Ultralight Adventure Equipment (ULA) CDT Backpack Review

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The CDT is a very likeable pack, but there is one thing you need to know right up front: although the specified volume of the CDT is 3610 cubic inches (59 L), the measured volume is only 2700 cubic inches (44 L). That’s 910 cubic inches/15 L (25%) smaller than specified. Both volumes include the extension collar and all pockets. The actual volume (2700 cubic inches/44 L) is a nice volume for many ultralight backpackers; but the key point is that the CDT is a smaller volume pack than specified.

ARTICLE OUTLINE

Introduction
Description
Performance
Comparisons
Assessment

# WORDS: 1430
# PHOTOS: 7

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Viewing 9 posts - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)

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May 31, 2011 at 1:40 pm #1274702

Addie Bedford
BPL Member

@addiebedford
Locale: Montana

Companion forum thread to:

Ultralight Adventure Equipment (ULA) CDT Backpack Review

Jun 1, 2011 at 5:13 am #1743509

Jonathan Ryan
BPL Member

@jkrew81
Locale: White Mtns

I have always been a fan of this pack. My wife has used her conduit for years and never had a complaint. A year back I bought one and while I loved it, I ended up selling it due to the short sizing. I am 6'4" and found the same torso sizing issue as Will.

Jun 1, 2011 at 7:47 am #1743545

David Ure
Member

@familyguy

The new CDT appears to be in three sizes now – s,m,l. Will, do you know where the M/L pack you tested would 'fall' in this new sizing range? Thanks,

Jun 1, 2011 at 11:02 am #1743603

Tor Magnus Castberg
Member

@logrus
Locale: Norway

I believe M/L refers to hipbelt size / back length.

I.e. the size of his hipbelt is M and the length of the back is L.

PS: Reading again the sizes he states as available it doesn't make sense to me at all. Either these packs have been differently sized before, unlike their other pack, or the author is mistaken with the data.

Jun 1, 2011 at 11:05 am #1743604

David Ure
Member

@familyguy

Hi Tor – my CDT from 2010 was a M/L size. There were only two sizes at the time, one of which was small.

Jun 1, 2011 at 4:55 pm #1743721

Derek Johnson
Member

@veilsidecelica01

The website still shows the angled side pockets is there something im missing? and with the hand straps how does that take weight off of your shoulders when it is pulling on them?

Jun 1, 2011 at 5:37 pm #1743743

Brad Rogers
BPL Member

@mocs123
Locale: Southeast Tennessee

I bought one a few weeks ago and it still has the angled pockets. I like being able to get my water bottle easily, but these do seem a little over the top in that regard.

Feb 5, 2013 at 10:45 pm #1951255

Sean Staplin
BPL Member

@mtnrat
Locale: Southern Cdn Rockies

I actually really like the angled mesh side pockets. When used with 1 litre platypus, they cradle them perfectly and can be removed and replaced easily while hiking. They stayed in the pockets very securely even while doing serious bushwhacking. I just made sure the bungie's were tight and the platys were deeply cradled in the pockets. I could see how other things might fall out though, especially a hard plastic water bottle.

Feb 7, 2013 at 7:37 pm #1952018

Nick Gatel
BPL Member

@ngatel
Locale: Southern California

I used to have a Conduit, which I think is now the CDT. The reason I got rid of it was the side pockets. I could keep a platy in it on flat easy trails, but hiking cross country going up and down canyon walls, they would not stay put no matter what I did. Perhaps they have changed them. When I contacted Brian Flankel (who was very nice BTW), he said the pockets were designed for the typical 16 oz water bottle, not the thicker ones like sports drinks, or for platys. I have not had good luck with mesh pockets on any brand pack.

ULA Conduit

Below are some side pockets that do work well, IMO.

This is a 64 ounce Gatorade bottle.

Two 64 ounce Gatorade bottles.

Two 1 liter platys.

1 liter platy.
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