Welcome Newguy!!!

"...I used to be a surplus guy until I discovered that climbers and hikers have better equipment than military and at lower prices..."

That pretty much says it all. Military gear is meant to be tough (ie heavy), yet readily replacable (something breaks, you go to supply and get a new issue). Most of it is also designed to be "one size fits all (or none)," in many cases, backpacks for example, you can get a much better fitting pack from a civilian outdoors store...