PROUDLY DESIGNED, CUT & SEWN IN UTAH.
OUR HISTORY
1999
THE THRU HIKE
- ULA founder Brian Frankle thru hikes the Pacific Crest Trail. Caught between traditional backpacking and the intrigue of Ray Jardine’s ultralight techniques, he begins the trail with a 25 lb base weight and arrives in Canada with a 12 lb base weight.
2001
THE BEGINNING
- Brian Frankle founds ULA in Logan, Utah. One man with a sewing machine, who is determined to design gear that is ultralight yet comfortable, functional, and durable.
2007
THE GIFT
- Sally contacts a retailer to buy her husband, Chris McMaster, a ULA Catalyst for Christmas. Brian is off hiking, and packs are on a long backorder. The retailer mentions Brian is thinking of selling. The seed is planted.
2009
THE PURCHASE
- Chris and Sally McMaster purchase ULA, moving it out of Brian’s garage and into an actual shop. They hire a team and work full-time to reduce backorders and wait times.
2010
THE PARTNERSHIP
- Rodney Tripp, Chris & Sally’s first hire, proves to be more knowledgeable about sewing operations than maybe anyone on the planet. He became a partner in 2010 single-handedly raising quality and production to the highest level.
2016
THE EXPANSION
- Committed to keeping 100% of the manufacturing in the USA, ULA outgrows its first shop and moves into a 5,500 sq ft facility. In addition to online sales, packs are now being sold by retailers throughout America, Europe, and Asia.
2017-2020
THE PCT GEAR SURVEY
- Every year since 2017, when Halfway Anywhere began including gear in the Annual PCT & CDT Thru-hiker Survey, the ULA Circuit and ULA Catalyst have made an appearance on the “Most Popular Gear List.”
2019
THE INNOVATION
- In 2019 we began creating packs from waterproof X-pac fabric, and adding travel and everyday packs to our line. Always listening to the input and feedback of our customers and the outdoor community, we are constantly innovating to bring you the highest quality outdoor gear.
2020
THE NEW GUY
- In the winter of 2020, Chris McMaster retires, selling his share of the company to Peter Longobardi (who had been begging Chris to sell him the company since his own 2009 AT thru hike.)
2021
THE GROWTH
- Ever determined to keep 100% of the manufacturing in the USA, ULA secures the 3,500 square feet next door to the current shop in Logan, UT, bringing the total manufacturing space to 9,000 square feet.
2022 -
THE FUTURE
- Peter & Rodney remain 100% committed to the core values of ULA by offering excellent customer service, passionately designed products, and focusing on a “Made in the USA” business model.