PROUDLY DESIGNED, CUT & SEWN IN UTAH.
ULA 22L Everyday Carry Pack the Cicada Overview
For the past 5 years we’ve gotten countless customer customization requests from new materials, new features, and even some sporadic one-off designs. In order to step off of this perpetual motion machine of incredible ideas with nowhere to park them – we’re happy to bring you the Cicada.
The Cicada is the brainchild of Jeremy Tripp, ULA’s product designer and long-time gear tinkerer. For over 10 years Jeremy has been designing custom packs for people who spend months on the trail with the Circuit or traveling the world with only one-bag via the Dragonfly. Jeremy saw an opportunity for something that brought that same durability, organization, and efficiency into everyday life.
“We’ve built our reputation on packs that go thousands of miles without quitting,” Jeremy says. “I wanted to take that same mindset and create something you’d grab every single day—whether you’re catching a flight, riding your bike to work, or just running into town. With the amount of awesome ideas I’ve gotten from our customers, I knew it was time to make something different.”
From sketchbook concepts to the first prototypes, Jeremy obsessed over the details—dialing in pocket layouts, testing fabrics in real-world scenarios, and making sure the Cicada carried with the same balance and comfort as our thru-hiking workhorses.
As the entire team can confirm, once Jeremy had a vision of what the Cicada could be, he didn’t stop until its form and functionality were achieved.
With the assistance of Peter, ULA’s Owner, and great input from longtime customers with a penchant for cool shit, we spent the last 2 years fiddling, meddling, constructing, saying “that’s cool” “that sucks” and “I don’t get it” until a collective sigh was reached when the pack you see before you was achieved.
Que all that stuff from Think and Grow Rich about multiple minds in pursuit of the same task creating the “mastermind”. The Cicada is very much a result of collective effort between our internal team and customers that care enough to let us know what they think.
FEATURES:
The Cicada’s total dimensions make it a great personal item and come in at just 18″ x 11″ x 5″.
The Ultra 400TX versions weigh in at just 28.2 ounces while the X50 comes in at 30.7 ounces.
This makes the Cicada one of the lightest packs in its category while still boasting materials that are stronger than steel and remains backed by our ULA Lifetime Guarantee.
For a truly made in the USA backpack, we think that’s pretty hard to beat.
The Cicada features a full clam shell opening which enables the bag to open up completely and makes finding those little trinkets that much easier. We applied a 210 UltraGrid liner inside of the packs to help your items standout more. No more finding something you lost a month ago on a random Tuesday in the coffee shop.
While a clamshell opening is something truly sweet, the added top access pocket gives you access to the double padded laptop sleeve with a false bottom, it also grants access to the main compartment. The Cicada is designed to comfortably fit a 16” MacBook Pro through the top access pocket and into the padded laptop sleeve.
You’ll also find an UltraStretch mesh divider pocket and two water bottle/accessory pockets made out of UltraStretch mesh inside of the pack. If you plan on parking your hydration in one of these smaller accessory pockets, we recommend water bottles with a max diameter of 2.75” if you plan on loading the pack to the fullest extent.
On the outside of the front panel we’ve got 3 separate zippered pockets, one large – 14.5″ x 7.5″ x 0-1.5″ and two small ones – 6.5″ x 7.5″ x 0-1.5″.
The inside of the front panel hosts two zippered mesh divider pockets made of static mesh. And a feature unique to the Cicada is the Graceful pen holder, named after a tester’s wife, named Grace, who suggested the feature.
We love feedback, and we especially love getting to make someone’s idea a reality.
The foam handle of the Cicada is enforced with a middle stitch to not only keep the foam in place, it also adds some structure making it the most comfortable haul loop in existence. Well, at least the most comfortable in our line-up anyways…
The Cicada boasts our S-strap shoulder straps that adorn the Dragonfly, and also features daisy chain webbing the length of the straps making the Cicada compatible with all ULA shoulder strap accessories.
Finally, the adjustable sternum strap rounds out the shoulder strap features, and it’s important to mention it’s removable and can be replaced with a sweet Fidlock magnetic sternum strap instead.
The padding of the false bottom laptop sleeve provides exceptional rigidity to pack while the mesh back panel is also enforced with more padding of its own and stealthily hides the passthru sleeve when a roller bag is at play, as well as serving as the house to the 11th pocket on this pack – the hidden passport pocket – 8″ x 7″.
The Cicada is also compatible with our Dragonfly hip belt wings that bring you new levels of comfortable carry.
Ultra 400TX with CORDURA® TrueLock™ components
Never before seen in our line-up, this variation of the Cicada features CORDURA® TrueLock™ color components. This particular version also features a matching interior with Coyote Brown UltraStretch mesh, Coyote Brown 210 UltraGrid liner, and Coyote Brown zippers and static mesh on the divider pocket.
Please note that the TrueLock accented Cicada uses standard YKK zippers NOT Aquaguard.
Ultra400TX
The heart of this Cicada is its Ultra400TX body fabric—an advanced laminate from Challenge Sailcloth. Built around a 400-denier UHMWPE ripstop (one of the strongest fibers on earth) woven into recycled polyester, Ultra 400TX combines abrasion resistance with an incredibly low weight. Its TX laminate backing offers:
- Waterproof protection with >200 PSI hydrostatic resistance.
- High tear strength and minimal stretch.
- A structured, premium feel that packs cleanly.
- Quiet handling without the “crunch” of some laminates.
- 100% PFAS-free construction for environmental safety.
In short, Ultra 400TX hits the sweet spot between ultralight and overbuilt—a fabric that thrives in both the backcountry and the city.
CORDURA® TrueLock™ Accents – Rich Color, Long-Lasting Strength
This special edition Cicada pairs Ultra 400TX with CORDURA® TrueLock™ solution-dyed nylon. TrueLock™ locks color in at the fiber level before spinning, resulting in:
- Exceptional color consistency across fabrics, webbing, and trims.
- Rich, fade-resistant hues that stand up to UV exposure and abrasion.
- A matte, non-reflective finish for a clean, understated look.
- Enhanced UV resistance that helps maintain fabric integrity over years of use.
- A more sustainable dyeing process—using less water, less energy, and producing fewer greenhouse gas emissions than traditional methods.
Ultra400TX with Aquaguard Zippers + 210D Silverado UltraGrid Liner
This version of the Cicada combines the proven Ultra400TX body fabric with YKK Aquaguard zippers and a high-visibility 210D Silverado UltraGrid interior liner. Ultra400TX delivers an ideal balance of strength, waterproof protection, and low weight. Aquaguard zippers seal out moisture and grit while gliding smoothly, and the Silverado UltraGrid liner keeps contents easy to see, adds abrasion resistance, and gives the pack a clean, premium feel inside and out.
210D Silverado UltraGrid (Recycled + PFAS-Free)
UltraGrid is a high-performance, grid-reinforced nylon made from recycled pre-consumer waste. Its UHMWPE ripstop grid adds serious tear resistance without extra weight, while a waterproof PU backing and PFAS-free C0 DWR finish provide reliable protection from the elements. The Silverado variant brightens the interior of the pack for easy visibility, making it as practical as it is tough.
UltraStretch Mesh (PFAS-Free)
UltraStretch Mesh combines a durable nylon face with strong elastane and UHMWPE fibers, creating a flexible yet highly abrasion-resistant fabric. It adapts to different load shapes, resists UV damage and pilling, and springs back to its original form after heavy use. Finished with a PFAS-free C0 DWR, it’s the ideal choice for external bottle pockets, interior sleeves, and any area where stretch and durability need to work hand in hand.
Why It Matters
- Recycled and Sustainable – UltraGrid uses recycled nylon, reducing waste and environmental impact.
- PFAS-Free Finishes – Both UltraGrid and UltraStretch use C0 DWR, eliminating harmful forever chemicals from the equation.
- Performance + Purpose – These materials bring together strength, water resistance, and light weight, with a design ethos that values both performance and the planet.
Cicada with X-Pac X50, Aquaguard Zippers + ULA Green 210 UltraGrid Liner
This version of the Cicada combines rugged X-Pac X50 body fabric in Foliage with YKK Aquaguard zippers and a custom ULA Green 210D UltraGrid interior liner. ULA Green is an exclusive colorway, honoring our heritage palette that’s been part of ULA packs for over two decades. X-Pac X50 provides exceptional durability, dimensional stability, and water resistance, while Aquaguard zippers seal out moisture and grit. Inside, the ULA Green UltraGrid liner offers high visibility, abrasion resistance, and a clean, premium feel.
X-Pac X50 (Durable & Lightweight)
X-Pac X50 is a high-performance laminate fabric designed for serious outdoor use. Its Cordura® nylon face, reinforced with aramid X-PLY®, delivers outstanding tear and abrasion resistance without adding extra weight. The laminated backing provides reliable water resistance while maintaining the pack’s shape under load, making it ideal for exterior panels and rugged, high-abrasion areas.
* Please note that while laminated fabrics like Ultra 400TX and X-Pac X50 are waterproof as a standalone material, we do not seam seal our packs so the packs themselves are not waterproof.
CUSTOMIZATIONS
If you’re interested in your own custom Cicada, please send Peter an email to be put on the waitlist. We can handle things like different fabrics, stretch pockets on the outside, etc.
We’d like to thank everyone for their support in this launch and pack development. The reception has been wonderful and it’s made our jobs that much easier when we see the community having fun and enjoying what we’re doing. – Garrett
This makes the Cicada one of the lightest packs in its category while still boasting materials that are stronger than steel and remains backed by our ULA Lifetime Guarantee.
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