Having done my own share of hikes, though, I will say that going ultralight right from the beginning has been a gift that has kept on giving. Seeing people carry heavy tents and stainless steel cooking gear and ridiculously heavy sleeping bags makes me quake in my shoes. I just couldn't do it.
And then lastly, I really, really, cannot say enough good things about ease of access. I have shoulder pockets for compass/sunglasses. A bottom pocket in my backpack (Palante) for snacks and trash storage. Side pockets for water that I can reach without taking the pack off, and they're deep enough to not have the bottles fall out. A fanny pack for small items like chapstick, sanitiser etc. And finally _deep_ pockets in my shorts for my phone. NOT having to take my pack off makes me happy over and over and over again.