The best advice for packing is to place it all on the floor and go through every piece and place it in a pile; don't need, might need and need. Then go through the might need to find kit in the need pile that will work in its place. Then go through the need pile to once again trim it down. It can take quite a few trips or years to fine tune your pack, every trip and person is different. I am one of those eccentric types concerning weight; light is right, lighter is righter.
Camp booties, nothing like being out all day and arriving to build camp and put booties on my tired feet. I also do the majority of camp chores wearing them. Not down booties as they can soak-out in rain and snow to become heavy and useless.
Water shoes for crossing rivers keeps trail boots dry and they offer more traction and protection than bare feet.
A 3/4 closed cell foam pad always goes with me. Sit on, stand on, lay on. Hunt, hike, range day, everywhere. Z rest my favorite. Cut a hole in the corner and duct tape around the hole, tie a loop of p cord to secure it so it will not blow away.
Wire, zip ties, pcord, rubber bands, duct tape, Velcro strap, safety pins, carpet needle with carpet thread already in the eye of the needle with knot on the end, gorilla glue doubles as repair for kit and body.
Contractor trash bag taped to the bottom of my pack with duct tape. Slept in one in a bad blow.
Bic lighter in just about every pocket and pack. Single best skill is being able to build a fire anywhere and anytime.
Zip lock bags, many uses.
Bug dope and lip goo.
Storm whistle on every pack shoulder strap.
I carry a stove during the day and leave a thermos in camp full of hot water before I leave for the day. I fill it at night so in the AM while still wrapped up warm and snug, a cup of coffee kick starts me. A little heavy but worth the weight for camp comfort. Its wrapped in closed cell foam with duct tape for those -40 trips.
Carried an Icom hand held VHF radio with guard channel, way before Spot. Airplanes and satellites will pick up mayday transmissions. Of course it would not locate by GPS but someone will answer the call. A buddie of mine used it in backcountry of the Wrangles contacting a jet liner ( who knew their approx. waypoints by planes avionics), an hour bush flight in. Within a couple hours their bush pilot arrived with 212th alerted and on their way also. You can also tell your bush pilot you will call them for news and such as they fly the area. All areas have specific freqs planes use for traffic.
I also make my own freeze dried meals.
