Lets see your EDC

Bill Masen - February 11, 2021

As the header says, how about a threat showing each other your typical EDC daily loadout varying by gender, age, geography, profession etc, that way those of us with similar interests may pick up ideas as to how improve your own gear.

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So here is my TYPICAL EDC loadout, I’m a Brit so no guns, Middle to old aged, semi retired full time prepper and writer. Its due for an update as its missing a couple of items and a few bits have changed. But its a start to get the thread moving.

 

Only thing I carry every day, is my Gerber auto knife.  I’m a mid 60’s male living in north Mississippi.  It is simple to carry a handgun in Mississippi but I choose not to.  I hardly ever go anywhere besides work, so I don’t feel it is needed.  Also, I find a holster uncomfortable with my fat belly.  🙂  Around the farm, I use a shoulder rig for my Sig P226, based on the WWII tanker type.

 

Work in tech, 30’s, Virginia

• Glock 19x
• Cheap FDE foldable knife
• OnePlus 6T

 

I’m a 30’s male, working in tech in eastern Pennsylvania.

I’ve actually reworked my typical EDC recently with the purchase of the bag pictured here which has allowed me to carry a bit more without overloading my pockets. Also, I’ve been “temporarily” remote from work since last March, so this will expand to include more in a backpack once I’m called back into the office and need to carry a laptop.

Here’s the gear:

• Chrome Industries Ziptop Waist/Sling Bag & small accessory pouch. I’m a big fan of Chrome bags from my “only-mode-of-transport-is-a-bicycle”/college days. Super durable and utilitarian while still looking reasonably fashionable for life/work in an urban area.
• Beat up but still kicking Leatherman Wave
• Olight i3T EOS flashlight
• Retro 1951 Hexo-Matic pen (takes Parker ballpoint refills)
• Extra cloth face mask (in a Ziploc)
• Spray hand sanitizer
• Lip balm
• Wallet with cash/cards/id
• Google Pixel 4a 5G (not pictured, of course)

I’m still working on building this out more effectively. Biggest next steps for me are getting a small trauma/first aid kit squeezed in (basically a Stop the Bleed kit), as well as some more organization for things like the multi tool and flashlight (LM is currently floating at the bottom of an internal pocket).

Would love any feedback/questions!

 

Good post Chris, I think many in our community whose circumstances have changed because of things like Covid 19, the BLM / Antifa civil disruption and assorted lockdowns have had to rethink or tweek their essential EDC gear up over .   If a stop the bleed kit is too bulky consider a few female sanitary pads or tampons. They work quite well as wound dressings. I’m trying not to look like I’m going to walk across Africa , so I’ve tweeked my kit to the more executive leaning EDC aspects. So my Knife, Flashlight and Kubotan  is now a slimline CRKT CEO Exec knife, a NEBO inspector slimline flashlight and a Tactical pen to replace the kubotan.  (Circled below)

 

Thanks Bill! I like the CRKT knife – I feel like that kind of encapsulates my EDC goals. Keeping things sleek and functional, and reasonable for the office.

Quick question – I don’t know if it’s my phone or what, but I wasn’t able to see the labels on your image in your original post. What’s the item just to the right of your flashlight (#9 in your image)?

 

It is a Blazer PB207 Butane lighter / torch, Its a lighter on steroids, you can even braze and solder with it. Its almost indestrucable, my first 207 is now over 27 years old and as good as new. but I recently bought a second one for my FHB roughly $40 ish

For something similar but slightly sturdier I reccomend the Ruike P-865

 

Bill,

Hope you’re well. Curious if you’ve ever needed the extra ability of your lighter on steroids. Kinda tempted to pick one up, and in theory I can see where it’s be irreplaceable. But also seems like it’s part of the 20%, or even 1% of prepping. I guess it takes the same space as a lighter (roughly) but just curious your rationale (so I can convince myself, haha).

 

Newprepper, there are many of those torch type lighters in the cigar world and supposedly they are good for lighting those. So check out some cigar YouTube videos. 

Being able to refill your own butane lighter with a can of butane is a great prep! I am more of a Zippo guy myself and like the style they provide. They sell a butane torch or a butane soft flame insert that you can put in them that are pretty sweet. 

Let me know if you have any questions, but definitely get a butane torch lighter. They aren’t very windproof, but if shielded they can provide a very hot and directed flame.

 

Thanks, will look around some more. If I’m just gonna burn things my BIC should get it done, but I’m guessing these are potentially more useful. Just trying to know for what!

 

Chris, general feedback for all participants here;

There’s a prepper “cottage industry” of those requiring both speed and convenience (under auspices of “Make haste slowly”) . 

There are writing /marking instruments for one hand operation eg BIC makes a retractable fluorescent yellow marker allowing for one hand to remain with glove on during field situation.  A couple of companies carry pens for all weather writing.

This prepper cottage industry also focuses on max use , when advantageous,  of lanyards. 

 

I’m female and  over 50.

I carry very little, in fact nothing in the house, when I pop out it’s just keys, purse, hand sanitiser and a packet of masks. (have to say, I’m surprised there’s only a couple of us with mask and sanitiser)

When I go out for longer periods and to work, (although like Chris, I’m working remotely at the moment) I have this as well as the above. 

As well as this I also carry an umbrella and a 5,000mah powerbank and when going to work, a pair of office shoes.

I am an office administrator and I travel 6 miles by bus to work. I have at some time or another used just about everything above. The water bottle is filled daily, I use an FFP2 mask for the bus journey.

I’ve sewn up a couple of splits in skirts and sewn buttons back on shirts using the sewing kit.

Headaches and booboos have been treated with the FAK, I added an eye wash pod after getting a piece of grit in my eye.

The hot hands and neck warmer will be swapped out for sunglasses and sun cream as the season dictates.

The spare glasses have saved me endless times and the card gadget has seen some action too.

There is nothing there I would do without.

I always have sweets with me. 

All of the above fits in a little ditty bag I made, so it’s easy enough to swap bags and leave nothing behind.

I wear walking shoes to work and change into my office shoes so if I have to walk home, it won’t be a painful chore.

 

Neat mini prybar and mini flashlight on the keys along with the credit card tool 🙂

 

Shhh don’t tell anyone but here’s a rolled up tenner in the pill pot.

 

Linnet, I like the note about sweets! I could often be found with some small candy and/or Lara bars in my backpack in the “before times” – definitely helped more than once on the train home on days I forgot to eat lunch!

I’m also a big fan of having a sewing kit on hand. I have one that fits in an altoids tin – you’ve got me thinking I should add that back in.

 

I wouldn’t be without the sewing kit and the sweets are well worth the room.

It does show that different professions do need a different EDC. Interesting.

 

Linnot, Real good preps.

To introduce other forum participants to the mentioned and pictured card gadget : https://everydaycarry.com/best-edc-card-tools-for-wallet.  There are others besides what’s in this link.

Related to the card gadget are a series of smaller “zipper pull” sizes. 

 

While only a portion of my EDC, this altoids tin has many of those really small stuff that would be impossible to have loose in your pocket, but still are very handy to have on you every day.

 

I’m a male in my 40s, living in the UK. Typically I would carry essentials on my keychain (whistle, torch, Leatherman style CS and paracord) and the rest in my 5.11 rush 12. My FAK has a 4″ Israeli bandage and some compressed gauze, as it takes little to no room or weight and is potentially useful. When I go to the office (not often these days…) I add the 13″ laptop and a charger in the bag, it fits nicely with room to spare.

 

UKSeb, I like the Storm Pad  –  and the adage on bag !

Another adage: “If you didn’t write it down, it didn’t happen”. Anon.

 

Looks pretty well sorted to me Seb, but what about a compass??

 

I actually carry 2 compasses (complete overkill), one in my watch and the other one in my phone (compass app). Should have put the watch in the picture…

The Stormpad is really good, paper quality is top notch, without the smell that low grade weatherproof paper can have. And from a UK company as a bonus. 

The folding knife is a TBS Boar EDC, also UK design btw.

 

Female, 20’s. I’m looking to add a Ztylus Car Safety Combined USB Charger/Seatbelt Cutter/Glass Breaker to my EDC repertoire by keeping it in my vehicle and I’ll likely also be upgrading to keep the medical supplies I carry in a waterproof bag that fits inside my purse-I’m thinking of buying one from Booē (unless anyone highly recommends other waterproof pouches).

What’s Pictured:

I carry a Celox Dispenser, aminocaproic acid and a tourniquet because I have a genetic disorder that severely inhibits my blood from clotting. My wallet obviously has my license and keys as well as an emergency $50 and I also carry a Medical Emergency ID Card with all my health information tucked in my wallet behind my license. I started carrying an extra mask, hand sanitizer and wet wipes due to the pandemic. I also carry my sunglasses (and sunscreen in the summer) as well as a Higonokami knife. I carry the Higonokami specifically because it’s a slip joint knife with no locking mechanism (the pressure of your thumb over the ‘lever’ locks it and keeps the knife from folding closed during use). Folding knives that lock are illegal in some U.S. states so I prefer the Higonokami since it doesn’t ‘lock’ and I also personally don’t trust that the locking mechanisms on folding knives won’t ever fail and I wouldn’t want to risk one closing on my fingers if the locking mechanism broke due to use or age. I also carry an adaption of the SAS tin described in the ‘SAS Survival Guide’. My ‘tin’ is a clear waterproof diving case that can be submerged. It has a USB rechargeable windproof/waterproof plasma lighter attached to it (which I can charge off my solar charger at home), and two reflective blankets as well as a length of paracord, a safety pin and a Pedialyte electrolyte packet. The tin contains: gauze and cotton balls, stormproof matches, two doses of Tylenol, fishing hook with reflective lure, fishing line, a scalpel blade, three packets of sterile suture with attached needle (one nylon monofilament, one braided polyester and one silk braided).

What’s Not Pictured:

Filtration Water Bottle

A Pen (because who wants to use one that everyone has touched?)

 

Didnt see a flashlight in your consist?  Nice knife BTW I was looking at them myself recently.

 

Actually, I should have included a light source under ‘What’s Not Pictured’. I don’t carry a flashlight, but I do have a small collapsible waterproof solar charging lantern cube that’s 4 inches x 4 inches in my purse as well. It lights up a larger area and has more adjustable light settings than a flashlight – plus no batteries required!

 

Real good.   Was looking for whistle.  Consider a flat type or the bigger Foxx.

 

Mid 20’s male, I work in residential construction in North Georgia. My edc can vary while on the job just depending on what kind of work I’m doing that day but these are the things that are on me most all of the time.

• Shadow Systems MR920 in a T-Rex Arms Raptor holster 
• Benchmade 551 Griptilian
• Streamlight ProTac 2L-X
• TG tactical pen
• Wallet 
• Casio GA100 G Shock

The pen can be used as a glass breaker/striking tool but honestly I like them because they actually write really well and are one of the few pens that I won’t smash in my pocket when clambering around on a roof/deck/younameit. Highly recommend if you’re someone like me who needs to keep a pen on them but tends to abuse equipment. 

I also keep a full medkit in my truck, which is with me on all my jobsites. I have everything in there from a boo boo kit to a TQ and Pressure bandages. 

 

Same pen as mine, but branded as Perfecto over here 🙂   agree is a nice writer as well.

 

I like the deep pocket clip on knives like yours. It keeps them from getting snagged on things and is more hidden.

 

In the UK its always good practice to keep our EDC gear away from prying eyes.

 

I think that is true everywhere.

Especially with carrying a gun. Keep it concealed and don’t open carry. I wish we lived in a society where people could open carry without being targeted, pointed out, and treated differently but we aren’t. Years ago I used to open carry and got sick of people freaking out, telling me that i’m not welcome, and getting kicked out of areas. I wasn’t breaking any laws and wasn’t going into places that said no guns, but just seeing a gun makes many uncomfortable.

 

Your sheeple go hysterical over guns, mine go hysterical over knives….. and guns…….. and tazers…… and batons…… and pepper sprays…………. Dammit OK everything. 

 

An armed society is a polite society.  My understanding is that, historically. (pre-1900), in the US concealed carry was considered “rude”.  Sneaky, almost. If you were carrying openly you were being clear and honest about your intentions. You were making sure that everyone around you knew the state of your ability to backup your own defense. A man openly and legally carrying a firearm was being level with those around him, they level with him in return.  An armed society is a polite society.  Concealing a weapon, on the other hand, was seen as an effort to hide these intentions from those around you.  Not being level, adding mystery and seen as ” shifty” if you will.

As we, as a nation, became more urban and “civilized” this has switched to the reverse where open carry is now considered the socially unacceptable. Not a scholar on the matter but an interesting change if true. 

 

Following on from Estel’s thread on her everyday backpack, I thought I’d revive this thread with my own EDC.

Female, fast-tracking to 50, office worker who has to drive to work, in a semi-tropical environment.

Below, I have a photo of my get-home/EDC bag contents that I took in November. I’ve since added a personal alarm (it’s the only thing that hangs on the outside), a small multi-tool (Gerber Dime), a small folding knife (Nite-Ize Doohikey Keychain Knife) some snack food and hydrolyte sachets, and some paracetamol/ibuprophen/anti-histamines.

There’s a water bottle, matches in a waterproof container, public transport card (a fresno lens sits on the other side), hand sanitiser, glasses cleaner, a boo-boo kit (small crepe bandage, paper tape, safety pins, burn gel, band-aids, dressing, water purification tablets and antiseptic wipes), a mechanical pencil, Lucas Papaw ointment (that stuff is amazing!), a stain remover pen (because I’m a slob), paper soap (for hand cleaning if there’s water available), an emery board, mini-sewing kit, a (very orange) hankerchief, sanitiser wipes (for hand cleaning if there’s no water available), nail clippers, small but mighty torch, disposable rain poncho, sun- and reading glasses, cards in an RFID blocking holder which also houses some emergency cash, body wipes, notebook, paracord in a bracelet, sanitary pads, essential oils and the PPE pack has gloves, masks and alcohol wipes.

All of it swims in my second-hand 90’s leather backpack-style handbag thingy. It has no internal pockets in the main section so I have a lightweight, nylon organiser in there to hold everything in some semblance of order. The bag and everything in it weighs in a smidge under 3kg (a little over 6lbs) with the water bottle empty.

 

My wife has moved away from narrow neck SIG bottles to a slightly larger wide mouth version so she can take stew or other chunky meals with her when it takes her fancy. The rest of her EDC mirrors yours quite closely, but she carries extra batteries for her flashlight ( shes a nurse and uses it a lot at work) . She also has a smalll 5000Ma 5v power pack for charging her phone with if the battery goes flat.

 

Hi Bill,

Carrying a spare battery for the torch is a great idea. My torch mostly gets used to see inside my backpack! 🙂

A power pack is a great idea too.

 

Ah, the stain remover pen! That is something I haven’t used in years but was very handy when I did have one. Is that still easy to find at stores?

 

Hi Isabel,

Not sure if they’re still available in bricks-and-mortar stores, but you can buy them online. I got mine years ago when a colleague came back from the US and bought us all one. It’s not something I had ever seen before here in Oz, and I still don’t see them very often.

 

I’m late to the party, but happy to keep the thread going. 

I normally scoff at “pocket dumps” or “show me yours and I’ll show you mine” on other sites, for what too often feels like a competition. But here on ‘The Prepared’ it doesn’t come across that way, and I think there can be some good learning involved. 

As my wife tells me, I carry a “ridiculous amount” of EDC (though she frequently asks to borrow stuff I’m carrying – lol). I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about/analyzing what I carry and why, and it’s changed over the years.

I wear Carhartt pants, with lots of pockets. I’m mid 50s, live on rural property, and formally (pre-Covid) worked in a nearby large city.

1. Benchmade Folding Knife

2. Gerber Folding Utility Knife (these are great)

3. Bic Lighter (not a smoker)

4. Compact Pen

5. Chapstick (with sunscreen for my nose)

6. Wallet (with significant cash, extra utility blades, list of phone numbers)

7. 5.11 Flashlight

8. Pepper Spray

9. Keys, including Whistle and small Streamlight Flashlight

10. “Extra Stuff”, including Ferro Rod, Tweezers, extra Truck Key, Nail Clippers, Tape

11. Extra Lithium AA Batteries (in a tube with capped ends), with a Fire Starter in between them

12. SOG Multi-Tool  

13. Taurus .38 Revolver in OTW Belt Holster (for when I’m home/around the property)

14. Extra .38 rounds (6)

15. Ankle “Holster” Trauma Kit, including Tourniquet and Extra Pistol Magazine (I only carry it when I leave the property)

16. Sig P365 Pistol in Ankle Holster (also only when I leave the property — I swap out handguns)

 

are the utility blades in your wallet inside of a cardboard protector?

 

Yep. I made a little custom fitted thing out of cardboard and put tape over top. Most of the time I just re-sharpen the utility blades (I’m cheap), but it’s good to have extras.

 

Hi Trace,

Yes, I agree. A show and tell on this forum is more about sharing knowledge than vying for bragging rights.

Also, tweezers! How could I forget tweezers for my bag? Thanks for the tip!

 

I’m a 65 year old manager for a local manufacturing company. I couldn’t get a pic uploaded, but my EDC is a Ruger .380 in a pocket holster, a small Kershaw folding knife (sometimes a folding boxcutter, both used for same purpose at work), and my loaded Altoids tin.

My office and truck both have at least one flashlight, at least one multi-tool and too many pens. Same with pocket sized notepads that I cannot live without because I am a “lister” with OCD (I’m making a list of everything I see folks carrying here)! Also have a multi-charger/jump starter in the truck and numerous charging cords for both cell phones, and various tools of course.

Aside from a small FAK, I also now carry a supply of surgical masks and antiseptic lotion in the truck.

 

I’ve been wanting a small EDC pistol. How hard is it to draw from a pocket holster when you are sitting down? Does the gun rotate and move around a lot in your pocket?

 

It can be very hard depending on what kind of pants you are wearing and how tight the pockets are. It’s not so much that the gun will rotate but will you have enough room to dig it out of your pocket once you’re sitting down. In something like sweatpants it’s not as much of an issue but in jeans it can be. I know I’ve said it on this site before but I’ll say it again, pocket carry is not the way if speed is your goal. It’s a carry method of convenience, not effectiveness. 

 

In my jeans pocket it can be an awkward draw if I’m sitting. With cargo pants I carry it in the lower right leg pocket. It’s easy to get to when sitting. The opposite is true for “rotation.” It doesn’t move in my jeans pocket thanks to the pocket holster it came with. In the cargo pants pocket pistol/holster has rotated occasionally when I’m getting up and down a lot.

Pocket carry is not for quick draw (it can be pretty quick, with practice, if you’re standing). I like it for concealment where chances are I really won’t have to use it, but have it if necessary. I occasionally conceal it in an ITW holster in the 2 o’clock position, but that’s rare as it’s uncomfortable to sit…I have a belly that gets in the way. No one will ever know it’s in my pocket.

When I feel like I might need protection that’s easier to get to, I carry a Glock 23 in an OTW holster under an untucked shirt or light jacket. No matter your, choice practice, practice, practice!  

 

Hi Mr Mark,

In my car, I have a power pack charger thing, a wool blanket (doubles as insulation from cold as well as some protection against fire), 2L water, multi-tools (plier and hammer types), spare tyre in a can thing, an actual spare (that I still need to change out for a full size tyre to match the other four), tyre iron and car jack, IFAK + thermal blanket, small box of tissues, spare masks, hand sanitiser and hand wipes, torch (flashlight), a couple of glow sticks, hard copy street directory for my city (needs replacing as it’s 10 years old), charging cords for phone and music device, a pen that surprisingly still works, a pair of walking shoes and socks, a Res-Q-Me attached to the driver’s side sun visor.

I don’t keep food in my car – it just gets too dang hot in there, even in the boot (trunk)!

 

My EDC on my person is rather small because I’m typically at home, in my car or working in my office (started back to on-site this week).  I am an engineer in my 50s.  I have a BOB for myself and my husband plus more supplies at home, GHB in the car, and a Evac+FAK kit in my office.  My work badge has a credit card and $20 in the holder.  My work backpack and purse has OTC+personal meds, pens, lip balm, hand lotion, masks, and tissues.  My purse also has a 6′ measuring tape, titanium flatware, folded reusable shopping bags, personal hygiene items, and motion sickness wrist bands.  

 

Typical EDC for me. Late teens, male. Not legal for me to carry a firearm concealed yet, but when that happens will update this. I live on a farm, so lots of chores that need a knife/gloves. 

Gerber MP600 in Clip & Carry Sheath

KaBar TDI knife (last ditch defense)

Cheap Kershaw folder (for non-defensive jobs)

Apple AirPod Pros

Altoids Tin (bandaids, super glue, clothes pin, etc)

Rechargeable electric lighter from Amazon 

Sharpie Pen

Hide & Drink Wallet

Leather belt

Mechanics Gloves

 

The only things that have changed since OG post:

Gerber Ghoststrike for fixed blade

Benchmade Shootout for pocket carry

NOT SHOWN: rawhide gloves

 

 I

turned 30 last year, nonbinary, in the 4 corners area of the southwest US.

I’m essentially home bound, due to them ole pandemics they keep having go around.

I have brain things going on so I have two different EDC I carry; inside EDC I carry when I’m at home in regular clothes and outside EDC I carry when I’m usually going to doctor’s offices for my mother or myself.

My inside EDC: the base is usually a full bandana for catching any leaks, and one of the two Fenix lights (a HM61R or last gen PD35 I won in a contest), and the newly added, second hand Timex 171T6 Ironman. I keep maybe a 4.5 foot, I used palm to palm, quick hank of Paracord in a pocket: I recently learned of a way to use cord to make a headband for any flashlight to improvise a headlamp and often use it for that. It’s also nice to practice knots with and I can use it for a sling with the cord handles on my water bottles, if I need to.

Knife wise, I’ll often toss the Western 742D stockman in my pocket, since it fits so easily and I can whittle if I ever have the urge around the house.

It is often supplemented with the Victorinox Handyman, especially when I’m tinkering with something. The selection of tools is almost perfect and it’s a great sewing companion. The other option is a Ganzo FH922 that I was gifted and recently tried to patina the D2 steel on, good to fidget with due to the ball bearings but I rarely do anything with it. I also have my cheap Monoprice earbuds for voice chat off my phone that’s always on me, a Samsung A32 5g.

Clothing wise, I dress for somewhat the house temps, we don’t have central so it’s either very cold or fairly hot where I sit. This winter I’ve gone for a lot of button up shirts with a vest or jacket, or when it’s clean, sherpa lined wrangler button up. I like to use the chest pockets for the SAK, cord and bandana. I’ll often switch from my Asics shoes to my Belleville 795 insulated boots, depending how cold it is. Summer is usually cargo shorts,, tank tops, combat flip flops and the bistro 2 crocs go on whenever.

Most secondary things are in arms reach: a Nalgene 32 ounce bottle, 32 ounce no brand canteen bottle, a fabric mask for moisture retainment, an N95 for surprise visitors, hair brush, tablet, keyboard, cords, any other items I need during the day.

I’ll do another post for outside, the formatting is getting weird.

 

Outside EDC: I don’t like to disinfect and wash my knives often cuz they simply will rust, so I have a dedicated knife for outside stuff, or “dirty” tasks, like opening a box that was on the floor, or anything like that. It also works for work days where we have to go clean a house or property or something that gets dirty.

I chose this knife specifically because it has mostly coated surfaces and I had money at the time to see what the brand was all about:a Spyderco Tenacious, one of the G10 ones instead of the injection plastic ones.

I also carry hand sanitizer, a Bic soft grip pen, my house keys on Paracord, separate from car keys so they never get locked out or in a car, my IDs in a binder clip because I don’t want to pay for a “minimalist” wallet that costs a bundle, with a 20 USD bill folded up inside for emergency. The Altoids tin actually has a couple of vinyl gloves and some hotel soap in it: the gloves are mostly clean and there if needed and keep the soap from rattling. The soap is because the clinic we go to regularly is often out of soap in the dispenser, and has done that twice so that’s plenty of times to justify it.

The flashlight from inside also goes with everything, the lights are waterproof so I can wash them to my content, the watch I suppose will go with me as well, and my phone goes into an Aloksak baggie to keep the waterproof case from getting too banged up, although I think I was only doing that because I had to trim the charging port plug down to make room for the wireless charging pad installed inside the case, so the plug would pop out and let water in. I think I’ve solved that with a bit of tape so I might rethink that.

Of course an N95, we’re really liking the 3m 9210+ masks. The straps don’t break down as quickly and don’t mess up my hair as fast. I usually tie that up with a silicone hair tie and sometimes bobby pins.

I’ll usually wear whatever I was wearing inside, and throw it in the wash when I get back. Then whatever footwear depending on possible weather, meaning if there’s a possibility we get stuck out on the highway in snow, I’m wearing boots.

I think it wears down my belts a lot to wash them so I often switch to Belt Bros, big elastic straps with Velcro on them that go from belt loop to belt loop. They work alright and my mom decided she doesn’t like hers so I have maybe half a dozen, so they all are very lightly used.

This all mostly based on when I was doing classes pre pandemic as well, though I’d usually have a GORUCK shadow ruck with a small hotel lotion, Leatherman blast multitool, a Gerber knife, another hand sanitizer, a mesh bag with gauze, medical tape and some bandages, plus more pens, I think a Israeli bandage, I haven’t looked in my bag in a few years. Books for the lab of course.

When we do trips out of town, I up the carry to also include a thrifted Swiss Gear pack with basic survival elements for a night in the car or hotel. It’s budget level in case it gets stolen from the car, so we’re not out a lot of money.

It has like 2 tarps, a little water, compleats, ramen and powders, oatmeal, repurposed hand sanitizer bottles that carry denat alcohol for the home made alcohol stove, a Stanley cook pot for 2with home made covers,
aluminum tent stakes, orange Paracord lengths for whatever and a ridge line, tape, candle lighter, mini ferro rod, car charger, wall charger with micro usb and usb c cords, Milwaukee work marker, pencil, pen, some disinfectant wipes, triangular bandages, regular bandaids, aspirin, I think I added Lactaid recently, Benadryl, ibuprofen, EMT shears, nitrile gloves, home made candle lantern with like 10 tea light candles jammed into it, Chapstick, extra cup and boat N95s, hand warmers, plasticware in sealed bags, Israeli bandage, reflective vest, microfiber towel, like 8 disposable shop towels, plastic bags, 5 min flares, reciprocating saw blade with vice grips as a handle, zip ties,, cheap folding knife, not enough space blankets, glow sticks, bandana in gray and orange, Sam splint, wind blocker for the stove.  I think I’m forgetting a few things.

We also take a bucket set up as a toilet, plus kitty litter for grip as well, I keep extra water and my gloves and mittens and other cold weather layers in there, the lid lets it double as a stand for the alcohol stove and pot. Often supplemented with extra blankets and water,, this last appointment,, we threaded the needle of like 2 days of decent weather with heavy snowing on both sides.

 

Improvements I’m thinking of:

A used Swiss army knife Huntsman or the fieldmaster, I can never remember, to use around the house and as a secondary pocket knife: nobody is scared of a Swiss army knife.

Especially if I get a Rat model 1 from a friend as adfinder’s fee. It’s a bit bigger than the tenacious, and have the tactical colors going on.

I’d like to swap the Stanley pot for a dog bowl, it’s usually for heating up water for the compleats to be heated in and would catch like all the flame from the cat can style stove.

I also want to integrate a cord hank into the outside stuff: I did a car camp out like a month ago and didn’t have a headlamp because of just using stuff I had at the time. The trick to use it for a headband with a light while not ideal, would work loads better than the PD35 clipped to the shirt collar or pocket.

I do want to get one of the milled HOTO multi bit screw driver kits, I’ve needed a watch screwdriver recently a lot and the extra bits would be helpful. It’s really the only thing the Handyman doesn’t have is the tiny screwdriver.

I want to swap the Altoids tin for a Matador soap bag, since it stays wet after use. The bag is supposed to dry out even when closed up which sounds very cool and I can repurpose the tin for a mini add on kit for whatever I need. 

I’d eventually like to add a mini ferro rod to the SAK, though I think a pack would cost more than I could find the knife for.

I need to add back in a few space blankets to the travel bag and some Listerine disable toothbrushes. There’s also a mod for the SAK that adds a ruby based nail file that can be used to sharpen the blades and with the scissors, would be a okay nail kit.

I’ll also rethink the Aloksak bag, I think pre pandemic I would just wash my phone in case regularly instead of bagging it. But with the bag,,I can dump it out with no issues..hmm.

 

Hello from Germany, everybody.

I hate having a lot of stuff in my pockets, so my idea is to have a very small “real” edc (comes with me into the bathroom) and a few pouches/sets of things that fit into a jacket pocket or so, that will usually go into a backpack when I’m out and about. I’m living in middle-sized city in a large agglomeration (Ruhrgebiet) and move mostly between at home and the office.

Real edc: Swiss army knife

With me when I’m out and about: Purse or fanny pack with phone, wallet, keys, nose wipes, pen (easy to reach, this is the only “tactical” consideration tbh), sometimes a silcock key (I’ve actually used this once!), hair ties

In my backpack, when I carry one:

Charging cable for cell phone

Water bottle, snacks

Small first aid kit with bandaids, combo dressing, a few pills (in original blisters), emergency blanket (thinking about removing this because of bulk)

Masks (tbh I rarely mask up these days, but I try to have few masks at hand)

What I want to add next (and the whole reason I write this down is to trick myself into actually doing it …):

A ResQ Me in case I’m not driving my own car (where I have several), would go into the purse. Maybe a lighter and a whistle as well.

Small repair kit: Needle, threads, wad of duct tape, safety pin, bobby pins or similar items from strong wire

Hygiene kit: dental care chewing gums, wet wipes, hand sanitizer, condoms, brush with small mirror, more hair ties

“Big” repair kit: Small adjustable wrench, bitholder and bits, combo plier – this is basically to see which tools in addition to the SAK I’d actually use if I had on hand often … I *want* a proper multitool but I’m not sure I *need* one. Maybe a phase tester (is that the english term?). I also want to add tire patches for my bike here.

I want to take a stop the bleed course, afterwards I will review my IFAK and our first aid supplies generally. I’ll likely add an Israeli bandage, but I want to have handled one before I buy. Not sure about a tourniquet tbh. Maybe the course will change my mind!

 

Multitools are fun gadgets, but we all have budgets. You might find there is more utility in getting a bike multitool than a traditional one? 

With the repair kit, those things are all invaluable if you need them, but it does seem like it would add up to some weight. Theoretically, a good multitool might give you most of those functions without adding too much weight.

 

Bike multittools are a great idea! The ones I had so far where versatile but heavy … and 10+ years old. Maybe I’ll find a light/compact tool!

 

UK based, and I forgot to take the picture of a pen (tombow airpress in bright orange) and notebook. Usually have a stop the bleed type kit somewhere as well. (A micro trauma style belt kit)

• Car and house keys, scalpel blade knife attached
• Wazoo belt with a few odds and ends in, spare currency etc
• Trayvax wallet
• Small swiss army penknife
• Small medical kit (plasters, tweezers, gloves and CPR mask)
• Solar powered watch the ID/blood group tag (with a quote on it)

Everything else is in the car/bag/office etc

 

Very nice. What type of scalpel blade knife?  It looks tiny and light.

 

it is very similar to this one