If the weight was reasonable, I would far rather have a backpack on my back when riding trails, than pull a trailer. That thing is going to be out there like an anchor. Lets say you had to hop a 5" log. Not a big deal with a pack, Not going to happen with a trailer.

But in every other application I can think of I want a trailer, or I want panniers. Panniers are still the best option. There is no advantage to carrying the weight on your body, physically. Imagine that you have a heavy briefcase, would you rather ride with it hanging from one arm, or well secured on a rack. Control aisde. Obviously holding the weight of the case in your hand is vastly more tiring. In fact, the main efficiency that comes from riding a bike is that one does it sitting down. Would you tour without a seat. Same principle.

As far as Kansas is concerned you are better off if you have panniers and you are going down wind, granted that rarely happens. In the day, they used to say that the tailwind panniers actually faired the bike. That always sounded like a stretch to me, but I do think it is something to think about before you splash out for the 4500 cu in per bag, 900 pocket job. I would like to bring the tailwind idea back, and have a number of ideas for taking it to the next level. Too many project, not to mention, posts.

The whole thing takes on a different aspect if you carry an ultralite pack. It is no longer all that heavy on ones back, a bit like what one carries around town, and it is small enough it can go on a rack if need be:

http://www.rayjardine.com/adventures...Bike/index.htm

The biking action starts around page 55, if I recall correctly.