How is carrying an organic big pad with a regular sized pad?

Does anyone carry a second pad with an Organic Big Pad? How are approaches for you? Manageable or difficult? 

I'd love to get the big pad, but I'm concerned about the weight during approaches since I'll be carrying a backpack and a Metolius Session II pad.

Just get stronger 

Totally manageable. I have a big and a simple and when I just have those two with a pack it’s not uncomfortable at all. When I add my third pad is when it gets noticeably heavier and mor difficult to maneuver.

I've done a few approaches with two Organic 5" big pads, a Metolius pad similar to the Session II, and a backpack worn on the front. It's heavy, but manageable. When it's just the two big pads and a backpack things are quite comfortable. The third pad is when things get difficult to maneuver. It's not that much heavier, but the lever arm gets longer, so it feels heavier than it is.

One of my big pads is Organic's backcountry pad. Totally worth the extra $80. The better backpack suspension, hip belt, and load lifter straps make the heavier loads so much more enjoyable to carry. 

I'm not the best hiker and do manual labor during the week, so I get worked when I take my big pad, blubber pad and metolius trifold on longer, steeper approaches. That said, I'll also bring a camera, tripod, 3 pairs of shoes, short rope, harness, etc on almost any approach if I really want them and it's totally worth it. Don't feel like it affects my climbing that much, just means I have to be more focused on saving energy (resting between goes, eating plenty, dialing beta, etc).

I bring a big and a simple pad, tethered together and it's fine. I used to carry a bag on the front but I now just use the big pad to store everything I'd need instead.

Similar to this topic. I'm contemplating getting either a big pad or another full pad. I have just one full pad currently. 

Has anyone had experiences where the big pad is just too big due to awkward landing spaces?

Mark OB wrote:

Similar to this topic. I'm contemplating getting either a big pad or another full pad. I have just one full pad currently. 

Has anyone had experiences where the big pad is just too big due to awkward landing spaces?

I have had a 5inch big pad and a full pad for several years. Usually carried both pads but if I only wanted to carry one it was the big pad. 

The big pad has on very rare occasion been too big to fit into some rocky landing zones, but that's not common where I climb. 

I recently got one of the simple pads with the mystery ranch suspension system. Now, I prefer to carry the full pad and simple pad strapped together if I'm not going to carry all three. The two pads strapped together are still easier to carry than big pad, combined they offer a large landing zone and provide more options when it comes to placing the pads. Usually though,  I carry the big pad with our gear in it and my wife carries the two smaller pads strapped together. 

I think though, that if you only have the full pad that you should get a big pad next. All that extra foam is a very nice thing to have. I would definitely recommend the mystery ranch suspension set up. The big pad is heavy, those straps are awesome even when the pad is unloaded but especially if you load it up with all your gear. 

Abogado Chris wrote:

I have had a 5inch big pad and a full pad for several years. Usually carried both pads but if I only wanted to carry one it was the big pad. 

The big pad has on very rare occasion been too big to fit into some rocky landing zones, but that's not common where I climb. 

I recently got one of the simple pads with the mystery ranch suspension system. Now, I prefer to carry the full pad and simple pad strapped together if I'm not going to carry all three. The two pads strapped together are still easier to carry than big pad, combined they offer a large landing zone and provide more options when it comes to placing the pads. Usually though,  I carry the big pad with our gear in it and my wife carries the two smaller pads strapped together. 

I think though, that if you only have the full pad that you should get a big pad next. All that extra foam is a very nice thing to have. I would definitely recommend the mystery ranch suspension set up. The big pad is heavy, those straps are awesome even when the pad is unloaded but especially if you load it up with all your gear. 

Appreciate the informative reply! I'll be mulling it over this weekend since 300+ is a hefty  price tag but I think you're right. Big pad seems to be the way to go.