When it comes to preparedness, there’s many topics we love to talk about. Do you have long-term food supply? Water purification? Bug-Out-Bag in the truck? Emergency medical supplies? These are all important to consider, but none of these are likely to be more important than your everyday carry.

What is Everyday Carry (EDC)?

The phrase “everyday carry” or “EDC” has grown from being an online trend to an industry term, and it refers to the items you choose to carry with you everyday. This can be anything from your phone, wallet and keys, to a concealed handgun and trauma kit. These items may serve different purposes, but they share one goal: to enhance your preparedness for everyday tasks and increase your effectiveness in handling unexpected situations.

Now, when we decide what to carry on us everyday, there are several things to consider. Ask yourself these questions:

• What environment will we find ourselves in? (Workplace, public areas, outdoors…)
• What will be likely obstacles or tasks?
• What will be lawful to carry?
• Where will I carry my gear? (Pocket, waistband, backpack…)
• How does this gear enhance my preparedness?
• Am I trained to use this gear?
• Am I an asset to those around me?

A person’s EDC can vary depending on how you answer these questions, though there are some items that we believe to be near universally valuable.

What Should You Include in Your EDC?

In this article, we are going to skip over some of the standard items. Yes, carrying cash, ID, and your cell phone serves a significant purpose, but you were already carrying those things prior to reading this. For this post, we want to talk about further preparedness.

Gear Choice #1: Pocket Knife

A quality pocket knife will quickly become your most used piece of EDC gear. Ask anyone who carries a knife on them and they’ll tell you, they use their blade all day long. Whether you’re at work, at home, or in the shop, a pocket knife always comes in handy. Overall, it is the most utilitarian piece of gear you can carry on a daily basis, and it’s the building block of any EDC.

Not only is a knife convenient, but it’s also an added level of personal protection. A knife doesn’t require a license to carry, and is more accessible in price and legality than something like a handgun. Look for models from reputable brands that fit your use case. Furthermore, check your local regulations when it comes to carrying pocket knives, as some cities and states have laws prohibiting certain deployment mechanisms and blade lengths.

Recommendations:

Hogue “Deka” Manual Folder

Hogue makes top quality knives right here in the USA. We love the ABLE locking system, thumb studs, and clip point design. It’s sharp, durable, and aesthetically pleasing. At only 2.1oz, it’s truly a great option for anyone's EDC!

SOG Flash AT

The Flash AT by SOG is a popular option for a good reason. It features rapid assisted opening with SOG’s innovative ambidextrous AT-XR Lock, and a spine-mounted manual safety system. They come in a variety of edge types and color ways as well.

SIG EX-F03 Fixed Blade

If you're looking for something more tactical, look at the SIG EX-F03 fixed blade karambit. It’s Sig Sauer branded and made by Hogue, so you know the build quality is top notch. The hawkbill design and scaled frame gives this knife an aggressive feel. It’s a great personal defense minded option.

Gear Choice #2: Flashlight

A small, durable, high-output flashlight is a great addition to your everyday carry. An EDC flashlight allows you to stay operational at all times, wherever you are. Ideal for work, roadside emergencies, outdoor activities, self defense, signaling, or simply everyday use, a high-quality flashlight is a highly versatile and convenient piece of EDC gear.

Those looking for an EDC light have many great options to choose from, with powerful, compact, slim designs being widely available. It’s incredible how powerful EDC flashlights are nowadays, with turbo modes that shine out past 400 yards. Many tactical lights will also include strobe modes that can blind or scare off an assailant. Carrying a flashlight is a very simple way to enhance your preparedness on a daily basis.

Recommendations:

Nitecore EDC29 6500 Lumen Rechargeable Flashlight

We have been super impressed with Nitecore, and every product they come out with is better than the last. That’s true with the EDC29, their latest addition to the EDC collection of flashlights. It’s a highly technical, durable, and powerful flashlight that works well in any casual or professional scenario.

Surefire Stiletto Multi-Output Rechargeable Pocket Flashlight

Surefire is a legendary brand in the flashlight world, and the Stiletto is a legendary flashlight in the EDC world. It’s sleek, lightweight, and trusted by many. A great option for any EDC.

Nitecore TIP SE Keychain Flashlight

Another Nitecore offering is the TIP SE keychain flashlight. Those who carry it will attest, this light is compact, powerful, and tough as nails. You’ll get 100 yards of throw and illumination from a thumb-sized keychain light, and the entire unit weighs less than a single ounce. It charges in just 1.5 hours and offers 50 hours of runtime. The TIP SE will go through the wringer and keep shining.

Gear Choice #3: Individual First Aid Kit

This is where your preparedness takes a step to the next level. Having an IFAK on you or nearby is often overlooked, but can be a difference maker when the unexpected happens and every second matters. Massive hemorrhage is the leading cause of preventable death, and a victim can bleed out in 3 to 5 minutes on average. Compare that to the average EMS response time of 7 to 10 minutes, and you'll realize the need to be your own first responder in these situations.

A typical bleeding control kit will contain a tourniquet, packing gauze, pressure bandage, and chest seal. There are a few ways to carry these items on you. Carrying a crossbody or fanny pack is practical for most situations. Pocket medical kits are another option, but may not work well for smaller people. Ankle kits are another popular choice. If none of these work for you, many people resolve to carry just a tourniquet or a pack of hemostatic gauze on their person. However you decide to carry medical gear on you, it is extremely important to be trained in its use. These supplies might make you feel safe, but if you aren’t trained, you won’t be able to apply proper care when the situation arises.

Recommendations:

SOF Tourniquet GEN 5

We always emphasize carrying a tourniquet on you, and currently it’d be difficult to suggest carrying anything other than a SOF. It’s battlefield tested, CoTCCC recommended, and trusted to work. It folds up more compact than other recommended TQs making it a great EDC option. If you are going to carry a tourniquet, the SOF is a reliable choice.

QuikClot Hemostatic Z-Fold Combat Gauze

If you are trained in wound packing, carrying a pack of hemostatic gauze can be enough in most scenarios to stop massive hemorrhage. Hemostatic gauze will stop a bleed 2-3 times faster than standard packing gauze, and a pack is smaller and lighter than a tourniquet, making it easier to carry.

SWAT-T Tourniquet

The SWAT is a very versatile piece of medical gear. The SWAT, standing for "Stretch, Wrap and Tuck", is a multi-functional tourniquet that can also be used as a pressure bandage, a sling, and can be used to stabilize splints, ice packs, and the like. It’s easy to use and offers superior performance as a tourniquet for smaller limbs, like that of children and canines. It’s also compact, making it an obvious choice for EDC.

Gear Choice #4: Concealed Carry Weapon

Carrying a handgun is the most functional way for you to protect yourself and those around you. It’s a force multiplier that allows a potential victim to defend themselves against a bigger, stronger attacker. The sad reality is, violent crime exists, and you need to be prepared for it. By carrying a gun, you are taking the silent role of a protector in society, and with that comes a lot of responsibility and liability. That means you need to be diligent in training and vigilant of the laws of your state. This probably can’t be emphasized enough. If you aren’t consistent in training, you will go from an asset to a liability to yourself and everyone around you. So, save money on the bells and whistles, and invest in ammo and training.

Now, there are many ways to carry a handgun: an IWB holster, OWB holster, fanny pack, ankle holster, or a belly band. Everyone is different, and you need to find what works for you. However you decide to carry, be sure you have the gear to do it functionally and safely.

Recommendations:

Stealth Operator Micro Compact Holster

Stealth Operator holsters are the perfect choice for multi-gun owners. The Micro Compact holster will fit most guns in the category, and is a cost-effective, comfortable carry option. We tested it out with a G43X MOS, and we were impressed with the comfort, retention, and simplicity of this holster.

High Speed Gear Low Visibility Pistol Mag Pouch

The Lo-V Series magazine pouch allows for discrete carry of pistol magazines inside the waistband or in a pocket. Featuring both elastic and stiff thermoplastic, the pouch adapts to accommodate most pistol magazines, and folds flat when the magazine is removed, for IWB carry comfort. The Lo-V pouch is an innovative way to carry another mag on you while concealed carrying.

Blade-Tech Ultimate EDC Carry Belt

A gun belt is a required piece of gear to effectively carry a firearm. The Blade Tech EDC carry belt is designed with a stiff polymer core to handle the added weight of a firearm while maintaining a slim profile. The belt can also be adjusted in fine increments on the fly without having to undo the ratcheting belt buckle. It also comes in 2 styles, nylon and leather, so you can dress it up or down. A great EDC belt choice.

Gear Choice #5: Multi-tool

Carrying a multi-tool is a practical way to handle everyday tasks as they arise. They are versatile, convenient, and compact, making it a smart choice for anyone who wants to be prepared and self-sufficient on a daily basis. Whether you need to maintain your gear, cut through wire, or just open a bottle, a multi-tool will be your best friend. Their usefulness is especially great in the outdoors. Overall, a multitool improves your efficiency and preparedness when you encounter day-to-day tasks. It’s a standard piece of EDC gear.

Recommendations:

SOG PowerLock EOD Multi-Tool

This full sized multi-tool by SOG Includes a gripper, hard wire cutter, double toothed wood saw, partially serrated blade, 3-sided file, small, medium, and large screwdrivers, 1/4” drive, can opener, bottle opener, scissors, rulers, and more. It’s a highly functional and durable tool box that fits in your hand. Built for hard use.

Leatherman Skeletool CX

When you think multi-tool, you think Leatherman. The Skeletool CX packs the most essential tools into a lightweight, easy-to-carry package. Simply put, it has everything you need, and nothing you don’t.

Gerber Dime Mini Multi-Tool

If you’re looking to save space, check out the Gerber Dime. The Dime is a mini multi-tool with an impressive list of features. This butterfly open tool fits on your keychain yet has 12 useful tools, helping you be prepared for whatever might come up. It Is a very compact, easy to carry multi-tool.

Building Your EDC: Things to Keep in Mind

Building an effective EDC setup is all about balancing practicality and comfort. Here are a few tips for building your perfect kit:

1. Know Your Needs: Consider the questions we asked at the top of the article. Your location, profession, and lifestyle will dictate what you carry.
2. Prioritize Essentials: Carrying excess weight or unnecessary tools can make your setup cumbersome. Focus on multi-purpose tools that cover a range of tasks. Cut the fat out of your EDC wherever you can without lacking the essential gear that will actually improve your preparedness.
3. Choose Quality Over Quantity: High-quality tools will last longer, perform better, and be more reliable. Look for reputable brands known for producing durable and functional gear.
4. Keep it Comfortable: Your EDC should be practical, but also comfortable. Opt for compact, lightweight gear that you don’t mind carrying. If it’s not comfortable, you won’t carry it.
5. Reevaluate Regularly: Your EDC needs may change over time. Regularly assess what’s working and what isn’t, and adjust your gear accordingly.

Conclusion

Your EDC is an investment in your safety, security, and preparedness. It’s about being prepared for the unexpected—whether it’s a self-defense scenario, a medical emergency, or a loose screw. If you are looking to be a prepared citizen, a protector, and an asset to those around you, then build your EDC and get trained!