I’ve had an absolute overkill vault for years and intend to switch to a sack (obvs unless the area has aggressive bears and/or the park specifies vaults are required).
What would you add as a luxury item to take up the newly available weight and volume? Currently leaning towards a lightweight backpacking chair. Getting up off the ground and having a backrest after a long days backpacking sounds great.
I have a 36L bag, so the vault takes up A LOT of the volume. And I shoot for midweight, say <20lbs dry weight.
Option 2, but vetoed by my frequent adventure buddy, was harmonicas for some nighttime jams. I can’t play harmonica, so backwoods camp seemed like a good place to practice.
I’m all about enjoying less weight, but I agree also with looking into a backpacking chair from helinox or equivalent. I have an REI brand chair and it’s totally worth the weight for me. Absolute luxury in the trial!