Funny thing is that those "ten" "essentials" don't weigh that much! I generally carry all of them, in some form or other, when I'm backpacking. I don't ever go without the raincoat or the puffy jacket or the base layer; I've needed them too many times. Ditto warm hat and gloves. As already mentioned, I find my wind shirt indispensable.

About the only things I carry that I haven't used on several occasions are a couple of larger gauze pads and a couple of large non-stick bandages in my first aid kit. Maybe half an ounce altogether. My PLB, 5.4 ounces, has of course never been used, but that's a psychological weight saving that keeps friends and family off my back. Oh, yes, I haven't used the frying pan (4.2 oz.), since I haven't yet managed to catch a fish to cook in it. Do you suppose that if I left the frying pan at home, I might actually catch that elusive trout?