5 things you NEED in your backpack

There are thousands of gear lists out there detailing what to bring when hiking or backpacking, but you have to really dig to find the stuff that may not seem obvious but nonetheless make a HUGE difference between a fun trip and an absolute drag.  Here are a few items I pack on every trip that fit that catergory.

Duct tape: Fix a tear, cover a blister, make rope, the list goes on and on.  It’s duct tape — it can do everything.  Tip:  Wrap a couple feet around a trekking pole for easy storage and access.

Super glue:  Also useful for fixing gear, but excellent for covering small open wounds so they don’t get infected.  Editor’s note:  Also perfect for pranks involving skin-to-skin adhesion and horrified onlookers.

Titanium spork: Why waste precious ounces on an entire knife/fork/spoon set?  A spork kills two birds with one stone while the pocketknife/multi-tool that’s already in your pack is perfect for cutting summer sausage or pretty much anything else.  The titanium version is super strong and ultra lightweight.

Dryer lint:  Friend of Trailsauce Jason Stevenson sends this tip — It’s hard to think of a more flammable or lighter-weight firestarter than some lint from the trap in your dryer.  Instead of starting a dryer fire in your house, why not make one in the woods?  Seems pretty reasonable to me.

Bic lighter: Bring a few waterproof matches in a ziplock for backup, but a lighter is one of those things I’ve often wondered why more people don’t throw in their packs.  I mean, it makes fire with a flick of a thumb, which is darn convenient at the end of a long day.

How about you?  What are some things you bring along that make your trip incrementally better?  Post in the comments below!