So I used to have a base weight (sans food and water) of 12 lbs. I was more or less happy with that for several years. Then I didn't go backpacking for a couple of years cuz my daughter had 2 kids in a row and was due in the summers and I didn't want to be in the high country when she went into labor. Now I am going again shortly, and I just went thru all my gear and did a practice packing and it climbed to 15 lbs! What on earth? I know I swapped out my driducks for precips cuz they were ripped....but I also saved lbs elsewhere. Did someone stuff rocks in the bottom of my pack or what?:)