Why You Should Never Go Hiking Without Office Staple Binder Clips

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Hiking at sunset

Dmitry Molchanov/Shutterstock

 Christine Estima



Use binder clips to fasten wet clothes to your pack

Binder clip on cord

Picture it: you’re hiking during the rainy season, and the trail is loaded with mud and puddles. In addition, you’ve been caught in a rainstorm more than once. When you’re on the move, drying out your wet clothes and gear might be a real pain, so Buzzfeed suggests packing a stash of binder clips to make drying your wet items much easier. If you hang your wet clothes over your backpacking straps and then fasten them securely with binder clips, you’ve got yourself a clothes-drying line right on your person! By the time your 8-hour hike is over, your socks will be fresh, dry, aired-out, and ready to use again. If you’re camping overnight, you can use the clips to hang your wet clothes or gear outside overnight for extra dryness. Just make sure the forecast is clear! 

But wait, there are even more great travel uses for binder clips. To prevent cutting yourself when you reach into your toiletries bag, snap a binder clip over your razor. Not only will you save your skin, it will extend the life of your razor because it won’t be rubbing up against other items. Of course, most of us bring charging cords for our phones and cameras when we hike and travel, so Lifehacker suggests using a binder clip to keep your cords neatly wrapped without the chance of them unfolding and being damaged in your pack.

Dave Pennells

By Dave Pennells

Dave Pennells, MS, has contributed his expertise as a career consultant and training specialist across various fields for over 15 years. At City University of Seattle, he offers personal career counseling and conducts workshops focused on practical job search techniques, resume creation, and interview skills. With a Master of Science in Counseling, Pennells specializes in career consulting, conducting career assessments, guiding career transitions, and providing outplacement services. Her professional experience spans multiple sectors, including banking, retail, airlines, non-profit organizations, and the aerospace industry. Additionally, since 2001, he has been actively involved with the Career Development Association of Australia.