Another long time VT fan here. I actually use a synthetic bag (Montbell UL Alpine Burrow #3), an ancient synthetic jacket (Moonstone Cirrus), a closed-cell pad ( 1/4" Thinlite, strapped vertically to the back) plus self-inflater (Montbell 90) and still have enough room for about a week's food supply without having to use the extension collar. Having tried a number of lw and ul packs, I still haven't found anything as comfortable.