Is the Jam 35 large enough for a 20 degree synthetic bag, prolite short, 3 season clothes, SL2 + bug net (or maybe SL3 + bug tent), 3 days of food, 1.5 liter cook kit, and a small stuff sack of ”all the other stuff” ?

Edited by JohnG10 on 05/22/2012 15:38:52 MDT.

That would just fit into the Jam 50 for me. The Jam compresses really well so for the extra 2 oz, why would you not go for the Jam?

Possibly. Based on the in-store model I saw, i would think it'd be extremely tight. Might Ed up lashing stuff to the outside.

FWIW I debated between the 50 & 70 for my gear and ended up going with the 70 then just using the compression straps and bottom clip things to limit the volume as needed.
I can fill the majority of 50L in my Jam with a 30F down bag, a tarptent, a reg neoair a 1L cook pot, down sweater, windshirt, small ditty bag and 6 lb of food.
Id suggest going bigger- The weight difference is like 1 oz and you'll never have to lash your tent to the outside.

I've seen others post that the 35 has a really short roll-top collar, limiting its volume further.

With your described kit, I would recommend the 50. I have WM summer lite, approx. 5L clothing, cook pot, net tent, ditty bag and food, and that prolite small, and I'm already at the collar on the 35L. Remember the collar is also only 6" long. That puts my duomid in the outside pocket. I can stretch it out to a 4 day trip, but 3 is more comfortable. For the minimal difference in price, I'd stick with the 50L and just the fantastic compression system. YMMV

... and I don't think it would take an additional three days worth of food. Otherwise, it has items very similar to yours.

Thanks everyone.

How do you find the larger Jams ability to put weight onto the hips when not super full?

Also, what do you think of the Jams front pocket versus a larger mesh pocket like the Swift, Prophet, etc?

I've had the best luck packing the Jam by tightening down the side compression straps 'some' while the pack is empty and then packing it as evenly as possible. This forces the contents to stack into a column higher and closer to my back, rather than piling in the bottom like a ball.

It takes some practice but it's worth it when I can let out the straps for more food and gear on longer trips.