A review of the ULA Catalyst backpack
Overall, I am pretty much a minimalist when it comes to backpacking.
I take what I consider to be enough for my own personal safety, comfort, and enjoyment levels.
On a weekend by myself, that can mean no stove, a simple tarp-like shelter, a foam pad, and minimal clothing.
With this type of basic kit, I have done long trails and adventurous solo backpacks.
However, just as my gear has evolved over the years to become lighter and more streamlined, so have my ideas of what gear to bring.
Different trips have me bringing different gear. A late Fall backpack with some camp time? I’ll bring the thicker z-lite, my infamous Ugly Army Pants ™, and a mug for hot beverages.
An overnight climbing trip means I am bringing a helmet, schlepping a rope and bringing my own personal climbing gear in addition to the basic backpacking gear.
And a winter trip on skis? A warmer bag, an additional pad, and different or additional types of clothing.
The one commonality among these different trips with different gear? I bring a bigger pack.
Now, back in the dark ages of say 1998, I had an enormous pack by modern standards. An EMS 5500 with uber-suspension and padding, lots of pockets, and enough material to make an emergency bivy shelter if so desired (I kid on the last part. I think….) As the name suggests, this 5500 cubic inch monstrosity was big enough to haul everything I thought I needed for an excursion into the White Mountains. At ~7 pounds empty, it felt it, too!
What the hell was I thinking????
As I became more experienced and realized I needed less to enjoy a backpacking weekend, my pack became smaller and lighter.
But there was still a need to use a bigger pack for other activities. Trips with friends that are more social? Winter trips? Climbing? I’d cram everything into a GoLite Jam that is a rather nice pack but not meant for the abuse I was throwing at it. No matter how much duct tape or dental floss repairs I made, the poor pack finally was shot.
Then I discovered ULA packs for myself. Lightweight packs are a little beefier than the ultralight packs being made currently by other companies. They are good packs for people who wish to lighten their load but still retain some durability and comfort of more traditional gear. Some of the models have a more traditional-style suspension for heavier load hauling. Yet, the packs still manage to stay light.
For playing Sherpa, climbing, or winter trips I have been putting a ULA Catalyst through its paces during the past year.
At 4600 CI and 48 ounces in weight (size medium), it is not much smaller than my old EMS pack and less than half the weight.
Once I had the pack adjusted and dialed in for my use, the pack fitted me well and rode beautifully.
It has become a workhorse pack for me.
A pack where I don’t have to cram in extra gear and clothing and where everything fits “just right”.
Sorry no photo of me in a ULA pack. Instead, here’s a lovely photo I took of OTHERS in ULA packs 🙂
As with all ULA packs, you can easily customize the pack for your needs. Don’t need the mesh wallet and keys holder? Take it off. Don’t use a CamelBak? Remove the water bladder sleeve. And so on. An easy way to shave off 3-4 ounces depending.
An actual photo of the Catalyst…from the ULA site.
At $250, it is more expensive than many ultra-light packs. But that is the wrong comparison to make IMO. Compare the ULA Catalyst to other packs that are similar size and purpose, and the Catalyst is not only lighter but also very competitive in terms of price. As a bonus, this pack is made in the USA. With the competitive prices and excellent performance, nice to see a Made the USA product as a viable choice in outdoor gear.
Winter backpacking on skis. PCO Andrew Skurka.
Note that ULA sells a smaller version of this pack called the Circuit. About 7oz and 600 CI less. If you do not need the extra capacity of the Catalyst, the Circuit is a favorite all-around pack as well.
OVERALL SUMMARY
For solo trips, I like my ULA CDT.
But when I need to haul more and need something equally durable, I’ll go for my ULA Catalyst.
It’s an excellent product that works. ‘Nuff Said.
UPDATE 2021 – Still my heavy hauler pack of choice. I use it for winter backpacking with snow, guiding, or even cold-weather packrafting. I use the Circuit for trips with Joan esp here in Utah.
On our Feb 2020 trip to The Maze via packraft. PCO Joan. We left our packrafts stashed for the return crossing.
I also made a video covering the three ULA packs I use in this YouTube video:
Note: I paid for this pack with my funds.
Hi
The ULA Catalyst looks great. What would you say is the max load for this pack? It says 40lbs on the ULA site – what’s your opinion? And for overall volume? What would you say is the capacity of the main compartment – compared to other packs you’ve used?
Thanks!
It is a great pack indeed. 40lbs is the comfort rating, but I think (assuming you have the upper body strength), you can probably push it to 50lbs. Beyond, I think you’d be taxing the capacity of the pack.
The capacity of the compartment feels maybe ~3500 CI for the main compartment. Extend the collar? Perhaps 4000 CI.
Thanks for a great review. I own the Circuit and the Catalyst. I picked up the Catalyst to help with some longer hauls thru the White Mountains and 100 Mile Wilderness of Maine. We are AT Section Hikers and love the ULA packs. As you have mentioned about evolving gear, we’ve done the same and have gone as lightweight as (safely) possible with gear that meets our requirements. Gear varies based on trip, weather, etc. and worst case, we’re at a max of 25# with a weeks worth of food and 2L of water. Thanks again for a great review.
I ordered a ULA Circuit pack based primarily on your endorsement. I liked the look of the original green and was ready to love it. I never did. Although ULA is helpful with trying to get the right size to the customer, the pack never felt right due to the shoulder harness. The hip belt was comfortable and fine. I did not like how the lower part of the pack was rubbing against my lower back. My wife looked at the set up of the pack and said “You are not going to like it.” She was correct. My son… Read more »
I see you are upset Russ. Sorry you did not like the Circuit. It is the only pack that fits my wife properly. In any case, there is a reason why Baskin Robbins makes 31 flavors – we all have different preferences. Or, just because someone likes chocolate, that does not mean vanilla is terrible. The hard mesh is my preference for durability (esp off trail) for example. Does not mean my view is the “right one”..it is rather the right one for my use. As for customer service, I am the wrong person to speak to. 🙂 I am… Read more »
And I still stand by my recommendation as the ULA Catalyst and the Circuit as fantastic work-horse type packs. At least for me. 🙂
I have to agree with Russ. Used a catalyst for about 400 trail miles and just never found it comfortable. I like the size and feature set but I could not get comfortable with the suspension. I realize everyone is different. It somehow rubbed me the wrong way and would pinch a nerve causing my leg to go to sleep. One problem is that the hip belt is not a full wrap. There is a gap between the very, very stiff lumbar pad and the foam of the belt. I personally find the packs from seekoutside and elemental horizons much… Read more »
Looks as if I’m a bit late to this conversation piece, but for anyone considering ULA packs here’s a few considering points; I’m a VERY petite female who treks solo, so finding something lightweight, durable and able to handle all of my gear load WHILE also being sized to my 5’3 100lb frame was very difficult. Enter ULA, who after several contact emails about wary sizing issues sent me a pack that, while took some loading and adjusting play, fit like a glove to my tiny frame. If you’re looking for a pack that weighs six pounds and has bells… Read more »