Clever ways of making your kit multitask

[nidarosa]

I am a believer in 'less is more', at least when I am on foot, so I have been thinking about how to make most of my kit do at least double duty. It is sometimes surprisingly easy to cut down on gear and still have everything you need! I thought it would be fun to see what clever solutions people have come up with.

Some of my favourites are:
- taking one small shampoo bar to wash both my hair, body and clothes
- using a sarong as a scarf, skirt, towel, curtain, picnic blanket etc ...
- taking a pair of small nail scissors instead of nail cutters, because the scissors are useful for many things.
- using an Exped drybag as a pillow! I keep my change of clothes in it to keep them dry, or I can keep wet clothes in it if they haven't had time to dry, it doesn't matter, just roll down the edge with some air in the bag, fasten the clasp, and voila! I even pull my Buff over it as a pillow case. Very comfy!

What are your best multitasking kit tips?

 

[David]

Socks make good mittens - so no need for gloves.
Olive oil (I always carry some for cooking) is a great skin care product and is great for shaving with - so no need for skin creams or shaving creme.
Zip-off trousers so shorts and trousers in one.
errmmm ...... :|

 

[Loretta Jane]

I took the plastic knife fork and spoon from the airplane and used as my cutlery and came in handy as so many albergues in 2005 had no dishes or utensils, very light, didn't have to buy anything esp as backpack was carryon and therefore no knives etc on plane... survived the whole way. Also took emory board in place of nail file.
Neckscarf became a facecloth, picnic cloth, lunch wrapper, handwipe, sweat wipe etc
My jacket folded into a pocket pouch on the back of it and became a pillow.
Put all miscellaneous items in a tough large ziploc baggie so all things were easy to see and find and the bag could shape itself around any space in the pack.

 

[Tia Valeria]

Sleeveless Travel dress = nightdress if hot
Long johns = leggings under dress or pyjama bottoms
Long sleeved T will also go under dress or be pyjama tops as will short sleeved T
I just made sure that the 'accessories' were black or blended together colourwise.

 

[Stellere]

Good tips here!

This is a bit different - not exactly "multi-tasking" - but I've decided to stay away from brightly coloured clothing and kit (with the exception of my raincoat and my windshirt). I'm bringing almost all black and gray. I figure that this will serve me both while hiking and while visiting towns and cities in the evening and on rest days.

 

[WayWalker63]

Stellere- the black and gray will also not show stains and soiling as easily. I'd been thinking about doing just that.

My Altus is dull army green so I might decorate it with some bright or reflective duct tape to help it show up more in the gloom.

Bringing a bright red fleece but will look for a bright color windbreaker to bring as well. Thanks for helping me be more aware of the colors I choose for my clothing and why.

By the way I love all these tips.

 

[nidarosa]

I do the same, but I have a colourful cotton scarf which I always have to hand - to add some colour, to dry my hands on when there is no hand drier or towel, and I sometimes wet the end of it and use it to cool myself down by holding it to my temples, or wet the middle and hang it over my neck. The sarong - yes, I bring both - is dark so I can use it as a picnic blanket, sheet, towel, skirt etc and goes with my tops.

Also the Buff, many of us take them, can be used both as a sweatband and a wetband! Dip it in cold water before you pull it over your hair or neck, it cools beautifully! If you have long hair and pull the Buff tube over the length of your hair, it will also stop the hair from dripping everywhere until it is dry enough to go out and eat in (which is no time at all, really )

 

[WayWalker63]

Nidarosa- the Buff can also be used as a eye mask.

 

[marianna niebauer]

I am a believer in 'less is more', at least when I am on foot, so I have been thinking about how to make most of my kit do at least double duty. It is sometimes surprisingly easy to cut down on gear and still have everything you need! I thought it would be fun to see what clever solutions people have come up with.

Some of my favourites are:
- taking one small shampoo bar to wash both my hair, body and clothes
- using a sarong as a scarf, skirt, towel, curtain, picnic blanket etc ...
- taking a pair of small nail scissors instead of nail cutters, because the scissors are useful for many things.
- using an Exped drybag as a pillow! I keep my change of clothes in it to keep them dry, or I can keep wet clothes in it if they haven't had time to dry, it doesn't matter, just roll down the edge with some air in the bag, fasten the clasp, and voila! I even pull my Buff over it as a pillow case. Very comfy!

What are your best multitasking kit tips?

Brilliant w/bag/buff. Will try that out this weekend! Much as gracias