I bought these items and tested them this trip. I think some here might find them a useful addition if they have the same needs as I do.

     The first item is a product made for people who carry those heavy backpack type sprayers all day in the field.
     If your like me, your shoulders give out before your legs/back on most long/hard portages.

These give you a 5” wide x 1/2” padded shoulder strap which means if you have padded straps already, your looking at a full 1” of close cell foam padding. But for me the 5” width is the real winner here. It spreads the load across so much more of your chest area.

     If I want to 2x portage which I do in most cases unless safety is a concern, I carry my food pack which is about 60#+ in the beginning and my day pack with my rain gear/ extra light jacket/fleece hat/saw and it's also my “dump” bag if I go over. About 20#+.

     I don't like dedicated chest packs because I want to be able to see where I place my feet especially on steep down hill areas. I rigged a large carabiner on left food pack strap and have another on haul loop on day pack. When I clip them together the day pack rides on my left hip and I cradle it to my body with left hand. My double paddle is my 3rd leg/walking stick.

     It's hard on my shoulders but this item made all the difference in the world. I only bought one pair and switched between food pack/day pack load and gear pack/canoe but will now get another set. I don't think you'd be disappointed. You have to adjust pack straps for the extra thickness when you first put them on, but a couple of times and your good to go.

I'd give them an A+, except sometimes the want to twist on pack strap ( my fault) so I wish they had 3 Velcro straps. I'll try and add another this winter.

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     The 2nd item is a lightweight jacket liner to replace my old 100w Polar Fleece pullover. I love Polar Fleece, but it's doesn't compress well and it's not the lightest either.

     I carry a wind shirt and rain gear in my day pack that rides right in front of me in canoe. I also want a light
weight jacket of some sort so if it get's cold I can put on over my fleece vest,under wind shirt.

     Many people here the words military surplus and think it's just old used/worn out items from the military, which sometimes it is, but much is brand new NEVER issued items or surplus. Made to exacting specifications and remember there is nothing too good for the government with OUR tax dollars.

     The first jacket liner is what I bought because I already have a Thermoloft heavy jacket for when it really gets cold. It's very well made and the open under arms allow you to vent and still have good arm mobility. For $18 you can't beat it.

The second jacket is what I would have bought IF I didn't have a heavier jacket already. Thermoloft is basically synthetic goose down. Won't argue that it's warmer/lighter, BUT it insulates even if you get it wet, which for me is a huge plus.

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Since you can't see my pack set-up, you can quibble all you want.

My big old pack has a wide waist belt and sternum strap and I do exactly as you say. I also bring a lot of stuff that many solo paddlers don't. That extra shoulder padding for ME made a big difference this year. Will get another set one for each pack.

I also have the same waistbelt/sternum strap on food pack which is heavier than many solo paddlers because I like to eat well and am willing to carry extra weight at least for now to eat the way I like.

After years in exercise classes and not at home, weak glutes are not and have NEVER been the problem.
My shoulders get sore before my legs give out with the loads I carry.

IF I double portage which I always TRY to do, I go across first with food pack and daypack slung on the front but I don't like a pack in front where I don't have a clear view of where I'm stepping with a heavy load.

My front pack is clipped to a carabiner on left shoulder strap and the front pack rests on left thigh and held in close to the body by my left arm.

Double paddle in right to act as balance stick over really rough terrain or a steep downhill.

It works for me and my way of tripping, don't know about anyone else. To each their own.

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  Your not alone in that thought. The old school guys never used a waistbelt, they used a TUMPLINE. In countries where the mountain guides carry huge loads for the climbers they sometimes just have a TUMPLINE.

The average person's neck muscles couldn't handle just a tumpline, so they need shoulder straps. Same with a waistbelt. I think a lot has to do with a person's anatomy, where your weak/strong and of course how the pack is designed and loaded.

Most men have "no" hips to speak of compared to a female or in many cases no butt either. If you don't have much of either and your waistbelt keeps slipping down so you keep snugging it, you're going to be causing yourself some pain down the road.

I can snug my waistbelt so it's still comfortable, loosen my shoulder straps and feel all the weight going to hips/ top of the butt. My chest strap will keep the pack in place, but too much weight off my shoulders the pack wants to bounce around. I try for what I think is a 50-50 or maybe 60-40 depending on terrain and distance. Over the years that's what works best for me

I also think a pack is a lot like a canoe in that until you carry/paddle one loaded like you trip, you don't really know if it's the right one for YOU?

.I don't think there is anyone pack that fits all people and so like you did, you find what works best and maybe tweak it a little and call it good.