What edc items beside tools do you carry?

[GearedForwards]

Ignoring the primary knife/multitool that would be on me, I always carry at least one torch, a pen, and usually a pry bar. I'll post more stuff later, but here is what i have on my keys:



- Gerber zip knife with the lock cut off
- Brewpry bottleopener/pry bar
- Olight i1R, this is on the same split ring as the house key so I don't have to carry everything when I'm going on a walk (which I do at night)

This pouch is a frequent carry for me in my pocket, cheap Amazon pouch that I modded to my liking:





Outer sleeve:
- Olight O'Pen mini
- Olight iXV Titanium with Polymath Products glow fob

Zipper on sleeve side:
- Mini Bic (wrapped with duct tape, 550 inner strand, and bees wax coated hemp wick)
- Vic Minichamp with Leatherman tweezers (I like the slanted tip)
- Klecker tools knife
- A single piece of waterproof notebook paper

Zipper on the back:
- Different size/shape plasters (band aids)
- Sterile wipe for cleaning a cut
- Wipe for cleaning glasses/phone
- One dose of gel capsule ibuprofen (400mg)
- One dose (for me) of antihistamines

The pouch has plenty of space in the front compartment and easily fits in a pocket without feeling bulky or heavy.

[GearedForwards]

Another thing I have not seen here yet.

Cash!

A couple hundred in small bills separate from my wallet money for emergencies.

A good reminder, spare cash wise I keep either £10 or £20 in my phone case and a fistful of change in the car for snacks, parking, tolls etc. In the car I use a grippy material you cut to fit in the cubbies, I just hide the coins under that material in the cup holder. Out of sight of opportunists but easily to hand whislt driving.

[Echotech]

How does the Tau perform as a powerbank?

It works pretty well, gets my iPhone to about 60% charge, so not massive but great when you need it

Biggest plus is its size, unnoticeable in a pocket or bag, biggest downside is you need it’s proprietary wall charger and cradle to charge it, making it no good for travel

[Echotech]

Yeah sorry it’s a trauma medical kit. Just the basics for a serious hole in the body. 2 tourniquets because one isnt always enough, some quik clot type bandages, tape and curlex.

Not just for gunshot wounds, also lifesaving in a car accident and the like.

One of the least likely things I’ll ever need but when you do need one you really need one.

Like Aloha keeping one in your car is a great compromise.

Forgot to add if you have some basic training a chest seal and NPH are also very easy ways to save a life.

Always have a proper FAK in the car along with a mask for bush fires, a LM Rebar and other stuff like phone chargers, a bandana, cutlery and yes cash! but on quick trips into town just something very basic

I’ve done the St John’s Ambulance first aid course but could do with a refresher

[Explorer]

Due to my profession as well as dabbling in creating YouTube content I've always got this piece of kit on me. It can easily be added to a backpack or just rides in a compartment in my car or briefcase. It's got everything needed for an impromptu video shoot, interview or run and gun type capture. Here it is all folded up.



It is quickly unfolded and setup in less than 30 seconds. GoPro with aluminum housing so I can hot shoe the white LED light and the small shotgun microphone. The kit also contains a tiny field recorder for capturing really clear audio as well as a lavalier mic as a backup. This kit usually contains a mini tripod which is missing from the picture. The red alox cadet is for scale but also mostly lives in this padded kit bag.



Enjoyed seeing all the EDC items besides tools 

[Echotech]

 

[GearedForwards]

Due to my profession as well as dabbling in creating YouTube content I've always got this piece of kit on me. It can easily be added to a backpack or just rides in a compartment in my car or briefcase. It's got everything needed for an impromptu video shoot, interview or run and gun type capture. Here it is all folded up.

(Image removed from quote.)

It is quickly unfolded and setup in less than 30 seconds. GoPro with aluminum housing so I can hot shoe the white LED light and the small shotgun microphone. The kit also contains a tiny field recorder for capturing really clear audio as well as a lavalier mic as a backup. This kit usually contains a mini tripod which is missing from the picture. The red alox cadet is for scale but also mostly lives in this padded kit bag.

(Image removed from quote.)

Enjoyed seeing all the EDC items besides tools 

Nice! I have the Ulanzi light and really like it. How do you find the GoPro? I've had a hard time shooting good video with mine, any tips?

[Aloha]

Now that is cool.  Nice to be ready when the mood or opportunity presents itself.

[Poncho65]

Love seeing all this different gear that all of you carry

[aicolainen]

As many have already mentioned, not every day is the same so it's important to adapt. But there is also a fair bit of research suggesting that our lives are overwhelmed by decisions, so having a base "kit" that works for most days without fiddling can be advantageous.

My basic "on person" kit is very minimal. I really dislike being weighed down by heavy and/or bulky items that restrict motion and constantly work to pull my pants down. With mostly office work on my agenda this kit strikes a good balance of not being in my way, while still covering most of my immediate needs.


Not shown, and maybe most relevant to the topic; musician and foam ear plugs in a small pouch, chapstick and cell phone

Most workdays I try to avoid driving, and rather walk, bike, use public transport or a combination of those. Either way I feel quite naked without a backpack, so over time I've added some items that come in handy from time to time when away from home, office or a personal vehicle.

Quite an old overview pic from the archives:


Slightly newer detail shot:

Missing from this pic is my Wurkkos HD20 flashlight, with bi-directional USB-C and a headband, which means it has replaced both the flashlight and the power bank, and could act as a headlamp in a pinch

Those who are familiar with the Goruck GR1 knows that there are a few compartments, so I'll just go through the organization briefly.

Top pocket Inside of lid - Quick access items used with some regularity:

• El-cabinet access key
• Benchmade rescue hook with spare cash
• Post stamps (facing retirement when used up as we have moved on to digital stamps)
• small pouch with in-ear ear buds and lightning to 3.5mm adapter
• metal container with ear plugs
• small padlock for the gym, airports or wherever I might need to safely store something for a while
• small selection of regularly used pen, pencil and markers
• GITD zipper pull that came with the bag

Bottom pocket inside lid - hygiene items mostly:

• hand sanitizer
• tooth picks / floss
• eye drops
• lip balm
• hand cream
• spare watch

Front pocket - quick access items used with high regularity or in meetings/situations where I want to access them discreetly:

• Pouch with all the cables I tend to need - updated with new cables to work with my Wurkkos HD20 flashlight/PB
• Bluetooth mouse
• Key chain w/ keys, USB storage, USB SW dongle, compact bit driver, small small pry bar, Prometheus QD (house and post box keys w/ QD removed for my safety). All titanium hardware
• Work site access card (not pictured)
• Laptop power supply (in use at the time pic was taken, so also not pictured)

Main compartment:

• Rain jacket
• Rain pants
• Leather gloves
• Thin wool hat
• Thin wool neck gaiter
• Backpack rain cover - not shown for some reason
• Water bottle
• Small pouch w/ self contained power system (power pank, USB wall adapter, lightning cable, microUSB cable, microUSB to USB C adp) - replaced by new flashlight with PB feature
• Molle compatible straps so I can attach larger items externally if larger capacity is temporarily needed, or carrying dirty/wet items that I don't want inside my bag
• Multitool attached to internal molle
• Multifunctional flashlight/headlamp/powerbank attached to internal molle
• bit driver attached to internal molle
• bit kit w/ LM ratchet inside attached to internal molle
• small adjustable wrench attached to internal molle
• small pliers attached to internal molle
• LM Raptor shears attached to internal molle
• Lots of free space to carry whatever else I need that day - THIS is an undervalued "item" to carry. I see so many stuffed bags, but having some free space for temporary tools/equipment/clothes needs, gym clothes, dumping outer clothes/insulation layers when staying indoor for a prolonged time or just picking up packages or groceries, is a really neat benefit of a correctly sized bag/backpack
• ADDED - large plastic bag for groceries and small plastic bag for fruit/vegetables to avoid buying new ones for items that wont fit inside my backpack

PC compartment:

• Laptop or iPad Pro
• Note book

[Poncho65]

Crazy awesome and very detailed description of your carry, aicolainen

Love the reasoning behind it and detailing where you carry it in the pack as well

[Explorer]

Nice! I have the Ulanzi light and really like it. How do you find the GoPro? I've had a hard time shooting good video with mine, any tips?

The GoPro is not my preferred camera choice as it has some downsides compared to a DSLR camera. However it does well as a backup or impromptu camera. It’s fairly durable and didn’t cost much so I don’t mind if it smashes around. It also turns on and starts shooting video really quickly for those unexpected Bigfoot encounters. It’s a semi reliable camera that has good stabilization and can capture decent video if the battery isn’t dead.   

As far as tips it really depends on what kind of video you’re trying to shoot I typically use the linear setting without any color enhancement so raw video and then do all my color correction and other fancy stuff in post.

[aicolainen]

Crazy awesome and very detailed description of your carry, aicolainen

Love the reasoning behind it and detailing where you carry it in the pack as well

Thanks, Poncho!
Never intended for my reply to get this long, and was quite shocked now that I saw it on my phone 
Anyways, glad you enjoyed it 

[Aloha]

@aicolainen

I also very much enjoyed the thought behind what you carry.  I've said it many times and I don't mind saying it again, I really enjoy the thought behind what others choose to carry.  Its interesting and a big part of my enjoyment.  Utility is great and probably makes things easy when considering what to carry.  Its all the other items carried and why carried that interesting. 

Thank you for such a detailed response

[aicolainen]

@aicolainen

I also very much enjoyed the thought behind what you carry.  I've said it many times and I don't mind saying it again, I really enjoy the thought behind what others choose to carry.  Its interesting and a big part of my enjoyment.  Utility is great and probably makes things easy when considering what to carry.  Its all the other items carried and why carried that interesting. 

Thank you for such a detailed response

 

[Aloha]

Alrighty then.  I was out over the weekend and picked up this Timbuk2 bag.  Its called Spark Micro.  I got it new with tags at a local thrift store. 

As I mentioned, I wanted to put together a larger Maxpedition pouch to accommodate a few more items.  In the picture you can see my Maxpedition Micro/Timbuk2/Maxpedition ( forget name ).  That was the pouch I was trying to configure.  The issue always remained, how to carry?  I fooled with added a strap but the bag really isn't meant for that.  When I saw the Timbuk2 I thought it might just be the perfect size.  Tell ya what tho, I do appreciate a bag, pouch, backpack with organizational pockets, loops, or whatever.  The Timbuk2 is pretty simple.   

What I did was pop my Maxped Mirco inside along with the extras I wanted to take along.  Its not bad at all. 

What I didn't want to do was STUFF a bunch of things in. 

My Maxpedition Micro contents are the same with the addition of;
Lock tensioner and rake.  (I can pretty much open most door locks with just these) 
AAA eneloop.

My simple boo boo kit was replaced by my Adventure Med kit.  (I added a few items to this kit like medical tape, roll of gauze, and liquid soap in a very small used hand sanitizer bottle)   

The items I can now bring along easily are;
10,000mah/37wh battery bank.  (Its nice to have a little back up power when out and taking pictures with my phone)
Wet ones
Pad of paper and full-size pen/Sharpie
Ear buds ( I no longer have to carry in pocket )
doTerra essential oils ( I love having these with me ).  Orange, Tea Tree, Eucalyptus, On Guard, Balance, Blend ( my body fragrance ), Breathe. 
KN95 mask
$5 in quarters ( parking meters ) I carry cash as well. 

We shall see how it goes.  I have tried bags before but I don't stick with them day to day.  I do use one when away from my vehicle for more than a hour.  I don't worry about being at friends homes since I have my vehicles close by.  I don't often go in other peoples cars but a bag is nice to have when I do. 

A note on my boo boo kit. My personal kit is for simple cuts, scrapes, insect bites, sun, headache, nausea, diarrhea, indigestion, scratchy throat, etc.  I cannot treat much more than that with my pocket kit.  Our vehicles kits as well as ourselves are much more equipped to handle issues.  Cutting a finger or getting a blister on the foot are what my pocket kit is designed for. 

Wet ones are for hands or anything I feel needs a wiping.  I use the liquid soap when facilities don't have soap.  I can also add a few drops to a bottle of water to irrigate a wound or wash hands as needed.  I use my essential oils for a variety of purposes.

I like that the bag is simple and should be easy enough to carry.  I also like that its black so it should keep clean looking.  Its fairly discreet which I appreciate.  I have no qualms about carrying a murse or whatever folks call them.  I can keep my phone in the bag as well so I don't have to put it in my pocket.  I like that.

I will still use the Vans pouch and my Maxpedition Micro as needed.  This will bag will be utilized on those days I feel the need to bring just a few more items.   

[Poncho65]

An excellent bunch of kits, Aloha I the new backpack as well

[MadPlumbarian]

Where’s the fuzzy dice to hang on the handle?
When our first son actually got his first car his brother bought him a pair for Xmas  OMG, the look on his face, yet he actually put them in the car! Lol..
JR

[charlie fox]

I've been on a mission recently to downsize the stuff I carry both in my pockets and in my bag. It's not going so well....

The first pic is my basic daily carry. The knife gets changed depending on my mood. The rest are my daily work bag (3V Gear Outlaw)

[Aloha]

Hahaha.  I actually dislike things hangin from my mirror.  Catherine has a disco ball  .  Dash cam is all I got and thats behind the mirror. 

Its really soft material.  Supposed to be nice on the phone.  Mine has a case of screen protector so no need.  It is soft tho. 

[Aloha]

Downsizing can be challenging.  Start with one thing that has not been used however it cannot be first aid related.   

[Poncho65]

  downsizing can be hard  Glad that I don't actually have to carry my backpack as it just stays in the work truck for the most part that means I only have to try and downsize stuff in my pockets from time to time

Looks like a great carry to me though, charlie  and a nice pack

Where’s the fuzzy dice to hang on the handle?
When our first son actually got his first car his brother bought him a pair for Xmas  OMG, the look on his face, yet he actually put them in the car! Lol..
JR

I use to hang stuff on my mirror when I was younger but when the weather gets hot it tends to make the rear view mirror want to fall off so I don't hang stuff on the mirror anymore

[aicolainen]

I can admit to carrying a couple of items in my backpack that I've never used, but that's not the same as saying I've never needed them.
I learn from past mistakes and if the inconvenience of adding an item to my backpack is less than the inconvenience of not having it if I find myself in a similar situation again, I'm likely to add it. There's some other considerations involved too, e.g. likelihood of need vs. the carry comfort I'll sacrifice on a daily basis, but like I said - I feel naked without my backpack, so I'd carry it even if it was almost empty, and up to a certain point of capacity utilization, the stuff inside doesn't really affect carry comfort. If/when that happens I'll have to reassess the utility of each item and rank them against each other. It's not like I don't already retire items from time to time, as they loose relevance, but I haven't yet felt the need to purge items because of weight, bulk or organizational issues.

[HarleyXJGuy]

Alrighty then.  I was out over the weekend and picked up this Timbuk2 bag.  Its called Spark Micro.  I got it new with tags at a local thrift store. 

As I mentioned, I wanted to put together a larger Maxpedition pouch to accommodate a few more items.  In the picture you can see my Maxpedition Micro/Timbuk2/Maxpedition ( forget name ).  That was the pouch I was trying to configure.  The issue always remained, how to carry?  I fooled with added a strap but the bag really isn't meant for that.  When I saw the Timbuk2 I thought it might just be the perfect size.  Tell ya what tho, I do appreciate a bag, pouch, backpack with organizational pockets, loops, or whatever.  The Timbuk2 is pretty simple.   

What I did was pop my Maxped Mirco inside along with the extras I wanted to take along.  Its not bad at all. 

What I didn't want to do was STUFF a bunch of things in. 

My Maxpedition Micro contents are the same with the addition of;
Lock tensioner and rake.  (I can pretty much open most door locks with just these) 
AAA eneloop.

My simple boo boo kit was replaced by my Adventure Med kit.  (I added a few items to this kit like medical tape, roll of gauze, and liquid soap in a very small used hand sanitizer bottle)   

The items I can now bring along easily are;
10,000mah/37wh battery bank.  (Its nice to have a little back up power when out and taking pictures with my phone)
Wet ones
Pad of paper and full-size pen/Sharpie
Ear buds ( I no longer have to carry in pocket )
doTerra essential oils ( I love having these with me ).  Orange, Tea Tree, Eucalyptus, On Guard, Balance, Blend ( my body fragrance ), Breathe. 
KN95 mask
$5 in quarters ( parking meters ) I carry cash as well. 

We shall see how it goes.  I have tried bags before but I don't stick with them day to day.  I do use one when away from my vehicle for more than a hour.  I don't worry about being at friends homes since I have my vehicles close by.  I don't often go in other peoples cars but a bag is nice to have when I do. 

A note on my boo boo kit. My personal kit is for simple cuts, scrapes, insect bites, sun, headache, nausea, diarrhea, indigestion, scratchy throat, etc.  I cannot treat much more than that with my pocket kit.  Our vehicles kits as well as ourselves are much more equipped to handle issues.  Cutting a finger or getting a blister on the foot are what my pocket kit is designed for. 

Wet ones are for hands or anything I feel needs a wiping.  I use the liquid soap when facilities don't have soap.  I can also add a few drops to a bottle of water to irrigate a wound or wash hands as needed.  I use my essential oils for a variety of purposes.

I like that the bag is simple and should be easy enough to carry.  I also like that its black so it should keep clean looking.  Its fairly discreet which I appreciate.  I have no qualms about carrying a murse or whatever folks call them.  I can keep my phone in the bag as well so I don't have to put it in my pocket.  I like that.

I will still use the Vans pouch and my Maxpedition Micro as needed.  This will bag will be utilized on those days I feel the need to bring just a few more items.   

Nice purse Aloha.

 

[Aloha]

Well said aicolainen.  I keep my on body first aid stuff very simple.  I used to carry a bit more but I no longer want to.  Most of what I deal with is simple.   

My day to day carry is quite simple as well.  I have always had well equipped vehicles so the feeling or need to carry a bag had remained low.  My vehicles have trauma first aids kits, fire extinguishers, enough stuff to keep two adults hydrated and comfortable for a few days, change of clothes, tools for vehicle, emergency gear like flares, lights, hi vis clothing, etc.   

I have tried to carry a bag and can manage for a month or so.  I am sure its cause we drive everywhere so I have gear.  I can usually get to my vehicle so I never feel unprepared.  The few extras I'd like to carry is not all the time.   My Vans pouch or my Maxpedition Micro have served me well.  Its that darn few extras.  I'll bring the bag PURSE with me at all times.  I can decide when I exit the vehicle if I want less and take the  Maxpedition Micro alone. 

I can add a protein bar to the bag.  Its nice to have options unlike just relying on my pockets. 

Thanks Harley,  I remember the late 80s when I sported a bum bag.  When I was in college I had a back pack I kept with me at all times.  I also had a bag when I worked as a chef.  When I rode a bike and motorcycle everyday for years I also had a bag at all times.  Things changed when I switched to a vehicle. 

Funny enough tho, when my kids were babies I went back to a back pack at all times.  It was easy tho since I had a stroller to carry the bag.  When they got older I still carried a back pack.  I was bagless when they got into middle school. 

     

[Grand_Banana]

This is a great thread.

I tend to EDC a few items in my work bag that never change, tools and others. Aside from my watch, phone, and keys (off the pictured Alltul keyring) here it is:

Tools, writing, torch, etc:
  [ You are not allowed to view this attachment ]  

And those packed up:
  [ You are not allowed to view this attachment ]  

Personal effects:
  [ You are not allowed to view this attachment ]  

First aid and others:
  [ You are not allowed to view this attachment ]  

[Aloha]

  Back scratcher.  Nice kit.  I carried my bag today and it was nice.  I left it in the car as I went to the PO but taking it along was a good first step.  I can see some revisions of what I carry is in order.  Not sure what just yet tho. 

[Grand_Banana]

Back scratcher.  Nice kit.  I carried my bag today and it was nice.  I left it in the car as I went to the PO but taking it along was a good first step.  I can see some revisions of what I carry is in order.  Not sure what just yet tho.

  Thanks Aloha.   My kids got me the back scratcher for Christmas and it’s been a blessing. No more using a screwdriver 

[Poncho65]

Back scratcher.  Nice kit.  I carried my bag today and it was nice.  I left it in the car as I went to the PO but taking it along was a good first step.  I can see some revisions of what I carry is in order.  Not sure what just yet tho.

  and I may need to revise some of my work backpack carry as well I need to get it all put and take some pics and reassess what needs to be in and what needs to come out due to the changing season as well

I do always keep a beanie/toboggan in it year round due to being caught off guard in late spring or early fall with some out of season cold mornings

Hand warmers stay in most of the time just in case as well and some bandanas, face masks (paper and cloth type)

I also keep a thermal top in there plus an extra pair of socks

A FAK and some toilet paper for when the Porta John's are out 

[Aloha]

Poncho, have you seen the pill towels?  They are really small and you hydrate them so they expand into a sheet 9x9 ( some ) and would be a great space saver.  Being damp they would be great to wipe a bum.