ULA Circuit [Archive] - WhiteBlaze

GeneralLee10

10-24-2009, 19:44

Skidsteer

10-24-2009, 19:59

Any of you ULA Circuit owners have any tips on loading this pack? I have a small Terma Rest WM bag and a SpinnTwinn Tarp. I just wanted to pick some of your brains for some tips and cool ideas you have done with this pack. The pack I use now is an Gregory Z65 the Circuit will be a change for me. So for you that own one of these packs please key in and drop some tips, not only for me but I'm sure others would like to know also. Thank You

My method is to put the shelter(SpinnTwinn, in your case)in the big mesh pocket on the back of the pack. Pad and sleeping bag go in the bottom of the main bag, topped with clothes, food, stove kit, first aid, and Packa in no particular order.

Odds and ends go in the side mesh pockets and hipbelt pockets.

Keep your shelter in your big mesh pocket on the outside of your pack and you'll never regret it.

GeneralLee10

10-24-2009, 20:23

Cool:D
I like the Idea of the shelter on the outside that way if it is wet etc. I was putting my sleeping pad in before my bag. My thought was the sleeping bag would stop the things in my pack from a puncture in the pad. What are your thoughts? I will have to get used to not having a lid on my pack. That is where I kept a lot of my lose items like head lamp, map, pack cover you know things of that nature. I would assume this is what the side pockets are used for along with the hip belt pockets correct?

Skidsteer

10-24-2009, 20:31

Cool:D
I will have to get used to not having a lid on my pack. That is where I kept a lot of my lose items like head lamp, map, pack cover you know things of that nature. I would assume this is what the side pockets are used for along with the hip belt pockets correct?

Exactly. Things I keep in the side mesh pockets and hipbelt pockets depending on the season:

-headlamp
-bug spray
-gloves
-camera
-phone
-toilet paper
-steripen
-snacks
-map
-booze
-you get the idea :D

John B

10-24-2009, 20:38

When I'm carrying my 5 degree WM bag, I have to load it so it's vertically aligned rather than my standard method of loading a bag horizontally at the bottom of the pack. Like the others, I pack my tent in the mesh along with other gear that doesn't matter if it gets wet. I keep snacks and a digital camera in the little pockets on the belt, which I think is one of the best things about the pack.

burger

10-24-2009, 21:01

I've got a circuit. I load my sleeping bag horizontally in a big stuff sack at the bottom, clothes (smaller stuff sack, also horizontally) above that. Everything else above, with the exact arrangement depending on how big my food bag is.

I'd caution against loading too much in the big mesh pocket on the back--any weight back there is going to result in the pack pulling against your shoulders, which can be uncomfortable. Try to keep the bulk of the weight as close to your back as possible.

Franco

10-24-2009, 21:29

Same as Skidsteer. Good point about the weight at the back (front pocket...) but of course my Contrail is only 23 or something ounces.
If you do put your shelter there put it so that the top of the stuff sack is at the bottom.
Not a fan of the top closure on mine, the new version is nicer, however I usually have a big white plastic bag (strong plastic) as a liner.
I keep my rain gear in one of the pockets (not always...)
Franco

ChinMusic

10-24-2009, 21:30

I've read that the Bearikade (bear can) can fit horizontally in the Circuit. This has my attention. Can anyone that has one verify this? It looks so small.

burger

10-24-2009, 22:45

I've read that the Bearikade (bear can) can fit horizontally in the Circuit. This has my attention. Can anyone that has one verify this? It looks so small.

The Bearikade Expedition definitely does not fit horizontally in the Circuit (it does fit vertically). I couldn't tell you about the Weekender--maybe ask Brian Frankle.

ChinMusic

10-24-2009, 23:03

The Bearikade Expedition definitely does not fit horizontally in the Circuit (it does fit vertically). I couldn't tell you about the Weekender--maybe ask Brian Frankle.
I don't think the Expedition fits horizontally in anything. Yes the Weekender.

ChinMusic

10-24-2009, 23:43

I found the info: fits into the Catalyst and NOT the Circuit horizontally.

Q: Can I fit a bear canister into the Catalyst? Can it fit horizontally?

[Answer] (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/#bearcanister)

A: Yes. Every bear canister on the market other than the Bearikade Expedition will fit into the Catalyst horizontally. Keep in mind it is best to pack something between the hard sided canister and the bottom of the pack.

**********

Q: Can I fit a bear canister into the Circuit? Can it fit horizontally?

[Answer] (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/#bearcan)

A: Every bear canister on the market will fit into the Circuit vertically. Unfortunately bear canisters will not fit horizontally. Keep in mind it is best to pack something between the hard sided canister and the bottom of the pack.

juma

10-25-2009, 08:29

I try to put the heavier stuff lower in the pack. I think this makes it ride with the least pull on my shoulders and pressure on my lower back- best comfort for me.

juma

paintplongo

10-25-2009, 11:42

I'd recommend putting your heaviest item in the middle of your pack, which should be against the middle of your pack. It balances out the best and distributes the weight better.

skinewmexico

10-25-2009, 12:23

I make a long roll of my tent and put it in the side pocket.

Berserker

10-27-2009, 13:30

I did away with most of the stuff sacks, and that made it so I can get just about everything inside the pack. First I line the inside with a trash compactor bag followed by my sleeping bag, which is sitting loose and is just stuffed down into the pack. After that it's clothes, and then all the other miscellaneous stuff including sleeping pad and shelter is organized above the clothes. I typicall just put small items in the mesh pockets. On the front it's my poncho and pack cover. On the sides it's water filter, trowel, tent stakes, tent pole (as applicable), and a 1 liter platy hoser. I have strapped my shelter down under the top strap (the one that goes over the top of the pack) before when it was wet, and that worked.

Berserker

10-27-2009, 13:35

I've read that the Bearikade (bear can) can fit horizontally in the Circuit. This has my attention. Can anyone that has one verify this? It looks so small.
I have a Weekender, and it does fit in the Circuit vertically. I have not actually backpacked with it in there like that though. I stuck it in the pack when it was empty just to see how it would fit, and it appeared to take up a considerable amount of room in the pack. I use most of the volume of the Circuit just with my normal load where my food sits in there loose in one or two plastic grocery bags. So I don't know that I could get all my crap in there with the Weekender in there. That's just me though. If you don't use all the pack volume you may be able to make it work.

skinewmexico

10-27-2009, 17:27

It would help with your food in the Weekender, so I bet it would all still fit.

GeneralLee10

10-27-2009, 19:27

How do most of you place your sleeping bag in a vertical or horizontal position?

Skidsteer

10-27-2009, 20:22

Horizontal.

John B

10-27-2009, 20:36

Horizontal, but my 5 degree WM Antelope (9 X 18) won't fit in my Circuit that way. My WM Megalite will, but no way for the Antelope, so I have to jam it in vertically.

GeneralLee10

10-27-2009, 21:05

Thanks for the tips/help, I can't wait till it gets here. :)

take-a-knee

10-27-2009, 22:02

Horizontal, but my 5 degree WM Antelope (9 X 18) won't fit in my Circuit that way. My WM Megalite will, but no way for the Antelope, so I have to jam it in vertically.

You need a Catalyst.

Berserker

10-28-2009, 13:44

It would help with your food in the Weekender, so I bet it would all still fit.
I assume you were responding to my post. After I re-read the post it was not clear what I was trying to say. What I meant to say is that I use most if not all the volume of the pack normally without the Weekender. I tried putting the Weekender in the empty pack only to find that it took up quite a bit of room.

I'll probably try using it sometime just to test it out, but it's gonna be pretty tough to pack all my gear in there with the bear can (with my food in the can of course). The bear can takes up a lot of room, and I would have to pack all my gear around it. I just don't see being able to get everything in there with the weight distributed the way I like it if I use the bear can. For those with lower volume gear they may be able to make it work.

GeneralLee10

10-30-2009, 10:52

Pack should be here on Monday:) :banana

thecaptain

10-30-2009, 11:47

Per a thread in backpackinglight ULA has been sold ...Brain said he sold it

GeneralLee10

10-30-2009, 12:12

This is true:)

Schuetzen

10-30-2009, 14:34

When I ordered my catalyst a couple of weeks ago I talked to Chris who identified himself as the new owner. He said they have moved out of Brian's garage to a larger space, he also said that Brian is still involved.

skinewmexico

10-31-2009, 04:38

Maybe Brian will repost his BPL post.

nitewalker

10-31-2009, 07:57

I've read that the Bearikade (bear can) can fit horizontally in the Circuit. This has my attention. Can anyone that has one verify this? It looks so small.

go to the ula website and watch the videos that go along with each pack and that will let you know if the bear canister fits horizontal. most canisters fit that way but not the one in question....peace:D

take-a-knee

10-31-2009, 09:24

I've read that the Bearikade (bear can) can fit horizontally in the Circuit. This has my attention. Can anyone that has one verify this? It looks so small.

No, it clearly says so at the website. A custom-length Bearikade might fit. IIRC the longest Bearikade with an inch removed will fit horizontally in a Catalyst ( 13" IIRC)