Interesting observation about the feel of the Ultra fabric - I’ve heard many good things about the fabric but have never experienced it firsthand. I’m glad you found a circuit in the usual robic fabric that you like - I love my ULA pack.
As for the tent, if nylon is your basis for comparison, DCF will probably feel… well… less substantial? It’s strong fabric but feels about as thick as onion skin, and is a bit translucent. In the stuff sack it’s so light it feels like it will float out of your hands - DCF trekking pole tents are very light - but the fabric feels very different from nylon. Feeling a DCF stuff sack will give you some idea.
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On 25 Aug 2024, at 12:32?PM, chayaj via groups.io <chayaj@...> wrote:
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Thanks to everybody for the super-useful input on packs. ?After reading reviews, hearing opinions of users, and watching youtube videos, I was on the way to ordering a ULA Circuit Ultra (new for 2024). ?Really glad I did not.
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There is a small store, Down Works, in Santa Cruz that carries ULA backpacks among other really neat camping/backpacking items, and everything down-related. ?I just went there today -- they had both the ULA Circuit and the ULA Circuit Ultra. ?I tried the Circuit in various torso and hip-belt combinations, found a great fit, and then checked out the Ultra. ?For me, the ULA Circuit Ultra did not cut it because it seemed to plastic-y and was very noisy. ?So, I am glad I did not order it. ?In fact, I walked out of the store with both a ULA Circuit, and a pair of boots that I had given up looking for. ?The store happened to keep the brand and type of boot that had served me so well for 30 years, until it completely gave up. ?
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Now, the only item left is the tent. ?I was strongly leaning towards the single-wall, Dyneema (DCF), ?Durston "Pro" tents. ?However, after seeing the plastic-y nature of the Circuit Ultra, I am wondering if I will like the Dyneema fabric of the tent. ?I do like the weight savings, though. ?I saw that one of the local REI stores carries a DCF Stuff Pack. ?I will go over to check it out to see if it is something I can live with. ?If anybody has suggestions on any non-cottage DCF tents that I could find at a store, please let me know, so I can check them out before splurging on the Durston Pro and having to return it.
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With a new pack and tent I will have shaved off 6-7 lbs of base weight. ?The Bearikade will knock off another 0.5 lbs. ?Ready for the next backpacking trip!
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CJ
Lange Jorstad