Pack Impressions - P2

“Well I didn't get to take the P2 on an overniter due to work issues, but Sunday my son and I took to the woods for a three mile day trip. The goal was to see how the P2 carries and to let Grant test his new Kelty. Admittedly this was a very short test run; however, at our leisurely ambling pace we actually wore the packs for about 2 hours. (A time equivalent of what...4 or 5 miles at a good pace.)

All told, the P2 carried really well. I had the pack loaded with a realistic gear list for a two night trip in Tennessee in the Winter (25lbs.).

1)The hip belt stayed in position and did not slide as I had feared might happen

2)The shoulder straps were not as binding or uncomfortable as most ultralight packs. Although the shape and location of the straps gave me some concern that a long trip may result in discomfort or chaffing.

3) The framesheet could stand to be slightly stiffer though. Snugging up the load lifters seemed to result more in the sheet bending slightly outward that the load moving inward/upward. This was the only real issue that I had with the pack. I fear that a load of 30-35 pounds would render the load lifters useless. But then, with that load you ought carry a beefier frame right??

4) The U shaped front access zipper option is off my list of desirables for two reasons. First, it tended to give and slide down and inch or so under the pressure of a good load. Second, if the zipper were to fail in the field there is no backup in place (ie: compression straps) to prevent your goodies from becoming trail litter. (Hmmmmm...ductape.)

5) The top pocket is not neccessary if you order the intregral sil-nylon rain cover. This option is really cool and a must in my book.

6) The mesh front pocket proved very usefull as this pack is not as cavernous as my Gregory and I have lottsa fleece. Would also be great for wet anythings. I wonder though if the shock cord option would prove to be just as useful and lighter to boot.

7)The hipbelt pockets are GREAT. I actually used my camera BECAUSE I could actually reach my camera. What a concept. I would order both pockets.

8) The internal hydration sleeve worked well and is also on my must have option list.

In closing, this bag ain't a Gregory with regard to load handling and carry capability; however, it doesn't weigh like a Gregory either. Well equiped, this puppy comes in at under 3lbs. and carries exceptionally well for such a light package. The bag material appears sturdy engough for most uses (if you bushwack alot...go for the "overkill" material option) and the frame / harness system very capable of carrying 25-30 pounds comfortably. The website states a 45lb limit....not on my back.

If you are looking for an ultalight (or lightweight) pack that has a real suspension system and frame and carries well.....this may be it.”

“What is a P2?
Got a link?”

“Sorry,

www.ula-equipment.com or see the latest Backpacker magazine pg 83.

How do you make a link?”

“ULA Equipment P2

Thanks”

“Searcher, I spoke to Brain at ULA yesterday. VERY pleasant and helpful fella, should have our 2 new P2's this January. Thanks for the info. He asked if we got to see your pack.”

“and we know your REAL name now, moohahaha!

I only ordered one hip belt pocket...you've got me questioning my choice. What to do, what to do? =)”

“call em back, hurry!!!!
make sure you have em add my pack to your bill too:) i want all the amenities on mine. thanks sass, you're the best!”

“I checked out the website today and I am interested in the T-2 shelter. I sent an email to him and he is going to send me out a catlaog. The website didn't have a lot of detail on the shelter so hopefully the catalog will.

Birch & Sass, what options did you add to the packs you are getting.”

“Ewker, Birch got: right and left hip belt pockets, internal stash pocket, top lid, embroidery, rear mesh pocket, shock cord and the dry bag top, water bladder pocket, and the rain cover.

I got: right hip belt pocket, mesh pocket on back, dry bag lid, rain cover, water bladder pocket and embroidery.”

“Sassafras, I had picked out the same options as Birch except for the embroidery and the rain cover. Now if I can get the money to buy it. Guess i will put it on my wish list.

Please post a gear review after you two receive yours.”

“absolutely! It'll be awhile though.

Hey, did you see on the other thread that the base pack color is blue now and it comes with a draw string closure, standard....have to request the dry bag style top.”

“If I could figure out how to attach digital photos to my post...I could give you guys a few shots of what a stuffed pack looks like.”

“searcher, go to webshots and setup an account and then you can give us a link to your pic”

“Birch called Brian today to see where the packs are and they've been shipped! They're in Maumee, OH right now...I bet they'll be here by Wednesday.

Birch ended up getting the overkill fabric and his trail name embroidered on his pack too. I stuck to my original plan...stayed with the one hipbelt pocket even. Feburary 8th we'll be going on a dayhike with fully loaded packs. WOOOOOOHOOOOO! =D I'm so excited, can you tell?”

“Oh, it is a thing of beauty! I'm very tempted to load it up and wear it to work, lol. I'd definately be ridiculed though. The teachers just wouldn't understand.

I opened Birch's up too and called him and told him that the embroidery was wrong, that they'd put B!Tch instead of Birch. Teehee, he believed me for a second.

Andrew, shoulda listened to you and gotten two hipbelt pockets!”

“happy birthday to you! "B!Tch," that's hilarious...”

“Sass, you didn't get the TWO hipbelt pockets? uh oh... SEND IT BACK! hee hee”

“NO way! I'm keepn it. =D I put my camera pouch on the hipbelt anyhoo...”

“ahhh... once the camera pouch goes on the hipblet, there's no turning back!”

“So, you've had one day with it so far, any bugs? You gonna bring it on the day hike? How's birch diggin' it?”

“Birch is soooo diggin' it. Yes, it'll e coming on the dayhike. I'll haul everyones' lunches, lol.”

“any violin surprises in the packs?”

“I'm shopping for a new lighter pack also, and would like your impressions.

Thanks”

“Ld, Once we load them up and take them for a spin we'll give a full report. So far, by looks alone and the also the ordering process/cost, they are very impressive. We'll see how they ride.

We did have to wait a month or so for them, but that's pretty reasonable, imo, since they're made to each purchaser's specifications.”

“Well, I went ahead and bit, he said it not to expect it for 8 weeks, seems to be a popular item, and he makes every one. What the heck, it's only money. I wanted if before my first Arizona Trail segment, which is looking like mid-March. We'll see. Thanks”

“Good deal LDhiker, I think you'll like it.”

“What'd you get on yours Ld?”

“Oh. I thought this would be a thread authored by Rich Little. ;-)”

“Birch and Sass, did you guys get your packs yet?”

“did you read the thread smiley? ;) Yes we did, Tuesday.”

“well, i did now! LOL! can't wait to see them on Saturday!”

“Two belt pouches, outside net bag and straps, the lid, and the over kill. Did not get the extra entry zipper, he didn't recommend it. Also didnt get the water bladder sleeve, I use a one gallon dromedary bag, and it wouldn't fit.

Next - a good digital camera. So much gear, so little money.”

“Out of curiosity, folks, what does the P2 with all the bells and whistles weigh? I too have been looking at this pack but I'm not sure there would be any significant advantage over my Osprey Aether 60.”

“Around three pounds. Mine is 50.5 oz.”

“That's about the same as the Osprey. What was your final cost?”

“Father G mine weighs 3lb 4 ounces, it cost $275 with shipping. The base price for the 38ounce version is $150 with no options,just a pack and two outside mesh pockets. I chose the options I wanted. And I like the fact that it was made by a couple guys who love to hike,not in a third world factory. If possible I wanna keep my money "local".”

“Just wanted to rant abit more about this pack....Had it out last night, so Birch could bend the aluminum stay to match my back curve. It took a few minutes for me to find the opening where it comes out. When I finally got it open I found the stay has a little pull tab so it's easy to get out. The attention to detail on these packs is unbelievable!”

“Brian called me the other day to get cc# so he could start on mine. I'm psyched. Have you had yours' out on the trail yet?”

“No, next weekend will be the first for me, but Birch used his last weekend and he was impressed.”

“My P-2 pack arrived last week, too and I am so-o-o impressed! Can't wait to try it out this weekend. Mountain Crossing at Neel's Gap on the AT joined forces with ULA and mass produced a P-2 with the gadgets they felt a thru hiker would need. That's where I bought mine. It had basically the same things I would have ordered and I was able try it on.
I think ULA is way ahead in this game....”

“I filled it up full, about forty pounds on the way into our first camp, ( 4 pints of beer and two pounds of cookies), and it felt better than my thickly padded Lowe Alpine! I was/am shocked at how very comfortable this pack is. I think I'm in love. I'm very impressed with the hipbelt and shoulder strap comfort and the net pockets on the outside. I was able to fit my rain gear (jacket and pants) in one water bottle pocket, and loaded up the other with all sorts of misc junk. I don't think I'd request the dry bag lid if I ordered another one, and wasn't planning on taking it in a canoe/kayak. It seems unnecessary for hiking. I give this pack *****!”

“so what you're saying is that it's worth waiting for this pack. I'm tryng to decide between the P2, a golite speed, golite gust, or the mountainsmith ghost???? decisions decisions”

“All good news Sass, I should find mine on the front step any day now. He said he'd do what he could to have it here by the 13th.”

“how do you people wait so long - I have the patience of a five-year-old. It's instant gratification all the way :o)”

“It's here! Packed 38 pounds into it, all the gear I could think of at the spur of the moment, and it looks great. So far, so good, I'm impressed. I'll take it on a trip soon.”

“ynami, I am so glad I waited for it. It was hard, but I managed. Took 6 weeks, as we ordered ours right before Xmas.”

“The pack was definitely worth waiting for, most comfortable pack I've owned.”

“The P-2 pack was Backpackers Editors Choice for 2003 in this months issue.

They also had a nice article on the three trails in the Smokies”

“damn - that's going to make the waiting list even longer!!!!”