship tents with the brand new HyperBead materials. If this proprietary new cloth lives as much as Huge Agnes’ hype, it may start a brand new period for the model’s backpacking tents — possibly even for backpackers at massive.
“We’ve spent two years sweating over every ounce and every detail of this process and technology,” Thomspon mentioned in a press launch.
HyperBead: Coming to Huge Agnes’ Flagship Tents
(Photograph/Huge Agnes)
I requested Huge 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.
“High-quality fabric weaving and coating is a very intricate process that involves many facets such as coating types, thickness, number of passes, facility, and machinery sophistication,” Thompson mentioned. “So, there’s, unfortunately, a lot of proprietary HyperBead information we aren’t willing to share.”
What Huge Agnes was keen to share is that HyperBead is waterproof at a molecular stage. The model mentioned that’s why the fabric wants no chemical remedies to remain dry and by no means requires re-waterproofing.
Huge Agnes additionally improved the material’s dimensional stability in order that it’s snag-resistant and received’t distort “even under load.”
(Photograph/Huge Agnes)
“HyperBead is a great example of a multi-year effort focused on maximizing the combined talent and experience we have on our team as well as at our manufacturing partners and material suppliers,” Thompson mentioned.
Huge 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 “ideal for other products” within the Huge Agnes line. Nonetheless, he declined to remark additional on which of them.
“HyperBead is a complete reimagining of ultralight gear,” Thompson mentioned. “[It’s] a technology that performs better, weighs less, and is easier on the environment. This fabric is the culmination of that vision.”
The GearJunkie workforce will take a look at HyperBead in depth for spring 2025 critiques. Keep tuned!
