A better soda can stove
Back in the early days of New France, a coureur des bois would spend a little fortune for his ultra light birch bark canoe. Space era materials now abound in consumer products. The modern backpacker will also find many opportunities to trade a large amount of money for light gears. Every gram count. Tents have carbon fiber frames, fork and spoon are merged into titanium sporks, white leds provide dependable light sources, Gore-Tex and microfiber enable light, warm, waterproof cloths. The outdoorsman value light gears. It's part of his nature. It's enough work to carry oneself over rough portage; who would want to carry a hard wood boat?
The modern outdoorsman have it easy. His expeditions won't make him rich, but he will find all his gears at the local store. However, money won't buy him the ultimate stove. The ultimate stove cost only 20 cents of supplies but one have to make it himself.