Originally Posted by
stjarvis
Has anyone made this switch? I'm interested in how the Catalyst will compare to the Baltoro when carrying about 35lbs. I love the Baltoro except for the weight, and the fact that I can't fit my BV500 sideways.
I too am researching the fit of a Bear canister sideways in mine. I'm thinking that a Garcia can will fit laying on its side but have yet to find one in person to test out.
I am carrying mine full loaded for testing and weighing it a 43 lbs (8 liters water) and it carries better than any other pack I've carried. I had some older Keltys, A Alps External frame and a gregory that i can't remember the name of. The ULA has been my nicest pack!
I have a few other questions about the Catalyst:
1. Do the water bottle pockets have anything to keep the water bottle in the pocket? The Baltoro has a little elastic loop, my Acrteryx Altra 35 doesn't, and everytime I take the Altra off the waterbottle falls out of the pocket.
Mine doesn't but the elastic keeps my 1 liter Smart bottles fine. When I was testing it on the PCT last month, it held two smart bottles in each side plus one hanging on each side on the front. I use the smart bottles for the slim fit and they stick up better to grab while carrying the pack AND my Sawyer Mini filter screws on them. My current set up is a Platy 2 liter bigZip in the pouch (perfect fit) and two smart bottles that I hang from the front loops on the strap walking but leave in the web pockets while Parked. Then carrying a foldup big mouth 48 oz bottle for them long stretches which works as a pillow also.
2. Is there an open space between the hip belt pockets and hip belt on the Catalyst? Currently I hang camera cases off the hip belt of the Baltoro using para chord and carabiners, and it's the most convenient way I've found to carry camera equipment so I'd like to be able to keep doing it. I kind of wish pack makers would start making the hip belt pockets modular, and just put webbing loops there instead - seems simple to me - maybe someday.