The #1 Piece of Gear I Never Hike Without (It’s Not What You Think)
Can you guess which item out of all of this is my #1???
This is a snapshot of the contents of my Osprey Daypack (click here for more info), when I did my West Highland Way hike.
When people ask me what my must-have item is for long-distance hikes, they expect to hear something like high-end trekking poles or a fancy hydration system. But my answer always surprises them: my telescopic back scratcher.
Yep. That simple little metal tool has earned a permanent spot in my backpack.
My little buddy, the backscratcher.
You can find it online here in a colorful multi-pack. I gave these away as Christmas gifts last year after I fell in love with mine!
(I guess it’s also worth mentioning that the braided necklace in this photo is actually 2 bug-repellant necklaces tied together and it worked like a charm! I never leave home without these on my adventures!
Sure, it starts with the obvious-scratching that impossible mid-back itch while I’m sweating under 15-20 pounds of gear. But on the trail, versatility is everything. This little gadget does way more than relieve a tickle. And, to be honest, I also now keep one near my sofa at home and in my car console!
I’ve used it to carefully stoke a campfire, scratch my leg deep down in my sleeping bag where my hand couldn’t reach without messing up my comfy position, grab my water bottle that rolled under a car, and even retrieve a bandana that blew into a bush I couldn’t reach without getting muddy. It’s my go-to for adjusting difficult curtains in hotel rooms/B & B’s, poking at the inside of my tent to make the pesky bugs scatter (have you ever encountered a Scottish Highland Midge?!?!), and once, no joke, hanging my pack above the ground by wedging the tool between some branches to create a “hook”!
Lightweight, compact, and totally multipurpose, my telescopic back scratcher is like a mini hiking wand of practicality. And the best part? It weighs next to nothing and costs less than a coffee.
So next time you're prepping for a hike, maybe skip that extra gadget and toss in one of these instead. Trust me-your back (and your sanity) will thank you.
This backscratcher is just one of the many must-haves I have listed on my customizable packing list available here. No one should do adventure without, at least a little checklist of what to take with!