First up ref.
@Wandering Daisy
Given the testing and regulatory requirements to get a bear can approved, I think it makes a lot more sense, for the PACK manufacturers slightly adjust the diameter of their packs to fit more bear cans.
Yes, this is what I thought too. However, in my eventual 'general pissed offness' at the number of packs I tried that did not fit the bigger bear cans (Garcia, BV-500, Weekender) I resolved to let the pack manufacturers know of their shortfall. I had a bunch of "Huh - did anyone try this first???" notes on four Osprey packs I'd got to look at, so started with them. Finally got someone in design and had a long chat about the bear can issue (plus pack weights) and maybe adding a measly half inch or so to the width of a few models. Turns out it's a big deal. Change one measurement and it affects about ten others re all sorts of tension and torsion dynamics whatever. In short, it's complicated and not easily done as requires a whole new design...supposedly. I ran this argument by Chris at ULA and he pretty much said the same thing.
Apparently it might be much easier to change a bear-can as fewer measurements to deal with - just diameter and height, then the top or lid to match.
By the way, the lady at BearVault I talked with (who really "got it" re the trend from big old packs to smaller and lighter ones) got somewhat enthusiastic about offering an "elite" modified BV-500 with slightly smaller diameter and in a lighter space-age material. She reckoned it would have to be considerably more expensive to make it worthwhile. I countered that there has been so much demand for Bearikades there's a long production delay and the price gets darn close to $350 with tax and shipping. It will take time though IF it happens...so again, if anyone wants to call BearVault to add push to that shove it can't hurt =
Tel. (866) 301.3442
Ref.
@rlown
Just tried my 12" Bearikade in the Catalyst. Not a great picture but it slipped right in. An Expedition might be a wiggler, but it might fit Horizontally as well. It would be tight.
Maybe your pack has stretched out a bit with use so there is more give?!
Indeed, the
Weekender fits into mine horizontally, but it makes me nervous at the top edge where there is that 90 degree somewhat sharpish rim edge. I figure it would wear a slit in the pack fabric eventually (and which Chris at ULA says he has seen a number of times with packs sent in for repair). No room to fit a cushioning something there either as that makes it even tighter, so mine is going to go vertically. A pity but not too bad being as it is shorter so not as much of a space efficiency hog as it would be with a vertical Garcia or BV-500. That extra half inch diameter makes a helluva difference!!!
robow8 wrote: ↑Mon Nov 23, 2020 10:39 pm
On your pack, it looks like you have plenty of room on the inside, judging by the wrinkles in the bottom of the bag and how far down you have the top rolled down. I'm assuming that you have the poles packed with the tent body and fly. I would separate the poles and keep them in one of the side pockets, then put the rest inside the pack.
Also, it doesn't look like you have anything in the big elastic pocket. That's one of my favorite features.
Ha, ha...very observant! However, I must admit to a "fake packed" photo on the last one with the custom straps. I just stuffed a blanket and a cushion in and did not bother with anything else, as aim was to show that ULA was open to personal customization if needed.
The first two photos are from earlier with the initial trial
Catalyst and have all my 'for real' 10 days trip gear packed in. No room at the bottom for sure and the 'wrinkles' are just part of the fold design there. Sleeping bag and Weekender full of food take up the majority of the room. I could indeed load up and go higher but I just prefer the feel of the weight more over my hips, thus the request for the tent straps there.
Agreed too, that those expandable side-pockets are really great! Likewise the hip-belt pockets that are actually big enough to be truly useful. All the other packs I tried were useless in that regard and did not fit my point-and-shoot camera even. Just good enough for lip balm or other trivia.
Very good point about "de-packing" the tent and putting the poles vertically in one of those pockets - possible now that I have a different sleeping pad which fits inside so frees one up. I will have to fiddle with that idea for sure! Meanwhile those custom straps allow me to fossilize in my old packing habits of 35 years.
Best ~ Michaelzim