I'm a fan of Dixon Tri-Conderoga No 2 HB pencil. It still writes in the upside down position and in the rain. It is fatter and has a more generous quantity of lead than most yellow pencils, so it never breaks and almost never runs out. I bought a box of six about 10 years ago, and they're still in service. Today's cost $3.97.

For writers that really want to carry a third gadget, you could pack the pocket pencil sharpener, which is the size of a tiny key fob. It's provided free when you buy the six-pack of pencils.