Keep in mind, this is a layer. BOB is a lot more than 10 pounds, mostly water and food and shelter.
The pick is becuase I have long hair, and I can't stand it being snarled. It drives me to distraction, like a wedgie or a t-shirt tag or an untied shoe lace. And my nervous habit is brushing my hair... And yes, that might explain why the hairline is going towards my spine.
(Although I prefer the idea that my hair is really making a strategic retreat down my back, and is planning on regrouping and attacking, using the uninvolved parties of my chest hair as cover when they make their move against the premature grey in my beard. *grins* I admit it, I'm furry.)
Breast milk bags becuase they seal better. If I'm down to just the gear in the left side pouch (again, layers) I don't want to take extra chances.
And yes, it is very redundant for the fire lighting gear. I suck with a firebow, and I've been hypothermia and frost bitten enough times that while it isn't a phobia it's something I don't want to risk. I also have most of my fire making gear in the ditch kit, rather than BOB. BOB is extra, the ditch kit is the essentials.