🎒
Ultralight Pack
~$380

ULA Equipment

ULA Equipment Ultra Circuit

The Ultra Circuit is the Ultra-fabric version of ULA's best-known pack. It keeps the Circuit's carbon hoop and aluminium stay combination but rebuilds it in Ultra 400X and 200X, making it waterproof and considerably more tear-resistant than the standard Robic version.

Approx. price
~$380
Capacity
68 L
Weight
2.24 lbs
Best For
Thru-hikers who want the Circuit's carry in a waterproof laminate
Buy from ULA Equipment

Price and availability on ULA Equipment’s site may differ.

Type
Ultralight Pack
Frame Type
Internal Frame
Capacity
68 L
Weight
2.24 lbs
Max Recommended Load
Not specified by the manufacturer
Torso Fit
See manufacturer sizing
Material
Ultra 400X body with Ultra 200X panels
Back Panel
Foam pad with carbon fibre hoop and aluminium stay
Warranty
Manufacturer warranty; terms not published
Raincover Included
No
Fits BV500 Bear Canister
No

Features

Hipbelt Pockets

Pros

  • 68 L is the largest capacity in this ultralight group and handles a bear canister plus a week of food.
  • The carbon hoop and aluminium stay combination is a proven load-transfer design across many Circuit generations.
  • Ultra 400X on the body puts the heaviest laminate where abrasion happens.
  • Waterproof laminate rather than a coated weave.
  • ULA's sizing system is unusually thorough for a cottage brand.
  • Rated for heavier loads than most packs of this weight, which is the Circuit's long-standing reputation.
  • 35.9 oz for 68 L is a strong ratio given the frame hardware.
  • Hipbelt pockets included.

Cons

  • $380 is a significant premium over the standard Circuit at around $300.
  • 35.9 oz is the second-heaviest pack in this comparison group.
  • Ultra laminates are difficult to field-repair.
  • No published maximum load figure despite the pack's load-hauling reputation.
  • No adjustable torso; sizing must be right at purchase.
  • ULA lead times fluctuate with demand.
  • 68 L invites overpacking, which defeats the purpose of an ultralight pack.
  • Limited retail presence for in-person fitting.

Common Questions

Compare the ULA Equipment Ultra Circuit

ULA Circuit
~$300
Ultralight Pack

ULA Equipment

ULA Circuit

The Circuit is the thru-hiking pack — hand-made in Logan, Utah by ULA Equipment and a perennial #1 in Halfway Anywhere's PCT gear survey. Its 68 liters of total volume, bombproof Robic fabric, and 35 lb carry make it the default recommendation for first thru-hikes. An Ultra-fabric version is sold at a premium.

68 L Total2.33 lbs#1 PCT Survey Pack

Weight

2.47 lbs

Capacity

68 L

Frame

Internal Frame

Best for: First-time and veteran thru-hikers who want the proven default
ULA Catalyst
~$300
Ultralight Pack

ULA Equipment

ULA Catalyst

The Catalyst is the Circuit's bigger sibling — 75 liters of total volume and a 40 lb rating for long food carries, winter kit, or bear-canister-plus-packraft loads. It's the UL pack for people whose trips outgrow the Circuit.

75 L Total40 lb Rating2.65 lbs

Weight

2.65 lbs

Capacity

75 L

Frame

Internal Frame

Best for: Long food carries, winter trips, and bigger-volume thru-hikers
🎒
~$200
Ultralight Pack

ULA Equipment

ULA Equipment CDT

The CDT is the largest of ULA's frameless packs and the cheapest way into the brand. UltraGrid is a doubled 200D recycled grid fabric that resists tears well beyond its weight, and ULA states a clear 25 lb ceiling rather than leaving it to inference.

50 L1.69 lbsUltraGrid reinforced double 200D recycled grid with UltraStretch mesh

Weight

1.69 lbs

Capacity

50 L

Frame

Frameless

Best for: Low-base-weight hikers wanting a frameless pack with real torso sizing
🎒
~$369
Ultralight Pack

The Bonfus Framus is a 58 L framed pack at 26.6 oz, built in Challenge Ultra 200X -- a non-woven laminate with UHMWPE fibres that is effectively waterproof and extremely tear-resistant. Its weight-to-volume ratio is among the best of any framed pack here.

58 L1.66 lbsChallenge Ultra 200X

Weight

1.66 lbs

Capacity

58 L

Frame

Internal Frame

Best for: Long thru-hikes where a framed pack is wanted but weight is critical
Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60
~$399
Ultralight Pack

The Arc Haul Ultra 60 is Zpacks' engineering statement: a 21.7-ounce pack whose carbon arc frame tensions a mesh panel off your back — the only true ventilation in the sub-1.5-lb class. Backpacker magazine named it the best ultralight pack of 2026.

60 L1.34 lbsVentilated Arc FrameVentilated back

Weight

1.32 lbs

Capacity

60 L

Frame

Internal Frame

Also in 40 L / 50 L / 70 L

Best for: Gram-counters who refuse to give up back ventilation
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Windrider 55
~$399
Ultralight Pack

The Windrider is the Southwest with a large mesh front pocket in place of solid Dyneema, so wet gear can drain and dry. The 2025 overhaul moved the line to Dyneema Woven Composite and widened the shoulder straps.

55 L1.83 lbsDyneema Woven Composite with mesh front pocket

Weight

1.83 lbs

Capacity

55 L

Frame

Internal Frame

Also in 40 L / 70 L

Best for: Thru-hikers who want external stowage that drains