PROUDLY DESIGNED, CUT & SEWN IN UTAH.
Behind the Build: The Circuit SV
Here at Ultralight Adventure Equipment, we’re always looking for ways to innovate while staying true to the gear our community loves. That’s why we’re excited to show behind the scenes of the new Circuit SV (Small Volume)—a 48-liter version of our flagship 68-liter Circuit. While the feature set remains identical, this new design offers a more compact option for ultralight adventurers who prefer a smaller volume pack.
To share the story behind this development, we sat down with Peter Longobardi, owner of ULA Equipment, and Owen Forbes, the talented designer responsible for repatterning the Circuit into its streamlined SV form. Together, they pulled back the curtain on the process, challenges, and creative energy that went into crafting this new addition to our award winning line-up.
This project is just one example of how we operate—combining passion, innovation, and a commitment to delivering the best gear for the backpacking community we can. We’re constantly designing, building, and testing new ideas to elevate your on-trail experience.
Because you deserve it. The backpacking community deserves it. And most of all, it’s what we love to do.
Below is an excerpt from the full interview with Peter and Owen talking about the Circuit SV.
Forever built with love in Logan, Utah.
What prompted a smaller version of the Circuit?
Peter:
“When we started designing the Circuit SV, there were a lot of hikers in our company, myself included, whose gear has evolved as materials and construction methods improved. You know, in 2009 during my AT thru-hike, I carried a Western Mountaineering down bag that weighed about a pound more than my current quilt from Western Mountaineering. The idea of a 1-pound tent was unthinkable 15 years ago. Now, you have tarps that weigh under 10 ounces with plenty of space in them.
As these things have evolved, everything’s gotten smaller and lighter, we noticed an internal need for a smaller pack, in addition to customer demand. We were continually asked by customers about a Circuit with less volume. So, we made it a priority this year to create a pack that was specifically designed to fit, feel, and look like a Circuit but with a smaller volume.”
What was the design process like with the SV?
Owen:
“Starting out, I grabbed a traditional Circuit back panel and whipped up a quick prototype—no bells and whistles like shock cord, front mesh, or any of that. This let me load up the pack, test it, and see how the harness system would work with a smaller bag while still feeling like a Circuit. From there, I moved on to creating a variety of patterns and prototypes. I made rough mockups out of spare fabric and scraps lying around, which helped me refine the design. Eventually, I built a more high-fidelity prototype, loaded it up, and took it on a backpacking trip. Testing it alongside other bags ensured it worked as we hoped. The result is essentially a contemporary version of the original Circuit, designed to carry modern gear that’s smaller, lighter, and takes up less space.”
What materials does the Circuit SV use?
Peter:
“We’re going to continue making these in Robic. This is a material we’ve used for many years, and it’s one of my favorite fabrics on the market—I love the aesthetics of it. The weight-to-strength ratio is almost unparalleled by any other nylon fabric out there. It’s very resilient to UV breakdown, easy to clean, and comes in a wide range of colors. Many of our Robic backpacks have 8,000 to 10,000 miles on them.
The other material we’re going to use, which we’ve been using already, is UltraWeave, or more commonly known as Ultra. We use Ultra 400X on the higher stress and wear points of a pack—like the bottom panel, side pockets, and back panel—and Ultra 200X for the rest of the pack. Both materials are proven to last many thousands of miles and, hopefully, multiple thru-hikes.”
For even more insight into the Circuit SV project, you can watch the whole interview with Peter and Owen below:
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