If you're already doing some light hiking and "convenience" camping, I'd say you're already off to a good start and have some good ideas of your own! smile

Deuter and Go-Lite both have reasonably-priced, lightweight packs in the 1-to-3 pound range.

My son carries a Camelbak mini-mule for day hiking and one of the other Camelbaks for weekend hikes - I can't remember the model right now, but it has a zipper running down the outside panel that collapses it from 1400 inches down to around 700. It really helps when he totes his own water.

Good luck!

Andy