With some stuff, lighter is cheaper (e.g., backpacks, footwear); with some stuff, lighter is more expensive (sleeping bags, insulated garments, certain shelters, cookware); and of course the lightest of all is stuff left at home.

My "problem" is I'm restless about finding gear that's incrementally better than what I'm using, and I'm probably 50:50 with each intended "upgrade" as to whether this is actually the case. And of course, trip conditions often wreck havoc on the most lovingly crafted kit ("Nobody predcted this @*#$&%^% snow!).

If I actually knew the size of my BP gear "investment" I'd probably weep. Luckily, I'm sufficiently disorganized to render the possibility 100% moot.

Cheers,