yes, severe arthritis due to lyme's and a career that requires walking in rough conditions, means that I have to walk less on the weekends- 3 joint surgeries so far and I'm sure there will be more. I can't carry any significant weight (not even 10 lbs) on my shoulders for more than an hour (shoulder reconstruction helped but there are limits) so "ultra light" is not an option. I started with burro packing when my need for medical supplies, warm clothes, and padding exceeded my carrying capacity. now that I am limited to less than 5 miles of walking in a day, I am switching to riding to get into the wilderness. I would prefer to walk- cheaper, simpler, less limited in routes, but my hips and knees say no mas.