No worries, I can see how you see it that way. I hardly place myself above it all and do have to keep myself in check about not getting sucked down the rabbit hole of endlessly comparing specs and prices.
I’m pretty much in the same boat now; my kit has been more or less dialed for years and gear purchases are typically replacements for worn out items. Back to my post above, I find that my interest in new gear is always in direct proportion to be able to do something about it. When I’ve got no $$$ for gear or frivolous purchases in the budget, I tend not to think about gear or weights much. If I’ve got money to blow, that’s when I start scheming on shaving a few ounces off my kit.
For the record, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with spending money for “fun” on whatever passtime you love. Whatever floats your boat. I do however, find it somewhat ironic that UL backpacking is so incredibly consumer-driven while simultaneously being associated with “simplicity” “minimalism”, etc.
Back to the paradox of having mountains of gear in the garage so you can appear to barely carry any on the trail!
