extra insurance

A slightly sleeping bag is about all that comes to mind in terms of dealing with the environment.

Almost all of the "extras" I take are luxury items, like a book.

As you said, extra insurance. Depends on the season. This time of year, dry socks come to mind. With downpour rain and wind, a rain jacket and a double wall tent.

Oh, heck, let's just put some pack straps on the Winnebago…. :)

Probably more food. I always like to eat food and its weight will go away so I wouldn't feel so bad about throwing it in at the last minute. Otherwise, I might bring some extra clothing depending on the weather. I had one hike early last year where the first day out it was so hot and humid that we hiked without shirts on and the next day was so cold we wore long underwear and made a fire at lunch to stay warm. The extra weight of the long underwear was greatly appreciated that second day.
I would like to think that I'm neither skimping or pushing it when it comes to the gear I take. I always take what I think I will need and nothing more. After I get back from the hike I evaluate what I actually used and whether or not I could have gotten by without something or if one more thing would have made me more comfortable. I try to make a mental note of my decisions so I can more efficiently pack the next time out. I've even made spreadsheets of what I take for different weather conditions so I make sure I don't leave something important out and modify them as I find what I'm comfortable with.

Adam

thanks for the responses. :)

i guess another way to word the question would be, what do you find yourself most often wishing you had NOT left at home? i'm not sure what mine is now, but i know it use to be a warmer sleeping bag. i learnt my lesson after a few cold nights.

i guess the converse of the question would be, what do you find yourself most often wishing you had left at home? mine would be food. somehow i always bring too much.

… Channing. I always seem to pack out uneaten food. I have started going through my food bag before the hike at the trailhead and plucking things out at the last minute.

I don't think I've ever regretted leaving something home on purpose, although a time or two I've forgotten to bring along a trash bag, which I use for sitting and storing my pack at night, and I regretted that.

I somehow always end up with more food than I need too. Otherwise I either use every thing I bring or I'm happy I didn't need to use it (first aid/emergency supplies or rain gear).

I'm usually wishing I had brought better rain pants. I try to go light with silnylon chaps and they're no good for sitting on a wet log. My Sling-Light is the luxury item I most miss if I leave it at home.