Florian wrote: > ii hope i am not reinforcing any prejudices about
germans here....
I think that we all have a 'Total Package' of satisfaction that goes
with travels and camping in our Westfalias.  The sum total of all the
various elements is what provides the satisfaction and enjoyment in
the end.  Since I don't do any backpacking any more, I worry much more
about bulk and dual or multiple use to try to keep the clutter down. 
I have a real problem with redundancy 'just in case'.  My First Aid
Kit is more like a Corpsman's bag for combat, I just can't convince
myself to strip it down even though I know I'll not be encountering
any major disasters with multiple victims.
And as for weighing what you take, I understand.  I spent four and a
half years in the Marine Corp, most of that time in a line outfit,
frequently living from what I carried.  Did I learn to get rid of
excess weight!  And don't worry about German prejudice, note my last
name, Busch....