Tom from Two Heel drive has some criticism of a gear question and answer from Outside Online.

I'm recovering from a ruptured disc and have an extended backpacking trip planned this summer, with doctor's approval granted! What's your opinion on the best packs for those of us with back problems; if not specific models, maybe manufacturers that build the best support systems?

Well, I don't think anybody is making a Ruptured Disc Edition Backpack, but certainly some are going to be better than others. I worry about the weight you'll need to carry for a long trip?more than 40 pounds, I would imagine. In my view you'd be well advised to take your pack in to see your doc, just so he/she is perfectly aware of what you propose...

Here is what Tom has to say about the answer:

This is a good start, but of course he recommends a bunch of really expensive -- and heavy -- packs and doesn't even broach the idea of looking into the whole light-weight movement. Kind of a blindered view of things, which, come to think of it, is probably what gets Climb_CA so worked up all the time.

To me, and I'm sure many other backpackers, 40 lbs for an extended trip of say 10 days is not that heavy. Heck, if you calculate how much the food alone will weigh, 1.5lbs x 10 days, you end up in the range of 15lbs. Since this is an extended trip, you will also bring additional first aid, fuel, clothing, and repair items that could easily add 2-5 lbs more. So now you have something like 10-20 lbs that you wouldn't be bringing on a short overnight hike.

So unless a backpacker make significant sacrifices, their total weight will reach approximately 40 lbs for an extended trip of about 10 days. Now when you consider that most lightweight backpacks stop working at around 30lbs, Outside Online provides exactly the answer needed. I would never suggest a flimsy lightweight backpack to someone with back problems unless the total weight was under 20lbs. Lightweight backpacks generally lack the support necessary to transfer weight to the hips. I own both the 5lb pack that can carry 60 pounds and the 2lb pack that can carry 30lbs.

Basically, Outside's answer is realistic and fits the balance most backpackers have chosen between comfort and weight. If the backpacker with the bad back wanted a summary of the trade offs, he would of asked that question.

I find it annoying on forums or anywhere else when someone starts pushing their lightweight gear and methods assuming that I haven't already considered them. Most of these people seem oblivious to the fact that lightweight backpacking involves significant sacrifices. Anyways, that's my counter rant to Tom's.