ULA Equipment Ultra Catalyst
Ultralight Pack
~$399.99

ULA Equipment

ULA Equipment Ultra Catalyst

ULTRA fabric replaces Robic on the Ultra Catalyst, ULA's 75 L hauler: same twin-stay framesheet and 40 lb rating as the Robic Catalyst, at 40.1 oz and $399.99. ULA states it will carry a bear canister horizontally.

Approx. price
~$399.99
Capacity
75 L
Weight
2.5 lbs
Best For
Long food carries and bear-canister country where volume and durability both matter
Type
Ultralight Pack
Frame Type
Internal Frame
Capacity
75 L
Weight
2.5 lbs
Max Recommended Load
40 lbs
Torso Fit
Sized S/M/L/XL (S 15-18, M 18-21, L 21-24, XL 24+ in)
Material
ULTRA 400X and ULTRA 200X
Back Panel
Twin-stay framesheet
Warranty
ULA lifetime warranty
Raincover Included
No
Fits BV500 Bear Canister
Yes

Features

Hipbelt PocketsFits Bear Canister

Pros

  • ✓75 L at 2.5 lb with a 40 lb rating is a strong volume-to-weight figure for a framed pack.
  • ✓ULTRA fabric is more water-resistant than the Robic on the standard Catalyst.
  • ✓Hipbelt pockets close with YKK waterproof zips.
  • ✓Takes a bear canister horizontally.
  • ✓Lifetime warranty.

Cons

  • ✗$80 more than the Robic Catalyst for the fabric upgrade.
  • ✗75 L is more than most three-season hikers fill.
  • ✗Roll-top only, with no lid pocket.
  • ✗Torso is fixed within each size.
  • ✗No raincover included.

Compare the ULA Equipment Ultra Catalyst

ULA Equipment Ultra Circuit
~$379.99
Ultralight Pack

The Ultra Circuit is the Ultra-fabric version of ULA's best-known pack. It keeps the Circuit's carbon hoop and aluminium stay combination but rebuilds it in Ultra 400X and 200X, making it waterproof and considerably more tear-resistant than the standard Robic version.

68 L2.30 lbsUltra 400X body

Weight

2.30 lbs

Capacity

68 L

Frame

Internal Frame

Best for: Thru-hikers who want the Circuit's carry in a waterproof laminate
ULA Equipment Ultra Circuit SV
~$379.99
Ultralight Pack

ULTRA 400X and 200X fabric goes into the Ultra Circuit SV, ULA's new 48 L Circuit. It is 1.7 oz lighter than the Robic SV at 35.8 oz, keeps the 35 lb rating, and costs $80 more.

48 L2.2 lbsULTRA fabric

Weight

2.2 lbs

Capacity

48 L

Frame

Internal Frame

Best for: Hikers who want the 48 L Circuit with a more water-resistant fabric
ULA Catalyst
~$319.99
Ultralight Pack

ULA Equipment

ULA Catalyst

The Catalyst is the Circuit's bigger sibling — 75 liters of total volume and a 40 lb rating for long food carries, winter kit, or bear-canister-plus-packraft loads. It's the UL pack for people whose trips outgrow the Circuit.

75 L Total40 lb Rating2.78 lbs

Weight

2.78 lbs

Capacity

75 L

Frame

Internal Frame

Best for: Long food carries, winter trips, and bigger-volume thru-hikers
ULA Circuit
~$299.99
Ultralight Pack

ULA Equipment

ULA Circuit

The Circuit is the thru-hiking pack — hand-made in Logan, Utah by ULA Equipment and a perennial #1 in Halfway Anywhere's PCT gear survey. Its 68 liters of total volume, bombproof Robic fabric, and 35 lb carry make it the default recommendation for first thru-hikes. An Ultra-fabric version is sold at a premium.

68 L Total2.41 lbs#1 PCT Survey Pack

Weight

2.41 lbs

Capacity

68 L

Frame

Internal Frame

Best for: First-time and veteran thru-hikers who want the proven default
ULA Equipment Circuit SV
~$299.99
Ultralight Pack

ULA's new smaller-volume Circuit is the Circuit SV: 48 L instead of 68, on the same hoop, foam and stay suspension, at the same $299.99. It weighs 37.5 oz and keeps the 35 lb rating, so the cut is in volume rather than carrying ability.

48 L2.3 lbs35 lb rating

Weight

2.3 lbs

Capacity

48 L

Frame

Internal Frame

Best for: Thru-hikers with a compact kit who want Circuit suspension in a smaller bag
ULA Equipment UltraGrid Ohm
~$249.99
Ultralight Pack

Now built in UltraGrid throughout, the Ohm is ULA's lighter framed pack: 55 L, 30.4 oz, rated to 30 lb. A 3/4 roll-top with a sewn-in Y-strap closes it, and the side pockets are bellowed UltraGrid.

55 L1.9 lbsUltraGrid body

Weight

1.9 lbs

Capacity

55 L

Frame

Internal Frame

Best for: Lightweight backpackers carrying 20-30 lb who find the Circuit more pack than they need