So to those who hike or travel a lot and do not use tripods, what do you do with heavy gear?
Don’t take heavy gear.
I have a Fuji X-T5 + XF 16-80mm lens. That covers 90% of my shots. Then a Fuji XF 10-24mm for the wide stuff.
I only have one body which is also a pain to switch often.
So you’re missing shots anyway regardless of having all of your lens with you.
Oh and does anyone have any ultra lightweight bag recs that are not a bazillion pounds but can hold 3-4L of water?
An ultralight bag that can carry all that camera gear + 3-4L water does not exist.
Andy Mumford is fabulous for landscape stuff.
He does do some gear reviews - but it’s all in the context of getting good photos not gear wankery if that makes sense.