Unsung heroes?

*Boonie hat
*Thrift store dress shirt
*surplus wool liner gloves
*Nalgene canteen

With the exception of the dress shirt, all these items are in my back for all four seasons. They are the only four pieces of gear I have not changed in over a decade (other than replacements).

P51 Can Opener.

Never know when you'll need it

….or lose it.

My leather gloves! Most would think of them as unnecessary weight, but they get used extensively on my trips.
I do a lot of off trail travel and they protect my hands when sliding down steep hills and shoving through brush.
They save my hands when climbing around on abrasive rocks.
They are very useful for dragging away downed wood to clear a spot to camp.
They are useful for gathering firewood.
I can literally stick my hand directly into a fire and grab flaming pieces of wood to adjust the fire without burning myself. I can stick my hand in there and grab a few hot coals and use them to start a wood stove… without getting burned!
They make the ultimate pot grabber.
And they can be used for warmth. I have actually slept in my work gloves during really cold nights.
Yes… I love my leather gloves. My backpacking friend ended up with holes in his from using them so much.

Thrift store dress shirts are great. They are so breathable and cool. The poly cotton ones dry fast but not too fast.

I like 'em so much, I wrote a "review" about them. :)

http://www.pmags.com/gear-review-thrift-store-dress-shirt

re: P51.

Ha! I have one on my key chain right now (next to my SAK classic), I always take it with me…so unsung even I forgot about it. :)