My Golite Gust pained my shoulders sometimes, but then I was carrying more then it was intended to carry. WD, I am weighing the idea of getting a three lb. pack. Kinda hard after having a 20 oz. Golite. Some of the packs I have looked at online, are on sale now. I worry more about my Thermarest inside my Gust, acting as the support, I try to wrap hard stuff like tent poles, fishing pole, etc. in socks or clothing. On my Epperson pack, it is tied on top in its stuff sack. It has been brushed a few times by limbs. A month ago, I kept snagging my chair on willows in the steep trail.