I can relate to this.

I'll never forget as a Boy Scout with a 5 dollar external frame POS backpack up in the Rockies coming across a party with the latest gear caught in a rainstorm. One of the guys had a thin plastic poncho and was in the first stages of hypothermia. We were able to warm him up and get some warm fluids down him.

And yet, I'm certainly supportive of getting the best gear you can with the lowest weight. Your knees will thank you years down the road. Case in point was my purchase of some nice Leki poles. They helped me out tremendously, but I bore the ribbing of my comrades with a simple "It works for me!" Lo and behold, several years later, imagine my surprise when the oldest of my friends bought himself a pair. He HAD to mention that his were vastly different from mine, so I couldn't say "I told you so."