A close look at two backpacks buyers cross-shop. Both are solid; the right one depends on the specs you care about most.
| ULA CDT | Granite Gear Virga3 55 | |
|---|---|---|
| GearScore | 69✓ | 67 |
| Capacity | 50 L | 55 L |
| Weight | 1 lb 11 oz | 1 lb 11 oz✓ |
| Rated load | 25 lb | 25 lb |
| Fabric denier | 200 D✓ | 100 D |
| Price | $200 | $200✓ |
| Type | Ultralight | Ultralight |
| Frame | Frameless | Frameless |
Highlighted cells mark the better spec: CDT in blue, Virga3 55 in amber. A blank spec is never counted as a win. Capacity is shown for context and is not scored, since more volume is a sizing choice rather than better. GearScore is the overall rating (0 to 100); re-weight it on the full backpack comparison. Prices are current MSRP.
Put the ULA CDT next to the Granite Gear Virga3 55 and the trade-offs are clear. The CDT wins on durability, and the Virga3 55 pushes back on low weight and price.
The CDT is tougher fabric (200D vs 100D). The Virga3 55 is 1 oz lighter and a little cheaper. On the default GearScore the CDT leads 69 to 67.
Pick the CDT if you care most about durability, which makes it the better call for rough ground and hard use. Pick the Virga3 55 if low weight and price matter more to you, or you are focused on counting grams on long miles.
The Granite Gear Virga3 55. It is 1 oz lighter than the CDT.
The ULA CDT. It is tougher fabric (200D vs 100D) than the Virga3 55.
The ULA CDT, 69 to 67 on the default algorithm. You can re-weight the factors to match your trip.
It depends on your priorities. Go with the CDT for durability, or the Virga3 55 for low weight. The spec table above shows exactly where each wins.