ULA CDT: No Frills, Just Right (4,500 Mile Review)

The ULA CDT is perhaps one of my most revered packs, equally as much as their Ohm 2.0. After using this backpack for thousands of miles, I’ve had plenty of time to feel out it’s abilities (and it’s limits). From long desert stretches in New Mexico, to torrents of rain in Appalachia, this pack has seen it all and more. There’s a good reason it’s one of my favorite ultralight packs out there.

Specs

Weight: 27.1 oz (Remove hip belt to save 8 oz)

Capacity: 54 L

Rec’d Weight Limit: 25 lbs

Rec’d Base Weight: 12 lbs or less

Price: $219.99

The Good

This pack has seen a vast amount of miles with me. It was my first frameless pack in 2015 on my Appalachian Trail thru-hike. It certainly didn’t disappoint. Right off the bat, I’d be remiss no to mention how durable and reliable this backpack has been. I’ve abused the hell out of it. Rough rocks, rain for days, scorching sun, and I don’t know how many times I’ve slung it over my shoulders. It just keeps powering through whatever adventure I throw at it. Amazing.

Another advantage is its simplicity. There are very few frills. Kind of like me, in a way. I like to keep things simple, and the ULA CDT certainly does that well. It has a large main compartment, with stretchy front mesh pocket, and two pockets on the sides. If you opt for a hip belt, it also has two small pockets for storage of snacks or other odds and ends. Without zippers, or all sorts of other do-dads, it lightens the weight of the pack and keeps your life simple.

I also found myself using the shock-cord on the pockets to cinch them down on the fly. They’re useful for when you need to shed a layer, or put something in the pocket, but don’t want to take off the pack to secure it in the pocket. Just shove your rain jacket in and tug the cord. Perfectly secure.

Inside the backpack, you’ll also find some elastic straps for securing a foam pad, which comes included. But you can also replace it with a folded foam sleeping pad (or a partially inflated pad). These types of features on packs are great, because they encourage you to embrace multifunctional items, a key to becoming ultralight.

I also found it to be quite comfortable, as long as its in the advised weight range. The shoulder straps are plush, and the pack rides nicely. With a low base weight, and low total pack weight, it’s barely noticeable. If some extra support is needed, the hip belt adds just enough stability to keep it from moving around too much on my back.

What to Improve

My biggest wish was that ULA would modify the pack to lower the profile of the side pockets. Sometimes, they feel high up on my side, and it can be difficult to reach with my arms. Something like the side pockets of the Ohm 2.0 are the gold standard in my opinion. I would love to see them do something similar on this backpack as well. As it stands, I find it easier to sling the pack around my shoulder and get what I need to, then sling it back. I’d rather be able to access a water bottle in one easy motion while I hike.

I’ve also found the pack to be a little bit wobbly at times. It has a bit of an odd shape when the extension collar is fully packed, causing it to slightly way to one way or another. I like to buckle the hip belt when I need to for this reason. Usually after a day of eating some food and making up some room in my pack, it gets more manageable when I can compress it down more. On a thru-hike, this is especially noticeable on a long resupply of 100 miles or more.

I also think the longevity of the shoulder strap padding needs to be mentioned. My straps are still fine. But no more than that. They have worn down where they meet my shoulder quite a lot. It’s little more than a thin piece of padding there now. I don’t know how much can be done, and I also don’t know how this compares to other packs after using them for a similar amount of time. I’ll be gracious and call it normal wear and tear. Because after thousands of miles, this backpack doesn’t owe me a damn thing. And that’s awesome.

Conclusion

I’ve trudged through miles of muddy mountains, desolate desert drainages (hello Continental Divide Trail), and serene sylvan sanctuaries with the ULA CDT. It’s a frameless pack that doesn’t pretend to be something it isn’t. What you see is what you get. It’s simple, durable, and persistently reliable. There are a few things I’d love to see in the future, like more accessible side pockets. But the benefits outweigh any objections I have with this backpack.

Current iterations of the pack offer different configurations and options, ranging from bottom straps to complete customization of fabrics (294.99).

Disclaimer: I do NOT receive any compensation from Ultralight Adventure Equipment.