backpacking

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Post only about backpacking, hiking, shoestring/long-term travel with a backpack
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What is your top 'non-essential' backpacking gear item ? (lemmy.ml)

submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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I am looking at creating my backpacking kit. I just wanted to know what people consider their top items in their backpacking kit that might not be considered "essential" (tent, clothes, cookware, etc) or what they'd recommend looking into to improve the (already great) backpacking/camping experience.

Note : alcohol is supposed to be 'non-essential' !

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Paracord always comes in handy.
I don't think I've ever made a camping trip where I wasn't glad I brought a bunch of Paracord along.
It's pretty much "essential" to me at this point.

Other stuff that I find essential, but not everyone might have on their list.

Headlamp is probably something everyone has, but just in case.
Dry bag and compression sack. Fit more into your pack and keep your stuff dry. A spare dry bag for the dirty laundry stuff.
Stormproof matches, they have more in common with road flares than traditional matches. Lighters fail, wind blows them, etc. The huge storm matches never let me down. Overkill? Sure. I like to overkill my firestarting.
If I'm going car camping where space and weight isn't as limited: a bag of charcoal and a chimney starter. I've started roaring fires in heavy rain. Many a friend were made on camping sites this way.
As we rely more on technology, my next buy is probably a portable solar charger.