Hi,

I live in a semi-desertic place and in summer I really can't endure any other clothing than loose shorts and a tank top. When hiking in really hot weather (over 100°F in the shade), hydration becomes a real issue, and lots of water weighs... a lot... and becomes uncomfortable to carry in a waist bag (for me, they're ok up to 8-10 pounds, no more, while I often carry a gallon of water at least).

But... when it's really really hot, backpacks get in the way of sweat evaporation. You get your back all wet, and you can't cool down as efficiently. Thus most of the time I'm wearing a slim camel-back type backpack alongside with a waist bag/pouch of some sort. This way I get the most carrying comfort for my water, and the rest of my gear doesn't get in the way of evaporation.

For EDC or for short hikes, a small leather belt pouch (home made) carries my stuff. About 6x6x2 inches.

Right now, it's equipped with a PSK, and it contains:
- Leatherman Wave
- Waterproof platic vial with 7-8 cotton balls and vaseline
- 20 feet of genuine G.I. paracord
- Brightly colored, transparent, non-childproof, adjustable, non-piezo-electric butane lighter
- Small sharpening steel
- Swedish army fire steel
- Micro mag lite (with LED mod) and extra AAA cell
- Small tweezers (I live in tick-land...)
- Aluminum whistle (no moving parts)
- A small 5ml bottle of 10% betadine (iodine solution, for water or wound disinfection)
- A large ziploc bag (storing/scooping/collecting water, etc.)
- Some homeopathic stuff: Arnica Montana (5CH - against swelling and pain on closed muskulo-skeletal trauma) and some stuff against hay fever (Pollens 30CH and Sabadilla Officinarum 5CH).

I've still got some spare room in the pouch for something else I'd need (kleenexes, pack of smokes, sling whatever).

When hiking, I'm always wearing a bandana (about 3 zillion possible uses for that!) and I'm navigating with my Suunto altimeter/compass/barometer/watch. Also add to that the EDC folder I'm choosing that day, and sometimes a Mora #1 around the neck (à la Mors Kochanski <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />).

Cheers,

David