Evolution

Rookie (1969)
pack: canvas rucksack on bent up alumium external frame
bag: camp 7 down bag (15 degree?)
pad: ensolite
shelter: tube tent
water carrier: canteen
cooked on: fire
cookwear: aluminum pot (big)
clothes: jeans, long sleeve cotton shirt, sweatshirt, windbreaker
footgear: sears work boots
raingear: poncho
provisions: god-awful freezedried s**t, dehydrated eggs (seemingly from WWII)
water treatment: pick a clear stream
baseweight: probably around 15-20 pounds, packed weight probably 35-40 lbs for a 4-5 day trip

Conventional (1990s)
pack: gregory shasta
bag: camp 7 downbag
pad: ridgerest 3/4
shelter: REI tadpole knock-off
water carrier: nalgene, camelbak bladder
cooked on: Svea 123
cookwear: GSI aluminum
footgear: leather medium boots
clothes: capilene, nylon zipoffs, fleece,etc.
raingear: minimally breathable stuff from kelty & rei
food: oatmeal; cheese & crackers; relatively light meals requiring cooking on site–You should try my trail recipe for salmon in dill sauce over pasta.
water treatment: PUR filter
baseweight: 25-30 lbs, packed weight around 45-50 lbs for 4-5 days

Lightweight BPer (current)
pack: gg mariposa or mountainsmith ghost
bag: marmot helium or arroyo
pad: thermarest ultralight (I’m getting wimpier in my old age)
shelter: varies
cook on: vargo ti canister stove or supercat alcohol
cook in: evernew ti
water carriers: smartwater bottle; platy bladder
clothes: capilene, supplex nylon, light windshirt, light insulated jacket
footgear: either chacos sandals or trailrunners
raingear: golite phantom jacket, rei ultralight pants
provisions: oatmeal; gorp or energy bars; freezer bag boil-in-bag meals
water treatment: aqua mira

baseweight: 12-15 lbs., packed weight 30-35 lbs (including bear canister) for 4-5 days (I tend to carry and go through a lot of water)

So, after hundreds (thousands?) of dollars of investment, I’ve “evolved” to the point that I now carry slightly less weight than I did 37 years ago. LOL

Then (late 1970s, early 1980s) compared to a couple of years ago:

http://www.verber.com/mark/outdoors/gear/backpack-heavy-light.html