ULA Circuit Pack

I agree with your assessment, and ordered the pack a while back. I’ll keep you posted on my thoughts once I receive it. The pack seems to be attracting the least attention of the ULA packs, for whatever reason.

I recieved mine about 2 weeks ago. I will do an official review in the review area once I have been able to put some mileage in with it. My buddy just got the Vapor Trail…so we may have to do a comparison given that the general specs. are so close.

Everything else seems fantastic about the pack. The quality of construction is superior. The features are numerous and well thought out. I especially like the large mesh pouch on the front of the pack. There is enough room in there for my tarp, my bivy, and my crocs with room left. The nice sized belt pockets are also essential for me. I always fabricated something on my own for hip belt pockets since I find them far more useful than side pockets. Why more manufacturers do not make these I am not certain, but when it comes to energy bars, small cameras/binoc’s, or any other small item you may need handy…these will do the trick.

The adjustability and the ability to order a torso and belt size make this the best fitting pack I have owned (including Kelty/REI/Gregory). I am tall and slendor so I finally have a belt that fits….no more size Med. and deal with the shortfalls.

The greatest innovation though may end up being that carbon-fiber hoop that is like an upside down U in the back of the pack. It offers rigidity and seems to keep the middle part of the pack from totally smoothering my back.

As to why it seems this pack has recieved less attention…I am not sure what that refers to. If it is interest on this site, it is probably because most folks would choose a size down for their super-ultralite endeavours, or a size up for the thru-hike ability. For me though, I go out 1 to 5 nights at a shot and this pack is by far the most versatile for that range. The comfort and features offered are worth the extra weight for one nighters, while the suspension seems to offer a leg up over unstructured packs when you start getting into the 25 to 30 pound range.

Thanks for the info Scott. Any chance of posting some pics of it?

-jeff

I would be glad to. Just give me a couple of days. Also, let me know if you are interested in any particular part up close.

I suppose the belt and straps would interest me the most.

Many thanks!!!

Scott,

I got a buddy looking at this pack. When you get around to taking pics, if you could post a couple with the pack on to get a size reference, that would help him out alot.
Thanks.

Thanks for the reply and info Scott. I too am curious to see what the pack looks like on someone-

Thanks for the helpful description, Scott. It inceases my anticipation to receive the pack myself.

I have several VGA photo’s, but I do not have the time to create a URL (host site). Can I send them to someone who would be willing to post? I was hoping to be able to cut and paste…but that does not work. Thanks!

Send them to thehikingdude@yahoo.com

I will gladly post them for you.

Care of Scott Peterson

ULA Circuit Pack Photos

Thanks for these! My pack arrived yesterday. I wore it around the house for an hour or so with 28 lbs, and it carried the packed weight incredibly well. The suspension seems excellent. I am very excited to take the pack out for a trial run.

Subject to further evaluation are:

–whether I would have preferred a second compression strap on each side;

–whether the single compression strap, which sits on top of the joint between the carbon fiber and delerin hoop compromises the structure of the frame (worried about breaking the joint);

–whether the top of the front pocket is a bit too tight.

I would agree that the opening of the front pocket could be let out a little bit or fashioned like the side pockets with a shock chord tensioner.

I would not put too much torque on the hoop as you mentioned, but I believe the pack was designed to carry a bear canister towards the opening…so it should be worthy of that kind of weight. I would imagine if that is what you put in there, and then found that it gave out, Brian might be able to repair the item for you. That is the nice thing about this manufacturer….you can talk to the guy who built it!

I ordered mine a week or so ago and was just wondering if you guys could post any more feedback. Have you taken any trips with it? How does it ride? And for the guy with the buddy who got the vapor trail, how do they compare?

For the guy that posted the pics, Scott I think, how tall are you and what is your waist measurement?

It was my friend who got the vapor trail…and we have not gotten them side by side to compare what is preferable about each. I will try to do that this weekend and post a review.

I still have not taken a trip. I will do so in my local area…and I am just waiting for the rain to slow a little so it is not a mud-stomp.

I am 6 feet tall, and have about a 32 inch waist. That is why I welcomed the chance to order a frame height that matched my torso (medium) and a belt that matched my waist (small). Others have noted that the lengths run a little short…and I would say that without weight in the pack, it probably sits somewhere shorter than an inch higher than it should (with only 4 pounds of sleeping bags in it). But I find that no matter what, with full pack weight and gravity in effect, that a natural stretch will occur making the space between the straps and belt a little longer. This is a problem for me if the pack starts to sit lower on my waist, and for that reason, I believe this pack will actually end up fitting perfectly once loaded and moving.

Cool… I am also 6 feet with a 32-33 inch waist. I opted for the large torso based on reports that the pack did ride a little high. I went with the small waist belt as well. I’ll let you know what I think when it gets here…

Any updates on the ULA Circuit pack? The spring '06 discussions hinted at future reports. I'm thinking of getting one. Any comparisons with the Vapor Trail or Vapor Ki?

I took the pack out for 5 days last summer and loved it. At most, I had 25 lbs, and found the pack carried terrificly well. I scarcely felt the pack. The hip belt and suspension system are excellent, with the exception that the sternum strap and other hardware attaches at a narrow part of the shoulder strap causing it roll awkwardly. This was not a problem for me. I did not mind the lack of a second compression strap either, and did not really need one because the pack was full (I packed with a rolled GG pad torso pad inside). Pockets and organization were excellent. The large front pocket closes quite tightly when the pack is full making it somewhat difficult to retreive large items (but not really a problem). I'm a very happy customer.

Another very satisfied customer here. I took the Circuit out on the AT last fall for four days. I agree the front mesh pocket is a bit tight when the pack is loaded but I was trying to stick my cooking pot in there with my water bladder and a few other things. Fit is great. The attention to detail is superior – you can tell Brian uses/test what he sells. I folded up an InsuMat pad to be against my back and everything was very comfy – started the hike with about 28lbs. I like the bottle loops that you can get on the shoulder straps – you can use them for things other than carrying an empty water bottle. I don't think the bladder pocket is worth getting – I took mine out because there is not enough room for water in the main compartment for me. Pockets on the hip belt are nice too – can fit a small MSR cannister in there. I had no problems with the shoulder strap rolling as Brian fixed this before my pack went into production. If this pack has the cubic inches you are looking for get it!

Thanks for the encouragement. I just ordered it!