I haven't read the articles here yet, but in my defense, it's a lot of material to get through. That's not a bad thing, it's just going to take a while. I think I've read the 10 lb. & $200 article at some point, but I'll go back and refresh my memory. Thanks for the other links as well. I'll probably end up going with a CCF pad for cost and the convenience of using it as a pack frame. I'd read somewhere where hikers were using some sort of foam house wrap for this, but I can't remember which brand; maybe I'll find it again.