We took the JanSport Catalyst on a variety of adventures: a multi-day mountain bike trip along the Pinhoti Trail in North Georgia and a peak-bagging speed hike on one of the highest, most rugged trails in the Southern Appalachians.
The Catalyst doesn’t rely on gimmicks. Instead of an overly complicated suspension system, the pack has perforated foam shoulder straps, hip belt, and back panel, which vented moisture without a lot of fuss during long days on the Pinhoti.
There’s also a separate hydration sleeve with a side zipper on the back of the pack that employs a simple loop to keep the bladder upright throughout the day. The pack doesn’t come with its own bladder, which is a bummer, but the omission probably helps keep the price low. The Catalyst was comfortable, even while scrambling along boulders near Mount Mitchell. At 20.48 liters, storage space is limited. But this is exactly what the Catalyst is designed for: fast moving adventures for people who know exactly what to leave at home.
$99. jansport.com.
