What is in your EDC Thread

Lately, I've been looking to upgrade some of the EDC gear that I've been carrying, both because some needs replacing, and also because I'm a bit of an obsessive collector of knives, pens, multitools, wallets, and more. I'd like some suggestions for upgrades to my current carry.

IMAGE(https://i.imgur.com/WpoPsY0.jpg)

My current pocketknife is a Benchmade Barrage. I keep a Swiss Army Huntsman and an Olight 13TEOS in a Viperade organizer (that's usually in the small pocket of my backpack). My wallet is from a local Nashville leatherwork shop called Loyal Strickland, with the National Parks series of Field Notes notebook loaded in, and a brass Fisher space pen. My keys are the most annoying. Right now, they're on a Nite Ize organizer with a Doohickey pry tool, but I hate it, and would really like some better suggestions than that jangly mess. I like the idea of a Keybar or the like, but my stupid car fob kind of screws up a lot of the possible solutions. I also keep a Leatherman Wave in my backpack, but I don't really like sheaths on my belt any longer.

I'm curious what kinds of tools and gear that other Goodjers keep in their pockets or bags. I've kind of become obsessed with following EDC setups on Instagram and the like, and I know I'm far from the only one here who thinks way too much about their gear.

My EDC philosophy is highly spatially distributed and task-specific.

Only things I carry on my person are keys, wallet, phone. I figure if I'm at home, I have access to everything. If I'm NOT at home, I'm probably in my car, so my car has gear stashed in it - Leatherman, flashlight, 1st aid kit, binoculars, spare outer layers, pen'n'paper, a suite of USB cables and a wall charger. My wife's car has a subset of that.

Beyond that, everything else is in purpose-specific bags/containers. I have a work backpack which has my work EDC stuff in (which hasn't been used in a year, of course). I have a personal backpack with non-work EDC (teeny folding knife, 1st aid and assortment of everyday medicine (ibuprofen, gas-x, immodium), earplugs, eyedrops, bottle opener, micro-compass, assortment of carabiners).

Then we get into task-specific pre-packed gear, like my "camping box" which is a tote filled with car-camping gear, including my "I'm in a tent" set of EDC. I have a backpacking set of EDC which lives in the cupboard for 99% of the time. I have a "swimming in the lake" kit-bag. And so on.

Oh my gosh, I love 'what's in your bag' questions!

I don't go anywhere anymore, so many of the bag items have been dispersed, so it was nice to get the gang back together and pack up a bag. It made me feel things :')

In the before times, when I lived in a more metropolitan area, I often commuted by bus/train for a few hours each day in a rainy area. I also would do small scale groceries every few days instead of stockpiling since everything was conveniently close to transit. Having necessities then was paramount, like waterproof boots/shell jacket and an umbrella. I've moved to a much colder part of Canada, so I've traded in the umbrella for an extra pair of gloves and a hat (in the spring and fall, the scarf, hat, and gloves aren't extra so much as just in case). Snowboots instead of rainboots. The scarves are a constant, the only variable is the weight and quantity.

Not pictured: Snacks, usually a larabar, a clementine, some almonds. Also if I did go out long enough to need a bag, I'd have extra masks, as well. Probably one paper and one cloth.
IMAGE(https://i.imgur.com/WYblxZZ.jpg)

Forgot to add these two to the original lineup. My everything notebook. I used to bullet journal, but I fell off that and now just have a catch-all book that I throw all my notes into.
IMAGE(https://i.imgur.com/eoKgHVp.jpg)

Meebs, you are the ultimate gamer parent.

For me, I keep it minimal. I have a money clip with two credit cards, my insurance card, and a driver's license; my keys; my phone; and a mask. Optional: I sometimes carry a handkerchief if I think things could get messy, or if I am sneezy.

Amoebic, what's that key organizer you're using?

Here I thought I was going to see the gun show. This was underwhelming. Not that kind of carry, apparently. Wallet and keys is about all I need.

UpToIsomorphism wrote:

Meebs, you are the ultimate gamer parent.

I don't follow. I don't have kids, just sometimes out of the house for 12-16 hours at a time and mostly on foot?

trichy wrote:

Amoebic, what's that key organizer you're using?

Key-Disk. I think I learned of it from an ancient gwj thread somewhere.

@trichy Love this post and that's a nice knife! I have only recently started going down the pocket knife and LED Flashlight rabbit hole so I haven't worked my way up to Benchmade quality / pricing yet.

I usually rock a Kershaw Leek or Ganzo (Firebird) FH51. These are both smaller non-bulky knives. I find the normal size a little to bulky for pocket EDC. My friend, who buys higher quality stuff, swears by the Benchmade Bugout.
https://kershaw.kaiusa.com/leek.html
https://ganzoknife.com/knife-firebir...

I don't carry a flashlight around with me, all the time, but when I do I have a headlamp with a removable mini 90 degree flashlight. ThruNite JR H01

https://thrunite.com/jr-h01-orange/

I use a Nite Ize locking S biner which always holds:
Keys
ridiculously small metal USB 3 drive (Transcend)
Leatherman style CS (mostly for the bottle opener)
https://www.leatherman.com/style-cs-...

https://www.amazon.com/Nite-Ize-S-Bi...

To make room for the other stuff I downsized my wallet a couple years ago and use the Strapo Expandable Minimalist Wallet (Kickstarter and worst name ever.)

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...

Edit: And almost forgot. I always carry a pair of fully wireless Bluetooth headphones. Usually the Samsung Galaxy Buds + or Jabra 75t Elite Actives depending on the tasks ahead. (basically how much am I going to sweat)

I need to upgrade my backpack. I'm carrying a Victorinox bag that my work issued me, and it's... fine. But I want something a bit more durable and with a better capacity. I usually carry my work laptop, a small pocket organizer, a sketchbook, and some pencils and pens, but I want to carry a bigger organizer and add the first aid kit that I keep in my car. I've been looking at the Mystery Ranch Rip Ruck, but I really don't want a hyper tactical bag.

Also, I may have ordered some black micarta scales from Etsy for my SAK. I'm interested in digging into modding some of my less expensive knives. I'm not confident enough in my skills to fiddle with a Benchmade yet.

Check out Osprey. They make some of the nicest bags I have used for work, MTB biking, Bike commuting, and traveling. You can score them up to 50% off if you watch the prices.

I use the Osprey Pixel as my EDC. Its slim by default (with zipper expansion layer), light, tough as hell, great side entry laptop sleeve, and plenty of storage options. They dip under $80 a few times a year. Oh and it looks good too.

Wow, some of you are super organized. These days I'm lucky if I remember to put pants on before leaving the house.

imbiginjapan wrote:

Wow, some of you are super organized. These days I'm lucky if I remember to put pants on before leaving the house.

You could be joking, but half the crap in my bag is because I am habitually this person

imbiginjapan wrote:

Wow, some of you are super organized. These days I'm lucky if I remember to put pants on before leaving the house.

During COVID restrictions pants are optional.

Does anyone know of a backpack that incorporates the MOLLE system without making me look like someone about to raid the Capitol? I have no interest in the tacticool look.

trichy wrote:

Does anyone know of a backpack that incorporates the MOLLE system without making me look like someone about to raid the Capitol? I have no interest in the tacticool look.

Stitch a minority-friendly or Canadian flag onto it.

I'd like to buy a new backpack but I feel like finding the perfect one is difficult over the internet.

I'm actually rocking a freebie Dell backpack my company gave me that I kinda love as it has all of the features I need:
- Top handle
- Separate laptop sleeve
- One side bottle holder
- Quick access pouch opposite the bottle holder
- Keyring strap
- Carabiner hook
- Internal zippered pouch
- Sleeve to fit over suitcase handles

While these features are fairly common, this backpack is also super slim and light. The downside is that it's a boring grey color and has the damn Dell logo on it. I don't travel much any more for work so I'm in no rush to upgrade.

Mixolyde wrote:
trichy wrote:

Does anyone know of a backpack that incorporates the MOLLE system without making me look like someone about to raid the Capitol? I have no interest in the tacticool look.

Stitch a minority-friendly or Canadian flag onto it.

That's... a really good idea.

IMAGE(https://i.imgur.com/foW0Scr.jpg)
I was in a purple mood the other day.

I backed this EDC Carry case on Kickstarter and just recently received it. I just haven't quite figured out what I want to put in it yet.

trichy wrote:

IMAGE(https://i.imgur.com/foW0Scr.jpg)
I was in a purple mood the other day.

That is one fancy stabbin'.

Nevin73 wrote:

I backed this EDC Carry case on Kickstarter and just recently received it. I just haven't quite figured out what I want to put in it yet.

That is a very nice case!! Definitely good for keeping a kit in the car.

Nevin73 wrote:

I backed this EDC Carry case on Kickstarter and just recently received it. I just haven't quite figured out what I want to put in it yet.

I have a Maxpedition Fatty, but I'm not a big fan of its organizational setup. That actually might be a better option.

Anyone have any good backpack suggestions? I need something with a good capacity, weatherproof, good organizational features, and most importantly, something that won’t look tiny and insubstantial on my admittedly large frame. I don’t mind paying for quality, but I’m batting zero right now.

Any suggestions?

I'd recommend Tom Bihn. I've had a Smart Alec (no longer in production) for several years now and am very happy with it. Their construction is solid, and you can supplement the built-in organizing pockets with accessory pouches and organizers.