"idiot cord" aka "dummy cord"... I generally agree with using them for critical items (like my mittens in extreme cold) and not only in winter (compass if I'm using it in unfamiliar terrain). However, they can be awkward or even dangerous at times. I find them a real PITA on knives, expecially the ones I most often use.<br><br>If you have snow where you are going, keep in mind that it is a great thief. The best safeguard is the habit of never failing to immediately put an item away the moment one is finished with it. Even so, we all get tired... A length of very brighly colored nylon cord attached to items is a tremendous aid to finding a dropped whatchamacallit. Rather than spending a pretty penny on perlon, I just use mason's line that is available in some eye-popping colors. Also, I attach the cord as a loop (double fisherman's knot) rather than a strand. Lengths are fairly short but purposeful. Example: my EDC photon 2's have a loop of a length that lets me girth hitch them to a belt loop and drop into respective pants pockets when I'm "playing rough"; the same length loop is exactly the right length to girth hitch to my watch band so that a flick brings it into my off hand for use yet I can "drop" it without fear when I need the hand for other tasks. Other items may have a single strand with a fixed loop (bowline) at the "loose" end - again, so the item can be girth hitched to something quickly. Loop is large enough to pass the item and no larger.<br><br>But I wouldn't go to too much trouble unless you're packing some irreplacable heirloom. This is gilding the lilly most of the time. It's only a hike, eh?<br><br>HTH,<br><br>Tom