ULA Circuit vs Outdoor Vitals Shadowlight Carbon 60
Quick take: The ULA Circuit costs $0.01 less; the ULA Circuit carries more (68 vs 64 liters); the Outdoor Vitals Shadowlight Carbon 60 is lighter (1.97 vs 2.41 lbs).
Which one to buy
Track record is the deciding difference. The ULA Circuit is the default thru-hiking pack, and owners routinely report 3,000-5,000 trail miles before meaningful wear on its 400-denier Robic. Its 35 lb rating is honest, thanks to a carbon-fiberglass hoop and internal stay, and its 68 L of total volume takes a BV500 plus a week of food. The Outdoor Vitals Shadowlight Carbon 60 is the newer, lighter alternative at 1.97 lbs, with carbon stays and woven 100D Robic reinforced by 200D Spectra ripstop.
The Shadowlight's question is the harness. Outdoor Vitals lists a 40 lb maximum, higher than the Circuit's 35, but its sub-2 lb harness padding means it is not a heavy hauler. Carbon also fails suddenly: it can snap rather than bend if severely overloaded, where aluminum gives warning. Within sensible loads that isn't a practical worry. Both packs use woven fabric that isn't waterproof, so you'll want a liner, and tape and thread repairs work on woven nylon.
Fit works the same way on both: fixed sizes, no adjustment, ordered direct. ULA's service team is known for giving straight sizing answers if you email your measurements, while the Shadowlight comes in Short, Regular and Tall, against the Circuit's four sizes from 15 in to 24+ in. The Circuit's J-curve shoulder straps don't suit every chest, so some owners swap to S-straps, and lead times stretch during thru-hiking season. Its foam back has zero ventilation.
For a first thru-hike, the Circuit's proven durability and four torso sizes are worth more than the Shadowlight's weight savings and higher rating on paper.
ULA Circuit
For first-time and veteran thru-hikers who want the proven default, an honest 35 lb carry, four torso sizes and a canister-plus-week-of-food capacity.
Outdoor Vitals Shadowlight Carbon 60
Best if you want carbon stays under 2 lb with a 40 lb rating on paper, and one of its Short, Regular or Tall sizes fits you.
| Spec | ULA Circuit | Outdoor Vitals Shadowlight Carbon 60 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.99 | $300 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Ultralight Pack | Ultralight Pack |
| Frame Type | Internal Frame | Internal Frame |
| Capacity | 68 L | 64 L |
| Weight | 2.41 lbs | 1.97 lbs |
| Max Load | 35 lbs | 40 lbs |
| Torso Fit | S 15-18 in, M 18-21 in, L 21-24 in, XL 24+ in | Sized Short / Regular / Tall torso; hip belt XS-XL |
| Material | Robic 400 nylon | 100D Robic nylon with 200D Spectra ripstop |
| Back Panel | Foam panel with carbon-fiberglass hoop and internal stay | Carbon fibre stays |
| Adjustable torso | No | No |
| Ventilated back | No | No |
| Raincover included | No | No |
| Hipbelt pockets | Yes | Yes |
| Removable lid | No | No |
| Hydration sleeve | Yes | No |
| Fits BV500 bear can | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | ULA lifetime warranty: original owner, defects in materials and workmanship (wear, accidents and misuse excluded) | Outdoor Vitals Performance Promise |
Pros & cons
ULA Circuit
- ✓Has topped the Halfway Anywhere PCT gear survey for years — no pack has more verified thru-hiking miles behind its reputation.
- ✓Owners routinely report 3,000-5,000 trail miles before meaningful wear; the 400d Robic build is the UL durability benchmark.
- ✓The 68L total volume (bag plus huge pockets) swallows a BV500 plus a week of food, which smaller UL packs can't.
- ✓Carries its full 35 lb rating honestly — the hoop-and-stay frame outperforms most packs in its weight class.
- ✓The giant mesh front pocket and dual oversized hipbelt pockets define the category's organization standard.
- ✓Hand-made in Utah with a service team famous for repairs, spare parts, and straight answers.
- ✓The roll-top plus Y-strap handles bear canisters, foam pads, and packrafts without drama.
- ✓Resale value is exceptional — used Circuits sell within hours on UL trade forums.
- ✗The foam back panel has zero ventilation; expect a soaked shirt on humid climbs.
- ✗Fixed torso sizing means no adjustment range — measure carefully before ordering.
- ✗The utilitarian look (and famously loud color options) is a running joke even among loyalists.
- ✗At 2.41 lbs it's now heavier than newer rivals like the Kakwa 55 that match its carry.
- ✗No lid and minimal internal organization — everything lives in stuff sacks or the main tube.
- ✗Direct-order only in the US; you can't try one on in a store.
- ✗Lead times stretch during thru-hiking season, sometimes badly.
- ✗The J-curve shoulder straps don't suit every chest shape; some switch to S-straps aftermarket.
Outdoor Vitals Shadowlight Carbon 60
- ✓64 L total with carbon stays at under 2 lb is a rare combination at this price.
- ✓$300 undercuts the same brand's CS40 Ultra by $30 while adding 11 L.
- ✓200D Spectra ripstop reinforces the wear areas without laminate's repair difficulty.
- ✓100D Robic is a woven fabric, so field repairs with tape or thread actually work.
- ✓Carbon stays are stiffer per gram than aluminium, giving good load transfer.
- ✓The 49 L main body takes a bear canister plus a long food carry.
- ✓Direct-to-consumer sales avoid the long lead times common to cottage brands.
- ✓Hipbelt pockets included.
- ✗Carbon stays can snap rather than bend if severely overloaded.
- ✗No adjustable torso.
- ✗Not waterproof, unlike the Ultra-fabric packs at similar prices.
- ✗Outdoor Vitals has a shorter track record than the established cottage names.
- ✗Limited retail presence for in-person fitting.
- ✗64 L invites overpacking past what a sub-2 lb pack carries well.
ULA Circuit vs Outdoor Vitals Shadowlight Carbon 60: common questions
Does the Shadowlight Carbon 60 carry as much as the Circuit?▾
On paper it carries more: Outdoor Vitals lists a 40 lb maximum against the Circuit's 35 lb, which is an honest figure. The Shadowlight's sub-2 lb harness padding is the limit to watch, so don't treat it as a heavy hauler.
Are carbon stays riskier than the Circuit's hoop and stay?▾
Only if you badly overload them. Carbon can snap rather than bend under severe overload, while aluminum fails more gradually. Within sensible loads, it isn't a practical concern.
Which is the safer order if I can't try either on?▾
The Circuit, mostly. It comes in four torso sizes with separately sized hipbelts, and ULA's service team is known for giving straight answers if you email your measurements. The Shadowlight comes in Short, Regular and Tall with hipbelts from XS to XL, so measure carefully and keep the return window in mind.