Ospery Atmos 65 or ULA Catalyst?

http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/packs/Starlite.html

they're on sale right now for 108. No experience with the pack, but it appears to able to hold 30# comfortably even without a frame, more with the optional aluminum frame. and it weighs only 24 oz. Some people have said nice things about their packs in the recent Gear Deals thread about the sale they have going on right now.

I have an Atmos 50 and love it. The light frame suspension is super comfortable. I use a 3 liter Osprey water bladder in mine; best invention ever for hiking. If you were really tight on space, you can also hang the water bladder in the space between the mesh on the frame and the pack. There's a zipper and a hook, but I've never had to do that.

If you are losing weight, one plus of the Atmos packs is that the shoulder straps and the hip belt padding are adjustable, so you might get better fit both before and after weight loss.

I have three Osprey packs. I can't think of anything bad to say about any of them. Comfortable. Durable. Well thought out features. No complaints at all.

Two of my Osprey packs have the lightweight frame. I use a 34 liter Stratos for summer day hikes. I use the 50 liter Atmos for winter hiking when I need something bigger for lashing snow shoes to the pack and store more layers of bulkier jackets. I'll be using the 50 liter for short overnight backpacking trips.

If I needed a bigger pack, I wouldn't hesitate to grab a 65 liter Atmos.

My wife has had an atmos for a few years, loves it. I've had my Circuit a while longer, love it to death. Both carry 30 lbs like a dream, and both are really durable. The circuit is about a pound lighter. I don't think you can really go "wrong" with either one.

Hi Santiago. I currently have a ULA Catalyst and am pleased with the quality, fit, and volume. I needed a pack that had the volume to handle summer backpacking, mountaineering, and snow camping. The Catalyst has excelled in all facets. I don't have an Atmos 65, but have had Osprey packs and they were always well done. In this case, the Atmos 65 has a bit smaller capacity (around 600 CI) and weighs about 13 more ounces than the ULA. Obviously, packs are very personal and dependent upon one's body type and preferences. The Catalyst has served me well, taken much abuse, and functioned well in 3 somewhat different environs. I bought it blindly based on positive research and never looked back. Good luck.

Greg

I had an Atmos over the summer and wound up selling it. I could not get comfortable with it, no matter how many times I tried to adjust it. I also thought I would appreciate all the features, but they didn't end up improving my experience. It also isn't very light.

Keep in mind that the Atmos comes in three sizes. Any hiking store should be able to measure you to determine whether the Small, Med, or Large will be a better fit. From there, you have adjustable shoulder straps and waist belt.

For whatever reason, I find my 50L Atmos a bit more comfortable than the smaller Stratos.

I owned the 2011 atoms and loved it but it is not exactly a UL pack. Someone mentioned above that a reservoir can be stored between the mesh and the back panel, this is not true on the newest model.

Also, trying a pack with the air bag in it does nothing. It is imperative to try it under load.

I tried both the Catalyst and the Atmos, and went with the Catalyst. While the Atmos was comfortable, the Catalyst was lighter and more comfortable. Plus the Catalyst could hold my bear cannister while the Atmos could not.

You need to try both in the correct size WITH FULL PACK WEIGHT, being whatever you normally pack, and decide after that. Until you've carried each pack with your normal gear in it, you really don't know which is better for you. Seriously.

Thanks for the feedback so far all, very helpful.

Alex, what keeps the newer models from allowing the bladder between the pack and the mesh? Just curious as REI has what appears to be the 2012 version in the store but not the newer version (which is in different colors).

As to testing with full weight, certainly I understand that. However without any local stores carrying the ULA packs it's impossible to test them without actually ordering one… and I hate sending something back after buying. Not much of a choice I guess :)

I'll likely head over to REI tomorrow and see about loading out the Atmos and testing it out in the store to get a general idea. That should give me a good general idea to start with.

I'll also ring up ULA and speak to Chris over there about the Catalyst and their return policies if it isn't a right fit.

Sure wish there was a Catalyst local to check out!

Santiago,

I've been through a few osprey's and I'm one of those people who CANNOT wear that pack. The problem is that it feels GREAT when you first put it on…it's only after wearing it with weight for a while that it just begins to turn into torture. It's interesting…I tried to sell both of my Osprey's (atmos and exos) and NO ONE I tried to sell it to among my friends would buy them. They took it on a trip, and by day 2 it was killing their shoulders. I think i went through 5 friends trying to dump these packs on someone…

Then my friend on the JMT – who had been hiking with his Atmos for a few years and loved it – was ready to throw his off a pass after 100 miles. Same problem – the straps just dig into your shoulders (in my case, just my left one) and cause some pretty nasty shoulder pain. I always thought it was me and my bony collarbones, but I've now heard it from several people. And as I said, for all of us it wasn't an immediately apparent problem – it cropped up after wearing it on a trip for a while.

Now – having said that, TONS of people love their Ospreys and you may, too. I just wanted to share my experience…

My ULA, on the other hand – is great. I was very, very impressed with my circuit, and if money were no object I'd own the Ohm 2.0 and the CDT as well. But who needs that many packs??

Good grief, Jennifer – that's the same thing I experienced, only it was the right shoulder, right on the collarbone! It was really irritating!

Should arrive Wednesday! Can't wait.

Going to be a busy weekend getting all the gear ready to fill it ;)

Also ordered a Warbonnet Blackbird and tarp.

Now to choose my first destination…. gotta find some pine trees in Central Texas :)

I too am going to purchase a new and lighter pack soon, but I think you're looking at the wrong Osprey model. Check out the Exos 58, it comes in at 2.25 lbs and is a much closer comparison. If you check out Youtube videos, you can see the redesigned model that was just demo'd in the UK and will be released for US sales in Q1. This pack now deserves some serious consideration. Which, only makes the decision harder.

I think you'll be pleased with the Catalyst. I have no experience with ULA packs, but I've had a few Ospreys. While great packs, I feel that the smaller ultralight manufacturers make a more comfortable pack.