ULA Ohm 2.0 and Circuit comparison

I prefer the ohm side pockets as they are easier for me to stuff things into. Both pockets work well and have similar volume.

Ohm 2.0

Circuit

The ohm 2.0 uses a drawstring closure while the circuit uses a folding roll top closure.

Ohm 2.0

Circuit

Bottoms

Here is the Ohm 2.0 with a partially inflated xlite womens placed against foam pad.

Foam Pad for Ohm 2.0

Upside down U-shaped suspension hoop

Circuit Center Stay

This is with stuffing a Lightheart Gear Solo in stuff sack inside each back pocket.

Ohm 2.0

Circuit

If anyone has any requests as to different pictures or questions, feel free to ask! I’ll probably have both packs for at least another few days.

Thanks for looking

I did the same thing years ago when I was trying to decide between the original Ohm (before any of the modifications were made to the simple webbing hipbelt) and circuit. I liked the Ohm much better for several reasons, and I still am very happy with the pack.

-I didn't need the extra volume of the Circuit (except for the occasional winter trip or when my boys go with me).
-I thought the back pocket was much better on the Ohm. I love the stretchy mesh.
-I'm not a fan of the rolltop closure on the Circuit. Others love it, but I just find it too fidly.
-The Ohm side pockets work better for me than the Circuit side pockets. I can get (2) 1L bottles in each of the Ohm side pockets. The elastic holds the bottles securely, and I can easily get the bottles in and out with the pack on.

I love my Ohm, but I remember when I was comparing them that I would have been willing to take the extra weight to have the Circuit suspension on the Ohm pack. Brian would not do that at the time. Now that ULA is under different ownership, I have heard that they are willing to do special requests like that. If my Ohm dies, I will probably be getting one of the Ohm 2.0's, but I might ask that they put the full mesh back on it like the Circuit.

Cool comparison, Eric.

Do you have a way to accurately measure weights?

I went with the Circuit and it's a really good pack, carries very well, excellent load transfer, good quality and I am likely going to keep it till it dies.

2 things that really irk me about it.
1.The roll top closure to me seems like a BIG missed opportunity!! Why allow to have extra material that needs to be rolled up for water tightness? Sure a drawstring and a small Velcro flap over the draw-stringed tightened opening would be lighter. Roll top closure…..never again, I am thinking of modifying my circuit for this very fact.
2.When working hard (climbing up a mountain) you sweat, these packs are directly against your back so whatever you are wearing will be soaked through. And when it's cold out your sweat soaked clothing is cool touching the skin all the time. A very good example of combating this is the way Osprey have designed their packs. I know I could put an item between the pack and me but that just screams uncomfortable to me. Also, bending the aluminium bar in the middle of the circuit possible could alleviate this issue but then again there would be more pressure on the supporting spot that touches your back to keep the rest of the pack off.

If I had my way again I'd go an Osprey Exos 58, http://www.ospreypacks.com/en/product/superlight/exos_58_1?tab=specifications (my 2 cents worth). Just about same weight for just about the same volume BUT much better featured.

Sell it then. Get the Osprey. If you do the mod and then try to sell later on you will have a much smaller audience.

There's a reason why Brian designed those packs with draw string closures originally.

You can order it with one from ULA.

Do you happen to have a bear canister you can put in each and compare the how they fit in the bag? I am curious if a bear canister will make an OHM 2.0 back panel bulge. Preferably a BV canister.

Thanks!

I do not have any bear canisters to try out.

I can weight the two bags but not very accurately. I'll try to get more accurate weights tonight.

Another thing to add. The pockets are shaped differently. The circuit pockets actually have an inlet/outlet near the bottom that could be used to run a platypus hose through the pocket opening near the bottom. I'll get pics tonight.

I have a weekender and it fits easily in the Ohm 2.0. The bottom of the Ohm is less wide/deep than my Catalyst and the top doesn't have the same volume. I'd say the width is smaller too but there is no problem fitting a bear canister assuming the rest of your stuff fits in the pack once the bear canister occupies it's space.

Note… I've not hiked with it in the pack. The foam insert on the Ohm 2.0 isn't anywhere near as thick as the one in the Catalyst.

The circuit weighs in at 38oz and the ohm 2.0 weighs in at 31oz. I’m not sure on how accurate the weights are but it seems like the circuit is spot on as advertised and the ohm 2.0 a little heavy set. Each is a size small torso and belt with all accessories.

Here are the pocket/bladder hose combo I was speaking of earlier.

Mine tips the scales at 29oz. That is without the hydration pack and the hand thingies.

Does anyone else have weights for their ohm 2.0's? Not that I'm complaining but seems a little bit heavier than advertised?

I always found I could get about the same amt of stuff in my ohm and circuit,mainly due to the stretchy pocket on the ohm.

BUT…the circuits stay keeps the pack conformed to back shape, if you overpack the ohm it will bulge out and not be very comfortable. Best to keep it loosely packed IMO.

The roll top on the circuit is designed to just be folded over and buckled down, or rolled. drawstring tops let in rain, unless you have enough free material to roll it over after that.

Took my Ohm 2.0 on it's maiden voyage this morning with 15 pounds. Handled great which you would expect with that kind of load. It is a keeper.