ULA Ultra Circuit Backpack Review
Hello, fellow hikers! I’m Carmelina, a professional backpacking guide with Wildland Trekking and a member of our gear testing team. As a guide, I always prioritize keeping my backpack weight low. I don’t want to wreck my back by carrying too much weight into the backcountry, but I also want the stability and structure of a framed backpack (one with a rigid frame to help distribute the load between the hipbelt and shoulder straps). But this is a classic balancing act for many hikers out there. How do we get the low weight of an ultralight pack with the comfort and support of a heavier, feature-rich pack?
Well, ULA Equipment may have the answer, and I was overjoyed to test their Ultra Circuit backpack on a recent trip to Tahoe National Forest. This pack uses lightweight, waterproof ULTRA fabric combined with ULA’s ethos to produce high-quality, lightweight gear. So perhaps the Circuit is the answer to this question? Let’s take a look at how it performed in the field to find out…
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Ultra Circuit Quick Look
Let’s take a look at the Circuit’s basic specifications to set the stage for testing it in the backcountry.
- Price: $379.99
- Capacity: 68 Liters
- Material Information:
- Main fabric: Ultra 400X
- Low Abrasion Areas: Ultra 200X
- Weight: ~36.8 oz
- Shoulder Strap Options:
- S-Strap: Best for round shoulders/round chest
- J-Strap: Best for flat shoulders/flat chest
- Waist Belt?: Yes, multiple size options
Intended Use
ULA’s stated purpose is to craft backpacks that last for a lifetime of hiking. Within that purpose, ULA is laser-focused on quality, lightweight fabrics, and ultralight gear. Put all this together, and the Ultra Circuit’s purpose quickly comes into focus. This is an ultralight backpacking pack designed for rugged, tough environments, with the goal of lasting a lifetime. As we’ll discuss below, the high price reflects the quality and materials that go into creating a pack that lasts a lifetime. But, needless to say, the Ultra Circuit is built for serious adventuring from long-distance backpacking to high-altitude mountaineering and everything in between.
Notable Features
The Ultra Circuit is incredibly unique, and includes several speciality features that are worth discussing before we dive into the full reivew:
Adjustable and Removable Hipbelt: makes the Ultra Circuit very versatile, allowing the wearer to perfectly fit the hipbelt to their body, or remove it entirely for ultralite adventures.
ULTRA Material: is ridiculously strong and abrasion-resistant while remaining outstandingly lightweight. It’s also waterproof up to 200psi, making it an outstanding material choice for backpacking packs.
Highly Customizable Design: allows the wearer to choose which top-strap style they’d prefer – standard for compression and top closure, or Y-style to secure extra gear to the top of the pack. Additionally, a removable bottom strap kit is also available to secure extra, bulky gear to the bottom of the pack.
ULA Company Background
Brian Frankle became focused on ultralight hiking while tackling the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) in 1999. Soon after, he founded ULA in 2001 in Logan, Utah, with the sole purpose of producing quality, ultralight gear manufactured entirely in the USA. Since those beginnings, the company has changed hands a couple of times while growing significantly. Today, ULA is now headed by Peter Longobardi and boasts over 9,000 square feet of manufacturing space in Utah. All their gear is still cut and sewn in the USA, and the company puts extreme emphasis on quality, long-lasting gear that should last a lifetime.
THE TEST – QUICK OVERVIEW
Just as Brian Fankle was inspired to produce Ultralight gear while hiking the PCT, I had the opportunity to test ULA's Ultra Circuit on a section of the PCT twenty-seven years later.
My test took me through the Tahoe National Forest up towards Tamarack Lakes. I encountered stunning and clear spring weather with daytime temperatures around seventy degrees Fahrenheit.
So, although I wasn't able to put the Ultra Circuit's weather resistance to the test, I had plenty of opportunity to dive into the pack's features and capabilities on this hike.
The Review
Now that we’ve covered the basic specifications for the Ultra Circuit and some company background for ULA Equipment, it’s time to dive into the complete review! I’ll cover important categories for the pack below (such as comfort, durability, weather resistance, and so on), and give each category a score from 1 to 5 (scoring key below). Along with the score, I’ll also go into detail about my testing experience and why I assigned that particular score. So, let’s see how the Circuit did!
Scoring Key
1/5: Poor
2/5: Tolerable
3/5: Fair
4/5: Good
5/5: Outstanding
Weight/Bulk – 5/5
This is the lightest pack I’ve ever worn into the backcountry!
At only 36 ounces (2.25 lbs.), this pack feels incredibly lightweight and nimble. I’m particularly impressed that ULA was able to keep the weight so low while still providing a sturdy, supportive frame for the Ultra Circuit Pack. Much of this low weight is thanks to the Ultra material (which I’ll discuss more below), but it’s also due to ULA’s skillfully judicious design.
The overall pack is fairly minimalist to keep the weight down. However, there are several very clever, practical, and well-positioned features that make this pack as useful as possible without adding excess weight. The large hipbelt pockets, carefully positioned cinch straps, and large mesh front pocket are just a few of the features that make the Ultra Circuit feel “feature-rich” without unnecessary clutter or weight.
Durability – 5/5
Outstanding durability! My test through the Tahoe National Forest took me across some very abrasive terrain and sharp granite features, and the pack held up beautifully.
There were absolutely zero signs of wear at the end of my testing. No scuff marks, frayed seams, or even pilling on the padded back panel. Clearly, the ULTRA material did its job, and I’m extremely impressed by its lightweight yet very durable quality. Unlike other ultralight packs on the market, I felt entirely comfortable flopping this pack on the ground or setting it on/against sharp granite rock. The ULTRA fabric can take it, and I entirely trust this pack to last many many many seasons in the backcountry.
In fact, I have a trip to Nicaragua coming up very soon with lots of hiking, chicken buses, and rough environments. After testing the ULA Ultra Circuit, I feel 100% confident swapping this pack in as my travel pack for the trip, and I have no doubt it can stand up to the rigors of the adventure.
Fit/Comfort – 5/5
Usually, comfort is where ultralight packs tend to struggle, as they cut padding and support to trim weight. Not so with the Ultra Circuit! And honestly, I was pleasantly shocked at how comfortable this pack is.
First and foremost, the Ultra Circuit doesn’t skimp on padding. The hip belt, back panel, and shoulder straps are all well-padded to provide excellent support and comfort. Additionally, the sternum straps and well-placed compression straps help keep the pack load snug and well-distributed across my back.
ULA recommends a pack weight of 35 lbs. or less for optimal comfort. However, my kit definitely approached 45 lbs. with all of my camera gear, and it still felt remarkably comfortable!
Organization – 4/5
I can’t believe we’ve made it this far in the review before I’ve needed to deduct a single point from the Ultra Circuit! But before getting to this deduction, let’s talk about the organizational pros this pack offers.
First, the hip belt pockets are large, and I was able to take my phone in and out while it was cinched around my hips. This is a small but very noticeable benefit, since many packs render their hip pockets nearly useless by failing to account for the hipbelt’s tension when cinched around the wearer’s waist. I was also particularly fond of the extra storage offered by the dorsal/front mesh pocket and the accompanying elastic cord, which was great for strapping my sandals. The side pockets are also very roomy and can be cinched down to the needed size.
I deducted a point in this category because I wish a small internal organization pocket came standard with this pack. Such a pocket would be very handy for keys, a wallet, and any other items I wouldn’t want loosey-goosey at the bottom of the pack. But in this case, such a storage pocket is an extra add-on that can be attached to the pack as an accessory. Honestly, I get it. That extra pocket may be viewed as frivolous by purist ultralight hikers, and it’s easier to keep the pack as a barebones base that hikers can add accessories to. However, I really do wish that a simple yet infinitely useful pocket were part of the standard pack.
Weatherproofing – 5/5
Due to sunny California weather and me not falling into any creeks, I wasn’t able to put its waterproof rating to the test. However, according to the ULA website, the ULTRA material is waterproof to 200psi (which is a lot!).
Additionally, ULA deliberately omitted a hydration hose hole in the pack design to make the pack as weatherproof as possible. So all-in-all, the weatherproofing for this pack “should” be top-notch and keep all your gear safe and dry. I only say “should” because I didn’t personally get the chance to put those claims to the test this round, but I’ll update this review as soon as I get the chance to put the Circuit through some wet conditions!
Ease of Use – 4/5
Overall, the Ultra Circuit is extremely user-friendly, easy to use, and straightforward to adjust.
The various compression and closure straps/buckles are quite easy to use and fine-tune. What’s more, the minimalist interior design means there aren’t any finicky compartments, zippers, dividers, or sleeves to deal with – just one cavernous space that’s easy to load up however you like.
My one minor critique in this department concerns the hipbelt. First, let me be clear that the four-point hipbelt system is remarkably comfortable and effective. However, the extra adjustment points for this system make it just a little more involved to cinch up and loosen, but the added comfort is absolutely worth it.
Adjustability – 5/5
Also, I should mention that ULA offers a lot of “adjustability” right from the beginning with ordering the pack. You get to pick your hipbelt size, enter your torso size (which determines how the pack sits on your back and torso), and select S or J shoulder straps (where S is for more rounded shoulders and chest and J for flat shoulders and chest). So there’s a lot of adjustability with this pack to make it fit just right!
Also, as I touched on above, ULA offers plenty of accessories and add-ons for their packs, allowing you to customize and adjust the aesthetic to fit your needs.
Price – 5/5
Yes, this is an expensive pack, there’s no denying it. At $380, this is a significant investment in your hiking kit.
However, I firmly believe this price offers extraordinary value and utility. The pack is extremely durable with a quality, waterproof fabric (that’s crafted from recycled materials), impressively lightweight, and outstandingly comfortable. The overall craftsmanship and quality are truly top-tier.
Therefore, I believe it’s worth its price. This is a great pack that will stand the test of time (and trail days).
Overall Quality – 5/5
Quick Summary
We’ve covered a plethora of pack characteristics in this review! Therefore, we’ll review the highlights and condense my findings down to the main pros and cons below.
Pros:
- Extremely lightweight
- Very durable and inherently waterproof material
- Very comfortable with good adjustability
- Lots of exterior pockets and organization options
- Made in the USA
Cons:
- No interior zip pocket (optional accessory)
- Very expensive – but worth it!
What is ULTRA Fabric?
So, what’s the story with ULA’s unique ULTRA fabric? Well, let’s take a closer look.
ULTRA uses ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (essentially very dense, tough, and abrasion-resistant molecules) combined with high-tenacity polyester (a synthetic fabric that’s very resistant to tearing). These two synthetic materials, when combined, yield an extremely durable, strong fabric.
Since ULTRA is synthetic, it’s (in essence) a form of plastic. However, ULTRA boasts being the only waterproof pack fabric made from 100% recycled polyester. According to the ULA website, over 20 recycled plastic bottles go into each square yard of ULTRA fabric, an impressive upcycling process!
To achieve ULTRA’s waterproofing, the polyethylene-polyester fabric is laminated with an eco-friendly adhesive and Challenge RUV™ film. This lamination process makes the fabric waterproof up to 200 psi and remarkably UV-resistant (another huge benefit for a hiking pack).
So there we have it. ULTRA is an extremely advanced, high-molecular-weight, synthetic fabric that’s (in part) produced with recycled plastic bottles and laminated in an eco-friendly process to produce a robust and waterproof fabric. Whew, that’s a lot!
Final Thoughts
The Ultra Circuit is an outstanding ultralight backpack. The ULTRA material is obviously incredibly durable and held up to the sharp granite rock on my test with ease. Additionally, the material is inherently waterproof yet remarkably lightweight. But good material is only half the story; it all depends on how it’s implemented. Well, ULA has done a truly outstanding job molding that ULTRA material into an ultralight pack that offers exceptional comfort, adjustability, and customization.
With all the sizing options when ordering and the easy-to-use adjustment straps throughout the pack, the Ultra Circuit fit me perfectly (which is often hard to achieve!). The padded (and removable) hipbelt, combined with the comfortable shoulder straps, made this pack a breeze to carry all day, even when I loaded it beyond ULA’s recommended 35 lbs. capacity. And with all this comfort, adjustability, durability, waterproofing, and accessory straps for carrying extra gear, the Ultra Circuit still manages to stay amazingly lightweight!
Honestly, my only feedback is to opt for the zipper-pocket accessory if you want an internal stash pocket (I wish the internal pocket was standard), and recognize that the steep price is a true investment in your long-term hiking kit. I say “long-term” because ULA’s stated purpose is to build packs to last a lifetime of hiking. Yes, it’s a painful price to pay upfront, but that price buys you outstanding quality, comfort, and utility that are 100% worth it, in my opinion.