I personally don't see the rationale in NOT being weight conscious. It gives me a way to feed the trail addiction while not on the trail, and it makes my experience when I'm out that much better.

I can understand financial constraints keeping people from cutting weight, as of course the law of diminishing returns is in play...but when people choose a heavier piece of gear that is similarly priced, and equally useful baffles me.

I went on an overnight this weekend, and took no more than 17 lbs of total weight on my person (incl. clothing and shoes on me) and really couldn't see how someone could need more than that. I brought a good 1/3 lb of food back even. This was all with a relatively cheap and by no means "ultralight" big three/four.

I had people around me where I camped that easily had 40+ pounds for the same exact trip I was making...that's baffling to me.