I think it is important to make sure we distinguish the group called "ultralight" from the group that we might call "unprepared".
They are generally two very different groups, although I see the two often thrown together.
The endless crap about ultralight hikers is pretty funny - images of an ultrastupid moron huddled in pouring rain under a poncho from the 99 cent store with no shelter, no warm clothes, no food, and one soggy match. Like an ultralight hiker wouldn't bring long pants or a decent shelter. Funny stuff. You just don't see ultralight hikers going back to a heavy pack, I wonder why that is...
Personally, as if anyone cares, I settled on New Balance trail runners, usually on sale at Big 5 in wide sizes. I go a size large, add a good insole, and don't try to get too many miles out of them. Where crampons are needed or general snow camping, I wear light Scarpa mountaineering boots. If I want more weight, I guess I could add ankle weights, but I don't.
