After nearly 20 years it was time to upgrade my backpacking pack from the teal and purple Lowe Alpine gargantuan. The pack treated me well, but I think it weighed 15lbs empty. As I mentioned before most of my trips are solo and 1-3 days. It’s just what I am in to now. The Catalyst from ULA fit the bill, at 48oz with 4600 in^3 or 75 Liters I can still carry a tent and enough clothes for winter rocky mountain alpine backpacking.
The ULA Catalyst has ample pockets on the outside to fit tent poles, water bottles and all other sorts of goodies. The back panel is mesh where I store layers I need quick access to and my SPOT tracker. There are bungies on the outside to attach ice axes or trekking poles.
The outside of the mesh pocket has a very handy bungie. I have used it a few times to keep my softshell handy during on again/off again snow days.
The side pockets are huge. I can put two Nalgenes in a single pocket.
The back panel is padded and contoured. The waist belt is ample and no matter how much I tighten it there is no hip pain.
The waist belt has two large pockets to keep essentials handy.
The shoulder straps are nicely padded with included water bottle holsters and a personal favorite of mine, wrist straps!
I am very psyched on this pack. It holds everything I need for a short backpacking trip in the winter and is the most comfortable backpack I have used. Apparently ULA really knows what they are doing. They must be users of their gear, since everything is so well thought out. Don’t hesitate to check out Ultralight Adventure Equipment.
Ultralight Equipment says: http://www.ula-equipment.com/product_p/catalyst.htm
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The Catalyst remains the tried and true workhorse of the ULA Pack line. Ready to carry loads of up to 40 pounds, haul a bear canister, or easily carry your fishing, climbing or photo gear.
Sewn with our new ULA 210 Robic fabric, the toughest stuff ounce for ounce that we’ve ever seen, this pack should give you years of hiking bliss, even if you are a bit tough on your gear.
This is a great pack for people who need to carry a good sized load, or want a bag that can be checked as baggage on a plane. Weighing only 48 oz, including all the extras, this pack will lighten you up, but still handle the toughest duties. (Camo Cordura will add about 2 oz to the total weight) The Catalyst is now available in 6 colors, standard green, black,and purple blaze in the ULA 210 Robic, and Woodland Camo, Marpat camo. and Multicam in 500 Cordura.
Bottom Line? An updated, tougher and lighter pack for traditional backpackers
