ULA Ohm 2.0 Review (63 L Backpack)

ULA Equipment Ohm 2.0

ULA Ohm 2 Backpack Front

ULA Ohm 2 Backpack Straps

ULA Equipment Ohm 2 Side

ULA Ohm 2 Pack Belt

 Summary

• The ULA Ohm 2.0 is a 64-liter pack that’s perfect for short trips and those who prefer to pack light.
• As expected from ULA, the Ohm 2.0 comes with a stretchable rear mesh pocket, large side pockets, and wide hip belt pockets in addition to the 34-liter main compartment.
• All ULA packs can be ordered with customized torso sizes, hip belt lengths, and shoulder strap shapes. You also have the option of ordering the Ohm 2.0 with the roll-top closure upgrade.
• The Ohm 2.0 lacks the durable and rigid frame found in the bigger ULA packs. The lack of load transfer means you will need to pack the Ohm 2.0 more strategically.

 Reviews by our Readers

Video Overview

Click Here to Learn More about ULA’s Ohm 2.0 Backpack

Written Review

The appeal of large packs is probably lost on more seasoned and mature backpackers. With experience comes the knowledge of the minimum amount of gear needed for any hiking trip. The Ohm 2.0 is just the right pack for these minimalist trips. If you’re planning on doing a 2 to 5-day hike and don’t want to sacrifice comfort for the sake of going ultralight, then the Ohm 2.0 is an ideal choice.

Weighing in at almost 32 ounces, the Ohm 2.0 is not quite the lightest pack on the market. However, it’s a backpack that’s built with a serious focus on durability and overall comfort. With a total capacity of 64 liters, there’s more than enough space in the main compartment and external pockets of the Ohm 2.0 for short hiking trips.

Ultralight Adventure Equipment (ULA) is a Utah-based backpack company with an excellent reputation for quality, design, and customer service. In many ways, the Ohm 2.0 perfectly encapsulates what ULA is all about – simple, versatile, and reliable. Most of the Ohm 2.0 is made from ULA’s signature 210 Robic material, a Dyneema variety that’s durable and offers good water resistance. The bottom of the pack is lined with more durable Cordura material, ensuring that it will not get easily damaged even if you set it down on sharp rocks.

ULA offers an unequaled level of customization for their packs. When you order the Ohm 2.0, you can pick from 4 torso sizes, 5 hip belt lengths, and two different shoulder strap shapes. This ensures that your Ohm 2.0 was made according to your body shape and size. If you still end up encountering problems with the fit of your Ohm 2.0, ULA provides excellent after-sales service to help you make needed adjustments to your pack.

The main compartment of the Ohm 2.0 can fit approximately 34 liters. We find that’s plenty of room for food and gear if you’re going on a hike for 5 days or less, although it’s quite a tight fit if you need to bring along a bear canister. The standard version of the Ohm 2.0 features a drawstring closure, but you may opt for a roll-top upgrade for an additional $15. Internal accessory and hydration pockets can be used for more organized storage of small and important items such as keys, phones, notebooks, or pens. You also have the option of removing these internal pockets to save on weight. After closing up the main compartment, it can be compressed with a top compression strap.

One characteristic we really like about the Ohm 2.0 is how well-distributed the storage options are. Outside of the main compartment, you still have a lot of extra storage space in the rear mesh pocket, side pockets, and hip belt pockets. The rear mesh pocket is especially useful because it’s so big, and it’s the perfect place to store wet items such as rain gear or soiled clothes.

Despite being made of lightweight and stretchy mesh material, we find that the rear pocket is very durable. The choice to keep the mesh size small helps prevent it from getting easily snagged on loose branches.

The side pockets are made from the same 210 Robic material as most of the pack, making it virtually bomb-proof. These pockets are large enough to store two large water bottles. With huge capacity, these side pockets provide ample storage for snacks, cook sets, or fuel canisters.

Instead of using shock cord as found on the ULA Circuit and Catalyst packs, the side pockets of the Ohm 2.0 are only secured with elastic closures. These cannot be tightened indefinitely, so there’s a good chance that smaller items can fall off.

The hip belt is the biggest upgrade in the Ohm 2.0 version. It’s now much wider, making it more comfortable and providing even more storage space. The hip belt pockets are the perfect storage areas for items that you need to access quickly such as snacks or your camera.

The contoured shoulder straps come with D-rings and two sets of bungee loops with cord locks, meant to act as a quick-access holster for a pint-sized water bottle. They also come with a fully adjustable sternum strap which helps to keep the pack centered while you’re on the move. Load lifters that are anchored to the frame of the pack run down each shoulder strap, allowing you to shift the weight away from your shoulders.

Two compression cords weaved along the side of the pack provide almost complete compression. These compression cords terminate right above the side pockets, so you have no means of compressing the bottom portion of the pack. This won’t be a problem if your pack is filled close to capacity. However, any loose gear at the bottom of the main compartment will tend to shift around while you move.

The weaved design of the compression cords also means that you’re not going to be able to tighten them in one go – you’ll have to pull them one by one, in stages. A silver lining is that the cords can be used to store long and narrow objects such as trekking poles or a tripod.

Compared to the more robust Circuit and Catalyst, the internal frame of the Ohm 2.0 can be considered minimally designed. The only rigid component of the frame is a carbon fiber rod that runs around the perimeter of the back panel. This is reinforced by a thin foam pad that protects your back from sharp objects inside your pack.

The thin carbon fiber rod is simply not very strong, so you need to refrain from sitting on your pack or throwing it around. The internal frame of the Ohm 2.0 basically puts in only one level above frameless backpacks — it keeps the pack from collapsing but isn’t strong enough to transfer the load of the pack to the hips. This means that choosing to use the Ohm 2.0 requires a more thought-out packing strategy to focus the weight away from your back and shoulders.

Despite its shortcomings, the Ohm 2.0 is one of the most comfortable ultralight backpacks around. It is an ideal pack for those who are going on short trips and those who prefer to pack light. It’s also one of the most affordable ultralight backpacks. With its combination of quality, durability, comfort, and price, the Ohm 2.0 is certainly one of the most versatile all-around packs available today.

 Warranty

ULA always strives to deliver a perfect final product. If you find that there are manufacturing defects in your pack that’s resulted in product failure, ULA will provide repair or replacement services free of cost. Damage due to accidents, general wear and tear, and improper use, is not covered by this warranty. Take note that all packs sent in due to warranty issues need to be recently washed to ensure that ULA will receive them.

Pros:

• The Ohm 2.0 is an excellent pack for short trips and light packers. It’s not the lightest ultralight backpack, but it places a higher premium on comfort and durability.
• There is a huge array of storage choices in the Ohm 2.0, helping to keep you on the go by providing easy access to critical gear.
• As with all ULA packs, the Ohm 2.0 can be ordered using several customization options. This ensures that your pack will fit your particular body shape and size.

Cons:

• The side pockets of the Ohm 2.0, although quite spacious, do not provide any reliable means of securing loose and small items.
• The side compression straps terminate midway down the body of the pack. This means that there is no way for you to compress the bottom portion of the main compartment which can be a problem when the Ohm 2.0 is loosely packed.
• The internal frame of the Ohm 2.0 is barely rigid and not very durable. It offers no load transfer and we find that it can be easily broken.
• The lack of a rigid frame means that the Ohm 2.0 needs to be packed more strategically to keep the weight focused on your hip and lumbar area.

 Final Thoughts

The Ohm 2.0 is an all-around backpack made for light packers and those who exclusively go on short hiking trips. The design adds a bit more bulk to make the pack more comfortable and durable. Aside from the large main compartment, the rear mesh pocket, side pockets, and hip belt pockets provide a wide variety of storage options.

The biggest limitation of the Ohm 2.0 is the lack of a durable and rigid internal frame. The carbon fiber loop is somewhat rigid, but it can collapse when the pack is filled close to capacity. More so, we find the frame flimsy and easily broken. This only means that you have to treat the Ohm 2.0 with a little more care than usual.

Click Here to Buy ULA’s Ohm 2.0 Pack