ULA Circuit Backpack Evaluation | CleverHiker

Backside Line

There are few packs with a status just like the ULA Circuit. It’s one of the crucial widespread thru-hiking packs yr after yr, and we will see why after testing it. We had been astonished at how properly it carried heavy hundreds despite being the lightest pack in our lineup. Moreover, the considerate array of options checked almost each field we’d need for a months-long via hike. To high it off, sturdiness was unbelievable. The robust materials and glorious high quality stitching gave us confidence this is able to final a full via hike after which some.

A part of what makes the Circuit so successful is that it doubles down on what backpackers really want. The massive primary compartment is tapered, so a lot of the area is close to the shoulder space. This concentrates weight there for simpler carrying, but in addition means you’ll be able to match a BV500 horizontally contained in the pack. We appreciated the big water bottle pockets, even when they had been a bit tough to succeed in whereas sporting the pack.

However general we’re impressed. It’s considered one of our high picks on our full backpacking backpacks information. There’s a purpose so many individuals select this pack. For our subsequent journey, we would simply depend ourselves amongst them.

How We Examined

For this version of our conventional backpack evaluations, we’re beginning recent and testing all of our packs with new eyes. We carried out preliminary testing throughout winter within the Midwest, loading up our packs and strolling to check carrying consolation and value.

Consolation

We will see why this pack is so widespread on lengthy trails. When loaded up with 34 kilos of weight, we discovered that it carried the load surprisingly properly. The middle aluminum keep mixed with the perimeter carbon fiber / Delrin hoop creates a safe system to maintain the load transferred to the hips. Happily, we additionally discovered the hipbelt to be nice.

With two factors of adjustment on all sides and a thick buckle within the center, the pack match us properly. That being mentioned, the big pack panel doesn’t do a lot in the best way of air flow. We carried out this spherical of testing in winter, so we couldn’t consider its air flow and temperature regulation in three-season circumstances. Nevertheless, the froth mesh materials gives a little bit of moisture wicking that ought to do higher than a strong face material.

We examined the J-shaped shoulder straps and located them to be sufficient. Consolation varies enormously by individual, however we might have preferred to see barely wider or thicker straps to distribute the load higher. Nevertheless, because of the glorious weight switch to the hip belt, we don’t suppose this might be a difficulty for most individuals.

Options

The Circuit is a extra stripped down pack in comparison with most others on this listing – it’s probably the most ultralight type we examined. That being mentioned, it nonetheless gives a whole lot of performance for the burden. Most significantly, it nonetheless gives the options that thru-hikers are most definitely to need.

With an infinite primary compartment secured with a roll high design, the Circuit follows its ultralight roots with an absence of inner group. The rolltop mechanism is properly finished, attaching to 2 aspect straps for extra compression. There are additionally two webbed compression straps – one on all sides – that really feel actually burly. The complete form of the pack tapers all the way down to a extra compact backside, so the ample compression choices on the highest of the pack is sensible. 

The tapering form means becoming a bear can is simple. Even a BV500 suits horizontally inside, making this pack an amazing alternative for bear nation. It’s value noting that ULA solely charges the BV425 as becoming horizontally,, so take a look at this with your personal bear can of alternative and to see what choice feels safe to you.

On all sides we discover generously sized water bottle pockets with adjustable shock twine working by way of the rim. They’re massive sufficient to carry two water bottles simply. Though, they sit excessive sufficient that retrieving water bottles isn’t as comfy as we’d like. 

The again pocket is superb. Its stretch mesh gives a big area to retailer tons of drugs. We wish to stuff our insulating jacket inside after warming up in the course of the morning. Moreover, ULA stretched shock twine over the pocket in a cross sample to retailer bigger gadgets like a moist rainfly. The hip belt pockets are adequately sized as properly. We now have no complaints there.

ULA gives a couple of customization choices that assist make the Circuit much more versatile. The only high strap could be switched to a Y strap, which makes carrying a bear can or different massive merchandise externally rather more safe. Two backside straps can be added to safe a closed cell foam pad or tent. Moreover, the flexibility to get S formed shoulder straps as an alternative of the usual J form is a superb characteristic for accommodating extra physique shapes.

General, we expect the Circuit gives a large number of options that ought to make via hikers significantly joyful. It would additionally delight backpackers of any expertise stage.

Sturdiness

Created from a robust 400D Robic Nylon, the Circuit is without doubt one of the most sturdy light-weight packs on the market. The latest model additionally upgrades to a more durable mesh for the again pocket, which is a frequent place of failure for backpacks. We had been impressed with the stitching and general high quality when inspecting the Circuit. Though it has a easy design, it’s constructed with a reassuring toughness to each element.

As one of the crucial widespread packs for via hikers, the Circuit has confirmed itself time and time once more, surviving months of use and abuse. There’s nothing in regards to the design or materials choice that provides us pause right here. Even the plastic parts are prime quality.

Ease of Use

The Circuit is refreshingly straightforward to make use of, owing to a simple design with out a lot in the best way of complexity. Like many light-weight packs, the Circuit incorporates a single massive compartment with a roll high design. The buckles are all properly sized, and compression straps function easily. 

One grievance we did have was the hipbelt zippers, that are a bit stiff. They open simply with one hand however require two to shut in any respect. That is an space the place many different packs excel. Fortunately, the pockets are properly positioned and maintain an excellent quantity of stuff, making it straightforward to seize snacks all through the day or retailer a headlamp for evening mountaineering.

The again pocket system can be a giant plus right here. With a layer of stretch mesh and a cross cross of shock twine above it, the again can maintain quite a lot of massive or small objects. We significantly like stashing our rain jacket on this pocket for sudden storms. Nevertheless, it’s additionally nice for storing an insulating jacket after warming up within the morning. Each storage programs are massive, and we beloved their versatility.

Water bottle entry is a slight adverse right here. Like a whole lot of packs that experience a bit larger, the pockets on the Circuit are additionally larger. This makes accessing and storing bottles a bit tough. We had been in a position to contort our arms sufficient to succeed in the bottles, however it wasn’t as simple as we’ve seen on different packs.

Ought to You Purchase the ULA Circuit Backpack?

The ULA Circuit received an Editor’s Selection award for being considered one of our high general packs for backpacking. For a lighter pack, it carried heavier weight fairly properly, supplied loads of performance for the burden, and even scored excessive for sturdiness. Different packs we examined had extra ventilated again panels and extra accessible water bottle pockets. However general, we had been impressed with the ULA Circuit backpack. We particularly suggest for thru-hikers and different long-distance backpackers preferring a lighter pack.

What Different Backpacking Packs Ought to You Take into account?

There are numerous glorious backpacks in our full backpacking backpacks information:

Granite Gear Crown 3 Evaluation – The Crown is one other crossover backpack which appeals to conventional backpackers who’re considering a lighter method to issues. 

Osprey Exos 58 Evaluation – In the event you’re out there for one thing light-weight just like the Circuit however need a couple of extra conventional options, the Exos is value a glance.