ULA Equipment Ultra Node 20L Day and Travel Backpack Review
A premium ultralight day pack and travel backpack for hiking, commuting, and carry-on travel
April 13th, 2026
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Our verdict
The ULA Equipment Ultra Node 20L is a sleek, stylish, minimalist day pack and commuter pack for ultralight travel, daily commutes, and adventure.
This is a pack that looks just as cool in a coffeeshop as it does during travel, yet is durable enough for intense hikes and scrambles. It’s made with premium, water-resistant ultralight materials, and is one of very few backpacks in the category made in the USA.
The phrase “can do it all” gets thrown around a lot in the pack world, but this is one pack that actually can.
I’ve stored this weekender bag under countless airline seats for travel, biked to coffee shops with my laptop, and summited snowy peaks with this pack. I’ve worn it with a blazer to financial meetings where I was trying to impress other people. I’ve also worn it off-trail bushwhacking and scrambling in wilderness areas where no one will see me.
The ULA Node has got a sleek, clean design that looks sophisticated in town, reminiscent of an Arc’teryx jacket. It has enough pockets for daily organization, including a laptop sleeve and internal storage pocket. It looks like a digital nomad adventure travel pack but performs like the most ultralight day packs. It’s free of logos, making it an inconspicuous bag for travel.
ULA Equipment Ultra Node 20L
The Ultra fabric on the Node is the same material as used on ULA’s backpacking backpacks designed for multi-month thru-hikes. As a result, after near daily use for eight months, this pack still looks pristine. The Ultra material is waterproof, snag resistant, abrasion resistant, and puncture resistant. Even the UltraStretch mesh side pockets and front kangaroo pocket are snag resistant.
Unlike a lot of travel packs, it isn’t weighted down with excess padding. At 20 oz, it’s the lightest adventure travel pack we tested and among the lightest weight day packs we’ve tested, too.
Despite its premium price, this is the type of pack you can buy once and use for likely a decade. If you want one daypack to use as a commuter pack, hiking backpack, and travel pack, the ULA Ultra Node 20L is it.
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ULA Ultra Node 20L Pack Specifications
Capacity: 20L
Weight: 20.17 ounces (excluding optional hipbelt)
Dimensions: 10.75" wide x 4" deep x 17" high + 7.5" roll top height
Max Load: 25 lbs (11 kg)
Laptop Compartment: Yes, fits 15-inch laptop or hydration bladder
Carry-On: Yes, airline compliant
Materials: Challenge Ultra X fabric, UltraStretch mesh pockets
Frame: Padded back panel with foam framesheet
External Pockets: Front mesh, two side mesh, quick-access top pocket
Made in: USA
Warranty: Lifetime
Price: $230 (hipbelt extra)
Comparison table
| TRAVEL PACK | CARRY ON? | AVAILABLE VOLUMES | WEIGHT | WATER RESISTANT? | SHOULDER STRAPS STOWABLE? | HIPBELT STOWABLE? | EXTERIOR POCKETS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ULA Equipment Ultra Node | Yes | 20 L | 1.2 lb | Yes | No | No hipbelt (sold separately) | 3 |
| ULA Equipment Ultra Dragonfly | Yes | 30, 36 L | 1.9 lb | Yes | No | Yes | 4 |
| Cotopaxi Allpa 42 L Travel Pack | Yes* | 28, 35, 42 L | 3.13 lb | Yes + rain cover | Yes | Yes | 4 |
| Peak Design Travel Pack 30 L | Yes | 30, 45 L | 3.17 lb | Yes | Yes | No hipbelt | 3 |
| Gossamer Gear Vagabond Jet | Yes | 23 L | 1.54 lb | Yes | No | No hipbelt | 5 |
Best for
Commuters who are considering a Peak Design or Chrome Industries-style travel pack or daily driver pack, but want something ultralight and made in the USA
Ultralight enthusiasts seeking world-class durability without a weight penalty
One-bag travelers wanting carry-on compliant under-the-seat bags
Minimalist packers who value quality construction and a lifetime warranty
Tech professionals requiring laptop protection with outdoor versatility
Weekend warriors transitioning between urban and outdoor environments
Users willing to pay a premium for USA-made ultralight performance
What we liked
Sleek and clean minimalist look is stylish, modern, and professional
Top of the line ULTRA fabric and UltraStretch is super durable, water resistant, abrasion resistant, puncture resistant and lightweight
The lightest weight travel pack and day pack we’ve tested
Excellent haul loop
Made in the USA
White interior to easily see power cables and other items inside the pack
What could be better
Roll-top entry is less convenient than clamshell entry for use as a travel pack or commuter pack
UltraStretch water bottle pockets cannot fit larger (1L+) vacuum-sealed water bottles well
No internal zip pocket (although it is available, but sold separately)
More expensive than similar volume backpacks
How we tested
We used the ULA Ultra Node on countless flights, including many to-and-from PDX airport.
We tested the ULA Ultra Node backpack on everything from travel and daily use to extreme adventure. We tested this pack in a range of weather conditions, from cold, snowy days to hot summer days.
We used the ULA Ultra Node at numerous trade shows and all-weekend festivals, including PCT Days in Cascade Locks, Oregon.
We’ve used it for:
International travel
Daily commutes
Biking or walking with our laptop over to the coffee shop
Trying to look “put together” for business and board meetings
All-day walking around conferences and trade shows
Urban hiking
Budget travel (it fits under the airline seat)
We’ve also used it on:
Scrambles up snowy mountains
Casual day hikes with friends in the local foothills
Hot summer day hikes in the Eastern Sierra
Day hikes while on international trips (it lies flat when packed so it can be stuffed in a bigger suitcase for daily use during travel)
Additionally, we tested the ULA Ultra Node 20L alongside other similar packs in our Best Adventure Travel Backpacks guide.
Performance in the field
Durability
As we’ve experienced with other Ultra packs, the material can stand everyday use without showing any signs of abrasion, punctures, or wear. On another pack with UltraStretch mesh, I crawled under and over blowdown pine trees for eight days without tearing the mesh. I’ve never seen another mesh on a pack survive those kinds of conditions.
Weight-to-capacity ratio
The Node has one of the best weight-to-capacity ratios we’ve seen on any travel pack or day pack. It weighs 20.17 oz, rivaling the best ultralight options on the market. On a recent weekend trip, I brought the Node alongside another travel pack that weighs 4 lbs empty. As with backpacking, the light weight of the Node means it is more comfortable carrying all day, making it a great bag to bring to trade shows.
Organization
With any minimalist pack, the design has to balance its streamlined design with easy access (aka, pockets). We found that the side pockets were sufficient. We could fit a 64-oz YETI Rambler bottle, but it is quite tight the first few times and one of our testers found the tight fit with his favorite bottle to be a dealbreaker.
One of our testers didn’t like the roll-top closure system. It’s harder to open and access your laptop than clamshell-style or filet-style openings on traditional travel packs and commuter packs. It’s a hassle compared to the zip-style pocket on the top of the ULA Dragonfly.
The front external mesh pocket is a good place to store a jacket, as it provides quick access without opening the main compartment.
There’s only one zip pocket on the outside. We would have preferred a zip pocket on the inside and outside. Call me paranoid, but I like a zip pocket on the inside as I’m constantly worried during travel about my wallet falling out or being pickpocketed. I do like the key holder on the outside pocket. At least my keys won’t be falling out!
One tester found the zip pocket on the front annoying because the roll-top buckle gets in the way of both opening and closing the zipper. If the roll top is closed and buckled, you can access the front zip pocket without this happening. But if the roll top is open, it gets in the way of this zipper.
It has an internal padded laptop sleeve. For commuting and traveling, we preferred a separate laptop compartment as found on the ULA Dragonfly. On the Dragonfly, you can access your laptop through a zip pocket on the top back without having to open up the rest of your pack.
The water bottle pockets are lower on the Node than on the Dragonfly. In the Dragonfly, our tall water bottles felt more secure.
Comfort
The ULA Ultra Node doesn’t weigh much and has light padding on the shoulder straps and back. That is just enough to provide support and comfort for most of the time I’m using this pack, which is while carrying a laptop and insulated water bottle. The shoulder straps and back panel are surprisingly sturdy and shaped well, despite being minimalist. ULA has been making ultralight packs for years and knows what you need for a given maximum load without overbuilding it.
That being said, the ULA Dragonfly has more cushioning on the pack than the Ultra Node, and we found that more comfortable for carrying heavy loads. The Dragonfly has 10L more capacity, so some of that padding may be more necessary to carry extra weight.
Value
The ULA Node feels expensive, but the price seems fair given its top-of-the-line materials, is made in the USA, and its lifetime warranty. In comparison, many of the other travel packs we tested were about $200 for similar volumes, and those packs weigh a lot more and are not made in the USA. It's also quite durable, though it is hard to say whether it will last longer than other travel packs because, as a category, travel packs are designed of heavier duty material meant to last a long time.
I’d also add that most travel packs don’t flatten as easily as the ULA Node. For me, this was one of the best benefits of the Node for travel. You can stuff it into a larger 55 or 60L backpack or suitcase as a carry-on and then use it as your main day pack once you reach your destination. Other travel or day packs have more padding and are heavier and bulkier, and that style of travel wouldn’t work. It's the most packable backpack we tested for our adventure travel packs guide.
Features
Revolutionary Ultra fabric construction
The ULA ULTRA Node is made of Challenge Ultra fabric, which is tested to be 15x stronger than steel by weight. Challenge Ultra is the same fabric used on ULA’s Circuit Ultra backpack that we love for thru-hiking. This material can handle thousands of miles and daily use, with years of wear and throwing around for 8+ hours a day.
Challenge Ultra is twice as abrasion resistant as the same-weight nylons. It’s puncture resistant, too. Challenge Ultra is also waterproof to 200 PSI. This means for most conditions, you can get away without a rain cover (although ULA does not call this a waterproof pack).
The pack also has a UHMWPE (Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene) core that provides exceptional strength. It’s held together with an eco-friendly adhesive lamination process.
UltraStretch mesh pocket system
The Node uses what is widely considered the best stretch mesh pocket material on the market right now, UltraStretch. It’s a four-way stretch mesh that can accommodate oversized items and irregular shapes, but has impressive durability. The mesh comes with a C0 DWR coating for added water repellency of your external mesh pockets (although there’s a big opening in the top of these pockets for putting your water bottle, so obviously water can come in through that entry).
In lab testing, UltraStretch has 20,000+ cycle abrasion resistance. I've bushwhacked and crawled under blowdown trees for hours over multiple days and haven't seen a snag on this material.
Ultralight design optimized for efficiency
The Node weighs 20.4 oz, the lightest of any travel pack or day pack we’ve tested. Part of that is possible from its minimalist design. It doesn’t have any unnecessary features that could add weight.
One thing ULA does that I like is incorporating shaped and featured S-straps—shoulder straps that are designed to distribute loads more efficiently. While there isn’t that much weight you can add to a 20L pack, I am almost always carrying my laptop and a vacuum sealed tumbler in this pack, so weight distribution is something I found useful when I was wearing my pack all day at a trade show, walking from booth to booth.
ULA does have the option to add components (should you want more pockets or a hipbelt) or even remove items like the sternum strap for even more weight reduction. For example, the optional hip belt attachment points mean you can add a hipbelt for additional load support if you need it.
I also want to shout out the excellent haul loop on the top of this pack. Ultralight backpacking packs traditionally should always be carried by their haul loop to avoid ripping out delicate parts. While I have full faith on all the stitching on this pack, force of habit has me always handling packs by the haul loop. It's a minor thing, but wow, I love the actually-hand-sized, sturdy, haul loop on the Node. So many travel packs have barely functional handles. The one on the Node is among the best.
Versatile organization and access
The ULA Ultra Node has a pretty straightforward and minimalist design. It has a roll-top entry for a main pocket, similar to what you’d find on a dry bag. Inside, a 15-inch laptop sleeve doubles as a hydration bladder compartment. There are 3 layers of drop-in pockets. I usually put my laptop in the largest pocket against my back, my notebook in the middle, and smaller items in the smaller stretch pocket in the front.
The outside pocket features a YKK AquaGuard water-resistant zipper. One thoughtful feature we don’t often see on packs is a light-colored interior, which means you can actually see what is inside. The pack is only sold in black, but the inside is white.
Premium construction and comfort features
ULA is one of the only day pack or travel pack manufacturers that makes their packs in the US. USA manufacturing ensures quality control and supports domestic production. This means the prices may be a little more than other packs, but we actually find their pricing has been relatively consistent, even when prices surged during tariffs.
Additionally, the ULA Node comes with a lifetime warranty covering material and workmanship defects.
Travel-specific convenience features
We used the ULA Ultra Node on countless flights, including many to-and-from Denver International Airport.
The Node excels at being airline compliant. Not only is this carry-on compliant, but we frequently use it as our under-the-seat pack. This is especially handy when flying ultra budget airlines that charge for carry ons.
Still, the organization and capacity of this pack is such that you can fit clothes for a weekend in some stuff sacks and get away with a super small weekender pack.
On a recent weekend trip, I found this 20L pack could fit more than a 30L duffel bag I also carried. By stuffing the outer mesh pockets and barely rolling down the top, you can max out the carrying capacity on this pack (and still fit it under the airline seat).
ULA Equipment ULTRA Node 20L vs. similar packs
At 20L, the ULA Ultra Node has a smaller capacity than many of the travel packs we tested and is designed for use under airline seats instead of as the overhead bin. It is the only pack we tested made in the USA. It's also the lightest weight pack we tested. Aside from the Six Moon Designs All Day Carry travel pack, it is the only pack made of Ultra fabric as well. Because it is made with premium materials in the USA, it costs more than the 20L or even 30L version of many of the travel packs we tested. Still, we think it is worth it for the high quality materials and excellent craftsmanship on this pack.
ULA Equipment Ultra Node vs Robic Node
The ULA Ultra Node is also available in a different material, Robic, a high-tenacity nylon known for abrasion resistance and toughness relative to its weight. That version is called the ULA Robic Node. The weight is 20.95 oz (very similar to the Ultra Node) and has the same features, pockets, capacity, and design as the Ultra Node.
The big difference is that the Robic Node is available in green or black (the Ultra Node is only available in black). The Robic Node is also $20 less than the Ultra Node. It also has UltraStretch mesh pockets and the UltraGrid main compartment sleeve. Robic is not as water resistant or as abrasion resistant as Ultra, but it is pretty darn abrasion resistant.
ULA often makes its packs in both materials and you can read more about how that plays out in backpacking packs in our guide to the ULA Circuit and ULA Ultra Circuit packs.
Should you buy the ULA Equipment ULTRA Node 20L?
Buy if you prioritize ultralight weight with top-of-the-line materials and durability, want USA-made quality with a lifetime warranty, want one pack for travel, adventure, commuting, hiking, scrambling, and everything else
Skip if you're budget-conscious, prefer maximum organization over simplicity, or need a larger capacity for extended trips
ULA Equipment Ultra Node 20L
Where to buy the ULA Equipment Ultra Node 20L?
The ULA Equipment Ultra Node 20L is only sold at ULA Equipment.
ULA Equipment
You can sometimes find more options when purchasing directly from the retailer. Sometimes, purchasing directly from the retailer can make it easier if you need to make a warranty return, such as if there is a defect.
Similar travel backpacks
ULA Equipment Dragonfly
Capacity: 30L
Carry-on compliant: Yes
Other volumes available: 36L
Water-resistant? Yes
Shoulder straps stow? No
Hipbelt stows? Yes
Exterior pockets: 3
Weight: 1.9 lbs
The ULA Equipment Dragonfly is a similar travel pack and commuter pack made by ULA. It is also made of Ultra material with UltraStretch mesh pockets. The big difference is Dragonfly has a larger capacity (30L vs. the Node's 20L) and a very different opening.
The Dragonfly has a front zipper design in the shape of a D that opens up all the way for easy access while traveling and commuting. The Dragonfly also has a separate laptop compartment so you don't have to open your whole pack to get to your computer. The Dragonfly has a stretch cord on the front to lash on a jacket, but no front mesh pocket. It has cords inside to secure a suit or pack organization cubes. The front flap has a zipped pocket on the outside and two large zip pockets on the inside. There's also a zip pocket on the top of the pack.
Ultimately, we think the Dragonfly is a do-it-all pack that is better if you spend most of your time traveling and commuting. The Node is a do-it-all pack that is better if you spend most of your time hiking, biking, and being active.
ULA Equipment Dragonfly
Capacity: 42 L
Carry-on compliant: Yes
Other volumes available: 28, 35, 42 L
Water-resistant? Yes + rain cover
Shoulder straps stow? Yes
Hipbelt stows? Yes
Exterior pockets: 4
Weight: 3.13 lb.
The Cotopaxi Allpa line is one of the quintessential travel packs and has many volumes. We tested the 42L, but the closest to the Node is the 28L. This pack is our overall best pick in our Best Adventure Travel Backpacks guide. You can learn more in our in-depth review of the Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Travel Pack.
The Allpa is more built out and that is reflected in the weight. It’s got a lot more pockets and a lot more padding. It’s panel loading instead of top loading and doesn’t have the roll-top style closure. We like that the Cotopaxi Allpa has a pass through sleeve so you can slip your pack over the top of the handle of your roller bag suitcase. The Cotopaxi Allpa 28L is available in five colors, while the ULTRA Node comes in only one color, black. It’s about $70 less than the Node. However, the material is heavier than the ULTRA Node and it is less water resistant.
Cotopaxi Allpa
Capacity: 30 L
Carry-on compliant: Yes
Other volumes available: 30, 45 L
Water-resistant? Yes
Shoulder straps stow? Yes
Hipbelt stows? No hipbelt
Exterior pockets: 3
Weight: 3.17 lb.
The Peak Design Travel Backpack 30L was our winner for best carry-on adventure travel pack. It’s got a sleek and sturdy design and is made of premium materials.
It’s got a filet-style main compartment, which we found could be difficult to access on the go, but is about the same as the roll-top on the Node in terms of convenience. It’s more rigid feeling than the Node, which makes sense as it weighs nearly twice as much as the Node. It also has more travel-specific features, like zippers that lock together and zipper locks to keep them in place during travel. It’s got expandable capacity and grab handles on all sides of the pack.
While the Peak Design can transition to hiking and more outdoors activities, the Ultra fabric on the Node is designed specifically for outdoor use. If you like the idea of the Node but want more travel-specific features, the Peak Design Travel Backpack is a larger but somewhat similar alternative. Learn more in our in-depth review of the Peak Design Travel Backpack.
Peak Design Travel Backpack 30L
Capacity: 23L
Carry-on compliant: Yes
Other volumes available: No
Water-resistant? Yes
Shoulder straps stow? No
Hipbelt stows? No hipbelt
Exterior pockets: 5
Weight: 1.54 lb
The updated version of the Gossamer Gear Vagabond is similar in size and design to the Ultra Node. It has a similar volume at 23 L, two water bottle pockets, and a sleek, minimalist design. Notably, the Vagabond Jet has a zip top instead of a roll top.
Both packs have an external zip pocket and front mesh pocket for easy access. The Vagabond Jet also has interior zip accessory pockets, shoulder strap pockets that fit a phone, and an AirTag pocket. Because it is made of Robic instead of Ultra, the Vagabond Jet isn’t waterproof and is less expensive. The Vagabond Jet is 24.7 oz, so weighs more but also has a higher capacity.
Gossamer Gear Vagabond Jet
Why you should trust us / About the author
Liz Thomas is an award-winning Los Angeles-based writer and Editor-in-Chief of Treeline Review. A former Fastest Known Time (FKT) record holder on the Appalachian Trail, Liz came to Treeline Review from New York Times/Wirecutter, the New York Times’ product review site, where she was a staff writer on the outdoor team.
She was a guest editor at Backpacker Magazine, where she is the columnist of “Ask a Thru-hiker” and instructor of their online class, Thru-hiking 101.
Liz has thru-hiked 20,000+ miles and has traveled around the world. To test the ULA Ultra Node, she spent eight months taking it from everything from all-day, walking around conferences and festivals like PCT Days and Outdoor Market Alliance to extreme day hikes and peak bagging. She's tested it on countless flights domestically and internationally. A second tester used it for daily walking commutes, urban hikes and city adventures, and cross country travel.
Her first book is Long Trails: Mastering the Art of the Thru-hike. The book was the recipient of the National Outdoor Book Award for Best Instructional Book, and was deemed by judges as destined to become the “Bible of the Sport.”
Liz has talked gear on Good Morning America (TV), in The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, Buzzfeed, The Washington Post, Men’s Journal, Women’s Health, Gizmodo, and Outside Magazine.
She represented the sport of hiking at President Obama’s Great American Outdoors Initiative.
Liz’s keynote speaking engagements have included colleges and universities including Yale and MIT and on Capitol Hill, the Trust for Public Land, American Hiking Society, and BikeTexas.
You can read more about Liz at her Wikipedia page and her Treeline author page!
