Mountain Hardwear Ghost UL 2 Tent

The super thin nature of the material is deceiving (I was very weary of snagging it on a tree branch). But this seemingly flimsy tent would be pretty difficult to tear as its Ripstop material is weaved in a criss-cross pattern. Ripstop nylon is also used to make sails and hot air balloons, so needless to say it’s pretty dependable. The tent’s fly is 20 Denier, Nylon Ripstop 1200mm Polyurethane/Silicone, and its Canopy: 10D Nylon Ripstop 800mm PU/SIL.

- Cutting edge DAC Featherlight™ NSL pole 
- Designed to be as light as possible while still providing ample protection from the weather.
- Watertight construction: fully taped fly, taped perimeter seam, welded corners and welded guy clip anchors. 
- Dry entry vestibule for storage and dry entry.
- Free standing.
- Mesh pockets on either side of door for storage.

The UL 2 comes with a single Featherlight NSL pole.

The zipper flap is welded instead of sewn, promising better protection from the rain.

The tent features a single vestibule for dry entry and storage.

There are two mesh storage pockets just inside its single door, for storing small items you need to keep handy.

A close up of the interior pocket and the fly clip which is very lightweight and minimal in design.

The guy lines are accented with reflective material to catch the light of your flashlight when approaching the tent in the dark (great idea). The guy line is anchored to the bottom of the peg through a sleek interlocking apparatus that is simple and tidy.

The Mountain Hardware Ghost UL 2 is a 2 man tent but would likely only fit two smaller sized sleeping mats. My mat measures 20’ X 72’, so only two smaller mats would fit. A similar problem with fitting regular sized mats was experienced by another reviewer of Mountain Hardware’s Supermega UL 2 Tent. The Ghost UL 2's floor area is 27sq ft with an interior height is 37 inches and a single vestibule with 7sq ft of space.

As with The North Face Triarch 1 reviewed here, the Mountain Hardware Ghost UL 2 could use a fabric pocket to keep the pole in place. It was kind of just poking the material, which was a little nerve-wracking considering the fly is only 10 Denier.

This is definitely a tent designed for the no-frills adventurer. If weight and pure functionality is what you’re looking for, this is a tent for you. It really isn’t designed for hanging out in, it’s basically just for sleeping in, ideal for the 'light and fast' climber or hiker. The ventilation is somewhat lacking with the fly on, so the Ghost UL 2 would be nice and warm for camping in cold weather, but gets pretty stuffy even in early spring conditions so be sure to remove the fly on those nicer days.

While the Ripstop material promises durability, the thin and lightweight nature of this material just doesn’t inspire much confidence. I like to feel a little more relaxed about the durability of my tent when camping, but that’s just my opinion. If I was planning a long backcountry hiking or climbing trip I would consider weight over space. This tent is designed specifically for backpacking and hiking enthusiasts who want to keep weight to a minimum while still having a reliable shelter.

The tent is true to the company philosophy of form following function. It isn’t meant to lounge around in, it’s meant for shelter and rest and that's about it. You’ll want to ensure that 'light and fast' is your mantra as the Mountain Hardware Ghost UL 2 ain't cheap, at $600 Canadian, you'll pay for the weight savings.

The Mountain Hardware Ghost UL 2 packs down to an impressively small size.