I was wondering what people view as thier most important, but non-essential(ie tents, boots, ect…) piece of gear. I would tell all perspective thrus to bring ear plugs! Sleep is so important in the beginning. It’s hard to sleep with 12 people in a 8 person shelter, sandwiched btween guys named Buzzsaw and Chainsaw and the ever aptly named God Damn Snores A Lot.
Nokia
Baby wipes!!! Multi-purpose: I used them to clean up before fixing a meal, to wipe of before going to bed, and of course to help prevent chapping from uncleanliness in painful areas.
Grassy Ridge
Zip Lock ‘Thick’ Plastic Bags. Multi-purpose. You cannot have enough plastic bags. I put everything in clear zip lock bags. Small bag for grooming gear: toothbrush, toothpaste, razor,soap, etc. Small bag for toilet paper, sanitizing bottle and bandana, this bag is a must. Small bag for first aid stuff, bandages, lip balm, sun screen, footcare, etc. Small bag for trash. Medium bags: food items, powder mixes, meals, energy bars,etc. Medium bags to store bandanas, extra pair of socks, journal, maps, directions. Large bags: store extra pair of shorts and t-shirt. I usually put all food bags in one large bag, divided by bags of breakfast, snacks and dinner. Make sure the plastic bags are tough like freezer bags. Sometimes I will double bag it. I use medium size bag as a washing machine put dirty socks or shorts or t-shirt in the bag fill halfway with water throw in a little soap(optional), zip lock the bag and start squezzing. Ring them out hang them up and by the morning you have clean clothes to wear, or at least you have removed some of the dirt. You can use freezer bags to boil you food in water. The food is cooked in the bag, the water can be re-used, and you can eat out of the bag. No dirty dishes. I guess I could go on and on with a whole thread on the multi-purpose use of plastic bags. Just make sure you remember how you used the bag, it’s not real fun to learn that your washing machine has become your food processor.
Bilko
Hunter Dan, to keep the boys away. 
But seriously, I’d have to say my camera. So I can relive my adventure over and over again. Oh and keep a journal, it’s so much work but so much fun to read afterwards. The Frisian Rhino and I spent hours looking at each others pictures yesterday. So much fun!
Apple Pie
It’s reading glasses for me. I’m pushing 50 and unfortunately I need reading glasses - which is a drag especially backpacking. They are so essential that I carry two pair. Last June on the STS in PA I folded them up in my tent pocket and so went to my second pair which I promptly lost being flustered because I myself had gotten lost. I ended up having to unfold the tent and get my original pair. My trail guide had a 6 point font and map details are small as well. Luckily I brought two pair because the guide, the map, and journaling are important for me for which I need my glasses.
bc
my voice recorder was great, getting some journaling done while I hiked and a quick way to get peoples’ names and emails to contact them later–one thing that’s easy to lose when it’s only on paper. Plus I had a digital one, which is lighter then a paper journal.
0101
Some kind of hand sanitizer or wipes and some of those small plastic bottles of scotch like the ones they serve on airplanes.
Doc Holiday
I know all you lightweight backpackers may shudder at carrying a thermorest, but for an older hiker with arthritis in the lower back, my thermorest has allowed me to keep backpacking. I could not sleep without it.
Turtle Walking
My favorite piece of gear is my backpack that I can carry all the stuff I probable don’t need like hand wipes or voice recorders.
Geezer