Matt, I know you already bought the rain cover, but I would recommend using a pack liner instead. I use a heavy duty trash bag from under my kitchen counter, so it's basically free. Just stuff it down in your empty pack, load it like normal, then twist the top of the liner and tuck it to the side. I've had bad experiences in heavy rain with water running down the back of my rain coat and eventually soaking through into the pack. The pack liner solves that problem at a very minimal weight/cost penalty. Thanks for the great review of the pack. Im looking for a framed pack for winter load outs and this looks like it will work!
I’ve actually been meaning to try a pack liner for sometime. Always forget to do it when the time comes for a trip. Glad to hear you’ve had good experiences with them though!
This was a good review and I enjoyed how honest you were about the pros and cons and where you personally thought improvement could be made. ULA packs made their name as ultralight packs that were durable and targeted toward the PCT crowd. That's why they don't have a rain cover, most thru-hikers just use a pack liner instead. The other thing about the price difference is that ULA is entirely made in USA, so higher labor and material cost, versus packs like Osprey made in Vietnam. Their vastly decreased labor and material costs allow them to throw in a freebie like a rain cover and have that awesome lifetime guarantee.
@@mattbundt9986 Not to continue nerding out, but I'll go ahead and give pros cons of the pack liner versus pack cover. Pack liner is generally lighter and is put on the inside of the pack so it stays without needing adjustment. Pack cover is heavier, but keeps water from soaking up in your pack. Your ULA pack and mine will soak up water and the pack will weigh considerably more with that water than if you had a pack cover. Pack covers (or at least mine) can blow off your pack in a strong wind. I personally stick to the pack liner as I don't usually deal with inclement weather and would prefer the lighter option that still works in case there is a thunderstorm unbeknownst to me hitting my hiking area.
Great review. I appreciate hearing both the pros and the cons. The ULA Circuit was on my list of packs I was looking at last year before opting for a Waymark. I do have one of their day packs and it is really well made. Just a side note at least on the Osprey Atmos 65 I bought about 3 years ago I had to buy a rain cover for it back then. That may have changed but I know I was in a similar boat about not being super happy that I had to buy a rain cover for however much on top of an already expensive piece of gear. Thanks for sharing the great review!
Thanks for watching and the feedback! How are you liking the Waymark? Those packs look really nice and super lightweight. Other than that I don’t know too much about them
@@mattbundt9986 I'm honestly blown away by the Waymark Lite's fit. For a frameless pack I've pushed it in the upper 20s at the beginning of some week long trips and though I could feel it it wasn't uncomfortable compared to my last frameless pack. The build quality was much better then I expected as well. My last cottage made pack had threads hanging in places, etc. but Waymark was spot on.
This pack carries really well for me. I alternate between carrying heavier on the hips and shoulders by adjusting the straps, but only if I’m carrying heavier weight. For most of my hikes I don’t need to, as it’s pretty comfortable. Hope that helps, thanks!
Great review. Front pocket too big? Ridiculous! If you want to take up space, shove your rain/wind jacket down one side. Easy access to it and it keeps other items in one section of the pocket. Win win!
Thanks! I’m sure I’ll grow to appreciate it more on longer trips. For my short overnighters I just don’t need all that space. But overall I do love having a mesh pocket in the front of my pack.
I saw another review where the hiker was just gripping the hand loops without putting his hands through. If you trip, you're gonna face-plant before you can get your hands out.
Hi! Thanks for the review. I'm actually considering the Granite Gear Blaze 60 and I'm hesitating between it and the Circuit. Can you tell me what made you decide on the Circuit?
Hey no problem, I looked at that pack as well as the Granite Gear Crown 2. It mostly came down to weight, capacity, and the reviews of its durability. It was a really tough decision in the end, as I was looking at a ton of packs. 68L for only being a little over 2 pounds is very nice. I’ve been pretty impressed and pleased with it so far.
I too am looking at buying either the blaze 60 or this one. Although having less pockets on this model seems to be a positive, i also see it as a negative when it comes to organizing some of my gear and storing "lunch" for on the trail. I usually like to keep the essentials quick to access on an outside pocket so i don't have to open up the main compartment on the trail.
@@tonywentoutside I will say the outside pocket on here is pretty big. I can fit my ditty bag, snacks, and water filtration system in it with room to spare.
Matt, I know you already bought the rain cover, but I would recommend using a pack liner instead. I use a heavy duty trash bag from under my kitchen counter, so it's basically free. Just stuff it down in your empty pack, load it like normal, then twist the top of the liner and tuck it to the side. I've had bad experiences in heavy rain with water running down the back of my rain coat and eventually soaking through into the pack. The pack liner solves that problem at a very minimal weight/cost penalty.
Thanks for the great review of the pack. Im looking for a framed pack for winter load outs and this looks like it will work!
I’ve actually been meaning to try a pack liner for sometime. Always forget to do it when the time comes for a trip. Glad to hear you’ve had good experiences with them though!
Pack liner is much better, much lighter, and much cheaper.
Pack liner > rain "cover"
Good review. I've had my Circuit for 4+ years. Excellent pack. The points highlighted in the review are spot on IMHO.
Thanks! Really appreciate that feedback!
This was a good review and I enjoyed how honest you were about the pros and cons and where you personally thought improvement could be made. ULA packs made their name as ultralight packs that were durable and targeted toward the PCT crowd. That's why they don't have a rain cover, most thru-hikers just use a pack liner instead. The other thing about the price difference is that ULA is entirely made in USA, so higher labor and material cost, versus packs like Osprey made in Vietnam. Their vastly decreased labor and material costs allow them to throw in a freebie like a rain cover and have that awesome lifetime guarantee.
Thanks! Yea those are some good points, especially considering the pack liners. I’ve been really close to trying them out myself versus a rain cover.
@@mattbundt9986 Not to continue nerding out, but I'll go ahead and give pros cons of the pack liner versus pack cover. Pack liner is generally lighter and is put on the inside of the pack so it stays without needing adjustment. Pack cover is heavier, but keeps water from soaking up in your pack. Your ULA pack and mine will soak up water and the pack will weigh considerably more with that water than if you had a pack cover. Pack covers (or at least mine) can blow off your pack in a strong wind. I personally stick to the pack liner as I don't usually deal with inclement weather and would prefer the lighter option that still works in case there is a thunderstorm unbeknownst to me hitting my hiking area.
Great review, thanks!
the mesh pocket/removal concern- I use my ground sheet. with it against the 'mesh; side, I can slide out my items with out issue.
That’s a pretty good idea, going to have to give this a try. Thanks for that info.
Great review. I appreciate hearing both the pros and the cons. The ULA Circuit was on my list of packs I was looking at last year before opting for a Waymark. I do have one of their day packs and it is really well made. Just a side note at least on the Osprey Atmos 65 I bought about 3 years ago I had to buy a rain cover for it back then. That may have changed but I know I was in a similar boat about not being super happy that I had to buy a rain cover for however much on top of an already expensive piece of gear. Thanks for sharing the great review!
Thanks for watching and the feedback! How are you liking the Waymark? Those packs look really nice and super lightweight. Other than that I don’t know too much about them
@@mattbundt9986 I'm honestly blown away by the Waymark Lite's fit. For a frameless pack I've pushed it in the upper 20s at the beginning of some week long trips and though I could feel it it wasn't uncomfortable compared to my last frameless pack. The build quality was much better then I expected as well. My last cottage made pack had threads hanging in places, etc. but Waymark was spot on.
You still have to buy a separate rain cover for the Osprey Atmos.
Great review man, subbed! Hey how did you find the carry, did it transfer the weight ok to hips, or you were mostly carrying the weight on shoulders?
This pack carries really well for me. I alternate between carrying heavier on the hips and shoulders by adjusting the straps, but only if I’m carrying heavier weight. For most of my hikes I don’t need to, as it’s pretty comfortable. Hope that helps, thanks!
Great review, great pack... do you still use it as your main pack? Just picked one up, going on a 3 day 2 night trip this weekend.
Great review. Front pocket too big? Ridiculous! If you want to take up space, shove your rain/wind jacket down one side. Easy access to it and it keeps other items in one section of the pocket. Win win!
Thanks! I’m sure I’ll grow to appreciate it more on longer trips. For my short overnighters I just don’t need all that space. But overall I do love having a mesh pocket in the front of my pack.
I saw another review where the hiker was just gripping the hand loops without putting his hands through. If you trip, you're gonna face-plant before you can get your hands out.
Now you dont get any of the add ons without paying extra!
I know right!
@@mattbundt9986 I’ll still likely get one, though. Lol
Dope review my guy!
Thanks man, appreciate it!
Hi! Thanks for the review. I'm actually considering the Granite Gear Blaze 60 and I'm hesitating between it and the Circuit. Can you tell me what made you decide on the Circuit?
Hey no problem, I looked at that pack as well as the Granite Gear Crown 2. It mostly came down to weight, capacity, and the reviews of its durability. It was a really tough decision in the end, as I was looking at a ton of packs. 68L for only being a little over 2 pounds is very nice. I’ve been pretty impressed and pleased with it so far.
I too am looking at buying either the blaze 60 or this one. Although having less pockets on this model seems to be a positive, i also see it as a negative when it comes to organizing some of my gear and storing "lunch" for on the trail. I usually like to keep the essentials quick to access on an outside pocket so i don't have to open up the main compartment on the trail.
@@tonywentoutside I will say the outside pocket on here is pretty big. I can fit my ditty bag, snacks, and water filtration system in it with room to spare.
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Nice review
Thank you!