I've always appreciated the benefit of gear used for bivi-ing that can be put to multiple uses, saving weight and bulk etc. Whilst replying to a thread it struck me the humble sock is one of my best bits of multi-use gear I have.

Can you think of anymore than these and/or what's your multi-use bit/s of kit?

Socks:

Riding in.
Sleeping in.
Phone cover.
Glove substitute.
Coarse grade water filter.
Storage bag.
Padding when packing.
Absorbent pad.
Tea towel.

Mug/pot cosy
Fly swatter
Semaphore flags (if red)
Bottle cover/jacket if in freezing conditions

101 uses for a CLEAN sock!

Cosh for the wilder territories.

Penknife +sock = emergency bog roll (100% wool =biodegradable )

Penknife +sock = emergency bog roll (100% wool =biodegradable )

Seems like a waste to cut it up ... couldn't you just give a rinse when you've finished?

There was an alternative use for a sock in the original "American Pie" film

Joshvegas wrote:101 uses for a CLEAN sock!

Cosh for the wilder territories.

I've drunk beer through a used one before. Life's short

Weapon (see the film Scum for more details)

A glove puppet.

You can then idle the hours away chatting to it when your miles from civilisation and haven't spoken to anyone in days.

A bit like the football in the Tom Hanks movie Castaway.

Wind sock, willy warmer, fish trap, carrier bag, pork chop sideburns (you need a pair obviously otherwise you would look silly).

Cut the toe seam to make them tubular and you have arm warmers in a pinch.
Chain rag, I wouldn't use it for much after that though.

Richpips wrote:A glove puppet.

You can then idle the hours away chatting to it when your miles from civilisation and haven't spoken to anyone in days.

A bit like the football in the Tom Hanks movie Castaway.

Packing out your lycra if you don't wear baggies

Don't use one as a condom.

^thats a good point.

BUT

used with a condom inside.... Make shift water carrier. Proper SAS tip that.

Fill 'em with rice, make a good microwavable heat pad if you've got a bad back.

Or you could make a sock monkey/monster.

Don't use one as a condom.

Nope ... that's what crisp packets are for.

MidgeMagnet wrote:Fill 'em with rice, make a good microwavable heat pad if you've got a bad back

further top tip - leave the microwave at home when you go bikepacking - I'm no doctor but it's probably the cause of your bad back