How to achieve a state of weightlessness when backpacking

There is a well known (you can Google studies that substantiate it) saying in wilderness backpacking circles that says, 'A pound on your feet equals 5 pounds on your back.' It refers to the amount of energy used (measured in calories) to lift one pound on your feet when walking being equal to amount of energy used to carry 5 pounds on your back.

So with that in mind, consider this. Suppose you start out in the morning with a backpack that weighs 15lbs. and wearing a pair of boots that weigh 6lbs. Four hours later you stop for lunch and before moving on, you take off the boots and a companion takes them and hands you a 2lb. pair of lightweight hiking boots to put on.

When you then carry on walking, that means you will feel as if you have removed 20lbs. from your back! (6-2=4x5=20) Since you are still only carrying a 15lb. pack you will feel as if you are carrying MINUS 5 lbs. Does this mean you will have achieved weightlessness? Will you defy gravity?

I've a feeling though that the physicists will say that a 'feeling' is not a scientific term. But what do they know, the experts used to say the earth was flat! There's only one way to find out, conduct the experiment! ;-)

Cross-posted on Gear Branch.