ULA Ohm 2.0 Ultralight Backpack Review

I recently tested out the ULA Equipment Ohm 2.0 backpack, and overall I give it a big ol’ thumbs up! The Ohm 2.0 is an ultralight backpacking backpack. It can be used for a range of activities from day hikes to thru-hikes. However, the intended purpose is for those who travel light and are looking for a comfortable pack for multi-day backpacking trips.

ULA Ohm 2.0 Specs

MSRP: $259.99+
Capacity: 63L
Weight: 33.1 ounces
Max Carry Capacity: 30 pounds
Materials: VX-21 X-Pac

Circumstances of Review

I have had this pack for about six weeks now and have used it on all my backpacking and most of my hiking adventures during that time. I live in Northern California so it has been used in both hot and cold climates as our spring weather this year has been all over the map. So far, I have about 100 miles on the pack and have carried up to about 20 pounds in it for probably half of those 100 miles, which is pretty much my standard weight for most backpacking trips including food and water.

Choosing Your Specs

When I initially headed over to the ULA website to pick out all the tech specs for my new backpack, I was a bit overwhelmed at first. So many options!!! I am not a big options person. Just tell me what is best and take all my money. But after spending a few minutes perusing the choices and doing a tiny bit of research, I remembered that choices are good and made my selection.

I am a 5’5” female and weigh about 125 pounds. I chose the small torso length (I do have a shorter torso and longer legs in comparison to most women my height), small hipbelt size (after taking my measurements), s-curve shoulder strap (recommended by ULA for most women), and the black color option. They also offer personalized embroidery on the pack for an extra fee. However, I opted out of emblazoning my trail name on it on the off chance that I might someday have to outrun a park ranger or two. Knock on wood.

Black is the New Black

Having used a white backpack on my last few thru-hikes, I was pretty excited to finally have a black one. Not that I don’t love everyone commenting “this must not be your first hike” every time I show up at a trailhead, but I figure a black pack will probably give me less sketchy looks when going through airports or big cities with a dirtier-than-dirt “white” backpack. It will also allow me to use it on non-thru-hike travels without looking like a complete bum.

Fit / Initial Thoughts

I was more than excited to try out my new pack when it arrived in the mail. Since I’m more of a learn-as-you-go type person, I threw all my gear and a day’s worth of food in it right away and drove out to do a fun overnighter without even bothering to check out all the fun features or see if it fit. Typical hiker trash.

The Ohm 2.0 makes it pretty easy to figure out how to adjust its straps even for a beginner backpacker. My advice for this pack (or really any UL backpack) is to tighten and cinch until the pack is mostly resting on your hips instead of your shoulders.

I felt I could cinch all the straps pretty tightly to ensure a comfortable ride without a lot of bouncing. It didn’t feel like I was suffocating my body either.

Tip for newbie backpackers: don’t forget about cinching the top shoulder straps too so that there is less backward pull.

Packing

The Ohm 2.0 was a success on my first 18-mile overnighter. I felt it carried everything evenly and comfortably and my gear easily fit inside. Having already backpacked with a roll-down, one vessel pack, I’ve become well-versed in packing my gear. I just packed it the same way I always do and it worked perfectly.

I stack all of my gear horizontally with my sleeping bag at the bottom, then my tent (which doesn’t use poles, just stakes), then some random clothes, then my food bag, and finally my sleeping pad and puffy jammed on top.

When I first shoved my two 1L Smart Water bottles into each of the side pockets, I was worried that they would fall out while hiking, since the cinch cord did not look like it would stay tight. But luckily I was proven wrong, and my water bottles never moved. I actually liked having the extra capacity of the side pockets to stuff more random items or extra water bottles in. I found it was a good place to keep my ball cap without squishing the brim.

ULA Ohm 2.0 Features

• Suspension Hoop
• Internal Pad Holster
• Contoured Padded Hipbelt
• Hipbelt Pockets
• Contoured Shoulder Straps
• Front Mesh Pocket
• VX-21 side Pockets w/ Elasticized Top
• Non-Stretch Compression Cordage
• Top Compression Straps
• Ice Axe/Pole Retention Loops
• Roll-top Extension Collar
• 2.0 oz. Foam Pad (removable)

Suspension Hoop

The Ohm 2.0 also has a unique feature of a suspension hoop. This structure helps transfer the load between the shoulders and hips. It runs up from each side of the hip belt, forming an upside-down “U” arch right above the shoulder straps. While I did find this to help with the load transfer and stability, I noticed that when I tipped my head back while wearing the pack, my neck would come into contact with the arch. While not in any way painful or even annoying, it was just something different that I noticed from other ultralight packs I have used.

Padded, Contoured Hipbelt

The hipbelt is different from other packs I have used, having two straps to tighten despite only having one buckle. At first, I thought this was a bit time-consuming (do seconds really matter when you’re thru-hiking?), but after finding my desired cinch-ness, it was actually nice to be able to adjust it, and I felt it dug in less to my gut than a wider single strap does.

The hipbelt is removable, so you have the option to go without it if you’re carrying an ultralight load and want to shed even more weight.

Free Butt Pad?

I didn’t realize that a foam pad comes in the backpack until I got to camp on my first outing. It is sort of hidden between the straps on the inside and the part of the pack that rests against your back. The foam pad is the length of the whole pack and I chuckled as I wondered whether I was supposed to have extracted this prior to use. But it added an extra layer of comfort so I have decided to keep it there. I’m sure it will start to reek at some point, and maybe then I will pull it out. But for now, I kinda like its comfort.

After doing a little research when I got home, I found out that the foam pad is indeed meant to be kept in the pack both as a back cushion and as a butt pad should you desire one. Pretty neat!

READ NEXT – The Best Backpacks for Thru-Hiking

ULA Ohm 2.0 Pros

Exterior Mesh Pocket (My Favorite Part of the Pack)

One of my favorite features is the exterior back pocket, which runs almost the entire length of your back. I like the fact that it is tight. Whatever random snacks, butt pad, trowel and TP, or sweater I need easy access to easily fit inside without me worrying about them falling out, shifting, or pulling backward against me. It gives the backpack a very slim look too. I can’t even wait for all the day-hikers that are about to mistake me as one of them.

Hipbelt Pockets

As any good hiker trash knows, the most important part of thru-hiking is the snacks. And having accessible snacks while you are racing to town or trying to propel your frozen body through a torrential downpour is of utmost importance. Hence, the saving grace of hipbelt pockets. It took me a little while to get used to the hipbelt pockets on the Ohm 2.0 because the zippers open and close in the opposite direction of the other backpacks I have used previously.

But eventually, I began to appreciate the fact that they zip back towards me instead of away. I can’t tell you how many times I have had things fall out of these pockets with other packs when I forget to close them all the way. There’s nothing like losing your only chapstick on a completely exposed section of the Colorado Trail to really make you hate yourself for not double-checking your zippers. There’s much less risk of that happening with this zipper configuration.

Durability

The pack uses sturdy VX-21 X-Pac fabric in high-abrasion areas. It seems to hold up to the toughness factor so far, and I am not known to be easy on my gear.

I haven’t used the pack in the rain yet due to the ridiculously dry winter California has experienced this year. However, the pack appears to be water-resistant. Since I have yet to find any backpack that is truly waterproof (even ones that claim to be), I always line my pack with a trash bag if there is even a chance of rain to be safe. I will most likely continue to do so with the Ohm.

Weight/Carrying Capacity

The total pack weight is 33.1 ounces for a medium torso and medium hipbelt. The recommended pack weight is 30 pounds or less with the recommended base weight being 12 pounds or less. Pretty standard for an ultralight pack. I was surprised that the total volume is 63 liters—more than I expected from the looks of the pack.

Colorways

One awesome feature of these packs is all the sweet colors they come in! I chose black because I am just a basic bitch like that. However, if you wanna be fancy you can choose from these additional colors: original green, royal blue, teal, and purple.

Price

I feel like the $260 price tag for this pack is honestly pretty great for the product considering comparable ultralight pack prices.

ULA Ohm 2.0 Cons

Overall I was pretty impressed with the pack. I think the biggest con is having to get used to the double hipbelt buckle and the hipbelt pocket zippers. Both of these features differ from all the other packs I have used. I am sure it will just be a learning curve, but both do seem to take me a little more time than I am used to to operate. The only other thing that I can complain about is the suspension loop. I occasionally bump my neck against it when I am forced to scan the sky for every single airplane engine or bird I hear.

Final Thoughts

Overall, The ULA Ohm 2.0 seems to be a very sturdy, comfortable, and durable ultralight backpack. It’s a comfy option for a day hike or a thru-hike. I have yet to notice any unusual rubbing, pinching, or chafing, other than some red skin around the hip-line after wearing the pack for multiple hours straight. And in fairness, this is probably due to my off-season, pizza-induced love handles and will more than likely go away once I’m back in hiker trash shape.

After using this pack for several months, multiple hikes, a lot of miles, and way too much sweat, I can say that this is currently my go-to backpack. I can’t wait to put it to the real test this summer when I bring it on the CDT!

Shop the ULA Ohm 2.0

Comparable Packs

In the “hike your own hike” true thru-hiker fashion, there is never a best of anything in any category. It’s always good to compare and contrast similar options. Here are a few other popular UL backpacks to peruse for your shopping pleasure:

• Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 Southwest
• Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 L 
• Granite Gear Crown2
• ULA Equipment Circuit
• Zpacks Arc Blast

The ULA Ohm 2.0 was donated for purpose of review.