ULA Circuit

[South_Aussie_Hiker]

Have done a lot of reading about this pack.

Initially had my heart set on the Osprey Exos, but the Circuit looks to have more volume, is lighter, and has a better comfort system.

Anyone in Bushwalk.com got any advice or comments about this pack?

If someone in Adelaide has one I would love to get a look.

[Bluegum Mic]

I have one (and used to have an exos). I really like it. I have not yet loaded it up heavily, just short day walks as I bought it whilst preganant and I'm yet to do a long walk due to bubs. I really like the layout/hipbelt pocket size etc. They make a great piece of gear. I just picked up an ohm off a forum member I like them that much If you'd like I can take close up pics etc if that helps

[DannyS]

I have the Circuit and the Ohm 2, for me they are the perfect balance between light weight, functionality and durability. I've even considered buying the Catalyst for those bigger loads, I originally bought the Circuit but found the capacity a little too large for 3 season use, so I purchased the Ohm2 for weight savings and have found that to be a more useful size for up to 5-6 day hikes. I've loaded them both up and they carry great, all load onto the hips.
I can't speak highly enough of them.
I can also take photos with the pack on if that would be helpful?

[Ellobuddha]

Mic and Danny,

What do you prefer between the Circuit and Ohm comfort wise? I've just start looking at these two packs myself. Both get great reviews on the net.

Mic, Im assuming you prefer them over the Exos? Just for comfort or other reasons?

Thanks,
Paul

[Giddy_up]

Hi SAH, another range of packs that might be worth considering are the ones by Hyperlite Mountain Gear.

http://www.hyperlitemountaingear.com/packs.html

I have one of their Porter packs and find it very well made, strong, light and functional.

[DannyS]

Mic and Danny,

What do you prefer between the Circuit and Ohm comfort wise? I've just start looking at these two packs myself. Both get great reviews on the net.

Mic, Im assuming you prefer them over the Exos? Just for comfort or other reasons?

Thanks,
Paul

The Circuit has a larger capacity and is slightly heavier than the Ohm2 by 270grams. If that weight is not an issue then the Circuit has the aluminium stay in the back and this gives more support to a heavier load. Otherwise there is very little difference in regards to hip belt, pockets and function, you have to be a little more thoughtful how you pack the Ohm due to the lack of the aluminium stay.
Perhaps I could be more helpful if you tell me what kind of load you would generally be carrying, what kind of environment you'll be hiking in etc....
As for comfort, the hip belts are identical. My base weight is very low so I'm not pushing the limits of either pack, it's difficult to say which carries better, . If you pushed me on it I would say the Circuit but that's only if I'm hiking longer and carrying more food.
Iv'e edited this about 5 times to add more information as it comes to mind, I hope it still makes sense

[Bluegum Mic]

Danny has said it perfectly. I will add though the circuit has padding on the back panel where the ohm is just fabric but they use the same hipbelt. Ive only just got the ohm but I reckon if your wanting a slightly heavier load the circuit would carry it better. That being said my gear is light so either is fine. The ohm 2 is going to be my day pack and overnighters and the circuit for longer trips/winter.
As for the exos its a great pack. I loved my exos. I do feel the circuit is a bit more robust than the exos. If walking in warmer climates the exos cant be beat, but the hip belt and shoulder straps are pretty darn comfy on the ohm/circuit. I have only ever carried up to 14kg in the exos though so I cant comment on heavy loads but it wasn't designed to carry more than 15kg. That being said its perfectly comfy at 14kg.

[DannyS]

Danny has said it perfectly. I will add though the circuit has padding on the back panel where the ohm is just fabric but they use the same hipbelt. Ive only just got the ohm but I reckon if your wanting a slightly heavier load the circuit would carry it better. That being said my gear is light so either is fine. The ohm 2 is going to be my day pack and overnighters and the circuit for longer trips/winter.
As for the exos its a great pack. I loved my exos. I do feel the circuit is a bit more robust than the exos. If walking in warmer climates the exos cant be beat, but the hip belt and shoulder straps are pretty darn comfy on the ohm/circuit. I have only ever carried up to 14kg in the exos though so I cant comment on heavy loads but it wasn't designed to carry more than 15kg. That being said its perfectly comfy at 14kg.

Yeah Mic is right, the Circuit is more padded at the lumbar. I've been using the Ohm so much I had forgotten about the Circuit, and now as I recall, the Circuit is definitely more comfortable.

[South_Aussie_Hiker]

Thanks for all the comments so far.

Danny, thanks for the offer. I've seen heaps of photos online, was more wanting to see one so I could try it on.

I will check out other suggestions too.

[DannyS]

Thanks for all the comments so far.

Danny, thanks for the offer. I've seen heaps of photos online, was more wanting to see one so I could try it on.

I will check out other suggestions too.

If you want to pay postage to and from and if the size I have will suit, I can send you my Circuit to try?
Just to add, I have a size medium pack with size medium and size small hip belts, bought both sizes as I thought I might loose weight say no more.

[South_Aussie_Hiker]

Thanks for the offer, but it's not worth that much trouble. Looking at getting this later in the year, so might come across someone with one before then.

Really impressed with the specs. The Exos looks nice, but is slightly heavier with slightly less volume. I like 5-7 day trips and currently use a Deuter 55+10. I don't think the Exos would quite be able to swallow all my gear. Also, looks like if you push the Exos up towards its maximum capacity around 35lb (my starting weight with water), it starts to get uncomfortable really fast. Looks like the Circuit would be more comfortable in the first couple of days until I eat my pack down to below 30lbs.

Plus it's a hundred grams lighter too.

[South_Aussie_Hiker]

The ULA circuit just arrived on my doorstep, Mrs won't let me near it for 2 weeks until my actual birthday. &€\%*{!!!

Will give some first impressions then, and a follow up after a 5 day trip early in 2015.

[icefest]

a follow up after a 5 day trip early in 2015.

Where will you be using it in anger?

[South_Aussie_Hiker]

Frenchman's for 5-6, and maybe an overnight to Scott Kilvert.

[icefest]

That sounds incredible! With that much time you must have planned some serious side tracks.

[South_Aussie_Hiker]

Yeah, we might head down to Irenabyss for a night, or even do some exploring over to Clytemnestra or Philps Peak.

If we get it all done in three to four days, more time to explore around cradle... Or even a night of camping up Murchison.

[South_Aussie_Hiker]

Well finally the day arrived and I have my pack.

In between trips with work and two kids under three I've yet to set it up carefully IAW the printed instructions which came with it.

Having said that, I threw about 5-6kg inside and threw it on. And it seemed amazingly comfortable... Maybe placebo effect, maybe because it had hardly any weight, but the hip belt and shoulder straps instantly felt like the were comfortable, close fitting, and really supportive. My Deuter AirContact felt better than most when I first tried it on, but this is a whole new level of comfort.

I hope I can squeeze all my gear in... Seems like a little less volume and I use every litre in the other pack, but then I've cut down on a bulky fleece and a few other things so might just be okay.

I'll hopefully try it up the hills this weekend with a decent load if these hot Adelaide temps abate before then.

[vieve]

FYI - Massdrop has the ULA Circuit pack for US$185.99 at the moment (RRP is $225). I've been thinking about buying this pack for a little while now and finally hit the 'buy' button today.

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/ula-equipment-circuit-pack

[South_Aussie_Hiker]

Well my week long trip with the circuit was a few weeks ago.

Absolutely love this pack, so glad l went for this and not the Osprey.

The overwhelmingly positive reviews from PCT thru-hikers were spot on.

Positives:
1. Amazingly comfortable at all weights
2. Great features for such a light pack
3. Walking pole stowage system
4. Large and expanding hip belt pockets. Best feature of the pack. Can jam so much in them, so easy to access
5. Pack cover - wow that thing is light, although does catch the wind and has to be tied on to prevent it flying away
6. Huge water bottle pockets which can be accessed easily while walking (even sliding water bottles back in)
7. Mesh pocket on the front great for airing stinky things and fast access to waterproofs
8. Converts so easily to a tiny day pack, don't need my sea to summit daypack if doing sidetrips from tent/hut
9. Ability to order separate hipbelt and torso size. Mine was instantly comfortable out of the packaging
10. Much better hipbelt padding than my old deuter, less sore hips
11. Would happily carry 20kg in this thing

Cons:
1. Draw string for outside mesh pocket. Doesn't pull pocket opening tight, and makes pack hard to load by compressing entry to main compartment. ULA should remove the thing and then just sew shock cord with a toggle into the top of the pocket fabric
2. Slippery as anything. Almost impossible to stand this pack up for loading, it just slides down and falls over
3. Roll top closure - hmmmm, not convinced. Yes it's light, but it's annoying. Makes retrieving anything from the main pack compartment time consuming. Also wastes a lot of potential volume by having to roll it down a few times
4. Walking loops - hmmmmm, they are comfy, but also quite annoying and get in the way all the time when not being used. I guess I could just remove them, but then I'd probably miss them
5. Straps and cord loops are all ridiculously long. I know the diehard ultralighters will trim them all, but then you need to have a sewing machine to re-terminate them so they don't fall off. The load lofter straps in particular - these are about a foot too long!

I absolutely love it. I've updated nearly all my gear over the last five years to ultralight or semi-ultralight. This is, without a doubt, my best purchase.

[Franco]

I have one of those but prefer using the heavier Aarn pack.
My wife is using that Circuit now , works well for her with the typical 6-8kg she carries in it.
(I carry the tent and food)
I agree with most of the above points (I have trimmed some of the straps for example) however I found that at 15kg or so it started to get a bit uncomfortable, again compared to the Aarn. Still I have had 18kg and was OK for me.
As for the roll top you can partially blame me for it.
I had the first version with the cinch top and did not like that so I suggested to Brian Frankle to change it to the roll top version.
(others made the same suggestion to him on a BPL thread)
(Brian, the original designer of the pack , is a friend of Henry Shires at Tarptent, now he is with Six Moon Designs)
Keep in mind that not having a top lid the cinch closure tends to let rain in.
The new version after rolling the top down still has more volume than the older one :

[Mountain Rocket]

The cinch top was a HUGE turnoff when I looked at these packs a few years ago. I struggle to understand some of these American pack designers... I really should get over there and walk some trails to try and understand the logic.

[Franco]

The major trails are very well maintained.
Here are 3 shots from part of the PCT in Washington state

the above is a side trail, to a lake.

me and my Aarn . On another forum someone stated that I was pimping (or words to that effect) for ULA .
As a matter of fact I bought 2 packs from them at the standard price and then one from BPL (ex test pack...)

crappy composition having cut off some of the trail but you get the idea.
It was all like that with the very rare exception of a few fallen trees on the trail. (only did 11 or 12 days in two walks)

[Turfa]

The cinch top was a HUGE turnoff when I looked at these packs a few years ago. I struggle to understand some of these American pack designers... I really should get over there and walk some trails to try and understand the logic.

It's really only the lightweight US packs that have the roll-top closures. More traditional, heavier packs from the US have drawstrings & lids. I think it is not so much the trail conditions (yes, major trails are clear, but so are the ones here, & their off-track can be just as crappy as ours) as much as the simple fact that a roll top closure is much lighter than a drawstring collar & lid. Its a pretty simple way to get the weight of your pack down.

[Mountain Rocket]

Very interesting photos/comments Franco. In those conditions I can see how it could work, down here not so much.

It's really only the lightweight US packs that have the roll-top closures.

Oh I totally understand that. Just to be clear, the original Circuit simply had a cinch top with no additional lid at all. As Franco mentioned this allowed water to easily enter the pack, as well as leaving the top nylon(?) section quite vulnerable imo.

Roll-tops make sense but I am still not totally sold on them (my current pack, a HMG Porter uses the design so I am familiar with it). So far it seems the best compromise for weight/strength but I would still prefer a more (Australian) traditional lid.

[South_Aussie_Hiker]

Yes, don't get me wrong - I don't hate the roll top.

If it had some heavy lid contraption I would be complaining about the weight.

It is just cumbersome. In terms of waterproofing, as soon as there is any moisture, I'd put the pack cover on... So I don't see the point with waterproofing the top opening.

Just a minor issue. If there were two or more extra inches of fabric and I didn't lose volume I would have been an even happier camper than I already am. The saving grace is that with big, well designed hip pockets and the mesh back pocket, the only time I have to access the I inside of the pack is once a day when pulling out my lunch.

The AARN certainly looks comfortable when I've seen people using them, but it's a whole lot of extra grams.

[kitty]

I have the Circuit in Small. Personally, I actually really like the simplicity of the roll top closure.
The problem I have is that I find the volume too small. When I researched the Circuit, so many reviews indicated that the volume is massive, so I chose it over the bigger Catalyst.
But I dont find the Circuit massive - probably because I have small, I dont like tying stuff off the outside of pack, and because I am not an ultralighter - and maybe Im just packing it wrong.
My previous pack was a 60+10 so I thought 68L would be a fair replacement, but the 40L main compartment+ 20Lpockets +8L extension collar does not appear to equate to my old 60+10.
So now I am looking at how I can take less (which is good thing) and/or how I can justify buying an Aarn
Im not into the water bottle holsters on the Circuit. Overall I like the Circuit, but considering trying to retrofit Aarn balance pockets onto the front of the Circuit.