Essential items should be kept on person which is the reason I prefer distributed pocket carry over a “kit”. I routinely walk here with essentials (no backpack) — knife (Benchmade 940, Bugout or RSK), SAK, 1xAA LED flashlight, Bic, flip-phone, GPS, FAK, wallet, ...

The LM Skeletool is not an essential, it’s convenient to hang it on the D-ring where it’s readily available, but if all I need is a knife, RH front pocket has a locking folder. But if I lose the backpack, there are other things I’ll miss more than the Skeletool. Water is the essential in the backpack. I won’t be inadvertently forgetting my backpack, because losing the water is abort criteria. It’s 95ºF outside, cooler than yesterday.