ULA Circuit on the AT

My old pack has seen better days and as such it was time for a new pack. Since I knew I would be hiking long-distances with this pack, I wanted something comfortable for me and able to expand to contain growing and shrinking food needs. What I really needed was something capable of withstanding the rigors of daily wear while still being light enough to not break my back. After much thought and research, I chose to go with the ULA Circuit.

Shoulder strap without bottle	Shoulder strap with bottle
Removable single metal stay	Removable hand loops

Ultralight Adventure Equipment’s Circuit is a 4200 cu in. (69 L) ultralight pack. The pack is best suited for a baseweight of 15 lb (6.8 kg) or less and a maximum weight of 35 lb (16 kg) with 4200 cu in. (69 L) of total storage capacity. The storage capacity of the Circuit includes a large internal compartment, small internal mesh pocket, two external side mesh pockets and one external large back mesh pocket. The main compartment is 2600 cu in. (42 L) while all the pockets add to the total volume of 4200 cu in. (69 L). The pack comes with a hydration sleeve, two hip belt pockets, bottle holsters and hand loops. The hand loops, internal mesh pocket, hydration sleeve, and bottle holsters are removable. The Circuit without removable items, weighs 36 oz (1 kg). The single aluminum stay is also removable. The Circuit has reflective details on rear facing webbing loops as well as bungee cord to tighten up the back mesh pocket. At the bottom are ice axe loops with corresponding Velcro loops near the top of the pack. The Circuit as well as many of the packs at ULA are made with Dyneema Gridstop material. This is a nylon fabric that is lightweight but very tough. This tough material resists abrasion.

ULA packs are sized both by back length and hip size. The hip belt is removable allowing for a better fit as the backpacker shrinks (as on a thru-hike) or grows (with winter padding). The Circuit comes with a well padded back as well as shoulder straps and hip belt. I haven’t felt any discomfort or pinching from the hip belt or shoulder straps. I haven’t felt anything poking me through the back panel, but I do feel a difference in the contour of the back when my hydration bladder is very full or not.

Generous hip pockets

Large side pockets

Mesh back

My base weight fluctuates a little but for our section hikes along the Appalachian Trail, I had a base weight of 14 lb (6 kg) with a few select luxury items. Food and water weight varied depending on number of days between resupplies and distance between water sources. For the most part, I had been hiking with about 2.5 - 3.5 L of water as we had been hiking through some pretty dry sections of the Appalachian Trail. The Circuit has been doing very well with my gear and food load. The pack is wide enough at the bottom to hold my compressed sleeping quilt beside my stuff sack of clothes with just enough room to wedge in my NeoAir. On top of that I can place a couple of small items like toiletries, reading material and stove set. Finally, I pile my food on top and pull everything tight. The external pockets have been great for easy access to my headlamp, extra water bottle, wind gear, and bathroom necessities. I have been using the hip belt pockets for quick access to essentials such as tissue paper, camera and mp3 player.

ULA Circuit in AT shelter

From day one I have felt comfortable with the Circuit, while not that different from my previous pack (which also had a single internal compartment) I did have to learn how to organize the mesh pockets for easy access to needed items. This has actually been the best part for me, having easy access to my headlamp, wind gear or camera. Even the large back mesh pocket can be organized by layering items inside. The side pockets are great and have been useful for more than just a water bottle. Not only is the pocket large enough to hold a Gatorade bottle, but I have been able to stick in a large Ziploc bag with needed bathroom items for easy access while on the trail. The pockets can be tightened up with a bungee cord and cord lock. The hip belt pockets are very generously sized. I haven’t filled them to capacity, but the few items I place inside really barely puts a dent in the volume of items I could stuff inside.

Picking blueberries with the Circuit on

The pack has carried well on my shoulders up to about 30 lb (14 kg). It definitely carries well with less weight. More weight and I notice the straps tend to carry heavier on my shoulders. The pack is still comfortable up to 35 lb (16 kg). I have had to carry 5 L of water in one shot and pushed the pack weight up over 35 lb (16 kg). The comfort level definitely went down, but not as significantly as I expected, the weight definitely sat heavier on my shoulders and hips. For me at 23-25 lb (10-11 kg) the pack has been a dream. At 30 lb (14 kg) it carries well and at 35 lb (16 kg) starts to weigh me down a bit. Since I don’t expect to consistently carry loads more than 35 lb (16 kg), this pack has worked out very well. I know I can take it over 35 lb (16 kg) as needed and still have some comfort carrying the load.

Top hook and loop attachment point - broken

Ice axe loops at bottom

Removable hydration sleeve

The Circuit has become more than just my pack for long distance treks, it is now my go to pack for weekend trips and even helps organize items for car camping trips. I used the Circuit on a trip in the Uinta Mountains in Utah. This was a four-day backpacking trip to explore some of the basins in the area. With the cooler weather and extra cold weather gear, the pack continued to perform very well. I have been amazed by the size of the hip belt pockets which just feeds my desire to shove more must have items in the pockets than I really need.

The pack has been great on our long section hikes of the Appalachian Trail. The expandable nature has allowed the pack to grow and shrink as the number of days worth of food grew and shrank with each day. While not the lightest on the market, it was built to hold up while still being light. This is a crucial combination. I don’t feel like I have to baby it in any way. The pack has held up to a beating day after day for months as we hiked over 800 mi (1,287 km) of the Appalachian Trail. The pack has held up beautifully without any issues.

Fall colors in the Wasatch

The storage capacity of the pack continues to amaze me. The Circuit easily holds all my gear and food needs while still having extra room if needed. The pack has held anywhere from one to eight days of food with few issues. Seven to eight days of food did require a little rearranging of the load to ensure it was well balanced. Apparently I wasn’t the only one who thought this was an appropriate pack for long distance hiking as I saw so many people with Circuits on the AT.

This has been a great pack, holding up really well in spite of daily use over several months. The pack expands nicely to hold an array of gear and food. The comfort level has been great, fitting well to my back and hips. While not a woman’s specific pack, the fit has worked very well for me. This has been a great pack overall for rugged conditions and/or continuous use.