Golite Jam 2 Question…

Mike, The Golite Jam2 comes with a pad that is cut to fit into the sleeve. I assume since yours is used that the previous owner has removed the pad to save weight. You could make a pad from any closed cell foam.

You don't really need the pad for backpacking if you use a sleeping pad to frame it out. There are a few techniques for doing this. One is to take a closed cell foam pad like those sold by gossamer gear and roll it up into a loose tube. Drop the tube into your pack and let it unroll. You can now pack a sleeping bag into the tube and rest of your gear on top. I have a Jam2 and this is what I do.

Technique number 2 is to take a pad (closed cell or self inflating) and fold it down to 12" sections. This might be into thirds or fourths for shorter pads. The pad is probably about 20" wide (about the length of your torso). Place the folding pad against the back of your pack (I doubt it will fit in the sleeve) and pack your gear around it. Tighten the compression straps to give your load a tight structure.

The only time I find I really need the pad that comes in the sleeve is when using the pack as a day pack. Then I dont have enough gear to fill the pack out and make it rigid. By using the compactor system (little clips on the bottom) I can turn the Jam2 into one nice daypack, placing most stuff in the big front pocket.

Hope this helps, Jamie

On my jam2, I removed both the hydration sleeve and foam back panel so there is just the one layer of dyneema on the back. I use a GG foam torso pad folded into thirds to form my back panel. It stays in place once I have the pack loaded, and makes for a very comfortable feel against the back.

I also bought a used Jam2 that had not only the pad missing but also the sleeve cut out. I rolled my CCF pad, put it inside, then packed everything inside of that. I noticed that the pack retained a round/barrel shape even when compressed. The result is that the pack feels as if it is pulling away from my back (there is a large gap between my shoulders and the back of the pack).

I think I will try folding my pad and placing it against the back of the pack, then putting all my gear towards the front. For those who use this folding technique – do you simply fold the pad, or actually cut it into sections and tape it back together? I use the Ridge Rest CCF pad, cut to 3/4.

Once I figure this issue out, I think I will really like the pack…

Dennis: I have used the Sitlight pad from Gossamer gear with great success. Not only will it work as a pack frame, its a sit pad, a freezer bag cozy, and a fire fanner.
The Sitlight pad costs about $7 and weighs a mere 1.3 ounces.
Put the corrugated (egg crate) side towards your back.
I also have the original 1/4 pad that came with that pack, which I just realized i failed to send w/ the Jam2. But, without the pad sleeve it really wont help much in the way of stabilizing a load or padding your back. Especially tho, it wasnt made to stabilize a load anyway and its just a redundancy on GoLight's part and a useless extra weight if you ask me (and many others)
I did the rolled pad thing too and found it is not comfortable. For starters, the Jam is not a perfect cylinder. It is smaller circumference at the top and much wider at the bottom. Use the sitlight. It will conform to your back quite nicely and help maintain pack shape even with 20+lb loads. hold the ridgerest in place with the two longer side compression straps. I left them long for just this reason.

Mike,

That sounds like a plan. I actually have the bottom 1/4 of the Ridge Rest that I removed from the full pad – I'm sure that will work. And once I put the 3/4 pad on the outside, the inside will be "cavernous".

Like I said earlier, once I get this figured out, I think I'm really going to like this pack…if not, I'll just sell it and buy another one (I need help).

I'm with phil on this one, GG torso pad that folds into thirds.

well, in the case of Dennis, he already has a pad so the nightlite torso would not be needed.
it would provide a more rigid frame. But, takes up 66% more space.

Michael,

do you remember how much weight you shaved by removing the hydration sleeve and the pad?

got it down to 16.4 oz.
stock was close to ~21
i trimmed all straps as well.
i sold this pack to Dennis to fund a ULA Conduit. The stock Conduit is very close to same capacity, has a 17oz stock weight, and i wanted the highly useful mesh outer pockets. After seeing one in person and going over it carefully, its what I wanted. Maybe someday I'll keep a pack for more than 2 months! (doubt it)
I also wanted to support a Cottage USA guy and fellow backpacker.

Thanks all, Some great ideas here. I will do some experimenting.