ULA was founded by Brian Frankle in 2001, after he 'discovered' UL gear (the story of the whole cottage industry?). In the early days all the pack-making was done by Brian as well - in his garage (of course). After a while he got some help, to reduce the well-known delays in delivery. Late in 2009 Brian sold the company to Chris McMaster, another UL enthusiast.
The packs featured here are quite distinctive, with a frame design somewhat different from most. There are two upright rods or tubes running down the very outer corners, and a cross bar at the top made from flexible Delrin plastic. The design ends up a bit squarer than most because of the frame tubes. However, there is only a thin layer of firm foam down the harness face, not hard plastic. A consequence of this soft back is that you can make the middle of the harness face bulge outwards in a most uncomfortable manner if you stuff (fill) the bag too hard. You need to keep the packing a bit soft on all these packs so the bag can adapt to your back. Overloading (jamming stuff in tightly) is not advised.
ARTICLE OUTLINE
- ULA Circuit Pack
- ULA Catalyst Pack
- ULA Camino Pack
# WORDS: 1440
# PHOTOS: 3
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Discussion
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James,
I should have added that the Aarn Pockets do have built in stays that rest on the hipbelt and that is why you can transfer all of the weight to the hip belt.
This is me about 10 years ago striking an Aarnpack pose :
I have had 18kg (40lbs) inside that combo with around 5-6 kg in those pockets. (mostly water)
BTW :
I tried a prototype made from a couple thermorest bags about ten years ago
do you mean an Aarn made prototype or something you put together yourself ?
"This is me about 10 years ago striking an Aarnpack pose :
aarn pack pose"
Good taste in pants. ;0)
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