I just purchased a beautiful expedition-size backpack and I would like to train walking around town with a loaded pack in preparation for an expedition. Although i'd love to play British SAS and carry a 200 lbs pack, I probably don't want to bother too too much... I won't fill it up with the gear I will bring, but I might stuff a 5 lb protein tub in there along with a wool blanket, things like that.

I would like, however, to attach my self-inflating sleeping pad under the pack using the straps that are there. Do you think there might be a problem doing this?

I assume I should unroll and inflate the pad once in a while, but... how often is that? I'm wish to train with this pack setup all winter... and several times per week... which is why I'd like to avoid the unroll/inflate/deflate/repack sequence as much as possible.

Any tips appreciated! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />