L84toff,

After rereading my reply I think I should have stated (well let's just say I could have been nicer) my thoughts better.

If you are looking to lighten the load then most say whoopies are the route to go. I've considered them, but I still like the simplicity of straps and webbing. I was thinking you may not have considered just removing the straps and putting them in an outside pocket of your pack when they were wet. Like you said, the elephant in the room, the obvious answer sometimes eludes us.

Either way, hope you weren't offended by my rather blunt reply.