Way back when I was a Scout, you could tell the new guys, as they had loads of stuff they didn't need and wouldn't use that mom and dad made them take.

That carried over into my time in the Infantry. The new guys would pack the kitchen sink. The guys with sense would pack as little as possible for a lighter load, but enough to be as comfortable as weight/season allowed.

Not calling anyone out, but some of y'all carry more to go on a hike than I used to carry for a week in the woods - minus weapon, gas mask and ammo. Wait, make that minus the weapon and ammo - I swear someone out there is carrying a gas mask.

I carry in my pockets a lot less than most of you and I still am able to fix stuff, see in the dark, wipe my nose, take notes, start a fire and cut stuff.

As to backpacking, I consider anything over 35 pounds to be too much. That includes food, but does not include water, as some places I carry extra water.

What upper weight limit do you try to impose? And on that note, what are some of the things you "must have"?