Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting What items are NEVER in your pack?

There's already a thread about the things that people always carry in their packs, with the implication being they are considered to be necessities.

What are some things that you've lugged around in your pack but never ended up using? What's not worth the weight? Have you figured out multiple uses for items and thus eliminated others?

Over the years I've really scaled back on extra clothes. But I still almost always bring extra food, and end up carrying some out.

Kitchen sink ...grin.

Sorry, couldn't help myself.

yes on the extra clothes. As you get going you will figure out what you really need and how warm or cold you run while hiking. Cooking set, I lost that a long time ago. I use the Jetboil and pour the hot water into the freeze dried food bag and eat out of that. Ti spork and Jetboil are all you need. Tent is another one I have done away with except winter trips. Bivy sack works awesome and is light and no having to set up. I try to keep my gear simple and light.

No cooking set. Just a big titanium cup.

But-out-tool will never be in my pack

750 ml titanium cup with top and small msr stove
And titanium spork- cook and eat out of cup or into freeze dried food bags.

Quilt- no more sleeping bag

Most times a tarp if not in late fall winter two hiking poles.

Lot fewer clothes . 2 wool T-shirts, Kuiu or Patagonia fleece hoody mid layer and a shell or vest

Well then, how do you propose to get the butt out?

A good layering system has allowed me to drastically reduce weight and volume of clothing. No more MREs.

Love the quilt and no sleeping bag. This is a backpacking forum or are we camping in our backyard....

Quilts are great in non-winter. I don't mind them down to about 10 after that I want a mummy.

I am usually horseback...kinda traditional. I don't own anything with camo on it. When afoot, I take a ww1 canvas pack, don't take any electronics.

Third rifle.

It varies but it's usually the 1 odd item I REALLY need at the time........

Kinda hard to remember what I've jettisoned over the years.
-I nearly never carry a pot or pan.
-Everybody seems to rave about wet wipes but I've never had the need for them.
-It's not quite "never" in my pack, but I carry a rain shell VERY rarely any more. A windshirt with good DWR goes a long ways and breathes like a dream.
-I used to carry a substantial first aid kit, now I do not.

Again, a backpacking statement — frequently amazed by legions donning canvas packs with axes dangling. But hey, they’re young and strong, and probably need a big pack for beard products.

Car keys. I hide them under a rock or something near the car.

Smart for so many reasons.

My pistol.

That reminds me of my BIL. He was an avid backpacker and had a buddy who always went with him. The buddy usually drove. He'd put his keys in a plastic bag, put them in a shallow hole next to a log, lay a couple pieces of toilet paper on top, then cover it up leaving some TP showing. No one ever bothered his keys.