I try to get at least two uses out of everything I pack. Most of my hiking is desert. Where you hike matters.

Robinson Poncho Shelter....pitches as a tarp, lean too, and a rain poncho. I've used it as a windbreaker too.

Quilt....for sleeping, and as a heavy jacket. I've wrapped up in it lots of times while walking.

Compass/whistle....hard to find but made by Silva. Stays around my neck, along with a coin cell flashlight.

Platypus bags....work also as a pillow (when wrapped in something soft).

Pack straps....no foam in them. That's where I store extra socks and stuff, and they become 'padding'.

Socks.....double also as pack strap padding. Also work pretty well as mittens, and stuff sacks for holding my glasses at night. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Trekking poles....converted ski poles actually. Double as tarp poles, weapons, pokers, crutches, and oddly enough, dipole antenna for my shortwave radio.

Shortwave radio....which is actually a dual band ham transceiver. Receives shortwave, park ranger conversations, weather, standard band AM/FM, and is my emergency communications when cell phones don't work. Also has a barometer in it!

Space blanket (cheap Walmart version).....portable shade, a poncho (after my poncho shelter is pitched), A space blanket scrolled onto your trekking poles makes a HUGE signal mirror. Mylar sheet has tons of uses.

Esbit.....doubles as fire starter.

Hat...doubles as a wash basin, if there's water around. Makes a fine bucket if lined with plastic.

Ridgerest sleeping pad....doubles as a pack frame, and sometimes a water float.

Super glue....as glue, and works great for skin cuts and cracks, fabric repair, shoe repair.


The more I think about it, it's a long list. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />