The older packs I still have and use are lighter than most of the newer packs. I applaud your efforts, Lester!
Of course, with 4oz-5oz SUL packs, we accept that they are fragile compared to other non-UL packs. Forget what the manufacturers say. It is certainly a viable area of MYOG, despite not being in the mainstream of weight gaining packs. And forget what manufacturers say about “Ultra Light.” In most cases, they are not close to the 1 pound cut-off I use for a true UL pack. There is a HUGE difference between 16oz and 24oz…or a half a pound. SUL/UL travel, whether on weekends or on multi-week thru hikes, means I have room for more food (at least that) or more conveniences on the trail.
And yes, we accept the truism that maximum loads exist for a REASON. As Ryan pointed out, you can easily rip out the shoulder harness/straps from the main pack body. Or drop a 20# loaded pack at camp on a stick and have it puncture a hole in your pack (or simply wear out the bottom after a week!)
One of the BIG points I do *not* like about current manufactured packs is the total lack of system integration. They do not integrate side pockets, they add them on, for example. They do not consider a third pouch (for simple garbage collection) on the sides of their packs. They do not consider what I think of as “key” or “cardinal” stress points on the packs and increase strength there, reducing other places strength to compensate for the weight. They do not integrate what you always need to carry into a complete hiking system. For example, they insist on using internal or external frames when you have CCF pads and tent poles you *must* carry anyway. And, they do not integrate (well everyone except HMG, anyway) packing storage needs into a well defined, waterproof system. All these points can be addressed by a MYOG person. *NOT* through buying any pack that has all these features in a true UL or SUL framework. Staying within Lester’s weight budget, and, incorporating as many features as possible may not happen, but hitting this weight budget for a weekend hike in summer over a good trail is certainly possible.
Some of the packs out there have nice “bells and whistles”…in many cases literally for the whistles. Learn how. and save a few grams. So what, you might say. Because true Light Weight philosophy demands it. Knowledge and skills weigh nothing (well, maybe the cost of a few molecules running around your brain.) Know when and if it is safe to head out with SUL gear. A good example is winter…yup, it isn’t safe to head out SUL in winter (unless you really, really and I mean seriously really know what you’re doing.) Sometimes, snowshoes or skis will instantly put SUL travel (<5 pounds) out of reach, for example. Ya’ gott’a eat. But, what if you are using them from the start? For example: Things you stick in your pocket? What about my pocket knife? What about my car key chain with a Leatherman Micra/LED light attached? What about my lighter? Yes, there is a lot of “looseness” in the definitions. Anyway, Knowledge is usually fundamental to all hiking. You will know when you are intentionally “cheating” just to hit a magic weight number.
And now, getting back to banning people for conflicting viewpoints. On a public site, I would point out that there is a certain thing called Freedom of Speech. However, highly argumentative, derogatory statements made against a person, intentionally disruptive comments, or, anything like that is probably grounds for removal. Such statements *could* open the publisher up to libel charges regardless of who wrote it. ‘Corse, this also implies a scathing review could also be considered a form of libel.
