Question about ULA backpacks

I have both and a similar base weight, and prefer the Ohm, which is thinner and seems taller.  I also like the cinch top vs the roll top.

the belts and attachment methods are identical.

The hipbelt attachment is the same on the Circuit and the Ohm

From the REPLACEMENT HIPBELT page

PACK COMPATIBILITY: Circuit, Catalyst, Ohm 2.0, Epic, Camino 2

I have never had a problem with the attachment point on my pack but my base weight is much lower than yours, I have in fact put my ULA hipbelt on an old Gossamer Gear Gorilla with no Problem. I have known people who have carried both  the Circuit and the Ohm on the PCT with no problems.

My base weight is pretty much the same. I have a Catalyst I’ve been using for over ten years. Its hipbelt is also attached with velcro. I’ve never had any problem with that attachment or noticed any slippage or anything.

Well you’re right

It doesn’t transfer weight that well

But not because of the belt attachment

Because the belt is flimsy and it’s a ” lightweight ” pack.

Just my opinion, consider what you paid for it, your base weight is too high for either of these packs.  Shed several more pounds and you’ll be in a good Zone. Or, maybe you just don’t need ability to comfortably  carry 5 or 6 days food and 2 L of water. To each their own.

And yes I have both.

Don’t scrimp on length, because when it sags it will put the weight on your shoulders. And sag it will.  The problem with the Ula packs, is the adjusting the Torso length by moving the belt up and down is a horrible way. In a nutshell, the  pack sizes either fit you or they don’t.  If they don’t fit you with belt at bottom, don’t buy them. Just myo.

In full disclosure, I haven’t used any other pack much since  going to arc blast in 2013. That says something both about my Ula packs and the arc blast. There is nothing on the market thats as light, and carries under 25 lb as well.

Ula packs need load lifters, they were always falling backwards from my shoulders. Lifters needed to keep them upright.  Id rate my circuit .at 28-29 lb max comfortable.  Serious sag and bounce wirh each step at 32 when i had 6.5 liter water and 5 day food.

My arc, 25 lb tops. But rides vertical even with load lifters and chest strap loose.

I’ll just chime in here and say that pack fit is highly individual. ULA will either work well or not for you. Their hipbelts do not slip because of the Velcro in my experience (I’ve owned/own Catalyst/Circuit/Ohm/CDT Packs). They work well for me

I agree the ULA packs work much better with the hipbelt low rather than high.

Your baseweight seems high for an Ohm if you are going to add much weight in food/water. A Circuit might be worth considering.

I’m quite fond of my Ohm. I’m glad I pushed myself to go with the smaller pack instead of the Circuit—contrary to the common wisdom to err on the larger side—because it forced me to be more disciplined. It’s really more a question of *volume* than weight, and whether or not you’re planning long trips with a canister. (I’m great for up to 4 night trips with the bare boxer contender).

No problems ever with the velcro—it’s pretty heavy duty velcro. My old conventional pack has that too, so that’s all I know. I wear it at the bottom. Last week my son wore it with the hip belt at the top and was happy in it.

Chris at ULA is super helpful.

Anywhere near a retailer? (i’m lucky, we have one here in Portland.)

All that said, my impression from other’s past posts is that if you like ULA you will love Elemental Horizons.

Yes, fit it personal, but it seems like ULA works well for a whole lotta folks. So knowing nothing about your fit type, odds are good it will work.

M B
thanks for the informative reply.
yes i know it’s a Lightweight backpack.
i own an Osprey Exos and it’s hipbelt is less padded and more “flimsy” than the ULA’s .
it says on the ULA website that the circuit can hold up to 30 lb , even if it’s good for 28 lb it’s much more than i need since i usually don’t carry a whole lot of food and try to keep my food light – dont forget that my base weight includes a 2.5lb bacpack . . my total weight with food and water probably will be around 23lb.

it’s a shame i can’t try any of t them on since i don’t live in the US.

matthew k
How can i know then if the circuit (for example) will be a good fit for me or not? are there any hints?
i mean i did measure by back and everything (41 cm) and i know i probably need the short torso version.

i’m not worried about the hip belt slipping down but for the load transferring ability . i get that the velcro is of high quality but how are the back system of the aluminum rod and the hoop “connect” to the hipbelt?

Katherine,
I can’t seem to understand the OHM’s back panel , it seems there is no padding and the hip belt just goes inside a small flimsy sleeve. it seems that this system would be really uncomfortable.

i don’t use bear canister since there are no bears where i hike.
also i’m not worried about the Velcro being damaged but i don’t understand how’s the velcro a good method of transferring load onto the hips .

Big thanks to everyone for the help!

Insufficient weight transfer is just something you don’t hear about with ULA packs. I don’t know what to attribute it to. It just works. And if you are talking about a TPW of 23# then you are going to be absolutely fine in a Circuit or Ohm.

I agree with Matthew on weight transfer, and would dispute the word “flimsy” for the Velcro belt sleeve.  I actually find the torso adjustment within the sleeve useful.  If anything to complain about, moving the belt within the sleeve is hard.  That’s the price to pay for the sturdy Velcro on both front and back of the belt

if you want a pack that has a more dedicated weight transfer attachment from stay to belt, then look at Hanchor or Elemental Designs.  For heavier weight this might be more important.  At 25 or less I think the stay or Ohm rod is just helping prevent vertical collapse, and the belt transfer works.

nm