ULA Ohm 2.0 Review: Trail Proven and Versatile
The ULA Ohm 2.0 is a fantastically durable minimalist backpack with a jack-of-all-trades capability. After roughly 3,500+ miles, it remains my go-to pack for lightweight trips requiring extra food, snow and ice equipment, or adequate support for lengthy desert water carries. It’s not the lightest pack on the market, or the most flashy, but the Ohm 2.0 delivers a time-tested and reliable track record.
Specs:
Weight: 33.8 oz.
Capacity: 63 Liters
Rec’d. Weight Limit: 30 lbs.
Rec’d. Base Weight: 12 lbs. or less.
Price: $279.00
The Good
If you are looking for an easy transition between a frame and frameless backpack, the ULA Ohm 2.0 deserves a look. I used this pack on the entire Pacific Crest Trail, and for about 1,000 miles on the Continental Divide Trail. Both trails required a modest amount of gear, support, and utility to accommodate the demands of those hikes. I’ve carried several days of food and 3+ liters of water comfortably. It can even fit the BV450 or the BV500 bear canisters if you need. The internal frame-stay transfers weight to the hips, and in conjunction with the shoulder strap load lifters, it handles weights of up to 30 pounds with ease.
You’ll also notice the zig-zag of cordage on the side panels of the pack. This is great for lashing trekking poles, an umbrella, or tucking the top of a bladder in towards the pack so it doesn’t flop around. It also makes a great on-the-go clothesline to dry socks while you hike. Cinching down the cord draws the weight closer to your back, which can be helpful with bulkier loads.
Perhaps my favorite feature of this pack is the cavernous side pockets. They can fit two smart-water bottles with ease, and even a bit more – such as a pair of gloves, or some snacks. The cinch cord can draw them tight, securing smaller loads inside, or expand when more space is desired. Lastly, they aren’t too high up. This is a problem I’ve encountered on a few different packs, requiring me to contort my arms just to reach a water bottle. Not so here, however. I can snag a bottle, and easily put it back.
It should also be mentioned that the hipbelt pockets are generously spacious, keeping in line with most of ULA’s other backpacks. There is room for my Galaxy S23, snacks, or a GPS beacon (Note: If you’d rather hike without a hipbelt, it is possible to remove. I wouldn’t recommend it- if you have a pack this size, that’s a good indicator that you should use it.)
I will also attest to the insane durability of the burly gridstop fabric. I’ve bushwhacked, scraped it on rocks and logs, walked through swamps, hiked in extremely high sun-exposure, etc… and all I have to show for it is some slight fading, and some small abrasion patches. I’d say that’s pretty damn good. I’m actually annoyed with how good it still looks; I’m a sucker for wearing out gear and giving it character.
I won’t mince words: This pack scratches an itch for me that I find hard to satisfy with other packs. I have many others. They all have different pros and cons. And I’m sure there are other packs out there I’d love just as well. But I can only use one pack at a time. As for the Ohm 2.0, it’s the most well-rounded and versatile pack I have in my gear closet, and it’s well-suited to such a wide variety of adventures that I just can’t emphasize enough how well it’s made.
What to Improve
Foremost, the weight is on the heavy side when compared to other ultralight packs. Most ULA models are similar in this regard. Although I love how bombproof this pack is, I do often wish it was a bit lighter. ULA offers Xpac fabrics, but it doesn’t lower the weight any noticeable degree. They have also recently started offering packs made in Ultra fabric as well, which boasts several additional benefits (waterproof up to 200 psi).
I’m not sure of the state of current models of the Ohm 2.0, but mine tends to have a squeaky frame-stay. It can get on my nerves sometimes, and I’m never entirely sure how or where it’s being triggered. I hate consistently annoying sounds, so this really gets to me. Thankfully, it doesn’t seem to happen often. Chris McMaster, the (then) owner of ULA, has acknowledged the problem, and offers some solutions:
“First, be sure that the connection between the carbon rods and Delrin (the white piece) is secure – if it is, check to be sure the load lifters aren’t so tight that the frame is bending. If the frame is bent, take it out and reverse it. When you do that, also rough the Delrin up with some sandpaper and that should stop it. Also, a little baby powder in the sleeve won’t hurt anything”.
My other gripe isn’t really specific to this ULA model, but not unheard of among ULA users. During the summer on the CDT, I experienced some pretty painful pack-rash. I could barely sleep on my back because of blisters. I’ll take the hit and say it was my fault for not washing my pack or clothes enough. I’m already a disgustingly sweaty person, so if you have a similar problem, I would recommend just washing the pack once in a while (and do your laundry, you filthy savage). However, the pack itself is conducive to developing pack-rash – it hugs your back pretty snug, and if you are wearing excessively dirty and sweaty clothes, it can happen.
Conclusion
After using and abusing this pack for several thousands of miles, in a range of conditions, and with varied loads of weight, the ULA Ohm 2.0 remains a staple in my gear arsenal. It will do most anything you ask of it, so long as you are keeping within the weight limit. The minor gripes I have, such as it being slightly heavier compared to other packs in its class, or the occasional squeakiness, simply don’t outweigh the burly reliability and balanced utility that this pack offers. I would give a full-hearted endorsement of it for someone looking to buy a minimalist backpack. If you need some guidance on choosing a backpack, see my guide to choosing ultralight gear.
