Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60 vs ULA Equipment Ultra Catalyst
Quick take: The Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60 costs $0.99 less; the ULA Equipment Ultra Catalyst carries more (75 vs 60 liters); the Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60 is lighter (1.36 vs 2.5 lbs).
Which one to buy
Both cost about $400 and both are rated at 40 lb, but the Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60 weighs 1.14 lbs less than the ULA Ultra Catalyst. That gap is the story, and so is how each pack sits against your back. The Arc Haul's carbon arc tensions a mesh panel off your back, and owners say sweat drops dramatically compared with foam-back cottage packs. Long-trail reviewers report it carrying 35-40 lb well for its weight. Its frame height adjusts, which removes most of the sizing gamble of ordering direct.
The Ultra Catalyst answers with volume and durability of a different kind. It holds 75 L against 60 L on a twin-stay framesheet, takes a bear canister horizontally, and its hipbelt pockets close with waterproof zips. Canister fit is where the Arc Haul struggles: its curved frame reduces usable volume and makes tall canisters ride oddly, so canister trips need planning around a vertical fit.
Warranty and history weigh on the Zpacks side. Early Ultra fabric had documented delamination reports; Zpacks has since revised the laminate and recent production fares much better, but its two-year warranty is thin next to ULA's lifetime coverage. The arc also takes fiddling to tension, and a mis-set arc pokes the lumbar. Neither pack has a hydration sleeve, and only the Ultra Catalyst has hipbelt pockets.
For three-season hiking on long trails, the Arc Haul's lower weight and ventilated back are the better trade.
Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60
For gram-counting thru-hikers who want a ventilated back, adjustable frame height and a 40 lb carry at 1.36 lbs.
ULA Equipment Ultra Catalyst
Best for canister country and long food carries where 75 L, a horizontal canister fit and a lifetime warranty matter more than weight.
| Spec | Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60 | ULA Equipment Ultra Catalyst |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399 | $399.99 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Ultralight Pack | Ultralight Pack |
| Frame Type | Internal Frame | Internal Frame |
| Capacity | 60 L | 75 L |
| Weight | 1.36 lbs | 2.5 lbs |
| Max Load | 40 lbs | 40 lbs |
| Torso Fit | Short 16-19 in , Medium 19-23 in , Tall 23-26 in | Sized S/M/L/XL (S 15-18, M 18-21, L 21-24, XL 24+ in) |
| Material | Ultra 100X body with nylon mesh pockets | ULTRA 400X and ULTRA 200X |
| Back Panel | Curved carbon fibre stays with tensioned arc | Twin-stay framesheet |
| Adjustable torso | Yes | No |
| Ventilated back | Yes | No |
| Raincover included | No | No |
| Hipbelt pockets | No | Yes |
| Removable lid | No | No |
| Hydration sleeve | No | No |
| Fits BV500 bear can | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | Zpacks two-year limited warranty against defects in materials or workmanship | ULA lifetime warranty |
Pros & cons
Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60
- ✓The lightest framed, ventilated 60L pack money can buy — nothing else combines 21.8 oz with a real airflow gap.
- ✓Backpacker magazine's best ultralight pack of 2026, adding mainstream validation to years of thru-hiker use.
- ✓The tensioned arc genuinely works: sweat reports drop dramatically versus foam-back cottage rivals.
- ✓Ultra 100X fabric is waterproof and far more abrasion-resistant than the old DCF packs.
- ✓The user-adjustable frame height effectively customizes torso length — rare in the cottage world.
- ✓Carries 35-40 lbs shockingly well for its weight, per repeated long-trail reviews.
- ✓Modular add-on ecosystem (belt pouches, shoulder pockets, lumbar pads) lets owners spec it like a custom pack.
- ✓Zpacks' repair department keeps long-trail packs alive mid-hike with fast turnarounds.
- ✗Early Ultra-fabric generations had documented delamination reports; Zpacks revised the laminate, but the history follows the brand in owner discussions.
- ✗$399 plus the add-ons most people want pushes real cost toward $475.
- ✗The arc frame takes fiddling to tension right, and a mis-set arc pokes the lumbar.
- ✗The 2-year warranty is thin next to ULA's and Osprey's lifetime coverage.
- ✗The curved frame reduces usable volume and makes tall canisters ride oddly.
- ✗No hydration sleeve — bottle-only hydration is assumed.
- ✗Mesh and edge trim wear faster than the body fabric; brush country is not its habitat.
- ✗The whole design rewards careful owners and punishes casual abuse — it's precision gear, not a rental mule.
ULA Equipment Ultra Catalyst
- ✓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.
- ✗$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.
Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60 vs ULA Equipment Ultra Catalyst: common questions
Is the Arc Haul Ultra 60 as good as the Ultra Catalyst for bear-canister trips?▾
Not quite. The Arc Haul's curved frame reduces usable volume and makes tall canisters ride oddly, so plan around a vertical fit. ULA says the Ultra Catalyst carries a canister horizontally, with 75 L of room around it.
Should I worry about Zpacks' delamination history?▾
Less than before. Early Ultra fabric had documented delamination reports, and Zpacks revised the laminate, with recent production faring much better. Buy current stock and keep receipts, since the warranty is two years against ULA's lifetime coverage.
Does the Arc Haul's ventilated back make a real difference?▾
Yes. Sweat reports drop dramatically compared with foam-back cottage packs, and the Ultra Catalyst has no ventilated back. The catch is setup: the arc needs careful tensioning, and a mis-set arc pokes the lumbar.