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Post by Coolkat on Aug 5, 2020 18:50:48 GMT -8
Recently I got done with a hike and when I got to the car and laid my pack down I noticed that the hipbelt on my pack is starting to separate from the pack itself and that led me to start looking at the rest of the pack and sure enough there are other spots where the material is to stretch apart. Not sure how long the rest of you have packs for but this one is probably getting close to 8 years old. So sadly I guess it's time for a new and I've started to do some digging.
I'm wondering if there are ULA Catalyst owners out there that would care to comment on their experience. It's probably just a tad bigger than I'd normally want but the extra space and supposedly it'll take loads of up to 40lbs and my last hike of 10 days I was close to 35lbs because of all the goofy food.
I do have a couple of specific questions though....
1) Are the hip belts large enough to distribute the load good enough to your hips?
2) When looking at the pics on the ULA website it's hard to tell if there are load-lifters or not. Some of the "light weight" packs lack these and I really depend on them.
The other thing that I noticed that I'm wondering about is that I noticed it doesn't have a "pocket" that covers the top and right now I use that for easy access items.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Aug 5, 2020 19:18:55 GMT -8
FWIW these look like load lifters to me. While they list a volume of “Exterior Collar: 600 cubic inches: “which I’d expect is the equivalent of a top pocket functionally. But I could be wrong. An alternative could be adding one of their SHOULDER STRAP POCKETs. For even easier access to needed items.
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franco
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Post by franco on Aug 6, 2020 2:03:13 GMT -8
I have the Circuit, not the same but very similar. No there is no top pocket/brain but there are two large side pockets as well as a large front pocket. You order the hipbelt size that fits you, from 26" x small to 47" x large. As posted above, yes they have load lifters.
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Post by bradmacmt on Aug 6, 2020 13:19:44 GMT -8
Coolcat, I'm a ULA Catalyst owner. Have been using one for 5 years. I love ULA, and the Catalyst.
Mine is custom made for me.
It has a top lid. The pack size is in between a L and XL. The hipbelt is a custom M/L hybird... I have a slightly less than 32" waist, but I like a belt to wrap all the way around my hip bones and almost touch at the buckle.
If I order another, I'll get the same above, but also have the side pockets 1.25" lower, and I'll get a drawstring closure top.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Aug 6, 2020 20:03:24 GMT -8
I think a lot of us have the ULA Circuit. The lack of a top pocket makes some organization harder, but I just make sure the bag of snacks is at the very top inside, as well as stuffing some in the belt pockets. TBH, snacks are the main thing I ever need before I get to camp, or to lunch (when the pack gets opened for the full meal, maybe a layer, etc.). So it took a little adapting, but it fits me well, is light, and carries up to 35 lbs just fine,t hough I prefer to stop at about 30.
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Post by bradmacmt on Aug 7, 2020 14:06:20 GMT -8
More custom Catalyst's...
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2020 17:53:59 GMT -8
I just bought one. Very comfortable pack. I'm not an ultralighter by any means, pack is always around 30 lbs mostly because of camera gear & tripod. Hip belt is very comfortable. Yes it has load lifters. External pockets are huge, easily accommodates my Scarp 1 & tripod. I'm getting used to having only one compartment. I really don't need all that space in warmer weather, but I got it so I would have room for the insulated stuff when the weather turns colder. Only two trips with it so far, but I wish I'd gotten one years ago. Well worth the cost. customer service is second to none.
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texasbb
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Post by texasbb on Aug 7, 2020 19:10:40 GMT -8
I've had a Catalyst for about 10 years and a Circuit for, oh, 3 or 4. Love them both. The hipbelts do their job, as do the load lifters. Good-size hipbelt pockets, nice bottle holders on the shoulder straps, and they really shine if you're a bottle guy--best bottle pockets I've ever seen.
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Post by Coolkat on Aug 10, 2020 5:26:03 GMT -8
Thanks everyone for your responses and I apologize for my delayed response as I was out of town for a few days. Unfortunately not due to a hiking trip.
Anyway.... maybe some of you can also comment on my next concern. The more I look at the pack that more I realized that they counted on all the extra pockets on the outside in order to be a 70L pack and the main part is about 43L. I really don't like depending on the outside pockets. To me that is bonus space and not for stuff that is important. I'm rethinking this since the main part is (to me) fairly small. Maybe I need to rethink some of my gear also as I just don't see this as a 9/10 day hike pack. Please correct me if you think I'm wrong.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Aug 10, 2020 6:27:10 GMT -8
In bear canister required country you're most likely correct: they specifically mention the Bearikade Expedition is a problem to fit...
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schlanky
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Post by schlanky on Aug 10, 2020 10:58:08 GMT -8
I have an old ULA pack from back before they gave them names. I have the P-1 (not sure which one that later turned into when they started naming the models). A couple of years ago, I sent mine in for repairs where I had material wearing thin in spots and they did a fantastic job. If your old pack isn't too far gone, they may be able to refurbish.
If you get a new pack, I would ask about possibility of adding a lid.I bet they'd do it.
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texasbb
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Post by texasbb on Aug 10, 2020 11:28:13 GMT -8
...I realized that they counted on all the extra pockets on the outside in order to be a 70L pack and the main part is about 43L. I really don't like depending on the outside pockets. To me that is bonus space and not for stuff that is important. I'm rethinking this since the main part is (to me) fairly small. Maybe I need to rethink some of my gear also as I just don't see this as a 9/10 hike pack. Please correct me if you think I'm wrong. I guess only you can know whether your gear will fit in 43 liters. But note that the "extension collar" is really just part of the main pack; filling it just limits how much roll-down you have when you close it up. For the Catalyst it's an additional 10 liters (8 for the Circuit). Also note that the capacities are listed (I think) for a size medium. I have both a Large and an X-Large Catalyst, and the XL is noticeably more voluminous.
Edit: And if you're not a bottle guy, you'll be using up that volume with a bladder in the main pack, so the size question is more crucial. If you're enlightened a bottle guy you'll have more room for real gear inside.
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Post by bradmacmt on Aug 10, 2020 16:24:45 GMT -8
I had the same concern going back 6 or 7 years before I bought one. I was assured that ULA’s volume measuring was beyond conservative, and that the Catalyst was far larger than the advertised ci’s suggest. It’s true. You’ll be shocked how large it really is.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Aug 10, 2020 20:12:40 GMT -8
I was able to put the BearVault weekender in my Circuit, with all my gear inside (including tent). There wasn’t much left to roll down at the top, but it all fit. The packs are pretty generously sized.
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