Ideas for smart packing

John, since you're using a fairly huge pack (4400 ci), there would be ample room for the full-size Big Agnes pad, so go for it since that's what you already have. After you have that experience you can experiment with lighter choices. For longer trips I prefer the Golight Jam, for shorter ones the Gossamer Gear Whisper (4 oz). Either way, I usually pack the 3/4 length Gossamer Nightlight pad (~4 oz), but sometimes I use my Thermarest Prolite 3 (13 oz) if I crave a good night's sleep. They both work well as the pack frame, although the Nightlight is stiffer. But since my pack weight is low – usually around 13 lbs total – the choice of these pads is not an issue.

If you're like other folks on this site, you'll soon find your gear closet beginning to overflow as you search for the Holy Grail of Lightness. But that's the fun of it all, it's the journey not the destination, right?

no journey without a destination (and vice versa)!