I'm planning a Te Araroa through hike starting in December and considering pack options for this trip. The ULA catalyst looks like it ticks most boxes for me, though of course I would love to actually try one on or at least see one before I buy. If anyone has one of these (or even the similar circuit), it would be great if you could give me some info on the following:
1. How thick/durable is the fabric it is made from?
2. Does it have a thicker portion of fabric on the base of the bag?
3. Is the front mesh panel and side pockets still useabe when the main compartment is full?
4. Is the size of the main compartment larger/smaller than the advertised 52L (with extension collar)?
5. What is your experience with bending the stays to make the bag fit?
I have found out as much as I can from other posts/forums/reviews but any info on the above would be great, thanks!
Does anyone own a ULA catalyst?
Forum rules
TIP: The online Bushwalk Inventory System can help bushwalkers with a variety of bushwalk planning tasks, including: Manage which items they take bushwalking so that they do not forget anything they might need, plan meals for their walks, and automatically compile food/fuel shopping lists (lists of consumables) required to make and cook the meals for each walk. It is particularly useful for planning for groups who share food or other items, but is also useful for individual walkers.
TIP: The online Bushwalk Inventory System can help bushwalkers with a variety of bushwalk planning tasks, including: Manage which items they take bushwalking so that they do not forget anything they might need, plan meals for their walks, and automatically compile food/fuel shopping lists (lists of consumables) required to make and cook the meals for each walk. It is particularly useful for planning for groups who share food or other items, but is also useful for individual walkers.
3 posts
• Page 1 of 1
Does anyone own a ULA catalyst?
by Peapod » Mon 20 Apr, 2015 10:16 am
- Peapod
- Atherosperma moschatum
- Posts: 54
- Joined: Fri 04 Oct, 2013 10:01 am
- Region: South Australia
- Gender: Male
Re: Does anyone own a ULA catalyst?
by Franco » Mon 20 Apr, 2015 11:55 am
Hi
I have the Circuit, used the older version on several trips and the new version on a few but my wife is using it now.
1. How thick/durable is the fabric it is made from?
I know that many Catalist and Circuit packs have done one or more of the long US trails (3-5 months plus) and I am not aware of problems with the fabric.
However since 2014 ULA has been using a new type of fabric described on one site as :The ULA packs are now made from the new ULA 210 Robic fabric, which is three times as hard to puncture than Dyneema
2. Does it have a thicker portion of fabric on the base of the bag?
The Catalist does (cordura bottom panel)
3. Is the front mesh panel and side pockets still useabe when the main compartment is full?
No difference in the side pocket volume, the front mesh pocket gets reduced to maybe half its possible volume .
4. Is the size of the main compartment larger/smaller than the advertised 52L (with extension collar)?
Backpackinglight mesured the main compartment at 46 L in 2010. Not sure if the ext collar was there or not (it was added in the Circuit since then)
5. What is your experience with bending the stays to make the bag fit?
No bending necessary for me but the stay is soft aluminium so easy to do
The Circuit has one center stay (and a U shaped CF/Delrin frame) the Catalyst has two stays in a V shape
I have the Circuit, used the older version on several trips and the new version on a few but my wife is using it now.
1. How thick/durable is the fabric it is made from?
I know that many Catalist and Circuit packs have done one or more of the long US trails (3-5 months plus) and I am not aware of problems with the fabric.
However since 2014 ULA has been using a new type of fabric described on one site as :The ULA packs are now made from the new ULA 210 Robic fabric, which is three times as hard to puncture than Dyneema
2. Does it have a thicker portion of fabric on the base of the bag?
The Catalist does (cordura bottom panel)
3. Is the front mesh panel and side pockets still useabe when the main compartment is full?
No difference in the side pocket volume, the front mesh pocket gets reduced to maybe half its possible volume .
4. Is the size of the main compartment larger/smaller than the advertised 52L (with extension collar)?
Backpackinglight mesured the main compartment at 46 L in 2010. Not sure if the ext collar was there or not (it was added in the Circuit since then)
5. What is your experience with bending the stays to make the bag fit?
No bending necessary for me but the stay is soft aluminium so easy to do
The Circuit has one center stay (and a U shaped CF/Delrin frame) the Catalyst has two stays in a V shape
- Franco
- Lagarostrobos franklinii
- Posts: 2916
- Joined: Thu 30 Oct, 2008 6:48 pm
- Region: Victoria
- Gender: Male
Re: Does anyone own a ULA catalyst?
by Peapod » Tue 21 Apr, 2015 9:34 am
Thanks Franco for your reply - that answered my questions!
- Peapod
- Atherosperma moschatum
- Posts: 54
- Joined: Fri 04 Oct, 2013 10:01 am
- Region: South Australia
- Gender: Male
3 posts
• Page 1 of 1
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: Google Adsense [Bot] and 37 guests