Originally Posted by
mulveyr
One thing about the ultra-light lists floating around is that it can cost a heck of a lot more money to lose a few ounces of weight. Add up the costs of a lightweight tent, sleeping bag, cookset, etc, and you're starting to talk about some serious dough. If you're lucky, you can find some bits somewhat cheaper on sale - I got a new 20 degree down bag for $50, for example - but that requires a fair degree of time and effort.
And like in all things, ultra-light has downsides. Personally, I like having space to stretch out in, especially if I'm stuck in a tent because of bad weather. So I'm more than happy to take the 3-4 pound weight penalty of a freestanding tent with poles that's 75% larger than a tarp tent. Or of the extra weight and size of a 20 degree bag over a 40 degree bag when, as often happens, unexpected cold weather hits. There's nothing like waking up warm instead of shivering all night.
Lightweight can be expensive, but some lightweight stuff is really inexpensive eg cooking stuff and my tent cost $199 which is cheaper than many tents. You don't need to spend lots of cash to reduce your load the most important factor is to change you assumptions and mindset and pack sensibly. Racks and panniers are heavy in themselves so by keeping the big 4 light and small in volume you get the added benefit of being able to use lighter, smaller bags too. Clothes are also a place where people over pack.
I'll only give up 95% of my comfort so I chose my tent to be lightweight and single walled, but I had to be able to sit up in it and it had to have a vestibule. The Contrail fits the bill nicely.