EDC…What is it?
The term “every day carry” (EDC) has been around for a long time. EDC are the tools, gear, or supplies you might carry around on a daily or semi-regular basis. I’m not surprised at the plethora of websites devoted to it. Check the internet and you’ll find plenty of items to choose from, many well-made and poorly made.
In the image you can see items like Jon’s training grenade and an extra gun magazine; tools of his trade.
Some of the most common items to start building your EDC set are a phone, keys and wallet however do not stay bound to that. Find what works for you and keep in mind the mainstay of EDC is utility and preparedness while style and personal expression should be two last things to consider. For this article I included images of Spotter Up writer and Sage Dynamics Instructor Jon Dufresne’s EDC.
Every item in your EDC set should be useful, and if it can perform many functions then all the better. The main tenet of EDC is to build and carry a good EDC set as a precautionary measure in the face of any potential disaster.
Different lifestyles necessitate having different EDC systems. Your work or business generally determines what you should carry to optimize your day-to-day preparedness. Consider what you do in your daily routine as a way to assess your EDC needs.
What are the basic items that you can’t leave your house without? Think about the common problems, risks and threats you can face on a daily basis.
A flashlight or tourniquet will come in handy when driving on dark, icy roads in Alaska. A good multi-tool will come in handy if you use a bike to travel to work daily. Carrying a good gun magazine and an extra one are useful if you live in areas prone to crime.
Less bulk, less weight and optimal functionality are primary things to consider when building your EDC set. Buying quality items often will reduce your need to replace an item that breaks and doing this may increase functionality, while reducing bulk and weight. I’ve listed what I believe are the mainstays for EDC and then the secondary items for building a set.
Primary Items
- Keychain
- Phone
- Wallet
Secondary items
- Flashlight
- Knife
- Multi-tool
- Notebook
- Pen
- Watch
Empty your pockets and lay the items out before you. Take a good look at what you have and think about why you need or want to carry them. Make a list of your daily tasks and ask yourself how you can augment your EDC by adding to it or subtracting from it. Do you need a better multi-tool or wallet? I got rid of my old, heavy wallet and replaced it with a slimmer, lighter wallet that reduced weight, bulk and allowed me to access my credit cards and personal information faster. I believe a good holster and gun should be part of your EDC.
Do what works best for you…