As long as Ron Bell and Glen Van Peski are still doing their thing, I'm good to go.

As long as Ron Bell and Glen Van Peski are still doing their thing, I'm good to go.

+1

Miguel - I am in complete agreement with you. My minor rant was a carryover from a previous thread (re: Golite).

My biggest fear is that this continued trend is trimming options and creating fewer options for SUL gear. Personally, I like competition.....

David:

As niche companies "mainstream" themselves (e.g. Golite, etc.) -- others enter to fill the void.

Yeah, I want to be a cottage manufacturer... Should I make Ions?

"As niche companies "mainstream" themselves (e.g. Golite, etc.) -- others enter to fill the void."

Not in this current economic climate.

...except for Ken's Designs.

"Not in this current economic climate."

Maybe not, but economic climate is always transitory.

"Maybe not, but economic climate is always transitory."

Not for the next several years.....

Ye pessimist ye... :)

I was just reading a newspaper article that factories in China are now facing a significant labor shortage! Most are expecting the Year of the Tiger to be a pretty good one.

Hmm, curious to see the new pack. A panel loader should be interesting, although I'm more of a toploader-kind-of-guy. Plus I have my Ohm, still build when ULA was run by Brian =)

I'd do agree with the tenor that ULA now does seem to be more about making a profit (than under Brian). But, Chris and his wife invested money into the venture and thus want to see some ROI, which I find understandable. That said, it does look like they veer away from UL and maybe now garner more the market of people who look for a lightweight backpack? Its pretty much what GoLite does as well, so its no surprise that the two are named here. But maybe its more something that we can accept from GoLite (being a bigger cooperation and all) than from ULA (who we still see as the cottage manufacturer making backpacks in a garage)?

While the "cool" factor of ULA is gone, they still make a top quality product here in the US. They have my support.

David et al, yup, I think it's fine for ULA to move more toward a profit motive... that's kinda the point of having a business, after all! IIRC (and perhaps I don't), it seems like I remember a letter from Brian or the new owners saying that some new packs would be coming out that Brian had been developing; if I remember that right, the new designs are still "old" ULA anyway. That said, there's obvious interest in a smaller pack; they'll lose some business by not providing that product, and more importantly might find that people develop brand loyalty toward the supplier of their smaller pack. I see it all the time: someone has had a Gregory pack for years, and they want another Gregory. It seems that it would be in ULAs best interest to make/carry smaller packs almost as "advertising," as a way of keeping and building core customers and brand loyalty to them.

I don't get how ULA has lost any "cool" factor. It's pretty much the same company, making many of the same products, but adding cool new stuff. IMO...

"I don't get how ULA has lost any "cool" factor. It's pretty much the same company, making many of the same products, but adding cool new stuff. IMO..."

Making stuff in the USA is pretty cool. But I'm not sure what's so cool about Gossamer Gear, other than their Lightrek poles.

Is there a cottage company that makes a simple US made daypack, for it's brand loyalists? It would be nice to have a simple 1,200 to 1,500 c.i. pack with shoulder straps, for $70ish or less.

"Is there a cottage company that makes a simple US made daypack, for it's brand loyalists? It would be nice to have a simple 1,200 to 1,500 c.i. pack with shoulder straps, for $70ish or less."

Not exactly what you're talking about, but there is this.

How about a ZPacks "Zero" stuff sack pack? $60-$70, simple, light. I bet Joe would make one in Dyneema if you needed it super-durable.

I should have bought a couple of ULA Relay's back in the day....

Was literally pulling trigger on the ULA Relay, discovered they were not making anymore, none in stock..Have enjoyed previously a ULA Amp,older Conduit, P1, and now a Circuit! Still think ULA has plenty of cool factor.Current and previous owners of ULA make great packs! Wish hadnt sold the Amp,but w/GG Gorilla have for now all packs I need for use intended..

" don't get how ULA has lost any "cool" factor. It's pretty much the same company"

When I say cool factor, I am refering to calling and talking to the guy that was actually building your pack, or would join us on the forums or personally sign your invoice thanking you for your purchase. That is a cool factor not many companies can realistically provide. But like I said, I have two ULA's and I would buy another 2 tomorrow if I had to.

Sure would love to hear more about the size and any other specs for the new ULA Camino... it's going to be larger than the Conduit?

Here is an example of what now is going on. I emailed about a kinked backpanel in my '08 circuit. Common problem from what I see here. So I asked about a replacement. I get an email from Chris. Ken no problem to fix it for you , just send it to 668w 1725 n logan utah 84321, we do repairs every friday, and usually ship them back the same day

Chris McMaster//Owner///Ultralight Adventure Equipment// Logan Utah

Fine and wonderful, but can I get a replacement backpanel!? Do I really have to send it in for a removable piece. I feel like he read my email and answered them immediately but.....Update Email I recieved today., Ken i noticed your post on BPL, FYI what we call a backpanel is not replaceable by you, we would have to pick it out and re sew it, i think it's interesting how quickly you jumped on the band wagon but failed to mention that all your emails were returned within an hour, and we offered to fix what you said was the problem at no charge //although it turns out you were just calling the problem by the wrong name,/// and we still fixed it at no charge. In the future I would appreciate it if you get your facts straight before you make a post about meChris McMaster//Owner///Ultralight Adventure Equipment// Logan Utah
Though in my original e mail I did mention kinked panel. Can 3d mesh be kinked? I don't believe so. All worked out in the end. So the correct term is foam pad. I don't think I was being over critical of Chris though.

Edited by kthompson on 02/25/2010 12:53:59 MST.