View Full Version : ULA Circuit
mybackpackingblog
04-02-2011, 10:38
Really...All I wanted to say is this...I love my ULA Circuit...you really should go out and buy yourself one. Youself would love you for it..promise...Long live the ULA Circuit!
http://mybackpackinglife.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/ulacircuit1.jpg
They really are great packs... I am very happy with mine. Glad you like yours!
levidoug
04-02-2011, 10:58
Looking at getting one also. But would anyone know if you can carry more then the 35lbs. max. weight for a few days if needed, thinking while going 5 to 7 days on PCT before resupply.
mybackpackingblog
04-02-2011, 11:03
If I recall...the max is 35...but the suggested is 25-30. I don't really understand that. Honestly...I am still feeling mine out and I had 40 in it the other night and am sure it could pull it off. I think you may lose some of the comfort though...What do u think Stick? U have carried it more than me.
skinewmexico
04-02-2011, 11:46
Looking at getting one also. But would anyone know if you can carry more then the 35lbs. max. weight for a few days if needed, thinking while going 5 to 7 days on PCT before resupply.
I don't think it would hurt the pack at all for a few days. Might not be the most fun until you ate a few meals though. Kind of like most other packs.
I am constantly amazed that people could be supporting the economy of Utah (or several other states) by buying high quality domestically produced gear, but insist on buying from Vietnam, or China.
I haven't carried near that much so I cannot say how well it does at that weight. The most I have carried in it was maybe around 27 pounds for a few hours on a recent trip when I filled all my water containers for a few miles. Other than this is has been between 17 - 25 pounds for a trip. and with this, it was sweet.
There are a few testers over on Backpackgeartest.org that have reviewed last years model Circuit with up to 40 or more pounds and they still gave it thumbs up..
[/URL]http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Packs/Internal%20and%20External%20Framed%20Backpacks/ULA%20Equipment%20Circuit/Test%20Report%20by%20Rick%20Dreher/ (http://whiteblaze.net/forum/A%20few%20weeks%20back%20I%20posted%20about%20some %20new%20light-weight%20titanium%20stakes%20being%20manufactured% 20and%20sold%20by%20Lawson%20Kline%20at%20Mountain fitter.com,%20the%20Ti-Eye%20stakes.%20And,%20as%20can%20be%20told%20by%2 0many%20of%20my%20more%20recent%20posts,%20I%20hav e%20been%20searching%20for%20ways%20to%20drop%20we ight%20from%20my%20kit,%20without%20sacrificing%20 functionality.%20So,%20naturally,%20these%20stakes %20have%20been%20on%20my%20mind...%20I%20finally%2 0broke%20down%20and%20contacted%20Lawson%20a%20few %20weeks%20ago%20about%20purchasing%20some%20of%20 the%20stakes%20as%20well%20as%20some%20of%20the%20 Dyneema%20guywire%20and%20he%20offered%20the%20ite ms%20to%20me%20in%20exchange%20for%20a%20review.%2 0So,%20this%20is%20my%20review%20of%20the%20items, %20so%20far...%20%20I%20wanted%20to%20pair%20both% 20the%20stakes%20and%20the%20cord%20with%20my%20ne w%20Six%20Moon%20Designs%20Lunar%20Duo%20tent.%20T he%20Lunar%20Duo%20requires%206%20stakes%20at%20a% 20minimum%20and%2012%20when%20fully%20guyed%20out, %20however,%20I%20am%20not%20concerned%20with%202% 20of%20the%20guyouts%20on%20the%20tent,%20so%20I%2 0only%20needed%2010.%20Also,%20the%20Lunar%20Duo%2 0comes%20with%204%20guyouts%20about%20half%20way%2 0up%20which%20did%20not%20come%20with%20guylines,% 20so%20this%20is%20why%20I%20wanted%20the%20guywir e.%20So,%20Lawson%20sent%20me%2010%20of%20the%207)
[URL]http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Packs/Internal%20and%20External%20Framed%20Backpacks/ULA%20Equipment%20Circuit/Test%20Report%20by%20John%20Waters/
Jelly-Bean
04-02-2011, 13:04
Just got mine last week!!! It makes me very happy when I get hiking gear and I pick up the box on the front porch and it is a light feeling box! That is the first on my "is this gonna be good?" checklist!
I always heard great things about ULA and the Circuit. I ordered both a Gossamer Gear Gorilla and a ULA circuit so that I could compare them both. They are both incredibly well made, but I went with the GG Gorilla. I just really liked the design of the Gorilla better and the lack of what I saw as extraneous features. The Gorilla was also a full pound lighter which was nice. I'm sure you will love the Circuit though
I've got the CDT not the Circuit but they're similar and I love it. I searched around a lot before I bought a pack and I've no doubt I made the right decision. And the CDT at least carries larger weights well, and I think the rec. load is a bit lower than the Circuit too.
skinewmexico
04-03-2011, 20:39
I like my Gorilla too. Smaller than the Circuit though.
88BlueGT
04-06-2011, 12:38
I have had my circuit for about 1.5yrs now and I absolutely LOVE IT. Just thought I would throw that out there.
Also, I may be going nuts but did they increase the CI of the circuit? Thought they used to be 3800ci? Now they're 4200?
protargol
04-07-2011, 11:30
Were you able to test ULA packs somewhere before pulling the trigger? I'd be interested in checking one out to test the feel, but it seems the only way is to buy and return.
bigcranky
04-07-2011, 12:16
Some AT outfitters carry them. Not sure if any are near Boston. I ordered the Ohm sight-unseen, but was able to test the Circuit at Neels Gap before buying it.
I have a new Circuit coming tomorrow :)
Ladytrekker
04-07-2011, 15:37
I have a ULA Circuit and an Osprey Ariel 65 and I really prefer the Circuit have quit using the Osprey. Now ULA makes an S strap for women I got mine before he added that option. But I am happy with my Circuit.
hikingshoes
04-07-2011, 16:28
Some AT outfitters carry them. Not sure if any are near Boston. I ordered the Ohm sight-unseen, but was able to test the Circuit at Neels Gap before buying it.
NOC in Gatlinburg has them now. I'm in the market for one, plus a lighter 2 person tent, and 0* 800 fill bag(like to find one around 1.5lbs ) for my thru-hike.HS
bigcranky
04-07-2011, 18:47
For the down bag, do you mean 0-F or 0-C ?? A 1.5 pound bag good to 0-C (32-F) is pretty easy to find. I don't know of any good to 0-F at that weight. My WM Antelope is closer to 3 pounds at a true 5-F rating. (And quite toasty, I would add.)
JaxHiker
04-08-2011, 10:03
I've looked at this and it seems like a fine pack. Doesn't look like I'll shave a whole lot of weight from my Deuter though. The Gorillas looks nice too but too small. :(
hikingshoes
04-08-2011, 10:29
For the down bag, do you mean 0-F or 0-C ?? A 1.5 pound bag good to 0-C (32-F) is pretty easy to find. I don't know of any good to 0-F at that weight. My WM Antelope is closer to 3 pounds at a true 5-F rating. (And quite toasty, I would add.)
I was asking if there was a down bag rated at 0-C (32 -) of that weight. The only thing i came across is The Mont-Bell 880 fill down U.L. Spiral Fill Sleeping Bag is rated to 0 degrees at 2 lbs ( 0.91 kg) 9 oz ( 255 g ).I have seen some ultralight hiker's have only goose down on top and no down at the bottom.
bigcranky
04-08-2011, 11:17
I was asking if there was a down bag rated at 0-C (32 -) of that weight. The only thing i came across is The Mont-Bell 880 fill down U.L. Spiral Fill Sleeping Bag is rated to 0 degrees at 2 lbs ( 0.91 kg) 9 oz ( 255 g ).I have seen some ultralight hiker's have only goose down on top and no down at the bottom.
Sorry, I'm still not clear on what you need.
A bag rated to 0 degrees Fahrenheit, which is freaking cold, is going to weigh at least 2.5-3 pounds. That's for an expensive, 850 fill down bag from a high-end company like Western Mountaineering or Montbell, etc.
A bag rated to 32 degrees Fahrenheit, or 0-C, which I would consider the moderate end of three-season hiking, is easy to find in the 1.5 pound range, also in 800 fill from the same makers. The WM Megalite, the Montbell #3 UL Super Spiral, the WM Caribou, the Marmot Helium -- all are good bags at 1.5-2 pounds.
Jeepocachers
04-08-2011, 11:46
I have a ULA Circuit and an Osprey Ariel 65 and I really prefer the Circuit have quit using the Osprey. Now ULA makes an S strap for women I got mine before he added that option. But I am happy with my Circuit.
Ladytrekker, I currently use an Ariel also, and I have been wanting to make the plunge and order me a ULA Circuit because of all the good things I hear about it, but the word "ultralight" keeps me from doing that. I usually carry about 30 lbs, so in your opinion do you think the Circuit could hold that weight as well as the Ariel?
I've looked at this and it seems like a fine pack. Doesn't look like I'll shave a whole lot of weight from my Deuter though. The Gorillas looks nice too but too small. :(
The GG Gorilla is actually pretty much the same size as the Curcuit. The main pack on the Gorilla is 2400 ci while in the Circuit it is 2500 ci I believe. When ULA says 4200 ci they mean in every little pocket on the pack. I had both side by side and I could not see a significant size difference. The Gorilla also weighs a pound less which I like. I also like the option of choosing whether or not I want hipbelt pockets or shoulder strap pockets. With the additional pockets I believe that the are close to the same size
Raul Perez
04-08-2011, 13:28
Ladytrekker, I currently use an Ariel also, and I have been wanting to make the plunge and order me a ULA Circuit because of all the good things I hear about it, but the word "ultralight" keeps me from doing that. I usually carry about 30 lbs, so in your opinion do you think the Circuit could hold that weight as well as the Ariel?
Max load is stated at 35lbs. I've never came close to that weight (30lbs max) but based on the load it held at 30lbs really comfortably. I've heard others getting it up to 40lbs with not much decrease in comfort.
I own both a ULA Circuit and a Conduit (frameless pack now called the CDT). They are both well made packs. I used my Circuit for my PCT thru-hike but mostly reserve it for when I need to carry alot of gear or alot of weight. I've had up to 43lbs in it and I thought it carried comfortably.
88BlueGT
04-08-2011, 16:47
I have carried 30lbs (give or take 1-2lb) a few times in my Circuit and its always been wonderful. I have only owned 2 packs in my time but its THE BEST PACK IVE EVER OWNED! :D
tjforrester
04-08-2011, 18:25
I have one I bought last November. It seems to be a good pack, but I'll have to put some miles on it before I give it a rating. My last pack, a homemade jobby do, has 10,000 miles on it and will be hard to beat.
mybackpackingblog
04-13-2011, 22:20
I think it is interesting that I NEVER EVER seen one single negative or thumbs down on any ULA backpack...I have several Kelty's and love them...other companys make great packs, but these ULA packs are just way above expectation....
I'm gonna echo everyone's statements about the Circuit. It is the most comfortable, lightweight pack I've ever carried. And the quality is second to none as well. My other half had to exchange her Gregory twice on our hike due to zippers and straps not holding up to the daily abuse. Not so with ULA.
To answer the question about its upper weight limit I'd say that when you get to that 35lb range or beyond you will start to notice that you have to do a lot of constant re-adjusting in order for it to remain comfortable. Towards the end of our hike in December, with our winter gear my pack weight teetered on the edge of that range on our stretch through the Smokies. That said, I still wouldn't have traded it for any other pack.
I bought mine without ever having tried one on and have never looked back! It's reasurring to hear that the quality and service hasn't changed under new ownership.
levidoug
04-13-2011, 23:07
Thanks for infor. about max weight. I will be ordering one this week.
mybackpackingblog didn't mean to take away from the love of your life. lol
levidoug
Ladytrekker
04-13-2011, 23:20
Ladytrekker, I currently use an Ariel also, and I have been wanting to make the plunge and order me a ULA Circuit because of all the good things I hear about it, but the word "ultralight" keeps me from doing that. I usually carry about 30 lbs, so in your opinion do you think the Circuit could hold that weight as well as the Ariel?
I would say yes I tend to have a max load for that pack and it has not failed me yet seems very sturdy you just have to know it does not hold all that the Osprey does by volume so you just make your stuff smaller. It keeps me from overloading my pack and I really prefer it, the lighter pack does me well.
TravelPro
05-23-2011, 16:48
Circuit is just a great pack. All the ULA's I have seen are beautifully built. Totally exceeding all expectations.
Search and you will find lots of posts from people who have done 35-40 lbs and more in a Circuit successfully.
Ladytrekker is right about the value of a comparatively smaller pack enforcing some useful packing discipline. Another way of saying it is 'if you can't fit your gear into X pack, do you really need all that gear?'