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Post by va3pinner on Jul 24, 2024 17:30:44 GMT -8
Finally bit the bullet and added another pack to the quiver. I've been a Catalyst user for the last few years, really like the pack, but need to scale down, and this was part of the new package.
I like the idea of the removable top Y strap, and bottom straps that are available, but right away I noticed two minor things i had to fix. First was no D rings on the shoulder straps. Catalyst has them, and I use them. Easy fix, I ordered two unwelded D rings from Amazon and will install those. Second item are the two side compression straps. They're up near the top, and very short. On the Catalyst, they are lower, and I use them to help support my tent in the side pocket on one side, and a camera tripod on the other. Can't do this with the Circuit. I took the bottom straps and found a way to attach them to the sides so I have the same setup as the Catalyst.
Hope to get it out in the field next weekend. If it's as comfortable as the Catalyst I'll be a happy camper!
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jul 25, 2024 7:25:07 GMT -8
Congrats! New toys are so much fun. THey’ve been changing stuff—I have D rings, but agree about the compression straps. No bottom straps, and not sure what the removable Y strap is so guess my ~6 year old Circuit doesn't have it.
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Post by va3pinner on Jul 25, 2024 16:36:09 GMT -8
The 2024 Circuit has an option for one removable Y shaped top strap, and/or two removable bottom straps.
the Y strap is designed to hold a bear canister or tent much more securely than a single one.
I ended up finding a way to use the bottom straps as side straps so it solves my other problem.
With the Catalyst I carried my Tarptent in a side pocket because it fit better. I'll experiment with the Circuit.
I find the Circuit is really built for thruhikers rather than us humble lowly folks.
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cweston
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Post by cweston on Jul 25, 2024 17:40:40 GMT -8
My Circuit has that same problem with the side pocket and needing a strap to secure a tent. I think I’m going to see if I can get an attachment point sewn on to pass nylon webbing through.
It seems like both side pockets were really designed for water bottles, without much thought given to the fact that not everyone would use them (or both of them) that way.
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Post by va3pinner on Jul 26, 2024 5:05:28 GMT -8
Before you do that let me send you photos of what I cobbed together. Untested as yet, but its giving me ideas of a removable side strap that will attach at one end (front of the pack) using an existing loop for the bungee cord, the other end attachs to the bottom of the strap used to cinch down the top - if this makes any sense.
I'll post pics this weekend.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jul 26, 2024 7:04:18 GMT -8
Huh. I carry my tent inside. THough I guess if I need a bear can, that becomes more difficult. Otherwise, for up to a week, it pretty much all fits inside.
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cweston
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Post by cweston on Jul 26, 2024 7:13:50 GMT -8
Huh. I carry my tent inside. I have carried tents inside, and still had plenty of room for multiple days (no bear canister); no problems. The main reason I prefer the pocket is that I don't really have anything else to pack in one of the side pockets. I've been using one for my 2L reservoir, so I want to pack SOMETHING in the other one, for efficiency and for weight balance. Looking forward to seeing your pics, va3pinner. |
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jul 26, 2024 7:16:43 GMT -8
Huh. I carry my tent inside. I have carried tents inside, and still had plenty of room for multiple days (no bear canister); no problems. The main reason I prefer the pocket is that I don't really have anything else to pack in one of the side pockets. I've been using one for my 2L reservoir, so I want to pack SOMETHING in the other one, for efficiency and for weight balance. Looking forward to seeing your pics, va3pinner . Makes sense. I put my reservoir in one pocket, and a smaller bottle (usually with tea or electrolytes) in the other, along with a few other odd items. The weight doesn’t balance, but it would balance even less with my Protrail Li 😁. I don’t like having anything important strapped on the outside (though an argument could be made that my pee rag is very important, and it is staying out there…). |
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Post by va3pinner on Jul 26, 2024 15:56:26 GMT -8
Huh. I carry my tent inside. THough I guess if I need a bear can, that becomes more difficult. Otherwise, for up to a week, it pretty much all fits inside. I prefer to have the tent outside. A lot of my hikes here involve rain, and I've learned the hard way to keep my pack closed
I'm slowly dialing in the gear so the pack will not be full unless I'm out in the dead of winter. And i can't seem to find anyone foolish enough to go with me in those conditions!
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Post by va3pinner on Jul 27, 2024 4:59:23 GMT -8
cweston heres my photos. this is so far untested but looks like it might work really well.i know the attachment points aren't made for a lot of stress, but I figure I only need enough to keep things stable. Not used as a pack compression strap.
I found the following parts to use:
Which ultimately led to these for later use:
Both use 1" webbing and require no cutting of existing loops to attach.
I should note, the tent does extend up to the existing top compression strap, but it is way too short to fit. That's what made me take this route.
Pics show full view with tent inserted (Tarptent Monemt DW about 18" long), view at the front bungee loop, view at cinch strap. Later I'll add a triglide on the cinch strap to keep the tension lock down at the bottom. Right now it slides around and kinda pulls the cinch strap way from where I want it. We'll see how it works next weekend!
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cweston
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Post by cweston on Jul 27, 2024 5:20:54 GMT -8
Thanks, va3pinner. That’s very clear, and I definitely will try that or something very similar. I don’t think it needs to be cinched super tight. I really don’t think the tent is going to fall out, and I always have some sort of failsafe attachment of the tent stuff sack drawstring to prevent disaster if it did. It’s really just to make the whole thing ride more steadily, IMHO. |
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jul 27, 2024 6:47:59 GMT -8
Agree about wet conditions—when the tent is wet, or the weather, I am much more likely to put the tent on the outside for rapid deployment. Mostly I try hard to avoid those conditions :D
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Post by va3pinner on Jul 27, 2024 9:05:23 GMT -8
Agree about wet conditions—when the tent is wet, or the weather, I am much more likely to put the tent on the outside for rapid deployment. Mostly I try hard to avoid those conditions :D 3 weeks ago, I took my Tarptent Moment DW on a test run, and it endured an overnight Thunderstorm that dropped inches of rain. So much was falling at the peak of the storm, it actually muffled the sound lightning/thunder directly overhead. At daylight, I found my tent on the 'high' spot I picked surrounded by about an inch of water.
The Moment shrugged it all off. Yep we get RAIN in WV!
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reuben
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Post by reuben on Jul 28, 2024 5:47:02 GMT -8
Makes sense. I put my reservoir in one pocket, and a smaller bottle (usually with tea or electrolytes) in the other, along with a few other odd items. The weight doesn’t balance, but it would balance even less with my Protrail Li 😁. I don’t like having anything important strapped on the outside (though an argument could be made that my pee rag is very important, and it is staying out there…). How do you like the Protrail? I'm thinking of newer/smaller/lighter tent like a Dyneema/Li. I kinda prefer side entry, though, so I've been leaning more toward a Rainbow Li. And probably an integrated bug net. |
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jul 28, 2024 7:24:33 GMT -8
reuben, the biggest thing I like about the Protrail is the weight—I deliberately picked the lightest tent I could find when I started having to carry it all myself. If you can afford to fudge a few ounces, I, too, prefer side entry. The Protrail is pretty roomy, but not high enough for anyone taller than me to sit up inside it. A little fussy to pitch, but I managed 3 nights on the beach last week, so while free-standing tents are easier and more flexible that way, it can be done (especially if not expecting real weather, so pitch doesn’t have to be perfect).
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