I just joined the BPers Basecamp ULA Circuit owners club

You'll shortly get your membership card and secret handshake! :D

That happened to me naming my kids. We avoided all the popular names and reached back to names our grandparents' generation knew. Turns out everyone else had the same idea. We got used to there being 2 or 3 other kids with ours' names in every class.

Um, covid air bump, elbow bump, or similar.

If I end up getting a new one and gifting this one, I might be making you an offer on that hipbelt. Either of my offspring that I might give it to would probably be better with the M hipbelt.

A couple of years later...how's that Circuit? Debating lightening up on my old but trusty Deuter 50+15 Act Zero (3 lb, 6z) which I load to 26-30 lbs for Sept trips in the Winds. Carried close to 35 lb in Big Bend Chisos when I had to haul a gallon of water for an shorter trip. Circuit might save almost a pound (measured weight is a few oz heavier than advertised).

Not sure the Circuit is up to 30 lbs comfortably and dependably. Have heard the carbon fiber rods can break. Also, 40L interior vs 50L for Deuter. Extension collars are ok, but without supportive structure.

May get flamed for too heavy gear, but alpine Wyoming in Sept can get cold and off trail solo adventures need solid gear. My lowest base for that trip (w/o opt. fishing gear (1 lb), Mini 2 (4z), Ursack (8z), bear spray (8z), water shoes (12 z)) is near 15 lbs. Big 3:

Backpack 3 lb, 3 z
WM Versalite 10F 2 lb 2z (15 yrs old) -in 4z OR WP compression sack
Six Moons Skyscape Trekker 2 lb (haven't seen better double-wall options. Has some issues with wet snow load)

I remember trying the Deuter when I bought my Circuit -- 12 years for me, and the right one in Zeke's photo above -- though I think the women's numbers are a little different (45+10?). My recollection is that the Deuter was definitely stiffer which felt uncomfortable to me but I think many people equate that structure with stability. It was also narrower/taller than the Circuit. I don't know if you can tell in the photo, but I tend to pack wide and flat, so that the weight is close to my body. And that's really the beauty of the Circuit; it's really flexible in terms of how it's packed. I also remember the Deuter as being more "fussy", i.e., more pockets, straps, etc.

The Circuit can definitely pack well over 40L. I went from an Ariel 65 to the Circuit and didn't give up much volume; it's a comfortable 55L. The extension is real. Not sure why you'd need "supportive structure" for the very top of the pack where you're not likely to put the heaviest items though, admittedly, I think guys seem to prefer a higher weight center. If you're used to packing a bunch of stuff in the lid, it will take a little retraining.