The ULA UltraGrid CDT is a 50L frameless backpack designed for ultralight backpacking, lengthy day hikes, or journey, with a most beneficial load of 25 kilos. Weighing 27.1 oz (768 g), the CDT is a streamlined backpack with 29.1 liters of closed storage in the primary pack bag and extension collar, with the rest distributed throughout its open pockets and hip belt storage. Whereas the CDT isn’t the lightest frameless backpack obtainable at present, it is among the largest in total quantity, it’s obtainable with J-shaped or female-friendly S-shaped shoulder straps, and is available in a really big selection of torso sizes and hip belt lengths.
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- Whole Quantity: 3051 cu in /50 liters (29.1L closed storage in the primary bag+extension collar)
- Weight: 27.1 oz (768 g) – dimension medium
- Rec’d Max Load: 25 lbs
- Rec’d Base Weight: 12 lbs or much less
- Pockets: 5 plus foremost
- Hydration appropriate: Sure
- Load lifters: No – it’s a frameless backpack
- Material: UltraGrid physique, UltraMesh entrance pocket, Robic nylon hipbelt and pockets
- Torso Lengths: 15-18″, 18-21″, 21-24″, 24″+
- Hip Belt Sizing: 26-30″, 30-34″, 34-38″, 38-42″, 42-47″, 47+”
- Gender: J or S-shaped shoulder straps obtainable.
- For full specs, go to Ultralight Gear’s UltraGrid CDT Product Web page
UltraGrid: What it’s and what it isn’t
UltraGrid is a cloth constructed from recycled nylon interwoven with Extremely-Excessive-Molecular-Weight-Polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers, which makes it exceptionally tear-resistant. It outperforms 210D ripstop nylon in sturdiness and is almost as robust because the Extremely 200X used on ultralight backpacks, but is far more inexpensive and extra versatile. It additionally has a 1500mm PU backing and a PFC-free C0 DWR coating for moisture safety, which makes it extremely waterproof. In different phrases, it improves on the nylon ripstop utilized by backpack producers up to now, however it’s nonetheless nylon and doesn’t have the wow issue that backpacks made with Ultra100x, Extremely 200x, or Dyneema DCF, or Woven Dyneema have. And whereas not as “ultralight” as these supplies, you’ll nonetheless be hard-pressed to destroy it.
Backpack Group and Storage
The CDT is an ultralight fashion backpack with a big foremost compartment, a entrance stretch mesh pocket, roomy aspect water bottle pockets, and zippered pockets on the hip belt. It has a roll-top closure that’s secured with aspect webbing straps, the best way a real roll prime needs to be, to supply correct prime compression, however will also be clipped closed on prime. The roll prime itself doesn’t have a stiffener, snaps, or velcro to carry the edges closed when rolling it up, however there’s a sewn-in Y-strap that loops excessive to safe and compress the contents.
The CDT is hydration-compatible, with aspect hydration ports and two webbing loops inside for hanging a hydration pocket (offered individually). There aren’t hose keeper loops on the shoulder straps, nonetheless, so it may be a bit awkward to handle a hose.
The pack’s aspect water bottle pockets are strong material to guard them from abrasion and tearing. They’re giant sufficient to suit a 1 liter Nalgene or soda bottle with room to spare; it’s additionally straightforward to drag out a bottle whereas strolling and change it with out stopping to take off the pack. ULA claims the aspect pockets can maintain two bottles, however they don’t specify what sort of bottles. I assume these are Smartwater bottles, as a result of two Nalgenes or two Aquafina bottles don’t match.
Each water bottle pockets have drains at their base and an elastic twine on prime that may be cinched closed and secured with a twine lock to maintain objects from shifting or dropping out. The elastic twine can also be useful for storing longer objects lashed to the edges of the pack with a compression strap, corresponding to a fishing rod or a trekking umbrella.
The entrance of every aspect pocket has a small gap you’ll be able to stick your hand into, though that’s not the intention; it’s a part of the shoulder strap suspension system, which terminates on the base of every pocket. Whereas this attachment level helps pull the pack nearer to your again, small objects can fall out of the aspect water bottle pockets, and the aspect pockets shouldn’t be used for that sort of storage.
Like many ultralight-style packs, the CDT has an extended entrance mesh pocket that’s excellent for storing moist gear or layers you need quick entry to throughout the day with out opening the pack’s foremost compartment. It’s made with UltraMesh, a woven mix of nylon 6-6, Lycra, and Extremely-PE that could be very tear-resistant and breathable, so contents will ultimately dry. I sometimes retailer snacks, my rain gear, a water filter, and an empty moist reservoir within the mesh pocket to maintain them away from my dry clothes inside the primary compartment.
Lastly, there are two zippered pockets on the outside of the hip belt, giant sufficient to retailer a smartphone, snacks, AquaMira bottles, bug dope, and such. The fronts of each pockets are hard-faced to stop tearing, and the pockets characteristic heavy-duty zippers for sturdiness. The pockets are product of Robic Nylon, not UltraGrid, so they’re much less sturdy and fewer water resistant.
Backpack Body and Suspension
Foam again panel
The CDT is a frameless backpack that takes a bit apply to pack, because it has little construction. There’s a foam pad held in place in the primary compartment by two elastic straps behind the shoulder straps. Whereas it protects your again from being poked by sharp objects, it’s very comfortable and doesn’t present any construction or load switch to your hips. I like to exchange it with a number of sections of a folding foam pad, like a Therm-a-Relaxation Zlite or a NEMO Switchback, which is thicker and stiffer, making the pack simpler to load. You don’t need to use your entire folding pad, as a result of it would eat up an excessive amount of area, simply 4 to six side-by-side sections.
One of the simplest ways to pack the CDT after that’s to line the pack with a Nylofume pack liner or trash compactor bag, then pack the remainder of your gear into it by stuffing it loosely, with out utilizing many things sacks to prepare it. The rationale this takes some apply is that the CDT will barrel uncomfortably into your again for those who stuff it too tightly. Nonetheless, you don’t need the contents to be too free as a result of the pack carries extra comfortably when the gear fills out all of the empty areas within the pack. It’s virtually like your gear “turns into the body.”
New hipbelt
ULA dropped the sewn-on hipbelt used on this pack in earlier variations and switched to a brand new replaceable one. They most likely did this to cut back the time it takes to stitch on a customized size for every new buyer and to cut back the stock that resellers must preserve readily available, to allow them to simply slot within the hipbelt dimension required for every buy.
The hipbelt is connected to the again of the pack utilizing Velcro. Like ULAs’ different packs, there’s further size within the velcro attachment so you’ll be able to transfer the hipbelt up or down a number of inches to elongate or shorten the torso. Whereas helpful, torso size is quite a bit much less vital on a frameless backpack with a 25 lb max beneficial load (the identical as a daypack), you’re not counting on load switch to the hipbelt. You may also take away the hipbelt to save lots of weight, or order the pack with out one for those who desire.
The brand new hipbelt additionally has the two-tier adjustment system that ULA makes use of on their different hipbelts, which helps you to alter the stress on the highest of the hipbelt individually from the underside to accommodate completely different hipbelt shapes. The brand new hipbelt is far more contoured (notice the curve above) and due to this fact higher suited to feminine hips. That is additionally completely different from the ULA packs I’ve reviewed beforehand (I’ve reviewed a number of generations of your entire ULA product line, by three completely different firm homeowners, over the previous 15 years).
Nonetheless, the lumbar pad on the rear of the hipbelt, which wasn’t there earlier than, means the again of the pack is now not flush together with your again. Whereas this will increase air movement again there, the pack physique strikes round a bit extra if you stroll. It’s onerous to note when the pack is extra closely laden, and the contents on the backside of the pack bag are pretty stiff (look ahead to barrelling, although.) You most likely wouldn’t discover the distinction, until you personal an older model of the pack. Regardless of the extra “dynamic” really feel, I believe the brand new hipbelt is a internet optimistic change for those who plan to really backpack with this pack.
The CDT is out there with J-shaped straps, that are higher suited to folks with flat, stage shoulders, or extra female-friendly S-shaped shoulder straps, that are higher suited to folks with sloping shoulders and rounded chests. Contrarian as I’m, I desire S-shaped straps although I’ve flat shoulders as a result of they let me place the sternum strap decrease on my chest.
One factor value noting in regards to the shoulder straps is that there are not any load lifters on them, since you really want a body to anchor them; they’re pointless with out one, because you’re simply pulling on the pack material, which is free or stretches. They’re additionally much less vital on a pack designed for carrying lighter hundreds.
Exterior Attachment and Compression System
The CDT has just one tier of aspect compression straps above the aspect water bottle pockets. This makes it tough to connect lengthy or cumbersome gear to the surface of the pack as a result of there’s just one strap to carry it on with. Yanking on that single compression strap additionally doesn’t compress the pack bag a lot as a result of the encircling material is just too comfortable to transmit the drive very far. I take advantage of these straps to safe lengthy skinny objects to the aspect of the pack, like a Tenkara fishing rod case, and even then, I’ve to test typically that it hasn’t fallen off.
In the event you wish to preserve a water filter connected to a plastic bottle, which might make it top-heavy, that single compression strap can also be the easiest way to stop it from falling out of the aspect bottle pocket. In fact, if it’s snugged up below the one compression strap, you received’t be capable to attain again and pull it out of the pocket.
The one different compression on the pack is offered by the highest strap and the roll prime, from the highest down. There aren’t some other handy anchor factors or webbing loops alongside the pack seams to create your individual attachment factors with twine and rope locks.
That mentioned, you’ll be able to connect further gear to the surface of the pack in a number of locations.
- There’s a pair of trekking pole straps and ice axe loops on the prime and backside of the entrance mesh pocket to safe poles or an axe.
- As well as, there are daisy-chain slots on the entrance of the shoulder straps for hanging a satellite tv for pc messenger, accent pockets, or water bottle sleeves.
Comparable frameless ultralight backpacking packs
Suggestion
The ULA UltraGird CDT is a frameless ultralight backpack designed for carrying 10-12-pound base hundreds, with a most of 25 kilos, together with meals, gas, and water. Weighing 27.1 oz (768 g), it has a capability of fifty liters (29.1 liters of closed storage), making it excellent for backpacking journeys with very light-weight gear that you may pack loosely in the primary compartment. The CDT additionally makes a great day pack for prolonged hikes or technical use, and it’s good for journey because it’s frameless and simple to get by safety or slot in overhead airplane bins. In order for you a pack just like the UltraGrid CDT however with extra capability and higher exterior attachment choices, I extremely advocate trying out the ULA UltraGrid Ohm 63L, which has a really light-weight hoop body and is much like the UltraGrid CDT.
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Disclosure: ULA loaned the creator a pack for assessment.
