trying to decide between the ULA catalyst and circuit for my AT hike.
Can anyone help. Which one is the best size? Should i forget about ULA and get a Vapor Trail?
appreciate it…
boomer
Backpack Selection
system
#3
Since with ULA packs, the ability to try one on to determine comfort is impossible for most people, let me just say that if you are committed to going fairly lightweight (I won’t even say UL because with both the catalyst and the circuit you have room for excess), there is no reason why you couldn’t get by with the Circuit.
I chose the Catalyst for my PCT hike purely because there would be times I’d need to carry a ton of water or 10 days worth of food. On the AT that simply doesn’t happen, so if your sleeping bag and shelter are of the lightweight variety, and you aren’t bent on carrying all sorts of luxuries, I’d throw my vote for the Circuit- a pack in my head perfect for the AT.
By the way, for what its worth my Catalyst is probably my favorite pack I’ve ever worn. The very model of comfort.
Novakaine
system
#4
I used a Catalyst for the CDT and thought it was a great pack. I wouldn’t go any smaller though. I was able to fit my gear in because I shared gear with my husband. OTOH, I was carrying large amounts of water or six to seven days food fairly frequently. We also had warm bags - 20 degrees for most of the trail, then a 10 degree bag. Even though they were down bags, they still took up room. If you are carrying clothes for cold weather and a warm sleeping bag, I would get the larger bag. If you are starting the trail later, you might not need it.
Ginny
system
#5
I to was tossed between the Circuit and the Catalyst. I talked with Brian at ULA (Great Guy) and depending on your load - he generally recommends the Catalyst when you need to carry a bear canister or as Ginny mentions - lots of water. The Catalyst is built like a rock and can carry the load very well. If on the AT you don’t find the need to carry lots of food or water, then the Circuit is a good choice. Brian recommends the Circuit for loads upto 30lbs. The Catalyst is good for over 30 upto say 35 maybe 40 lbs. Brian’s philosophy is that you should be comformatable with your heaviest load. Many people think they can be uncomfortable for those couple of days after a large resupply and just grunt it out. If you choose the Catalyst - with loads less than 30lbs - it will ride like a jewel. There are two outfitters on the AT that carry the ULA packs - they both recommend the ULA packs over the Granite Gear packs.
I too was looking at a Vapor Trail and then after talking with others and Brian - the Circuit is hands down better at support and carrying capacity than the Vapor Trail. I have loaded up the Vapor Trail with 25 to 30 lbs and find it uncomfortable. I have yet to receive my Catalyst - however from what others have said - both are very nice. The material on the ULA packs is very reliable and I like the external pockets that the Vapor Trail does not have. I had a difficult time getting all my gear in the Vapor Trail.
Thus I think you will find the Catalyst a good pack for a long thru hike - unless you are an ultralighter and have a baseweight less than 10lbs - IMHO.
OregonBeerMan
system
#6
Can’t comment on the Circuit but from people I know, they liked their Catalyst (of course this is out West, not on the AT). Comfortable and carries a lot. You can’t go wrong with it.
OrgeonBeerMan, I regularly carry 22-26lbs in my Vapor Trail and occasionally up to 33lbs(extra water weight). I’ve found it the most comfortable pack I’ve own. I did add the optional “Lid” and a belt pocket to it, but it carries everything I take for a week inside (if you had trouble, you needed a larger pack like the Catalyst). To be honest, when I tried my friends Catalyst, I didn’t notice it being more comfortable or I’d have bought one(but I didn’t carry it for days either). My experience with the VT is apparently the opposite of yours. Wierd.
Miner
system
#7
I’ve used both. Wore out a Catalyst (they weren’t called Catalyst or Circuit then) on my 04 AT thru hike and now have a Circuit. I like the lighter weight of the Circuit, but I think the added support of the Catalyst would have been a better choice for me. If you are sure you can keep the weight below 30-32 lbs, the Circuit should work fine. If not, get the Catalyst.
IMHO, don’t bother with the lid (too much additional weight), but do get the belt pockets.
Bear Bag Hanger