Every item in my bag gets cross-examined before it is allowed to travel. Most pass. A few are held in contempt and left at home.
The witnesses that always testify in their own defense: a packable rain jacket that has never once been used for rain but has blocked wind, sun, and one particularly aggressive air conditioner. A single pair of shoes that works for a courtroom and a hiking trail, which took two years to find and is now non-negotiable.
The witnesses currently facing contempt charges: the extra cardigan I bring on every trip and never wear, and a phone charger cable I have replaced four times because I keep leaving the good one in hotel rooms.
The verdict on my packing system after years of testimony: fewer items, better items, and a firm refusal to pack for a version of the trip that isn't actually happening.