Post something SMALL that works for you. Mine: a pen

[Elizabeth Tracy]

We're used to debating tents and sleeping bags here. But what about the other practical items that most of us bring – the tiny ones? They can be hard to find.

Here's my recent find – a pen. Love it! (Less than 0.1 oz.; retractable; at 4 in. long enough to actually hold in your hand, without poking a hole in your ziplock.)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-x-Mini-Size-0-5mm-Ball-Point-Pen-BLUE-Ink-Free-Ship-/150689198068?_trksid=p4340.m185&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC.NPJS%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUA%26otn%3D5%26pmod%3D160660344389%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D4308858922539326112

What are some small/tiny items you have found, that the rest of us can buy for ourselves online somewhere?

– Elizabeth

[Diplomatic Mike]

The thread title might stop male members from posting. ;)

[M B]

bic pen insert (part inside with ink and ball point) 0.06 oz

[Dale Wambaugh]

Geez, Mike, sometimes a pen is just a pen :)

Other small pens, but I don't have the weights handy:

Pilot makes a mini gel pen with a good grip, available at Office Depot

Fisher makes the Stowaway pen, that is skinny and light.

The classic bullet Space Pen is small and the shape is hand and pocket-friendly.

Other small favorites:

Swiss Army Classic knife

Leatherman Style CS multi-tool

Sony SRF-S84 AM/FM radio. Runs on one AAA and has amazing reception and sound, 2.1oz:

Folding titanium spork

Fenix E01 AAA LED flashlight

[Ceph Lotus]

I have this pen on my keychain:

Telescoping Pen

[Joslyn Bloodworth]

I find the smallest thing I take can also be the thing that keeps me the most comfortable, my chapstick. I get chapped lips really fast on trail and having this little gem is worth the effort! I love cherry flavored Carmex with a 15 SPF in a squeeze tube. It's also good for hot spots on my feet.

[William Brown]

I bring 2 safety pins and attach my pair of wet socks to the back of my pack. This way I don't orphan one or both of them falling out of an unsecured pcoket.

[Bob Gross]

"This way I don't orphan one or both of them."

Yes, I guess it is pretty sad to have one brown sock and one blue sock.

I don't mind it so much. I have two pairs that way.

–B.G.–

[Eric Blumensaadt]

A tiny Bear Grylls/Gerber lockblade knife with at 1 1/2" blade. I had to attatch a Triptease braided lanyard to it to keep from losing it.

But try to get diaper safety pins. They are much less likely to open accidently if you use them, say, for pinning a long shirt sleeve to the shirt body as a makeshift sling or use them inside your sleeping bag or on garments as a repair item.
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@Ginger

[Ginger Allman]

Sometimes the obvious can so stunningly escape me. I can't believe I never thought of this. Safety pins. Wow. And they could be used to hang my undies from the loop inside my tent, too. Duh.

[Dean F.]

An empty acetaminophen bottle, used to cap the rough top of my Big Survival Stik when using it as the center pole for my SuperMid.

[Bob Gross]

One empty plastic 35mm film canister.

Cost=0
It's air tight and water tight.

–B.G.–

[Mike W]

…

[Ken Thompson]

Remember the OP is looking for things you can buy online. I'm guessing these might be stocking stuffers.

K&M matchcases

[Tim Zen]

Lighthound Keychain Flashlight Black Body, White LED 7 grams

Fox 40 micro whistle

dental floss

mini carabiner

[Franco Darioli]

The Instaflator for those that have problems blowing up their air mats.
A bit fragile but works well.
(usually on E Bay)
A Carbon Fiber lid for one of those ti mugs or a large beer can, from :
http://www.rutalocura.com/Carbon_Lids.html
(very nice. Light , stays on and it does not get hot)
a FireSteel from :
http://firesteel.com/
works better than the other usual types (for me…)
Franco

[Chris M]

For me, the derma-safe knife that BPL used to sell is a fantastic little tool. I used to carry around an overweight pocket knife. Then I got this trinket and realized how rarely I need a knife at all. It is really sharp and has just enough handle to be able to use it when I do need to cut cordage or what not. Now that I think about it, finding them isn't terribly easy anymore. Buying one sure isn't. You can get a few of them at a time on eBay, I think though.

[steven franchuk]

Dice.

[Dale Wambaugh]

Two online sources for the dermasafe knives:

http://edcdepot.com/foldingrazorknifewithorangehandle.aspx

http://www.countycomm.com/straightrazor.html

[Pete Wilson]

Chap Stick, insect repellent.

[Ken K]

The little Photon X-Light is just pure awesome… Hung as a lantern, it will light up my whole tent. The glow-in-the-dark case means I can see it at night. It provides enough light for most camp chores. And the strobe effect is just plain fun.

At $7, it's a great value, too.

[Nick Gatel]

Light and small. I have used mine for several years to include a few night hikes. About time to replace the battery. A couple years ago I gave away about a dozen of them as Christmas presents. I also keep one on my key chain for those dark in-city experiences.

[Ryan C]

What is small and works for me? My little folding titanium spork. The little guy has been on every trip with me. It was one of my first true "UL" items and I see no need to replace it unlike all the other gear I seem to rotate through.

[Donna C]

My contact lenses. : )

[Pete Staehling]

I also like my keychain light, but prefer the eGear PICO LED Zipper Lite over the Photon. I have started taking it on go light trips as my only light.

[Author]

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