Gear You Can not live WithOUT!!!

Ok.. so what is the one peice of gear you can not live without. I am talking about the one thing that no matter what your doing, where you go, wheather its a one hour day hike or a 2 month excursion. The one thing that you simply can not live with out. Mine I think is a good fitting pair of boots with thick smart wool socks. I have used Rockports for years, and unlike anyother boot, I can say I still own ever single pair of Rockports that I have ever bought. Redone many many times, but I still own them. I just got a new pair of Columbias that I really like to and though I have only had them about 3 months, I think they are going to give years of great service as well. So what is your one peice.

I'd have to say it would be my pair of Komperdell trekking poles. They are not the very lightest of trekking poles, but I do so much with them. Not only are they extremely useful on the trail when negotiating rough terrain, aiding in keeping my balance when crossing creeks and rivers, and taking some of the stress off my knees when needed, but they also help me in pitching both my tarp or tarptent. They are truly one of my more multi-use items that I carry with me on each and every hike.
UL

Thats the Idea UL.. and a great one too.. lol

Mine is this fixed blade knife that my dad gave me a few years ago. Its a great quality knife (don't remember the brand because I've worn the markings off), and I use it for everything. It hooks at my side, and is good for skinning, cleaning fish, and everything else you use a knife for. No to original, but I never go into to outdoors with out it.

I guess that would be a number 2 on my list as well. I never go into the woods without at least one knife and most of the time I will have at least 2. lol

My backpack, man, if I forget that I am screwed, it holds all my other important gear I need in the woods. Just kidding, I would have to say my trekking poles also. Mine are Leki Super Mak's. Also not the lightest but have made the difference of a good trip or a bad one on many occasions. UL is right in every point, they save your knees, help with balance, make ascents easier, descents easier, can be used as weapons against snakes, bees, woman that can't keep they're hands off you, (back woman, I have been on the trail for days, I STINK), shelter construction, I have actually seen a guy spear salmon with his in Yellowstone.

Given the parameters you gave...be it a short hike or an excursion, I would have to say boots also.

I look at it this way. When I am on a short hike, I am on my feet more than I am sitting. On a long hike, I spend at least a third of the day on my feet. (I will usually hike at least 8 hours in a day actual hiking time on a long hike).

On a long hike, I say boots and pack are first, shelter is second (including tent and bag), and food/water (including cooking/purification system) is third. If I have that covered and assuming weather is not a factor, everything else is off the "essential" list...outside of a map and compass.

Chances are, I won't need a knife to make it. I don't need a "seat cushion" to make it. I don't have to have a camera to make it.

But, all in all, I still have to walk (boots and pack), sleep (shelter) and eat (food/water). Can you think of anything else you HAVE to have on a long hike? (Again, assuming weather is not a factor...although it usually is).

Yeah, if where talking essentials I WOULD say my pack, shelter, not boots though unless I am in the snow. I am definately a Chaco man. I ahate wearing boots, to heavy and bulky. That question was a little obvious, the gear you CAN'T live without will obviously be boots and or sandals, shelter and pack and food. All the other stuff you really can live without.

Not me ... Boots all the way. I have hurt my ankles far to many times with tennies and sandles. I dont see how people do it in flip flops either. I had a dear freind of mine (that started me into backpacking) that unless there was snow on the ground then he would be in flip flops. lol. Not me. I am to old to be nursing a busted ankle because of not enough support. I can live without a shelter before I can without boots. There is always overhangs and large enough trees or something for a shelter. NOT with out the boots though. lol my 2cents.

I am the opposite, I have rolled my ankle more with boots than anything else. The only problem I have ever had with Chaco's is on a rare occasion toeing a stick or rock. I would rather that than a soar ankle. I realize this is not the norm and goes against traditional guidelines but I think we all have figured I am far from traditional and a backpacking obsessed fool.

I don't think food is considered gear, just food. I am such an ass.

Hey Chili don't take offense to that I was just trying to get my trail guide status with that last post. Hee-hee!

No offense taken, but I was thinking in terms of gear, you needed purification and some method of rehydration (i.e. pepsi stove, etc).

The debate can rage forever on what you need as opposed to what you might want, but, unless you plan on drinking directly from a water source and plan on eating cold meals, you will need water/food handling/cooking gear.

Good point Chili.. but the parameters of the question was on "Any Hike" including a one hour or a all day or even overnight or a month on the trail. I love my MSR Sweetwater but I doubt I will take it or my stove on a one hour. Might take the Sweetwater on a all day but not a shorter one.. lol. I was just trying to narrow this down to keep from going down the list one item at a time. Guess I was not clear in my original post.