ULA Pack Advice

“I'm in the market for a pack for my son. He's not a big guy weight-wise but about 5'10" and growing like a weed. I'm thinking maybe something in the 3000cc to 4000cc range. I examined several of the ULA packs I saw TTers were taking on the 2005 Sierra trip. They looked very well made. As I remember they were Models P1 or P2(?). I'm not seeing those models now on the website. Does anyone have any advice about the current lineup? I've read that some ULA packs are not as long in the torso as other brands. Fitting advice or should I just call the company?”

“Call the company. The guys who own it and build the packs will answer and give you the very best advice. They are really helpful and nice. The owner who worked with Birch and I was Brian. He helped me again after I lost 50 pounds and needed a smaller hip belt. Our P2s are now 6 (or maybe 7?) and still in perfect shape. I couldn't be happier with the quality and comfort. Sometimes I try and cram too much in it and it still does great.”

“I have the P2 and was on that Sierra trip where several of us had them. My main cmplaint is there's not enough padding on the hip belt and shoulder pads. I get sore after a few hours. Other than that I love the room it provides as well as the pockets on the hip belt.”

“Since you both have P2s can you tell me the capacity of just the main body of the pack?Here's what the ULA site says about the Catalyst (their largest current model)

Main Body: 2,600
Front Mesh Pocket: 600
Side Mesh Pocket: 350 ea
Ext. Collar: 600
Hipbelt Pockets: 100
Total Volume: 4,600 cu in

I'm wondering if the Catalyst is a revamped P2. http://www.ula-equipment.com/catalyst.htm

And question for Songbyrd. What weight seems to be the breakpoint between comfort and sore?
last edited: 2/28/07 4:37:18 PM”

“Here's an old thread that has a post listing cu inches of each option:

http://thebackpacker.com/trailtalk/thread/17795,-1,2.php

There are actually about three or four threads about this pack. This one has the dimensions and area. I think it's in the second page.”

“Solitary,
Give Brian an email he used to have a chart on his website showing which of the new packs were comparable to the old packs.

I don't have one but I hope to be buying one soon,
probably the conduit or the Amp”

“My interpretation is that the Catalyst was designed to replace the P2. It looks like they left the top compartment off, however, which I like. Also, they don't seem to be offering the rainfly option anymore.

The P2 was rated at 40 lbs. But IMHO, the rating should really be 37 lbs. Above 37 lbs the padding does not seem like enough, as songbyrd said. Below 35 lbs the pack feels pretty good, and below 30 you hardly feel it at all.

I like mine and would buy another one.”

“Clarification to previous post. I like the top compartment...not sure if you can get one on the Catalyst.”

“Sol, e-mail Brian, he's very helpful and EASY to work with. He replaced my hip belt for another size with no questions.
I agree with Phil's weight estimates. I usually start out a Palooza with 42 Lbs. and the pack still feels GOOD, but toward the end of the 4th or 5th day my shoulders are pretty raw.
One thing I dislike about my pack is the mesh side pockets. They're are too high and I can't reach the top to put the map / hiking pole / water bottle back in while the pack is on my back. I did talk to Brian and he had a reason (I forget what it was) for making to top so high.
Maybe you could get him to put a bit mor padding in yours and make the pockets a bit lower.
To echo everybody, I really like my pack and would buy another.”

“His reason is that the pockets were made for pop bottles or something besides nalgenes.
BTW, It surprised me to see we've only had the P2's for 4 years....seemed like more.
Regarding the weight and padding, I don't think I've ever had more than 39 pounds in it.”

“more questions before I talk to the factory.

Question for Phil: Was the top compartment where you kept your hydration bladder? The reason I ask is that one of the options is a hydration sleeve. I'm trying to picture exactly how that would work without it being a top compartment.

Question for Navi : Assuming a food consumtion rate of 1 lb food per day by the fourth day you're down to around 38 lbs of total pack weight. That’s above Phil's estimated true pack rating of 37 lbs but close. But your shoulders are raw. Seems like there may not be enough adjustments to make the pack not slip around on your shoulders. What do you think?

Last question for all. There is a picture on the site that shows a person slipping a camera into a belt pocket. You can click on it to make the picture larger. See it at middle left of page.

http://www.ula-equipment.com/catalyst.htm

Notice that the belt is at the rib cage height? On my pack the belt is at the top of my hips? How about on your P2s?”

“Hip level for the belt.

Answer to your question for Phil, (forgive me Phil): The top pouch isn't big enough to carry a hydration bladder that is 2L or larger. You could put one in the back mesh pocket if you wanted . The hydration sleeve is big enough to hold a 3L bladder and is on the inside of the pack along the back of the pack where the stays are. It's made of silnylon, like the rest of the pack, and the one time my bladder leaked it held all of the water. It's worth the extra cost imo. There are bound holes on either top corner of the pack for your hydration hose to come out and go over your shoulder. It's quite convenient.”

“I can't say enough great things about the P2. I have carried big loads in mine with comfort. We're talking a tent, hammock, book, 12 pack, everything but the kitchen sink. The hip pockets are awesome and a must have. On most trips I leave the top pocket at home. This pack has it all and nothing has ripped or failed me, even the mesh pockets.”

“First, those pockets are larger than mine!!! Now I'm pi$$ed!!!!

It looks like the pack was shifted for the photo. The hip belt and pockets go around your hips. Plus the pockets are GREAT!

Sol, I don't think it's a problem of not haveing enough adjustments, it's a problem of me not taking the time to use the adjustments. I have the same problem with my Gregory.

To answer for Phil (Phil you don't stand a chance) I put the bladder in the top pocket. I don't know the size of the bladder but it one of the smaller ones. I've always been afraid of it leaking inside the pack and I like biting on the valve and having the water flow into my mouth.”

“The water does flow into your mouth with a does with a hydration sleve because the hose attachs at the bottom of the bladder. It's the way to go. You don't have to worry about your water shifting around on top of your pack and getting hot in the sun. I was really worried about leakage too. I check my bladders before putting them in the pack and the one leak I did have was contained in the sleeve. Nothing in my packgot wet.

I think when we ordered I was of the opinion that it wasn't something that could be added later and the cost wasn't so much that it would kill me if I didn't use it. Essentially it's a big pocket, you can put whatever you want in it.”

“As a woman I can carry 32 pounds with comfort. More than that and I start getting sore after an hour or so.
I got the hydration sleeve and rarely use it. It hangs to low in my pack when the pack is full and then my hose isn't long enough to reach me. I just put the bladder in the pack along the back and adjust it to the right level for reach. My gear holds it in place just fine.
The removable lid has come in handy a couple of times. When we did Whitney, I used it for my water and other essentials at the trail crest. It worked great and I didn't have to carry the extra weight up.
I agree with Navi about the side mesh pockets. I too find it almost imposable to retrieve and return gear to them.”

“Putting the bladder in upside down? What a novel idea. I'll have to try that.

Song, I too used the top pocket/lid as a fanny pack for Half Dome. Handy.”

“I have a 2005 ULA Circuit pack and like it so far.

I've carried 32-35lbs with it over a 5 day period, and had no problems with it.

It has a hooped suspension, without a frame-sheet, so it benefits from using a closed-cell pad (4 section, Z-Rest) along the back panel for added support and weight transfer?

I like my hydration bladder laid side-ways and placed in my pack last, on top of everything and as close to your back as possible.

I tried putting the bladder in the optional sleeve, but it bulges outward and into your back, making for an uncomfortable carry. (read, no frame sheet) Plus the the bladder also took up more pack space, when placed in its sleeve.

Great packs for the weight! Top notch workmenship and durable materials.
last edited: 3/01/07 9:48:26 PM”

“Thanks everyone for answering for me!!

I put a 2L Platypus in the hydration sleeve with the drinking tube coming out the top and thru the hole provided. Works great for me. I think once your pack is stuffed with gear it pushes the water out for you. I've never had a problem. I recently started filtering water back into the bladder without taking it out of the backpack...really great timesaver doing it that way.

I love the hip pockets. I carry my snacks and smellables in one side, and my gps, compass and maps in the other. My Canon 540 camera would fit in there also if I wanted to put it there.”