I think you have to look at the two packs as specialized tools for a given job. When you run the numbers on a direct comparison things look OK, but when you factor in respective use, each is the clear winner in its own category.

The Catalyst would struggle in scenarios that the Arctic Pack shines, and the Arctic Pack leaves me a little wanting functionally for trail hiking.

Could you use a circular saw for tree trimming? Sure...but a chain saw works much better. Better to use the right tool for the right job.

Brian

I guess it also depends on how you use a pack. I've never cared about large exterior pockets and the possibility to to grasp things while on the move. It doesn't bother me that I have to take off my pack when I need something. I prefer to put as much gear inside the pack with perhaps a limited volume exterior backpocket voor a few small items, or a bungee cord set up. In that respect, I think the Arctic pack suits my need quite well.
Other people, particularly in the US, seem to prefer large exterior pockets and need less volume inside the pack. The Catalyst corresponds very well to that style.

I've certainly put my mind on the Arctic pack. It's not perfect (a small mesh side pocket just to stow my poles, an ice axe loop and keeper and muted colored dry bags would have made it perfect for me) but it's good enough (and I guess I could try to make those loops or mesh pockets myself; if anyone has suggestions on how to do that ?). The price is steep but at least for me the current exchange rates help a bit.

Tom - any aftermarket side pocket is easily added and can be configured with the Arctic pack's side compression straps.

We had an ice axe loop on the pack but removed it. There is a full length rear daisy chain up the back of the pack, and any loop can be girth hitched to the lowest rung on the daisy chain, and another strap or two-side vecro, or bungee, used to secure the axe shaft on one of the higher rungs. A similar rig can be used for trekking poles. I've been stashing my poles in the side compression straps without any other accessory straps, and they remain secure, especially if I loop the lower strap around the trekking pole handle.

And, muted color dry bags are coming this fall.

I would say that an ice ax loop and some provision for trekking pole storage would be awfully nice---if it isn't already too late to incorporate such a feature,
otherwisw, it would be my 1st (and hopefully only) Mod to the pack.

I kinda like the blazing orange myself. It will go nicely w/ my acid green hardshell. :-)>

awk---nevermind. thanks for the reminder Ryan.

Edited by kdesign on 05/04/2007 10:20:18 MDT.

Brian--Thanks for your reply. I guess the problem comes when one feels one only has room in ones life for one more pack, not two, and has to choose. If the loss of trail functionality was limited to the absence of side pockets, or more generally, packing flexibility, for me that would be an acceptable trade-off to gain the Arctic's advantages. But if the Catalyst, for example, "carried" much better than the Arctic, i.e., fit and moved much better, then it would be a harder choice. And it's hard to know without having both packs to try in front of one, so any specific guidance would be much appreciated.

Thanks for answering my concerns Ryan, although you already answered them before in this thread. My remarks weren't meant to be answerd this time; just some points I'm was thinking of adding myself. But I will definitely try your methods to lash poles and ice axe. Perhaps they work better than I'm imagining now.
Your suggestion about adding an aftermarket side pocket, I don't think this is wat I mean. I'm thinking of side pockets like the stretch side pockets in the Granite Gear packs or the mesh side pockets in older Osprey Aethers.

BTW, if not mistaken, my question about the hipbelt sizing hasn't been answered yet. I'm not sure if a ULA medium hipbelt fits me assuming that the same sizing as for the Catalyst is being used.

Edited by Woubeir on 05/04/2007 11:22:31 MDT.

James, yes, absolutely.

You might have a look at the cover of Issue 7, which shows Jason Geck swimming the Ipnavik River in the Arctic with an inflated Arctic Dry Pack as a ... boat :)



The trick is to inflate the bag so that there is positive pressure in the bag relative to the outside atmosphere (or the pressure exerted by water if immersed - this keeps water out splendidly.

Cover photo was taken by Roman Dial.

Edited by ryan on 05/04/2007 13:43:13 MDT.

I, too, wonder if there will be hipbelt sizing options like on the largest ULA packs (the Catalyst offering 5 different sizes!). From some posted pictures it almost looks that the hipbelt might be fixed and if so, given a small production run, that one could assume that there may be limited sizing choices. If not fixed, given both the very un-ULA color and the uniquely large integral beltpacks, production run issues would still dictate limited choice.

¿Verdad?

Edited by kdesign on 05/04/2007 13:42:02 MDT.

Wow!

Brian has a 32" waist, he tried on the pack and had a little less than 2" of webbing play in either side of the belt, so that leaves a minimum waist size (maybe) of 28". There is enough webbing included (many will want to hack some of it!) for a waist nearly 60" in size.

So, we updated the specs on the pack page to include a hip belt range of 29-60".

Thanks.

If anyone is interested the 50L drybag used in the Arctic 1000 packs is available on Sierra Trading Post for $20. I just got back from a two month trip to New Zealand and used it inside an older Osprey Aether 60 that I have trimmed down and left the top pocket at home. This combination comes in under four pounds. It fit perfectly when the air was compressed out and using it is definitely worth the few ounce penalty over a pack cover or liner and several stuff sacks. I'm sure many of you can figure out how to use it in a pack you already own or can pick up for cheap. Having said that I am on the list to be notified when this comes in stock.

Is Prepurchase for the Arctic Pack starting today?

The Arctic pack presale will not be televised.

Yep, it's live now. Enjoy:

Arctic Dry Pack Prepurchase Now Online

Edited by ryan on 05/07/2007 10:36:43 MDT.

I knew all those hours spent in my martial arts training, catching flies with chop sticks, felling attackers before I even knew they were there, honing my reflexes to ultra-human perfection, would come in handy some day.

Of course, it probably would have been smarter to order the right size.

Well, that's one Mon. task out of the way. Now to sell some BPL Ranking points to pay for this sucker. :-)>

I hope they dont sell out before I get to order tomorrow! Just one more day....
- Ordered one today!

Edited by MAYNARD76 on 05/09/2007 09:03:00 MDT.

This looks a perfect pack for New Zealand conditions. Think I might wait for a less flambouyant color...