It seems that everytime I leave my boots outside of my tent over night, I get slugs in them (sometimes failing to notice until after the "squish"). Similarly, the little buggers tend to attach themselves to my pack as well. I really don't like to keep my boots and pack inside my tent (space and comfort issue), and so usually don't.
On a trail that is as busy as the AT, do you feel comfortable leaving your boots and/or gear outside the tent at night? If you do, is there anything special you do with them? (hang them up, put them on the side "farthest" from the trail?) Or do most of you bring your gear (except for your foodbag) into your tents/tarps at night? I'm guessing that by the middle of the thru, your pack and gear is so funky/nasty smelling that theft (etc.) wouldn't be a concern... thougths?