Go programs are also statically linked and Go based CLI tools generally only come in at 3-4 MB IIRC. I've used static linking in binaries in Nim and C programs too with similar (or smaller) sizes.

Rust binaries are just impressively large. I'd guess part of it must be how Rust monomorphizes generics: https://rustc-dev-guide.rust-lang.org/backend/monomorph.html

if you strip them you tend to lose a lot of the fat.

Nice, any tips on how to do that? Is there a Cargo thing or just run regular ole strip?