I keep only what I’ll need to survive and what I can use if someone else needs help. Every piece has to have a purpose, or I’ll toss it. If it’s heavy and I’m not sure it’ll ever help, I leave it. I’m not afraid to abandon a belt of silver when the path demands a lighter load. That’s the only rule that matters.

If that belt could keep me warm on a cold night, I'd keep it. I only drop gear that has no chance of helping me or someone else. Survival tools that can keep you alive or give someone a chance to survive deserve a place in the pack. I’m not looking for fancy trinkets, just things that matter.

I test it by thinking of a worst‑case scenario. If it could keep someone alive, keep it. If it’s only useful for a single, unlikely moment, toss it. I prefer to carry one good tool than several useless ones. That’s how I decide.