Not looking for a flame war here, but ironwood...the Camelback Mule seems to be calling you a fibber. Worst way to carry? No. Maybe if you spend a fair amount of time in drops.....

Some of us prefer to have the weight on our bodies -- more controllable -- than on the bike -- more to BE controlled.

OP, not sure there's much you can do that hasn't already been done; even some of the 'Outdoor' brand @ WalMart has some sweet features about them. As one who really needs to watch the nickels, Outdoor is a viable alternative to Camelback/Dakine/etc. I've had three of them (different sizes to accommodate changing needs), and have yet to spend as much as I would have on one C'Back.