dje97001
04-26-2004, 18:34
Well, I just got two (one for me and one for my wife) ULA P-2s in the mail today! They look awesome.
The shoulder straps and the back pad, for comparison-sake seem quite similar to those found on the Gregory Advent Pro Pack (it is like that 3-D mesh netting). The material seems extremely tough... at least it certainly feels tougher than fabric used in packs like the EMS Spire and the aforementioned Advent Pro. The buckles are smooth, simple and look pretty sturdy.
The hipbelt pockets are really neat, and fit my "brick-like" RDC-5000 digital camera without any difficulty (meaning the pockets are somewhere around 6 inches long--although they seem to bulge up to 7in.; they are about 5 inches tall and about 2 inches deep). I got it with the top lid, the hydration sleeve, and the internal-removable mesh pocket.
Although mine is not yet trail tested, it appears to be extremely well put together. I was concerned about being able to accurately judge my own measurements (Brian gives you options in the frame size and the hipbelt size), but based on his directions (on the website) I appear to have chosen the correct size for myself (my wife hasn't gotten home yet, so I don't know about her's).
The side netting pockets (both have drawcords--and are much more realistic than the vapor trail's side pockets for actually holding gear; especially if the pack is full) are not too easily reached with the pack on, but with the hydration sleeve (and ports on both sides-depending which one you choose to drink from), it doesn't seem like you will need to get into them while hiking. A note about the hydration ports, I had previously examined the G and Z pack and if I'm not mistaken, they had simple holes in the material that the tube was supposed to be fit through? This one has a sewn-in flap (of sorts) that seems less prone to water seeping in.
Other thoughts: when I ordered it, I had read about previous reviews of the pack, but since Brian is constantly altering the design, I wasn't sure about a couple of the features. First, I didn't ask for one, but I didn't see the option on the website either... so no surprise I didn't get a built in pack cover. I believe that he has taken this extra weight out of the option pool--but you'd have to ask him to find out. Second, some of the backpackgeartest.org reviews mention drainage holes in the bottom of the pack... it would appear that the 2004 model has elimintated the holes (i.e. mine do not have any).
Keep in mind that the specific options listed in the gear reviews may no longer be standard--or even offered (the "longterm" reviews were written in February and March 2003... meaning the packs were delivered in 2002 to the testers--two years (and models?) ago).
In any case, back to the pack. The hydration sleeve is listed as accomodating most 2Liter bladders, and the internal stash pocket is roughly 7"x6" and is actually seated higher in the pack than I thought (from the few pictures I found online), but again, it looks like a good option. The top lid, certainly isn't necessary, but I'd never had a pack without one, so I wasn't quite ready to give it up yet. Anyway, that is about all I can think of at this point (before walking with it).
Did I mention that the fabric seems really strong--not like the crinkle-ultralite feel of the spire or advent pro? I know I did, but that is the part that surprised me the most. I'll measure anything else on there if anyone is curious. So far I'm thrilled. :cool:
(edited into paragraphs at the Sarge's request--next time I'll organize it better with headings too--sorry I was excited...:jump )
The shoulder straps and the back pad, for comparison-sake seem quite similar to those found on the Gregory Advent Pro Pack (it is like that 3-D mesh netting). The material seems extremely tough... at least it certainly feels tougher than fabric used in packs like the EMS Spire and the aforementioned Advent Pro. The buckles are smooth, simple and look pretty sturdy.
The hipbelt pockets are really neat, and fit my "brick-like" RDC-5000 digital camera without any difficulty (meaning the pockets are somewhere around 6 inches long--although they seem to bulge up to 7in.; they are about 5 inches tall and about 2 inches deep). I got it with the top lid, the hydration sleeve, and the internal-removable mesh pocket.
Although mine is not yet trail tested, it appears to be extremely well put together. I was concerned about being able to accurately judge my own measurements (Brian gives you options in the frame size and the hipbelt size), but based on his directions (on the website) I appear to have chosen the correct size for myself (my wife hasn't gotten home yet, so I don't know about her's).
The side netting pockets (both have drawcords--and are much more realistic than the vapor trail's side pockets for actually holding gear; especially if the pack is full) are not too easily reached with the pack on, but with the hydration sleeve (and ports on both sides-depending which one you choose to drink from), it doesn't seem like you will need to get into them while hiking. A note about the hydration ports, I had previously examined the G and Z pack and if I'm not mistaken, they had simple holes in the material that the tube was supposed to be fit through? This one has a sewn-in flap (of sorts) that seems less prone to water seeping in.
Other thoughts: when I ordered it, I had read about previous reviews of the pack, but since Brian is constantly altering the design, I wasn't sure about a couple of the features. First, I didn't ask for one, but I didn't see the option on the website either... so no surprise I didn't get a built in pack cover. I believe that he has taken this extra weight out of the option pool--but you'd have to ask him to find out. Second, some of the backpackgeartest.org reviews mention drainage holes in the bottom of the pack... it would appear that the 2004 model has elimintated the holes (i.e. mine do not have any).
Keep in mind that the specific options listed in the gear reviews may no longer be standard--or even offered (the "longterm" reviews were written in February and March 2003... meaning the packs were delivered in 2002 to the testers--two years (and models?) ago).
In any case, back to the pack. The hydration sleeve is listed as accomodating most 2Liter bladders, and the internal stash pocket is roughly 7"x6" and is actually seated higher in the pack than I thought (from the few pictures I found online), but again, it looks like a good option. The top lid, certainly isn't necessary, but I'd never had a pack without one, so I wasn't quite ready to give it up yet. Anyway, that is about all I can think of at this point (before walking with it).
Did I mention that the fabric seems really strong--not like the crinkle-ultralite feel of the spire or advent pro? I know I did, but that is the part that surprised me the most. I'll measure anything else on there if anyone is curious. So far I'm thrilled. :cool:
(edited into paragraphs at the Sarge's request--next time I'll organize it better with headings too--sorry I was excited...:jump )