It's interesting: I've gone towards ultra heavy: felt "capes de berger", wooden pack frames (lastenkraxe) for gear transport, a large french shepherd's bag for stuff...

i want to be able to stay out entire days, in cold and rain if need be, and be comfortable almost anywhere and be safe when I'm sitting or sleeping near a fire. I've taken my cue from shepherds who go on transhumance, hunters and other wanderers. I like to be out in winter and then i feel more comfortable with the old ways. And they're not ultralight. But I think I carry the essentials and at the same weight or slightly more, but a whole lot more dependability than when I bring lots of crinkly "stuff".