What did you buy today?

[fossana]

After much deliberation and fabric abrasion resistance spec ratholing, I bought a ULA Ultra Catalyst to replace my thrashed HMG Southwest (thanks mom for bday $). It's a slightly bigger version of the popular Catalyst. Bonus that the packs are made in UT, and that they offer repair support. I also looked at the Durston Kakwa, but the fabric isn't as abrasion resistant, and I preferred a slightly bigger pack to having the option of storing a climbing rope or bear canister inside. Appreciated Durston's honest and prompt customer support. I don't have time to try to make my own pack, and factoring in prototyping and materials unforgiving to sewing mistakes, I can't see it being cost effective.

Inevitably, I will need to reinforce the bottom. Planning to do some experimentation with a urethane roofing coating to beef up abrasion resistance after success with a similar substance on my Hyperlite.

.

 

[canadug]

Anyone use a pack from this Utah company? https://www.canyoneeringusa.com/store/?category=Backpacks

They look pretty solid!

 

[Bob]

Heavy... They are made to carry ropes etc and drug on rock.... Not really backpacking

 

[fossana]

Anyone use a pack from this Utah company? https://www.canyoneeringusa.com/store/?category=Backpacks

They look pretty solid!

Our local outdoor shop carries them. I have some of their canyoneering gear, although not one of their packs. I don't personally care for their aesthetics, and prefer climbing haul bag material with minimal straps for my canyoneering pack. I bought a euro style one instead from Petzl after shredding my older climbing packs. Black Diamond also had a similarly durable Creek line designed for hauling around a large number of cams for places like Indian Creek, but they don't have drainage holes.

 

[SEAlpine]

Just bought a Western Mountaineering Bridger MF sleeping bag for my trek in Bhutan.

 

[fossana]

My ULA Catalyst shipped early. Sharing side x sides with my Hyperlite Southwest for comparison; both are mediums, although the Catalyst is bigger in volume. I got the top Y strap upgrade, but otherwise no tweaks. I may need to trim down the stiffener a tad b/c the ULA back panel is 1.5" wider.

 

[futurafree]

View attachment 139583

I hope you bought that Hyperlite Southwest a Rolex for his retirement. Poor bastard earned it.

 

[priz1234]

Anyone use a pack from this Utah company? https://www.canyoneeringusa.com/store/?category=Backpacks

They look pretty solid!

They are awesome canyoneering packs. I've used them a ton and hey hold up really well and take a pretty good beating. They aren't my choice for backpacking though. Just like Bob had mentioned, that isn't really what they are made for. I have done a couple overnight canyoneering trips and they carry okay but my hyperlite southwest pack is just way better for hiking. My dad also used to use their Kolob pack for backpacking but once I showed him my hyperlite he switched over. So if you are going to get into canyoneering I could recommend them, but for a backpacking pack I would look somewhere else. There are very few trips I would imagine taking my Imlay pack over my Hyperlite.

 

[RyanP]

I just splurged and made the most expensive (but potentially rewarding) outdoor-related purchase that I have ever made... I requested a change from full-time to part-time status at my job. I was getting depressed looking at this upcoming year, as my vacation time was going to be almost completely used for family and personal obligations that don't involve backpacking, so I requested a slight reduction in required hours (and it was just approved), which should save me enough time over the course of the year to enable one or two nice trips (and similar for future years as well!). I'm super excited about this purchase!

 

[Wanderlust073]

I just splurged and made the most expensive (but potentially rewarding) outdoor-related purchase that I have ever made... I requested a change from full-time to part-time status at my job. I was getting depressed looking at this upcoming year, as my vacation time was going to be almost completely used for family and personal obligations that don't involve backpacking, so I requested a slight reduction in required hours (and it was just approved), which should save me enough time over the course of the year to enable one or two nice trips (and similar for future years as well!). I'm super excited about this purchase!

Nice. I’ve repeatedly tried to get my company to allow employees to purchase more time off and they never budge.