North Face Denali fleece 200- Have had this for 5 years. So warm and comfy. Did me well in the southern Appalachians and does me well every winter in Vermont. Well worth the 100 bucks.
Right behind that is my alcohol stove. 2500 miles and kicking…
A-Train
Those who knew me on the trail wouldn’t be surprised to hear me say my favorite piece of gear is my Minolta Dimage Xt digital camera–a small 4 oz. rectangle that took thousands of photos without a single complaint.
Rainbow
Greenie:You can get a great water bucket from Dancing Light Gear.Its collapsible,weight is only 1.5 0z,Its made from sil nylon.Very useful piece of gear.They can be reached at trailquest.net/dlgcwatersac.html or WWW.trailquest.net Good folks who make light weight gear.Both AT thru hikers and plus !
old&in the way
For the first 500 miles - through the cold weather - it was my down jacket! My Western Mountaineering Flight Jacket weighs 10 oz and kept me warm down to 15*. I found it helped me stay comfy in the evenings, get up in the mornings and made the best pillow overnight! OK, it cost me $130 but I still wear it everywhere! Great security in the cold!
http://www.westernmountaineering.com/index.cfm?section=Products&page=Jackets%20%26%20Vests
Squish
How can one choose a best piece of gear? A pack to hold everything? A Hammock to sleep in? Cooking Gear to cook food in or eat with? A warm Sleeping bag for rest and comfort? Where to begin? However, in terms of extra gear, that which is not necessary yet brings comfort I chose a tiny pocket radio. Waking in a strange place with cold air seemingly everywhere I listened to the radio in the early AM (2 or 3 AM) time and heard people talking or other programs that made the night pass and let me drift back to sleep having heard something new. Weather forecasts were also welcome.
What is the story that others tell?
Skylander
And bring Ear Plugs! I laughed when someone first told me that, and then bought a pair at Neels Gap.
Leki-Less