Although I put a Origin 8 , Black Ops, carbon fork on one of mine (no complaints / love it ) some of the Cross Trekking/Dual Sport / Cross Trail bicycles suspension forks have been substantially improved , recently it seems. Specialized prioritized, customized their version for much better dampening, various coil springs,etc. Other than they are all still heavy, as coil sprung suspension forks are (trade off~virtually no maintenance,limited travel)
They are getting better.
I am not sure what I would do now ? I don't miss the 3#'s I saved on the Origin 8 carbon......that I do know