I do use a rack, but not in the conventional sense - I have two side racks that can move around quite easily, and can come on and off the stage in easy trips once assembled. Since they're smaller, they also pack and transport more easily.
There are many "in-between" options that allow for some of the advantages of a rack without all that extra weight.
1) "Cymbal station". Essentially, you take a short length of rack tubing (maybe 18" - 24"0 and attach it to an existing cymbal stand using a rack clamp. Then you can add two or three cymbal booms, toms, what have you, to the stand using rack clamps. This option is even sturdy enough to fly two rack-style floor toms off one double-braced stand.
2) "Rack Bridge". Using two cymbal stands you already have, clamp a rack tube of whatever length between them using two rack clamps. Then use the tube as you would a normal rack. This is pretty sturdy so long as you make sure it's level; I've put three rack toms and four cymbals on such a contraption before.
3) "Stealth" rack. Gibraltar has started marketing the "stealth" rack kits, which are essentially mini-racks with extremely short legs, and the bars run close to the floor. You could actually use two short tubes with feet as the "T-legs", but no vertical bars. Just run the rack directly between the two foot tubes (basically an "H" lying on the floor). Then you can clamp stands or booms directly to the middle tube. These are great because they are flat (meaning low center of gravity) and can slide in and out of tight spots in cars. You can similarly use a floor-running tube to mount your snare without a tripod.
4) "Side Racks" - either stealth or regular two-leg racks, one on either side of the bass drum. See my profile and my photo gallery for examples of these.
The best thing about these solutions is that you can usually buy just the specific parts needed rather than a whole rack kit, and end up with a much cheaper solution than the full package.