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ULA Ultra 24 Circuit Backpack Review

UL Ultra 24 Circuit Backpack Review

The ULA Ultra 24 Circuit (68L) is an ultralight-style roll-top backpack made using a new ultralight waterproof fabric called Ultra that’s significantly more abrasion resistant than Dyneema DCF or the Robic Nylon used in other lightweight backpacks. If you’ve already been evaluating a ULA Circuit backpack for purchase, the only significant difference between the Ultra 24 Circuit and the baseline ULA Circuit made with 400 denier Robic Nylon is this new fabric, which is more expensive and is only available in black and grey.

RELATED: 10 Best Ultralight Backpacks

Specs at a Glance

  • Weight: 34.7 oz (size medium)
  • Volume:  68 Liters incl. extension collar and external pockets
  • Main pack bag volume: 47.5 Liters incl. extension collar
  • Fabric: Ultra 200 and Ultra 400 in high wear areas
  • Mfg. Rec’d Max Load: 30 lbs
  • Mfg. Rec’s Base Weight: 15 lbs
  • Torso Lengths: 15-18″, 18-21″, 21-24″, 24″+
  • Hip Belt Sizing: 26-30″, 30-34″, 34-38″, 38-40″, 42-47″, 47″+
  • Seam-taped: No
  • Hydration system compatibility: No
  • Load lifters: Yes
  • Bear canister compatibility: BV500 and Garcia fit vertically, all other Bear Vault sizes including the BV475, fit horizontally.
  • Made in the USA
  • For complete specs, visit ULA’s Ultra 24 Circuit Product Page

About Ultra

If all this talk of new ultralight fabrics and their technical merits makes your head spin, you’re not alone, so I’ll boil it down. This new Ultra material is considered an order of magnitude more abrasion resistant than Dyneema Composite Fabrics and its hybrids as well as Robic Nylon or the High Tenacity Nylon, which is now used in packs made by Osprey, Gregory, Granite Gear, and others.

The black portion of the Ultra 24 Circuit is made with Ultra 400D and the grey is made with Ultra 200D.
The black portion of the Ultra 24 Circuit is made with Ultra 400D and the grey is made with Ultra 200D.

Backpack fabric experiences abrasion when you put your pack down on sand, gravel, scrape against rock walls, or bushwhack through dense foliage. Over time this can thin or hole the fabric so it leaks moisture, holes, or tears. The thinner the fabric (usually measured in denier, abbreviated D, as in 400D), the faster it will abrade. Ultra is also more environmentally friendly to manufacture and recycle than DCF or traditional nylons including Robic, although it’s still susceptible to UV damage from sunlight like Dyneema Composite Fabrics.

This increased abrasion resistance is useful for people who backpack frequently in mountains, deserts, or canyon country, but is less important for more casual backpackers where the use of Dyneema Composite Fabrics or the high Denier 400D Robic Nylon found in ULAs other backpacks provides more than adequate durability.

Backpack Storage and Organization

The ULA Ultra 24 Circuit is laid out like a standard ultralight backpack with a rear mesh pocket, side water bottle pockets made with solid fabric, and a single tier of side compression straps. It’s a roll-top pack (without any top snaps, velcro, or a stiffener) that can be secured to the sides of the pack with straps and buckles or clipped together on top. If the latter, the extra straps can be looped around the backpack to provide rear compression or act as an attachment point to lash gear to the outside of the front mesh pocket, which can be very handy.

The pack has a long extension collar for added storage.
The pack has a long extension collar for added storage.

The side water bottle pockets are easy to reach while wearing the backpack and you can get bottles in and out of the pockets. There is also elastic with a cord lock along the top of the pocket to secure taller bottles. The pack’s shoulder straps are anchored inside these pockets to pull the pack closer to your hips, but small items can fall out if placed inside them. The pockets are sized for tall bottles but you can just barely secure a 32 oz Nalgene in one with the elastic cord (I prefer milky white UL polyethylene Nalgenes over Smartwater bottles, which get scuzzy with use and are hard to keep clean.)

The side pockets have a front cutout
The side pockets have a front cutout.

The rear mesh pocket is great for storing wet or loose layers you want easy access to, without having to open up the roll top. The Ultra 24 Circuit I review here has a more durable grade of Dyneema Mesh which is a $20 upgrade that is well worth the added durability if you plan to hike off-trail. The pack comes with an elastic cord that lays over the mesh and is good for attaching wet gear to the outside of the backpack, although my preference is to remove it so it doesn’t snag on protruding vegetation.

More durable Dyneema mesh is a $20 upgrade
More durable Dyneema mesh is a $20 upgrade

There are two zippered pockets on the exterior of the hip belt, large enough to store a point-and-shoot camera, snacks, Aquamira bottles, bug dope, and such. The fronts of both pockets are hard-faced with heavy-duty zippers for durability. Hip belt pockets are a place that often experiences high abrasion if you hike off-trail and where the Ultra fabric shines. They also come with water-resistant zippers which is a nice touch if you have to hike in rain.

The hip belt pockets are well sized and have water resistant zippers
The hip belt pockets are well-sized and have water-resistant zippers

The inside of the pack bag is one big space without any hydration ports or a place to hang a hydration system, although there are two gear loops inside from which to hang a hydration pocket or smaller accessory pocket (sold separately). While the entire pack can hold 68L, the main pack bag only has a volume of 39.3L of storage while the extension collar adds another 8.2 Liters of closed storage.  The remainder is spread around the exterior of the pack.

The inside of the pack bag is also NOT seam-taped, despite the fact that the other manufacturers including Zpacks and LiteAF are seam-taping Ultra or offer it as a pack option like Superior Wilderness Designs. That feels like a pulled punch to me, even more so given that most DCF packs are now seam-taped as well.

The interior waterproof coating is sewn but not seam-taped
The interior waterproof coating is sewn but not seam-taped

Regardless, we still always recommend using a pack liner, even on packs that are seam taped and made with waterproof fabric, because a liner has more uses beyond keeping the inside of your pack dry. (See: Do You need a Pack Liner for a Waterproof Backpack?)

Backpack Frame and Suspension

The Ultra 24 Circuit has two frame components, a Delrin (fiberglass) hoop that runs around the perimeter of the back panel and a central aluminum frame stay. The hoop doesn’t provide a structural function in terms of load transfer although it provides an anchor for the pack’s load lifters. The real work is done by the frame stay, which also prevents any barrelling, even when the pack is stuffed full. The frame stay is pre-curved and helps drive the load into your lumbar region without a noticeable lumbar pad. Both the Delrin loop and the central frame stay components are not designed to be easily removable.

In terms of load distribution, it’s best to place your heaviest items, such as food, closer to the center of your back or just above the hip belt. Weight placed higher up in this pack, with its single frame stay, tends to sway a bit and can throw you off balance.

Interior view of the delrin perimeter loop and center frame stay pocket
Interior view of the delrin perimeter loop and center frame stay pocket

The back of the pack is made with thin foam which is covered with mesh fabric that does an excellent job of keeping your torso comfortable even on hot and humid days. It’s not ventilated like a suspended mesh pack, so you’ll still sweat, but it’s also not smooth like a back panel made with nylon, and therefore much less slippery when you’re slippery with perspiration.

Like ULA’s other backpacks, the Ultra 24 Circuit is available with traditional male (J-shaped) or female-friendly and unisex (S-shaped) shoulder straps…although a lot of men prefer those S-shaped straps as well. I requested them on this pack to show you what they look like. The S-Shape is good for people with sloping shoulders or well-developed chests and can help make the sternum strap (which slides up and down on a webbing strap) more comfortable. ULA packs are very popular with women backpackers for this reason.

The pack is available with J-shaped S-shaped shoulder straps, shown here.
The pack is available with J-shaped S-shaped shoulder straps, shown here.

The hip belt is equally impressive, if not more. It has top and bottom webbing straps so you can adjust the tension to match the curves of your hips while preserving the simplicity of a central buckle. I think the ULA Circuit backpack has the best hip bet available today amongst ultralight pack makers in this weight class in terms of fit, comfort, and load transfer. It rides securely and comfortably over your iliac crest and won’t slip even if you have a heavily loaded pack.

ULA UL24 Circuit Backpack

Comfort
Weight
Suspension
Features
Adjustability
Sizing
Durability

Bombproof Circuit

The ULA Circuit is one of the best-loved lightweight backpacks because of its fit, gender-specific options and utility. Now available in Ultra, a waterproof and extremely durable fabric, it's even tougher and more durable than ever.

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The hip belt is also replaceable and available in an impressive range of sizes, so you can really dial in a good fit even if you’re on the ultra-slim or the oversized end of the spectrum. It attaches to the pack with a big block of velcro behind the padded back panel. That velcro block is taller than it has to be by about 2″, so if you need to, you can raise the hip belt up and shorten the torso length or vice versa. In other words, you get the convenience of an adjustable torso length without incurring the added weight and complexity that having one usually requires. This degree of adjustability has always been a feature of ULA larger backpacks that have set them apart from other fixed torso-length packs.

The hip belt is adjusted with a top and bottom strap
The hip belt is adjusted with a top and bottom strap

External Attachment Points/Compression

There’s one tier of compression straps on the Ultra 24 Circuit located above each side pocket. In addition to helping compress puffy gear stored inside the pack, they can also be used to secure long skinny items to the side of the pack like a Tenkara fishing rod tube or a trekking umbrella. They do have limited utility for winter hiking and backpacking, however, when it is much more convenient to use a pack with two tiers of side compression straps for hauling snowshoes or skis.

The pack has trekking pole holders along the sides.
The pack has trekking pole holders along the sides

Like all ULA backpacks, the Ultra 24’s Circuit’shoulder straps provide plastic rings to hang gear like GPS receivers or a Garmin mini 2. The sternum strap slides up and down a piece of webbing sewn to the front of the shoulder straps and is easy to adjust (since it’s not sewn like a daisy chain).

There are also seven gear loops sewn into the pack’s seams that circle its perimeter which hold a crisscrossed adjustable elastic cord good for lashing items to the pack, although you can easily rig up extra cords any way you please or remove the elastic strap, which is my preference. The Ultra 24 Circuit also includes a pair of trekking pole holders that run down the outside of the pockets, but they can be difficult to use if you keep winter baskets on your poles year-round.

Comparable Durable Lightweight Packs

Make / ModelWeightMaterial
Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60L19.6 oz / 556gUltra 200
Superior Wilderness Designs Rugged Long Haul 50L30.7 oz / 870gUltra 400
ULA Ultra 24 Circuit 68L36.7 oz / 1040gUltra 400, Ultra 200
Hyperlite Mountain Gear NorthRim 5534.4 oz / 975gWoven Dyneema, DCH150
Seek Outside Gila 3500 43 oz / 1219gUltra 400
LiteAF Ultra Curve 46L31 oz / 879gUltra 200
Mountain Laurel Designs Exodus 55L18 oz / 510gUltra 400, Ultra 200
Waymark Gear Lite 5039 oz / 1106gEPX200
Atom Packs The Mo EP6033 oz / 936gEPX200
Six Moon Designs Swift X36 oz /1021gLiteskin LS07

Recommendation

The ULA Ultra 24 Circuit is a 68L backpack designed for multi-day backpacking in harsh conditions. It’s made with a pack material called Ultra that is significantly more abrasion resistant than Dyneema DCF or the 400D Robic Nylon used in the regular Circuit backpack also sold by ULA. Other than the material switch, both the Ultra 24 Circuit and the regular 400D Robic Nylon Circuit are basically the same.

The hip belt on the Ultra 24 Circuit fits and carries wonderfully.
The hip belt on the Ultra 24 Circuit fits and carries wonderfully.

If you’re considering purchasing a ULA Circuit the things that set it apart from other manufacturers’ backpacks are sizing and fit. If you require special sizing in terms of height or girth, or you want S-shaped shoulder straps, the Circuit or any of ULA’s other higher volume packs are really hard to beat.

If you backpack in mountainous terrain, desert, or canyon control which are highly abrasive terrain, investing in the more durable Ultra 24 Circuit makes a lot of sense if your total pack weight is 30 lbs or less. The Ultra 24 Circuit is only a few ounces lighter than the regular ULA Circuit, so switching based on weight alone isn’t going to make a huge difference. In addition, the Ultra 24 isn’t seam-taped, so you really don’t gain much in terms of water resistance even though the pack is made with waterproof fabric.

But you also shouldn’t short-change the baseline 400D Robic Nylon Circuit. It’s an incredibly tough fabric and a great value, which is why so many thru-hikers and long-distance backpackers swear by it. The Robic Circuit is also available in a huge range of colors and color combinations if you want to let your freak flag fly.   Either way, you really can’t go wrong whichever ULA Circuit you pick.

Disclosure: ULA loaned us a backpack for this review.

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20 comments

  1. I am blown away by the detail in this review and your encyclopedic knowledge of lightweight backpacks! SectionHiker is a treasure.

    • So true! I bought my Circuit after reading all his ultralight backpack reviews so I definitely have him to thank for that (and many other hiking gear purchases, too!).

  2. THANK YOU FOR FINALLY REVIEWING AN ITEM I ALREADY OWN SO I DO NOT HAVE TO COVET IT. :-P

    I do LOVE my Circuit, though I’ve had it only a few months. It’s been great so far. My one big beef with it is that if it’s packed fairly full it’s quite difficult to get items out of the front pocket; if it were a tiny bit looser it might be easier to do so. I actually bought a lightweight zippered pouch (from one of the Etsy pages you posted about recently!) to use on the outside of the pack to get items I’ll need access to frequently (bug dope, sunscreen, meds) and that has helped a lot. I call it my external brain, since this pack doesn’t have a brain and that has taken some getting used to. I’ve also found that the velcro for the hipbelt is actually pretty difficult to loosen since the velcro is on both sides of the belt on the inside of the back panel; it’s dang near impossible to loosen if the pack has anything in it, IME. So if you need to adjust the torso length, take that into consideration.

    But since I have really narrow shoulders, the S-straps were what sold it for me. Oh, and that it comes in purple, obviously. (I have the Dyneema fabric; not planning on buying this particular model since I’m not much of a bushwhacker.)

    • The Dyneema Mesh pocket seems looser. I managed to get my cook system including my pot into it along with snacks, my water filter and squeeze bottle, and all my fishing tackle. But it’s true, it would be nice if this pack did have a top pocket (brain) as an optional add-on. I find that very useful in winter. You might look into adding a front pack Liz.

      • I did add a front pack and it’s great, has been very useful so far. I’m more disappointed that the front pocket on this pack isn’t easy to use than I am about the lack of brain, but I can at least fit my filter and bug net in there so it’s not a total waste of space.

    • Mountain Crossings has a special tool they use to loosen the velcro. Its similar to a plastic hand held spatula. You could possibly look through your kitchen drawers and see if you have something like that, if you should ever need to make an adjustment.

  3. I had a the original Circuit. Loved it. Many nights at altitude and many miles on the Colorado Trail.

  4. Philip,
    Thanks for this review. I was Jonseing for a lighter, more waterproof pack than my Robic ULA Circuit. I got excited when I saw that they now have an Ultra version for improved durability (and waterproofing?). They confirmed on their Instagram that they are not currently seam taping their packs with this fabric, which is a disappointment. I’m hoping that they will reconsider this in the near future, as I would like to be less dependent upon a pack liner.

    • It is a little disappointing, but seam taping usually fails after a few years anyway. The Circuit is a pretty complicated pack inside – I suspect they’d have to redesign the pack from scratch to tape the seams and completely change their production/sewing process. If you want a massive weight reduction, taped seams, and Ultra, you’re going to have to switch brands….Zpacks.

      • Phillip
        Thanks for your review. Since you have carried/tested both the Zpack Arc Haul Ultra-60L and the ULA Ultra Circuit, what factors would you consider if you were purchasing one of these packs. Volume is comparable for my needs. I am interested in which pack you would choose more frequently for a 2-5 day hike. Thanks

        • The most salient difference is the back ventilation. I used the Arc Haul Ultra all summer because of that and it really made a huge difference in my comfort. That’s the pack I would use.

    • Re: Waterproofing

      If you use your pack often, pin-holes will eventually occur in the seam tape from the abrasion of loading/unloading gear. When water infiltrates through said pin holes, your otherwise waterproof pack becomes a bucket. Water pools in the bottom and soaks anything inside that isn’t contained in a separate liner.

      A benefit of the ultra material is that it doesn’t absorb moisture like Robic and other nylon or hybrid materials will. The increased abrasion resistance, when coupled with an pack liner (nyloflume/ compactor bag), checked all the boxes for me.

  5. CAPT Gary Andres USN ret

    I bought a Circuit approximately 4 years ago, for my intended (but later failed) AT Thru hike. (Anyone asking why I failed? I’m in my mid-60s, retired military and retired federal wildlife law enforcement….and no offense meant to committed Thru-hikers, as you generally are a great group of people. It’s just that, after two physically and mentally challenging careers, I just didn’t take well to that 2200 mile long “Petri dish – frat party”). Due in large part to Phillip and this website, I am now a committed Section hiker…and I have a multitude of other interests (family, restoring an old Jeep, my Australian Shepherd, kayaking, bikepacking, travel, fishing, etc…and find myself with the luxury of a “I can now pick and choose when and where to backpack” mentality. Another great review, Phillip…as others have said, you do a phenomenal job of providing a thorough and “real world” gear review. And others considering the Circuit….mine, after “hundreds of miles” is still like new!

  6. SO TRUE, ULA back packs are very well thought out and made. I’ve tried a lot of different pack and always end up going back to the ULA . The comfort and function are unbeatable. Great review

  7. Does the 475 fit horizontally all the way at the bottom of the pack? The ULA chart says it only fits vertically but I think their fitting recommendations are a bit conservative.

  8. I ended up buying the Ultra Circuit and have taken it on a few trips so far. I used the Osprey Exos on 2 thru hikes previously, but I really wanted something different, and hopefully water-resistant. There’s many options, but I was deciding between this and a Hyperlight bag, and got the ULA because it had more features and because it’s made in the USA. The pack carries weight like a champ. Even at 35 lbs it carried so much better than 25 lbs on the exos. The Ultra stays on my hips, and just feels super comfy. I did buy a shoulder pocket from them, and I’m glad I did just for the extra compartment. Not to mention the customer service- I didn’t notice the lead times when I ordered my bag and I wouldn’t have gotten it in time for a big trip. But I emailed them and they were able to get it to me sooner and I’m beyond thankful for that. The only downsides I can think of is the mesh is a little tight and hard to get things in and out when your pack is packed, and it’s not see-thru. Of course, it’s expensive, but it’s comparable to similar bags on the market and I’m sure it’s going to last a very long time. Oh and about the water resistance– I haven’t hiked in a heavy rain yet, but a huge upside is I know this fabric will not soak in water. That’s the main reason I wanted a water-resistance fabric. I will always carry a trash bag, and knowing my bag will weigh the same and not get water logged is a huge plus.

  9. I wonder how much water the fabric on a Robic Circuit absorbs during a rain storm versus the Ultra Circuit? Other selection criteria aside, is there enough difference in ‘wet’ weight that would make the Ultra more compelling than the Robic version? I ask as one who is considering getting a ULA Circuit.

    • I doubt it’s more than an ounce to two. ULA doesn’t seam tape their Ultra packs so they’re not waterproof anyway The compelling reason to go with Ultra is abrasion resistance (durability). The bottom of the pack will last twice as long.

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