[pct-l] Backpacks.

[Sean 'Miner' Nordeen]

Brandon,

The reason you would pick a Catalyst over a Circuit depends on your gear weight and size.  Do you need the larger volume of the Catalyst?  Do you expect to carry heavier loads then recommended by ULAs website for the Circuit.  I hiked in 2009 with a ULA circuit and was happy with it.  But for my gear, the circuit was actually too big at times  (I normally backpack with their Conduit now called the CDT) but I wanted the extra room for a 10day food carry with a bear can in the Sierra and to more comfortably carry large water weights in SoCal.  My pack is still in excellent shape other then a small hole in the right hipbelt pocket from a mouse in NoCal (but I did purchase a new hipbelt since they are removable).  When picking a hipbelt size, if you are inbetween, go smaller since you will loose weight (my medium size belt barely had any adjustment left by the time I finished).

I saw far more Catalysts then Circuits on the trail and almost everyone was happy with whatever ULA pack they had.  Get the rest of your gear together and see how much room and weight capacity you need and use that to make your decision.

-Miner

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Check my 2009 PCT Journal out at http://www.pct2009.lifesadventures.net/Journal.php