For the sake of this thread, I will be talking in terms of Big-4-weight. Pack/Shelter/Sleep System (temps 40° and over)
Four years ago, my Big 4 was hovering just over 15 lbs. I am embarrassed to discuss the rest of my pack weight because it borders on the obcene.
I switched out my tent for a hammock and that improvement in comfort and weight savings really kicked off my quest for a lighter backpack. My current B4 (not as applicable to hammocks, but equivalent) is 8 lbs.
34.2 oz ULA Circuit (custom)
28.5 oz Hammock and suspension
22.3 oz All weather tarp
29.2 oz Top and bottom quilts
It is not perfect, but is roughly half where I was a short time ago. My plan is to replace some of these items (lighter hammock and cuben tarp), and I should be down in the 6 lb range. Winter weights are only slightly more, as though I add heavier quilts, I use a lighter, non-mosquito net hammock. Ends up adding only a net 10 oz (again, B4)
As for the rest of my gear? Well let's just say that I am limiting the changes of clothing, and taking less unnecessary items, ligher water containers stoves and such. My "extra" gear is now less than 1/3 what it used to be. I saved the most by simply leaving unnecessary items at home. Better food selection has resulted in double savings (lighter food weight and fewer and lighter cookware items). Overall savings without spending a penny? About 18-20 lbs.
Finding lighter gear (pack, quilts, etc) was much costlier. But the quality of the gear I now have is much superior to what I had before, and has so far saved me nearly 8lbs in my B4 and another 3-4 in other gear.
With a 15 lb loaded summer weight (3-4 day trek), I am not exactly "Ultra Light" (and don't pretend to be), but man is there a difference between 45 and 15 lbs on your back!