What is in your tool box?

I'm somewhere between you and rangewalker. In addition to a mattress patch kit, I carry some string and a large sewing needle, some large safety pins, and duct tape. Have used all to good effect on failed gear. Always a spare battery set for the headlamp and some Vasoline-smeared cotton balls for fire-starter. Also a small collection of spare plastic bags that get pressed into service one way or another most trips.

My tool box (I call it a Misc. Kit) is also about 50 years old. I've parred it down considerably in the last few years. I now carry:

• mattress repair kit
• spare eyeglasses
• eyeglasses cleaner
• 30 feet of 2.2mm zingit
• 1 large needle (use dental floss for thread)
• spare lighter
• 8 waterproof matches
• 13gal plastic bag

I've never carried a single edge razor blade. That's a good idea and a new addition.

I read this early this morning (~7AM - early for me, at least), and thought to myself that this is where I started, but I soon found that most of the stuff I was carrying was redundant. A lot depends on the objective, and length, of a trip. (Long trips not being something I do a lot of, so ...) The longer the trip, the more likely something is going to go south. For most of my piddlin' little trips, I need nothing like this.

I do carry a backup battery for any lighting (thus, the fewer batteries in the lamp the better) and for electronics. I carry a spare mini Bic in lieu of fire-starter or matches, which I found I never really used. Used to take a sewing kit, now figure I'd just "duckit". (The answer for most everything, from ripped clothing to ripped flesh.)

I most often carry a set of fresh "daily" contacts instead of a repair kit for glasses, if I actually think of it. I used to keep a P38 on the chain around my neck with my dogtags, and I still have that same one, but I rarely carry it unless I actually take cans of something - not something I do that often. I used to carry a straight edge razor blade as a backup to a knife, but quit doing that. Long ago, I bought several "homemade" titanium knives from a guy online who made them with a carbon edge for sharpening (ti doesn't hold an edge - they are about 4" long, but weigh practically nothing), but found that I rarely had use for any of it.

Duct tape roll - Don't leave home without it! Serves as a way to repair a lot of stuff, though Tenacious tape is better for nylon and garments.



You're so funny.

One big ass knife is the only tool I need.

Somebody had to say it.

I carry a couple zip ties, tenacious tape, a needle and thread set from a hotel room I stayed in once (the kind folded in a little cardboard) and a small pocket knife. Sometimes it is a mini multi tool but not usually anymore. Duct Tape is also wrapped on one of my trekking poles. I often put 2 spare AAA batteries in the bag as well. A separate small container has eye glass repair screws as well (in my med kit)

I never carried one of those. I have a few laying around somewhere, because they used to come with every tent. I also never had a pole break in the field. I've had the shock cord break, but a knot will fix that until I get home.