A look at horsepacking equipment may be illuminating. The old standby, the sawbuck ( looks like a carpenter's sawhorse) is an external frame. Loads must be well balanced and padding is critical. The Decker is an internal frame and much more comfortable for the pack animal. Both systems can be unbalanced, overloaded and improperly fitted. Both systems can get the job done, including packing a piano to a mountain lodge! Campers in new backpacks reminds me of astronauts; clumsy, overburdened and in hostile territory. I like the Aussie "Swagman" carry; a bedroll ( sleeping bag) slung under one shoulder, waterbag opposite with a light backpack, and my pockets full of essentials. A hiking staff is appreciated only by it's user. If I have to climb anything my paracord is adequate for hauling my gear up in stages SAFELY. Wilderness hiking or survival is not about speed ( excepting flash floods and skunks.)