The everyday carry hashtag has exploded in recent years, a trend that began with people emptying their pockets and backpacks to show their unique combination of daily essentials. Since then however, if you search #EDC you're more likely to see many pictures of guns, like too many pictures of guns.
While there are many situations where having a pocket knife can come in handy, if you feel the need to walk around with brass knuckles, a switch blade, and a gun every day you might want to consider moving to another neighborhood. Other EDC blogs will tell you that everytime you leave the house you need everything to survive the apocalypse: a flashlight, first aid kit, bungee cords. But unless you're living in rural Alaska or go camping every single day, you can most likely do without.
The whole point of a good EDC is to keep it light, functional, and personal. The worst thing is to be laden down with junk that might be needed but probably won't ever be used. Follow these tips to curate your perfect EDC.
Keep it light
If you’re anything like me, you don’t want to carry around a heavy backpack. You want something light and multipurpose that has just enough space for the daily essentials.
When choosing your daily carry, look for slim, compact items that help keep down the bulk. Instead of a big zippered, or bifold wallet, opt for a slim RFID wallet with fast-card access. It takes up a fraction of the space and also makes checkout hassle-free.
It’s also helpful to look for items that are multipurpose. Instead of carrying around books and a notebook, get a tablet and stylus for all your documents.
If you’re unsure these bare essentials are the perfect basis of your EDC:
- Slim wallet with room for cards and cash
- Portable charger to keep your phone juiced up
- Organizational key ring (also available with a tracker)
- Protective phone case
- Multipurpose tool such as a swiss army knife
Once you’ve got your EDC base covered, it’s time to personalize it to your needs.
Keep it functional
The worst EDC mistake is overcompensating for things that probably won’t happen. While you may want to load your new EDC with fun gadgets or pocket knives, chances are if you spend most of your day in front of the computer or in a car you won’t be needing them.
When choosing your EDC, always ask the question: have I used this in the last week? If the answer is no, then it probably shouldn’t be there. After all it’s called every day carry, not every month carry.
What is or isn’t functional is going to be different for each individual, so having a good understanding of your routine and expectations goes a long way. Maybe you’re slightly clumsy and tend to spill things, then keep a pack of wet wipes in your bag for smooth recovery from sticky situations. Do you tend to lose track of your belongings? Then get a wallet or bag tracker to help avoid dealing with the hassle.
Before you start investing in luxury tactical gear, sit down and think about what each day of last week looked like to give yourself a clearer picture of what it is you really need.
Make it personal
And lastly, there’s no fun in carrying around a set of uniform things that you don’t have a personal connection with, this isn’t the army. No EDC is complete without a touch of personality, and this can be accomplished in many ways.
Maybe you have a good luck charm, rosary beads, 2 dollar coin, or so on that brings you joy and makes you feel safe. There’s always room in EDC for one of those.
You can also add aesthetic and personality to your EDC through your choice in wallet, watch or phone case. Are you modern and identify with city life? Then go for a carbon fiber RFID wallet that matches an industrial, concrete aesthetic. More at home in a library or wooden ski chalet? Go for a luxury leather slim wallet that makes you want to sit by a fireplace with an old smoking pipe.
No matter what your day-to-day looks like, having a good EDC that is tailored to your needs will help you move through the world with confidence and assurance, knowing you're prepared for everything. Grab all your daily essentials 25% off during this Labor Day Sale!
