ULA
CDT
Pack
Test
Series
by
Bob
Sanders
Initial Report: July 18, 2010
Field Report: October 5, 2010
Long Term Report: November 30, 2010
| PERSONAL INFORMATION |
| Name: |
Bob
Sanders |
 Backpacking
Background:
I went on my first backpacking trip as a Boy Scout
at the age of 16. Over the years I have hiked the Wonderland Trail in
Washington and section hiked parts of the Florida Trail, Appalachian
Trail, Colorado Trail and 740 mi
(1191 km) of the Pacific Crest Trail. I
continue to backpack and hike year round in the Colorado mountains. I
have evolved from a heavyweight backpacker to a lightweight backpacker
and sometimes reach ultralight weights.
My three day summer solo adventures (using a tarp) have me hovering
around a 8 lb (3.6 kg) base weight.
|
| Age: |
52 |
| Gender: |
Male |
| Height: |
6 ft 1
in (1.85 m) |
| Weight: |
210 lb
(95 kg) |
| Email: |
sherpabob(at)mac(dot)com |
| Location: |
Longmont,
Colorado
USA |
INITIAL
REPORT
July
18,
2010
PRODUCT
INFORMATION (From Website, including photo)
|
 Manufacturer:
Ultralight Adventure Equipment (ULA)
Manufactured: 2010
Website: www.ula-equipment.com
MSRP: US $115
SPECS:
Torso Size: Tested M/L:
20"-22" (51-56 cm)
Hipbelt Size: Tested LG:
> 33" (84 cm)
Volume Breakdown:
- Main Body: 2,100 cu in (34.4 L)
- Front Mesh Pocket: 450 cu in (7.4 L)
- Side Mesh Pocket: 350 cu in ea (5.7 L)
- Ext. Collar: 300 cu in (4.9 L)
- Hipbelt Pockets: 30 cu in ea (0.5 L)
Total Volume: 3,610 cu in (59.2 L)
General Guidelines
Rec'd Max Load: 25 lbs or less
Rec'd Base Weight: 12 lbs or less
Listed Weights:
- Pack (Torso-M, Hipbelt-M, excludes
removable components): 17 oz (482 g)
- Hydration Sleeve 1.4 oz (40 g)
- Internal Mesh Pocket 1.1 oz (31)
- Water Bottle Holsters 0.8 oz (23 g)
- Hand loops 0.8 oz (23 g)
Measured Weights:
-
Pack
(Torso-Lg, Hipbelt-Lg, excludes removable components): 19.8 oz (561 g)
- Hydration Sleeve 1 oz (28 g)
- Internal Mesh Pocket .8 oz (22)
- Water Bottle Holsters 0.8 oz (23 g)
- Hand loops 0.8 oz (24 g)
- Removable Internal Back Foam Pad 1.1 oz(30 g)
Total Measured Weight
(All components): 25.1 oz (712 g)
|
Integrated Features:
- Internal Pad Holster - Includes .25 in (.63 cm) foam pad
- Contoured Padded Hipbelt
- Hipbelt Pockets
- Contoured Shoulder Straps
- Front Mesh Pocket
- Adjustable/Bellowed Side Pockets
- Ice Axe/Pole Retention Loops (2)
- Side/Top Compression Straps
- Drawstring Extension Collar
- Dyneema Gridstop Fabric
|
Removable Features:
- Hydration Sleeve
- Internal Mesh Pocket
- Water Bottle Holsters
- Hand loops
- Internal Foam Back Pad
|
INITIAL
IMPRESSIONS
My first overall
inspection of the pack revealed the pack is very well made with
straight seams and no loose threads. The pack is a frameless design as
there are no metal bars or a plastic frame sheet adding rigidity to the
pack. Inside the back panel there is a foam pad held in place with 2
elastic straps. I was surprised to see it as there is no mention of it
on the website. The instruction sheet that shipped with the pack does
mention it and says it is there to provide some padding between you and
your pack contents. It is not meant to be used in place of a sleeping
pad to provide rigid support.
REMOVABLE COMPONENTS:
Included with the pack are several removable components that will help
reduce weight by not including them but also to customize the pack to
your individual needs and likes.
Hydration sleeve: This sleeve
measures 8 x 16.5 in (21 cm x 42 cm) and should accommodate most 2
liter water bladders. The sleeve attaches to the top inside of the back
panel with 2 clips that have a clip on one end so it is removable. The
hydration tube then feeds through a diagonal opening at the top on both
sides.
Internal mesh Pocket: This small
open mesh pocket hangs on the opposite side as the hydration sleeve and
attaches the same way with 2 small snap clips. The
pocket measures 7 x 5.5 in (17.8 x 14 cm), has a zipper and is the
perfect size to store a wallet, car keys and keeps these items at the
top of the pack for easy access.
Water Bottle Holsters: These
adjustable, elastic cords attach to the front of the shoulder straps
and will hold a tall slim shaped water bottle within easy access while
hiking.
Hand loops: These attach to a
plastic D-ring on the front of the shoulder straps. They are adjustable
and can be used to support your hands, wrists or thumbs to give them a
bit of a rest.
 Internal
Foam
Back Pad: This pad is only 12 x 22 in (30 x 56 cm) and is
not big enough to sleep on but would make a great sit pad. I will need
to decide if unfurling my sleeping pad inside the main pack bag is
enough support and cushion or if I need to include this .25 in (.6 cm)
piece of foam for extra comfort.
INTEGRATED FEATURES:
Contoured Padded Hipbelt and Shoulder Straps: After putting
about 15 lbs (6.8 kg) of misc. gear inside the pack I adjusted the hip
belt and walked around the back yard. Everything felt comfortable and
stable. We will see how comfortable after a long day on the trail. Both
the hipbelt and shoulder straps only have about .25 in (.6 cm) of
padding but at this stage it felt quite adequate. Both the shoulder
straps and hipbelt are lined with a soft wicking mesh. I really like
the way the hipbelt tightens. You grab the strap end and pull towards
the center. It just seemed like a very natural way of doing it.
Adjustable/Bellowed Side & Front
pockets: The mesh used is finer and is very stretchy. The front
pocket is quite large at 10.5 x 15.5 in (27 x 39 cm) and will
accommodate a lot of gear. The two smaller side pockets seem kind of
small to me. I put a Gatorade bottle, which is wider and shorter than
some water bottles and it did not seem very secure in the pocket even
after tightening the elastic. I will be keeping an eye on how well
these work on the trail. With the pack on I could reach around
and grab the bottle.
Hipbelt Pockets: There is one
on each side and are big enough to accommodate smaller items like a
digital camera, snacks, compass and a knife.
SUMMARY: I am really looking forward to getting this out on the
trail. My camping style is getting lighter and my total weight
including food and water for 3 days should not even approach 20 lbs (9
kg) so I will be well under the max weight limit of 25 lbs (11 kg).
The pack has plenty of pockets for packing options and the removable
items add a nice way to customize. The true test will be the all day
comfort factor. Limiting the amount of weight carried is always the
right first step but adjustability and being able to get the pack to
fit my body for mile after mile of riding comfort will be the key.
FIELD
REPORT
October
5,
2010
I have used the
pack on two occasions during this testing period. One was a quick
overnighter and I brought along only the bare essentials and the second
trip I wanted to test the pack with a bit more weight so I went for 3
days and carried a tent on this trip. Basically the difference in
weight between the two trips was the shelter I was carrying and the
additional food and fuel. On both trips water was available so I only
needed to carry 2 liters.
FIELD LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS
Quick Overnighter:
First trip was a quick overnighter to Lefthand Reservoir which is one
of my usual camping spots. You can drive to the Reservoir but I decided
to park at a small parking area before the turn off road to the
Reservoir. There are several trails that wind through the woods in the
surrounding area. Mostly used during the winter time as cross country
ski trails. I took one of the longer trails. Not sure it has a name. I
estimate a solid 5 mi (8 km) to the lake. I hiked over the dam and
along the north edge to the far side of the lake. The terrain was
pretty easy with the occasional heavy brush and rocky trail. Elevations
ran between 8,000 to 9,500 ft (2,400 to 2,900 m). Temperatures during
the day were 85° F (29° C) dropping to 50° F (10° C) at
night.
3 Day 2 night trip:
For this trip I went up to Rocky Mountain National Park and hiked to
Finch Lake, stayed the night, then I hiked on to Pear Lake the next
day. Round trip about 20 Mi (32 km). Again the weather was warm but
mild with day time temperatures about 80° F (27° C) dropping to
45° F (7° C) at night.The trail is much steeper and rockier
with elevations climbing to nearly 10,000 ft (3,080 m).
This pack is
made for lighter loads. On my overnighter my total weight was 14.4 lbs
(6.5 kg) and the mileage was also not very long. Though I find myself
doing a lot of 5-10 mi (8-16 km) quick overnighters. This pack is a
really good fit for those types of treks. Putting the sleeping pad
inside the pack adds a lot of structure to the pack and it rode very
well. It did a pretty good job of transferring the weight to my hips.
At that weight and that mileage I was a happy camper.
For the 3 day
trip with the addition of a tent and more food the pack was heavier and
was not as comfortable the first day of the trip. The second day I
packed it differently putting the sleeping pad back inside and letting
it create a tube. The pack does have a thin foam back panel but the
sleeping pad really adds structure and rigidity to the pack. By using a
sleeping pad this way the thin foam back panel could be left at home
saving a bit of weight.
I have been
pleased with the construction and comfort of the hip belt. Even at over
20 lbs (9 kg) the hipbelt was comfortable and seemed to ride pretty
well. The shoulder straps were great on my overnighter but were making
my shoulders sore by the end of the 3rd day of my second trip. Using
the hand loops did help a bit but on steeper sections of the trail I
was back using my trekking poles. When using the hand loops you could
pull the top of the pack forward slightly taking the pressure off my
shoulders. Sort of the same effect that load lifters give on larger
packs.
I did use the
internal mesh pocket to put my keys and valuables in so they were close
to the top of the pack when the trip was over. For my next trip I am
going to switch to a hydration system and use the hydration sleeve
inside the pack. Always makes me a bit nervous putting water inside a
pack.
Likes:
• At the
suggested weight limits the pack carries pretty well
• Plenty of
options for pockets so keeping things organized is simple
• Love the
durability. Everything else I am pretty easy on but packs seem to get
abused the most
• Enough volume
for a 3 day trek
Dislikes:
• Hipbelt
pockets could be slightly larger
_______________________________________________________________
LONG TERM REPORT
November
30,
2010
FIELD LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS
For the past 2 months I have used the
pack on two additional occasions. Both were quick
overnighters in the Indian Peaks Wilderness area west of Boulder in the
Rocky Mountains. Elevations were between 8500 ft (2590 m) and 10,000 ft
(3050 m). Temperatures have been getting colder and the weather has
been getting wetter over the past two months. Temperatures ranged
between 45° F (7° C) during the day to 20° F (-7° C) at
night. For both trips I opted to carry a tent and a warmer 20° F
(-7° C) down quilt. I am glad I did as light rain turned to a light
dusting of snow by morning on each overnighter.
PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD
I did increase my weight for both trips
by carrying a tent and a heavier sleeping bag. Both trips averaged 23
lbs (10.4 kg) and the volume of the pack was pretty well tapped out. I
probably could have found space for an additional days food to extend
the trip by one day but that is about it. I am a big guy so most of my
gear takes up more space than the average person. Most of my clothes
are XL and I carry a long sleeping bag. For me in this configuration
(cold weather gear list) I would say the volume of the pack will work
for 1 to 2 days max. For someone smaller than me there would be room
for additional days of food. For me this pack has the right amount of
volume for a 3 to 4 day ultralight set up using a tarp and a light
weight quilt.
I agree with the recommendation of keeping the maximum load at under 25
lbs (11.3 kg) On both trips by the end of the day my shoulders were a
bit sore and any more weight than what I was carrying and the trip
would have been uncomfortable. I don't feel this will be a pack I use
for a winter backpacking trip. I would consider using it as a day pack
during the winter as there is plenty of room for my down parka, food
and some emergency supplies.
I have not experienced any durability issues and at this point, other
than being pretty dirty on the bottom it appears to be brand new.
REMOVABLE COMPONENTS:
Hydration sleeve: I did use the hydration sleeve for both trips
and in the future I will
not. I found that a full 2 Liter bladder creates a big bulge right in
the center of my back. Not uncomfortable but noticeable. It also
doesn't fit my style of packing and hydration. Even though I did not
have any leaks I'm not real fond of putting water inside my pack where
my dry clothes and down sleeping bag also reside. When I use the pack
in the future I will carry my water in the mesh pockets on the outside.
Internal mesh Pocket: It
weighs very little and it allowed me to store and find my keys and
valuables easily at the end of the trip. I will continue to use it on
future trips.
Water Bottle Holsters: I will
remove these as I found no real use for them.
Hand loops: I will remove
these. I did use them on occasion and might consider using them only
when I am carrying on the heavy side. I like to use trekking poles and
I find that I use them 95% of the time.
Internal
Foam
Back Pad: I will remove this when carrying lighter loads and I
can put my sleeping pad inside the pack to add structure and padding to
the pack.
SUMMARY
Overall I am pleased with this pack and I will continue to use it in
the future. It is well made, durable and comfortable as long as you
keep the load under 25 lbs (11.3 kg). For me I'm shooting for under 15
lbs (6.8 kg). That seems to be the sweet spot for me and this pack.
I would like to thank
ULA and BackpackGearTest for the opportunity to test this pack.
Read more gear reviews by Bob Sanders
|
