Summer VS Winter EDC.

[captain spaulding]

Do you guys switch your EDC based on season? I know I sure do. Normally in the summer time I switch to a Spyderco in H-1 steel so there is no worry of sweat rusting my knife. It get VERY hot here in the summer so it is a must for me. I also tend to drop a full size MT from the rotation. I will go with something like a Juice or Skeletool since they can be carried in or clipped onto a pocket easily. Nothing on the belt (normally) in the summer time for me. I tend to carry slimmer knives as well since the clothes get lighter.

Anyone else change there EDC seasonally?

[sir_mike]

I always swtich mine up.  In the summer I am going on hikes etc. so I with most likely carry an Explorer in my shorts pocket then add a MT in my bag. In the fall or spring when I wear jeans, I can carry my SC on a P7 clip without any issues.  In the winter since I am usually just going to and from car to buildings I will go light and use an Explorer on P7 clip.

[NKlamerus]

Definetly lighter. I'm either sitting in a delivery truck, on the beach, or cleaning bounce houses. All of which is gym short wear, so it can't bounce around too much

[powernoodle]

I keep my EDC pretty much the same all year.  I wear 5.11 pants in the winter, and 5.11 shorts in warm weather, and that gives me the same pocket configuration all year.  I generally carry the smallest items that still do the job (though not everything I carry is "small"), and for me there is no real reason to change what I carry.  Examples:  Glock 43 works in the RF pocket all year, mini Sharpie, keys, etc. in LF, medium/large MT in vertical velcro pocket, etc.

[rdub934]

I base my carry more on if I am on-duty or off-duty, as opposed to season. Fuller featured tool with little concern for size/weight at work and only the necessities with a higher concern for size/weight while at the house or be-bopping around town.

The exception to this is hunting season. I always carry a pliers-based tool on me, but when I'm hunting I like whatever tool I am carrying to featured scissors - for notching tags Compatibility with gloves is nice, but not super-necessary, as I can usually operate any tool with my primary gloves still on. They are only lightly insulated and provide good feeling and dexterity. If it's really cold, I put on a pair of huge, wool mittens over them. If I need to use my tool, I can just pull the over-mitts off long enough to do what needs doing

[AimlessWanderer]

For me, the tools don't change just because of the time of year. The loadouts will still be similar depending on what the day is likely to have in store for me. The only changes are the clothing, not what's in the pockets 

[parnass]

Most of my summer shirts have one pocket and winter shirts have two pockets.  That, along with multipocket winter jackets permit me to load up a few more bits of EDC gear in cold weather. 

I am more apt to carry a larger flashlight in winter months.

[smiller43147]

Sure do.  In the winter I have an Altoids tin survival kit in my winter coat pocket (internal, zippered).  Don't have that in the summer unless I'm actually heading into the wilderness.

And when I'm wearing a pair of shorts with an elastic waistband, I'll leave the Pioneer or Super Tinker home and just cary a Wenger Pocket Tool chest.

[Alan K.]

I don't change from winter to summer carry because I wear the same clothes most of the year.  I only have a few days each year, usually in February, where it is cold enough to need a jacket.  The only changes I make are based on how long I plan to be out or how far I have to travel.  A few hours gets only what fits in my pockets.  If I'll be out all day or if I'm traveling a greater than normal distance I'll bring additional gear including water bottles and meal replacement bars in a bag. If I'm traveling more than a 1 or 2 hour drive from home then I'll bring a 72 hour kit which is all of my EDC gear plus food, water, and extra clothes, in case I get stranded somewhere.

[Aloha]

Good question Capt.  Weather in SoCal is pretty stable so no real need to change out gear since my closing is similar year round.  The one thing I do is carry less lights when the time changes. 

[Etherealicer]

Some things don't change (same job, I ride my bike winter & summer etc), so everything that covers that stays the same.
The gear of course changes depending on where I go, what I plan on doing, how long I will be gone.

Here in Switzerland winter means less daylight, fog, poor visibility and a lot more accidents (lots of falling on your but ). So, unlike in summer I additionally pack
- a clip-on light (either for when I'm walking or in case my bike light fails) and extra batteries
- stiff bandage (for making wrist / ankle braces) and Voltaren Gel in my FAK
- Ski goggles, in case I have to cycle while it is snowing (I don't want to be the guy below and that is how most people cycle during poor weather)

[temo]

There are differences as winter time using gloves outside and more clothes so bigger tools are easier then in warm summertime. Though in here really warm weather is rare so bigger tools are quite often Ok. But also activities are different so at summer picnic tool is more used (juice or sak). Example cork screw is more important at summer time. Those can effect also edc even if not planned activity, I might still carry tool more often (medium at summer, heavy at winter).

[firiki]

I carry the same stuff all year round. There's a layered approach in my EDC:

1st layer: Alox Rambler + Fenix E01
2nd layer: Alox Pioneer  + Fenix LD09
3rd layer: Vic Handyman + Vic Spirit + Fenix LD12 + spare battery cells.

The first two layers are carried in my pants pockets, the third one in my bag. All three can be carried at anytime. Sometimes, during summertime mostly, I'll go YOLO/crazy enough to only carry layer #1 if the shorts I'm wearing don't allow carrying layer #2 along with keys, wallet and lighter comfortably -but I try to avoid getting in such situations Edit: Alternatively, in those same moments of insanity, I could just carry everything in my bag along with layer #3 but I don't like that option.

[Humppa]

I don´t change as well. I use what I´m in the mood in. Mostly an SAK with a traditional folder at work (and the other stuff like flashlight, snuff etc etc).

The only thing that changes during the seasons are the ammount of pockets I can throw it in.

I highly appreciate the vest I use to wear for work at 80 %  of the year. Most of my stuff gets in there, couple with jeans or short pants it works great. In winter is it absolutelly no problem.

Interessting topic in any way. 

[ToolJoe]

I tend to carry an Sak year round regardless of the time of year.

[Fortytwo]

Winter tends to mean I have to carry a red light for the bike whereas summers are usually light enough to get away without lights. Summertime usually means a couple of weeks in the countryside where a folder wont stick out as much as in the city and where there are less LEOs to happen to care. So my Fällkniven P3 Bog oak gets some pocket-time .

[Marcellus]

Same basic EDC year round, but winter jacket allows more carry capacity for an additional large folder or fixed blade knife

[captain spaulding]

Very interesting everyone. Seems to depend on many circumstances as well as personal desire. 

[ironraven]

Beyond adding a spare pair of wool socks and liner gloves to my gear, and switching hats? I add a few more chemical heat packs to my gear pack, but I always have at least two in there.

I've seen Fourth of Julys that were colder than this past Christmas Eve.

[Higgins617]

My carry gets a lot heavier come summer time. Head to work, always outdoors. Winter/fall I have my Fuse or Skeletool plus some folder I rotate(usually gets little to no use), summer is Rebar and a fixed blade

[MadPlumbarian]

I tend to carry an Sak year round regardless of the time of year.

I'll 2nd that! Normally my edc is the same year round, the only change is which sak, or watch for the day?
JR

[Mercury]

I keep my EDC pretty much the same all year.  I wear 5.11 pants in the winter, and 5.11 shorts in warm weather, and that gives me the same pocket configuration all year.  I generally carry the smallest items that still do the job (though not everything I carry is "small"), and for me there is no real reason to change what I carry.  Examples:  Glock 43 works in the RF pocket all year, mini Sharpie, keys, etc. in LF, medium/large MT in vertical velcro pocket, etc.

One of these days I plan to invest in some 5.11 pants and shorts for just this reason.  Problem is they are so damn expensive!  Well worth it, but I need 3 or so of each.  That's over $300 in pants! 

My EDC changes based on what I am doing at work and what I currently like, the seasons never have any effect.  There are rare occasions where I carry a lighter set for practical reasons, but for most of the last ten years a full size MT/single AAA flashlight have ridden on my hip no matter what.  Everything else is subject to change. 

[Steinar]

A strong flashlight is more important in winter, otherwise much the same.

[Etherealicer]

I keep my EDC pretty much the same all year.  I wear 5.11 pants in the winter, and 5.11 shorts in warm weather, and that gives me the same pocket configuration all year.  I generally carry the smallest items that still do the job (though not everything I carry is "small"), and for me there is no real reason to change what I carry.  Examples:  Glock 43 works in the RF pocket all year, mini Sharpie, keys, etc. in LF, medium/large MT in vertical velcro pocket, etc.

One of these days I plan to invest in some 5.11 pants and shorts for just this reason.  Problem is they are so damn expensive!  Well worth it, but I need 3 or so of each.  That's over $300 in pants! 

My EDC changes based on what I am doing at work and what I currently like, the seasons never have any effect.  There are rare occasions where I carry a lighter set for practical reasons, but for most of the last ten years a full size MT/single AAA flashlight have ridden on my hip no matter what.  Everything else is subject to change.

Recently bought 5.11 pants, very happy with them. Also, they are cheaper than trekking pants (what I usually wear) so no complaints from me

[Boaz]

In the summer I don't wear a coat so what ever I carry goes in my shorts/trouser pockets. I've been wearing an outdoor cost for a while now and it's been great stuffing things in some.  extra pockets.

I lost my specs for a fortnight because I had them in the inside pocket of my jacket

[anditsgone]

I carry the same edc in my left pocket the entire year. EKA Swede 8 folding knife, Zippo and my wallet.

I am not very fond of changing my edc. Although i did switch from carrying an Swisstool to an EKA swede 8 folding knife. I know carry my swisstool in my jacket pocket so it is always near me.

[Mercury]

I've always carried a strong flashlight either way, it just rides in the bag sometimes.

[Fortytwo]

I carry the same edc in my left pocket the entire year. EKA Swede 8 folding knife, Zippo and my wallet.

I am not very fond of changing my edc. Although i did switch from carrying an Swisstool to an EKA swede 8 folding knife. I know carry my swisstool in my jacket pocket so it is always near me.

First of all I 'll say that I agree with you on not changing the EDC to often/much. The best tool is the one you know and so on. But I must ask, do you use your Zippo regularly? How do you get it to hold fuel? I had to change because I ran out of fuel once a week (and that's about how often I use a lighter!) and forgot to refill it.

[anditsgone]

I carry the same edc in my left pocket the entire year. EKA Swede 8 folding knife, Zippo and my wallet.

I am not very fond of changing my edc. Although i did switch from carrying an Swisstool to an EKA swede 8 folding knife. I know carry my swisstool in my jacket pocket so it is always near me.

First of all I 'll say that I agree with you on not changing the EDC to often/much. The best tool is the one you know and so on. But I must ask, do you use your Zippo regularly? How do you get it to hold fuel? I had to change because I ran out of fuel once a week (and that's about how often I use a lighter!) and forgot to refill it.

I also have this problem. It holds fuel for about 1 week. I have my edc laying besides my bed when i sleep and i also have the zippo fuel there. Whenever i know that it is almost a week ago since i last filled my zippo i fill it again.

I could carry a regular Bic lighter, but i see a zippo as one of the best SHTF tools that you can carry (beside mt and knife  ) because it is refillable with almost everything that burns. Gasoline, thinner, brake cleaner etc... I also have 8 spare flints underneath the filth and if i run out of those i can always light it with my swedish firesteel.

One of the other main advantages is that i see it as a small working flame. You put it down and it keeps burning for about 10 minutes. After that the whole thing catches fire and you have to blow it out. Wait a couple of minutes and it is good to go for another 10 minutes. This comes in handy when lighting acetylene torches or small gas torches. I also used it for melting old candles in a thin can so i can soak them in cotton and use them for starting fires in the woods.

The only downside a zippo has for me is that it has to be filled every week. But when you have the zippo fuel besides where you put your edc at night it only takes you about 10 seconds.

And you get attached to your zippo after a certain time. I bought mine second hand from a man that carried it as EDC lighter for 25 years. He used it daily for lighting his cigars. He stopped smoking and i bought it for 8 euros.

It is true that as i dont smoke i only use it for about 3 times a month. But it doesn't take up a lot of space nor time and it has saved the day plenty of times.

[Toolslinger]

I keep my EDC pretty much the same all year.  I wear 5.11 pants in the winter, and 5.11 shorts in warm weather, and that gives me the same pocket configuration all year.  I generally carry the smallest items that still do the job (though not everything I carry is "small"), and for me there is no real reason to change what I carry.  Examples:  Glock 43 works in the RF pocket all year, mini Sharpie, keys, etc. in LF, medium/large MT in vertical velcro pocket, etc.

One of these days I plan to invest in some 5.11 pants and shorts for just this reason.  Problem is they are so damn expensive!  Well worth it, but I need 3 or so of each.  That's over $300 in pants! 

My EDC changes based on what I am doing at work and what I currently like, the seasons never have any effect.  There are rare occasions where I carry a lighter set for practical reasons, but for most of the last ten years a full size MT/single AAA flashlight have ridden on my hip no matter what.  Everything else is subject to change.

Recently bought 5.11 pants, very happy with them. Also, they are cheaper than trekking pants (what I usually wear) so no complaints from me

Another happy 5.11 pant wearer here. Mine have been going strong for almost 5 years now and are still holding up great. I only switch to jeans when it gets much colder. Otherwise, it's Taclite Pro pants or shorts.

My EDC changes because I can't settle on what I like to carry (too many options, too many shiny things) but otherwise the categories and quantities remain the same. i.e. MT, SAK or smaller MT, high power flashlight, lighter, folder.