# Help me fill my utility belt, er, I mean vest **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 9, 2013, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-fill-my-utility-belt-er-i-mean-vest/646633 "2013-01-09T15:43:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lord\_Il\_Palazzo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Lord\_Il\_Palazzo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Il_Palazzo)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-fill-my-utility-belt-er-i-mean-vest/646633/1 "2013-01-09T15:43:10Z")
A few months ago, I bought myself a [Scottevest Transformer Jacket](http://www.scottevest.com/company/transformer_jacket_mini_site.shtml). For those not familiar with the Scottevest brand, they specialize in making clothing (mostly vests and jackets, but they also sell shirts, pants and even hats) with crazy numbers of pockets. I own a pair of shorts from them with 11 pockets and my jacket/vest has 20 pockets ranging from two at the neck that each hold a single ear bud to one in which I’ve carried a ceramic pie pan about a foot across. (Take a look at their website if you haven’t seen it; I can’t recommend the company highly enough.) The thing is, with that much storage space, many of my pockets are empty most of the time. What I’d like to do is come up with the most useful things to carry around. I’ve picked up a cheap multi-tool (the sort that folds out into pliers and has a knife blade, a couple screwdrivers and things like that) which is a start, but there’s still so much space. So I put it to you: what doodads, trinkets and tools should I pack? Bonus points go to small, lightweight items with lots of utility. ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_Tyger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Silver\_Tyger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Tyger)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-fill-my-utility-belt-er-i-mean-vest/646633/2 "2013-01-09T16:19:05Z")
Alcohol wipes, microfiber glasses cleaner, and oil absorbing wipes (the blue plasticky ones). That takes care of most everyday cleaning. If you don’t wear glasses, the microfiber cloth is also good for electronics. If you do have glasses, aid in a glasses repair kit (usually a tiny screwdriver and some screws) A good folding knife. You can’t have too many knives. One short USB cable for each type of end and a USB to wall plug. Nail clippers Gloves and spare set of socks. Bandaids and whatever medications you usually take (aspirin, at least.) Personally I’d add in ginger pills, caffeine pills, and Vitamin C. YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-fill-my-utility-belt-er-i-mean-vest/646633/3 "2013-01-09T16:24:16Z")
Chapstick! Paracute (550) cord. At least one flashlight. And by ‘at least one’ I mean ‘at least 3’. ---
**Author:** ![bunnymom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c4cdca/32.png) [@bunnymom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bunnymom)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-fill-my-utility-belt-er-i-mean-vest/646633/4 "2013-01-09T16:38:10Z")
How about a small sewing kit, a good Swiss Army knife with the spoon & fork in it, and a plastic poncho. Ooh, and a TOWEL! ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-fill-my-utility-belt-er-i-mean-vest/646633/5 "2013-01-09T16:44:19Z")
You need a [Titanium Foon](http://www.gsioutdoors.com/products/pdp/titanium_kung_foon/), a lighter, and a couple of USB thumb drives. ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-fill-my-utility-belt-er-i-mean-vest/646633/6 "2013-01-09T16:50:37Z")
[ul] [li] GPS[/li][li] Several pens/pencils[/li][li] Notepad[/li][li] Bug Spray[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-fill-my-utility-belt-er-i-mean-vest/646633/7 "2013-01-09T17:02:27Z")
Is anyone else reading these lists of items and hearing Slim Pickens’ voice? “Shoot, a fella could have a pretty good weekend in Vegas with all that stuff!” ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-fill-my-utility-belt-er-i-mean-vest/646633/8 "2013-01-09T17:19:54Z")
Hearing aid batteries. ---
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-fill-my-utility-belt-er-i-mean-vest/646633/9 "2013-01-09T17:25:15Z")
I have a multi-pocket vest. I always wear it when I travel. I put everything in it. Then there is nothing in my pant pockets when I go through the scanning process. Just toss the vest on the conveyer belt. I like it because it has several security pockets (with zippers) so I can safely store valuables such as, wallets, passports, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Il\_Palazzo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Lord\_Il\_Palazzo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Il_Palazzo)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-fill-my-utility-belt-er-i-mean-vest/646633/10 "2013-01-09T17:27:30Z")
For reference, here’s what I’ve currently got, minus the things that come out of my pockets when I get home like my cell phone and keys:[ul][li]Mechanical pencil[/li][li]Ballpoint pen (I’ll be adding a space pen as soon as I can remember to get mine out of my old work bag)[/li][li]3x5 in. spiral notepad[/li][li]Plastic comb[/li][li]Cheap (but flexible and durable) sunglasses[/li][li]Multi-tool (includes pliers, screwdrivers, bottle opener, LED flashlight and a 1 inch blade.)[/li][li]Headphones[/li][/ul] The jacket actually includes a microfiber cloth tethered into one of the inside breast pockets by an elastic chord so that’s covered, though alcohol wipes and such wouldn’t be a bad idea. I like the first aid and sewing kits and was actually looking at paracord the other day. There’s a website where you can buy bracelets braided from about 20-25 ft. of the stuff that quick release if you find yourself needing rope. It could be handy and I was thinking of getting one for a pocket, but it’s a little expensive compared to buying and braiding the paracord yourself. While a GPS would be handy, my smart phone already covers that function and it’s a bit more money than I’m looking to spend on redundancy. I could see getting a USB wall charger for a pocket if I could find one that was relatively compact so it wouldn’t be too bulky. (The jacket hides a lot of its bulk well, but something like that might look a bit lumpy if I didn’t find the perfect spot for it.) > [@bunnymom](#): > > Ooh, and a TOWEL! It actually took longer than I expected to get this reply. Hmm. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-fill-my-utility-belt-er-i-mean-vest/646633/11 "2013-01-09T17:33:02Z")
[A backup charger for your cell phone](http://www.amazon.com/Duracell-Instant-Includes-Universal-Packaging/dp/B002FU6KF2/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1357752702&sr=8-9&keywords=smartphone+battery+backup). ---
**Author:** ![RobDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f07891/32.png) [@RobDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobDog)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-fill-my-utility-belt-er-i-mean-vest/646633/12 "2013-01-09T17:38:51Z")
At least one pocket should contain a small notebook listing what’s in all of the other pockets. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-fill-my-utility-belt-er-i-mean-vest/646633/13 "2013-01-09T17:52:07Z")
> [@RobDog](#): > > At least one pocket should contain a small notebook listing what’s in all of the other pockets. [Arthur Lloyd](http://www.geniimagazine.com/magicpedia/Arthur_Lloyd) didn’t need one. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-fill-my-utility-belt-er-i-mean-vest/646633/14 "2013-01-09T18:17:33Z")
At least one pocket should contain a backup vest, in case you lose the main one. ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-fill-my-utility-belt-er-i-mean-vest/646633/15 "2013-01-09T19:03:14Z")
[ul] [li] Resealable container of superglue gel (one of the rigid bottles, not a tube, and you might want to wrap it in something just in case)[/li][li] Duct tape (perhaps a small amount on an improvised roll–a whole roll is pretty bulky)[/li][li] One or two small zip-loc bags (either for protecting things you want to keep dry, or for carrying things that have gotten wet and/or nasty)[/li][li] Pair of household latex gloves (for handling something nasty)[/li][li] A small spool of heavy-gauge wire (good for twist-tying stuff together or for making electrical connections)[/li][li] Paint marker[/li][li] Lock picks[/li][li] A good explanation for the cops as to why you’re carrying this stuff, perhaps printed on a handy card.[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![RobDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f07891/32.png) [@RobDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobDog)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-fill-my-utility-belt-er-i-mean-vest/646633/16 "2013-01-09T19:16:42Z")
Magnifying glass (I’d go for one of the map reading ones; small and square with a built-in LED) Compass ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-fill-my-utility-belt-er-i-mean-vest/646633/17 "2013-01-09T19:45:21Z")
I cut a mechanical pencil down to 3", and ever since I did, I’ve been smarter. Seriously! I keep it in my front pocket (non-techie Levi’s), and if I can put my fingers on a pencil and a notebook (a skinny paper Moleskine cahier in my back pocket) in 2 seconds, I’ll write down more ideas, tasks, reminders, etc. than I would if I had to get a ‘real’ pencil and notebook out. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-fill-my-utility-belt-er-i-mean-vest/646633/18 "2013-01-09T22:23:50Z")
Aspirin (both coated pills and dissolving tablets with vitamin C), Liquid Skin, and gel hand disinfectant. Antacid tablets, Immodium. Antihistamines, Contact capsules, Theraflu powder, lozenges for sore throat and cough. Lip balm. Ace bandage. Contact lens fluid, spare contacts, and a spare contact case. Reading glasses in a crush-proof case, with a neck lanyard and tightening screwdriver. Ray-Bans in a crush-proof case, with a neck lanyard. Mobile phone with headset and charger. Digital camera and charger. Digital video camera and charger. Digital voice recorder and charger. Map(s) or pocket atlas. GPS receiver. Pathfinder compass and lanyard. Pocket altimeter. Swiss Army knife. Billfold (leather, cloth, metal) for your ID(s) and plastic. Carry as little cash with you as possible. Glue stick, Post-Its, marker pen, grease pencil. Penlight, spare batteries. Bandanna. ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-fill-my-utility-belt-er-i-mean-vest/646633/19 "2013-01-09T23:12:14Z")
Monocular Keychain mouth shield for CPR rescue breathing A pair of dice and a deck of cards ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_Tyger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Silver\_Tyger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Tyger)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2013, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-fill-my-utility-belt-er-i-mean-vest/646633/20 "2013-01-10T00:06:37Z")
Pack of kleenex A handkerchief / bandana (to use as a rag or a towel or…) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-fill-my-utility-belt-er-i-mean-vest/646633.md?page=2)