Let me add my leng kak worth.
The pouches are designed to be modular, i.e., that you can be very
mission-specific with the arrangement. If you are a M203 Grenadier,
you will attach on the M203 Bandolier. You will probably give the
Compass Pouch a skip.
The extra weight is probably caused by the extra interfaces you put
into the back of each pouch. The "traditional" LBE is fixed, the
lack of extra interfaces for attachment will make it lighter.
