Packs that use pad for frame

[Diane “Piper” Soini]

Great minds…eh? I bought some sticky back velcro and cut 4 squares to stick the sections together. It seems to stick well enough so far and it is not a new pad. Only thing I'm not fond of is the small overlap.

I should have cut the pad into 2 and 10 or 4 and 8 sections. Then I would have a little sit pad. I suppose I could experiment and buy a new pad once I find the best set-up.

[Joe Clement]

Keep this up, I'm going to call GG and buy you a sitlight.

[Tad Englund]

Diane, I also used sticky backed velcro but I wanted to avoid the overlap so I put 2 small "hook" patches on each side of the panels to be jointed (for a total of 4 patches) and then made a longer section of "loop" strap that would extend between the 2 panels. When I put them together they fit together just like the other panels. I store the loop on the "hook" panel that I use for a pack frame so is doesn't get caught on the fabric going in and out. All I had was sticky backed velcro for the "loop" side (they came together) so I took a very thin plastic bag and stuck it to the glue side then trimmed off the excess. Now it is smooth as silk and no glue residue.

[Diane “Piper” Soini]

That's a smart way to apply the velcro.

I use a quilt and so sleep directly on the pad. I would be worried about the scratchiness of the velcro edges bothering me when I tried to sleep. But if I redo this and cut it just right, it shouldn't be right under my hip to bother me.

Don't buy me a sitlite pad! I am happy with the z-rest. So easy to fold up and put away and fold into different configurations for leaning against odd objects or taking naps.

[Scott Bentz]

Christopher,

You asked "Do the convolutions on the sitlight pad offer any benefits (comfort, ventilation, whatever) over a flat pad like the thinlight against your back?:

To me it is the same. I usually use it with the convolutions towards the pack because it feels better. I sweat so much it wouldn't matter much which way I use it anyway.

I have found this post funny. I love my frameless pack and the ability to use my sleep pad for a frame. The one thing that usually freaks people out is the fact that the pad is against my back all day while I'm sweating on it. Doesn't bother me much. I get a good fit from a frameless pack.

[Dale South]

I have the Mariposa Plus. I always use the sitlight pad in the pad pocket. Its comfortable, always ready and easy to use at rest breaks and serves as extra comfort under my hips at night.

[Chris Chastain]

Ok thanks, Scott.
I just use a piece of blue closed cell foam pad in the external pad pocket (if at all) for convenient access. I had thought about buying a sitlight in hopes of slightly better ventilation back there.

A short ridgerest or thinlight goes inside the pack.

Maybe I'll get one to try anyway, the next time I place an order.

[Chris Chastain]

If you're not using it already, there is an industrial variety of velcro that has MUCH stronger adhesive. MUCH higher price too!

I looked around but can't lay my hands on mine right now, or I'd tell you the proper name of it, but I think it's just Industrial Velcro.

[Tad Englund]

Diane, I have the pads (hook side) and strap (loop side) on the underside of the z-rest so that the velcro would not snag either my underwear or sleeping bag- which ever I was using.

[Diane “Piper” Soini]

You know what the problem was? The z-rest is just too tall. I cut 2 inches or so off the pad lengthwise and now the 6 panels fit fine in the pocket and the rest of the pad can be put inside the pack.

[Joe Clement]

So how does it carry? I bought a G4 for my son, and I thought a Z would really stiffen it up.

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