I find one of the things that makes me nervous is heading out into the remote wilderness unsure how prepared I am agains foul weather. Especially in the mountains. There's always that moment before you head out when you're standing in your living room holding a jacket asking yourself, "take it, or not." Below are two pieces worth taking because they're so crazy light.
Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer $135
TWO OUNCES!!!
You read that right - two ounces. What's even more amazing is how small it is. I dared our sales rep to put it in his mouth - he said it was possible. It actually fit in his mouth. Not a great place to store it, but.... This is a water RESISTANT piece, so it won't fend off a proper storm, but it will add wind protection and additional warmth if layered over just a bike jersey and arm warmers. I use mine (very new, haven't used it much) if I'm stopped for a few minutes and want to evade a chilly breeze.
Mountain Hardware Quasar Anarak $375
This is more appropriate if you do expect a proper storm. Fully waterproof and breathable, this is storm gear on a diet. At only 10 ounces, it's very light, but durable enough to inspire confidence. Packs down to about the size of an orange.
MSR AC Bivy $200
I'll be the first to admit - I hate bivy sacks and this one is no different. I have yet to spend a night in my AC Bivy, but it has come with me on two trips. If I expect bad weather, I'll take a tent. So, my bivy is there just in case weather catches me off. As bivy sacks go, this one is very nice. At one pound, the 2-layer fabric appears to be very breathable, and the cut is ample if you need to shove some gear in there with you.
Tarp vs. Bivy - The opinion of three dudes: Three of us recently kicked around our opinions of bivy sacks, tarps and tents. Tents we all agreed are a nice luxury, but come with an additional pound to pound and a half over bivys and tarps. Tarps are in our opinion a pain. For one thing, it's only half a solution. You still have to put something on the ground. What ground? The ground that is either soaked, getting soaked, or soon to be soaked. We don't mind riding through puddles, we're not wild about sleeping in them. Plus, you have to assume Mama nature is not so cruel as to rain on you AND deprive you of trees or stake-worthy ground for your flimbsy tarp "shelter." Bivys on the other hand offer 360 degree protection that requires no trees, stakes, guy lines, or even flat ground. I've crawled in my bivy and sat on a log for an hour while rain passed. It's also super fast to just dive into your bivy at a moments notice while you're dry, and not run around in the rain trying to get your tarp up as fast as possible. Tons of people love tarps, and use them with great success. I think the only time I've enjoyed a tarp is when it was paired with a hammock, and that's it's own discussion.
STS Ti Spoon $14
Ever eat out of a freeze dried food pouch only to have your knuckles covered in foody goo? Get a longer spoon.