Big Agnes has introduced a new lightweight material that ‘sets a new standard for tent fabric innovation’.

Called HyperBead, it’s a material that is designed by the Colorado-based brand to offer top-notch waterproofing without the use of harmful chemicals. As a result, it’s 25 per cent more waterproof than traditional lightweight fabric, offering water repellency that doesn’t diminish over time. 

In addition, it’s six per cent lighter, making everything that it is used in easier to carry and less bulky overall. As you’d expect, it’s free from Durable Water Repellent (DWR) treatments or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which can both be harmful to human health and the wider environment. 

Michael Thompson, director of design and development at Big Agnes, said: “We’ve spent two years sweating over every ounce and every detail of this process and technology.

“HyperBead is a complete reimagining of ultralight gear – a technology that performs better, weighs less and is easier on the environment. This fabric is the culmination of that vision.”

Big Agnes currently has a core commitment to weight reduction and environmental responsibility, which has seen the brand push harder for materials which perform better but without an impact on the wider world. Its three US facilities are powered by 100 per cent renewable energy, while a number of renewable or recyclable materials – such as sugarcane resin – are used across its product line-up. 

You’ll be able to find the new Hyperbead technology in some of the core Big Agnes tent lines, including the Copper Spur, Tiger Wall and Fly Creek.