Regarding your question about UL tents, here's my $0.02 worth.

On our JMT trip in 2018, my son and I used a Zpacks two-person tent - the Duplex Classic with the added external poles to pull it out more/create a bit more head room. I carried the tent and my son carried the poles. It was a good tent for us, and I have considered the Durston tents, too, since then. I think that you're making a good choice - but, YMMV! ?

My second point is slightly?different. Over the past couple of years, I've tried to slim down a bit more. I'm not really packing any less weight, but I do feel that I'm creating more "utility" in my system. When I'm solo packing (which is more often than not), I now use a ?with a . There aren't really any weight savings. But, when I can, I prefer to cowboy camp - but without mosquitoes - so the bivy works great for that. If it seems like rain is on the way, then I'll easily put up the Gatewood Cape as my tent; the utility comes from using the Gatewood?Cape as a raincape if it's raining while I'm packing.

Good luck,

Tim