“Essential EDC seems to have become more of a stylistic expression rather than a functional set of tools.”
Key Points
- EDC items should be multifunctional
- Your EDC items must be on your person to be effective when you need them
- Adjust your EDC items as your location and situation change
- Ensure you know the legality of the EDC items you carry in the locations you plan to carry them.
13 Essential EDC Items Everyone Should Consider
Essential EDC- More Than Lucky Charms
Everyday Carry, or EDC, has become a popular buzzword over the last several years. But what classifies as Essential EDC? Whenever I see someone’s EDC loadout on social media, the most common items included seem to be a kife, a fancy wallet, and a bunch of pointless trinkets. EDC seems to have become more of a stylistic expression rather than a functional set of tools. Here’s some background and an explanation of the tools I carry.
As a USMC Mountain Leader, I was trained to carry seven pocket items at all times while operating in the mountains. The seven pocket items consist of: A knife, a cold-weather hat, chapstick with sunblock, a flashlight, an emergency ration, sunglasses, and your survival kit. Ensuring that you had each of these items on your person would ensure that you were prepared to handle any situation you might encounter in the mountains, even if you lost your pack.
Over the years, I modified the list of items to be more universal rather than mountain specific. I added defensive items and removed the complete survival kit to save space. In place of the survival kit, I added what I feel to be the bare minimum needed to survive in the situations I encounter every day. Another major addition is the escape items which take up very little space but would be invaluable if you were kidnapped.
[Your EDC Knife] should have a lanyard hole and pocket clip.
#1- Folding Knife
A high-quality folding knife is an indispensable tool that needs little explanation. A 3-4 inch blade is ideal as it can handle most tasks without being cumbersome. The knife should have a lanyard hole and a pocket clip.
I recommend Emerson knives because of their outstanding construction, durability, and “wave” opening feature. The “wave” feature allows the blade of the knife to be opened automatically when drawn from your pocket faster than any automatic or assisted opening knife. Emerson knives are expensive but a good investment.
If the cost is prohibitive, Kershaw produces a line of knives that were designed by Emerson and feature the Wave function. These Kershaw knives are not nearly the same quality as true Emerson knives but are less expensive.
#2- Cold Weather Hat
Your body loses an incredible amount of heat from your head, so carrying a thin beanie quickly increases your defense against the elements. The beanie you carry should be fleece, wool, or synthetic material that does not lose its effectiveness when wet. Some beanies, which are often advertised as helmet liners, include a metallic layer that increases heat retention while reducing overall thickness.
Your body loses an incredible amount of heat from your head…
…most lip balm is petroleum-based…
#3- Lip Balm with SPF
Any brand of lip balm that includes SPF is good, but the higher the SPF, the better. Not only will you be able to keep your lips from chapping, but you will also have some sunblock that you can use elsewhere in a pinch. Additionally, most lip balm is petroleum-based, so it can be added to tinder to make it extra flammable and increase burn time for fire-starting.
#4- Lighter
The lighter you carry should be brightly colored so that it is easier to find if you drop it. I recommend BIC lighters, as they are durable, waterproof, and last much longer than other cheaper butane alternatives. BIC lighters are available in a standard size and also in a mini size which is great for maximizing space in your pockets.
If a BIC lighter becomes submerged in water, it can still be lit. Shake all of the excess water from the lighter and roll the flint wheel down your arm or leg for several long strokes. Eventually, the friction will dry off the flint, and the striker wheel and the lighter will begin to spark again. Keep in mind that doing this will reduce the life of the lighter since you are scraping off flint when you do this.
The lighter you carry should be brightly colored so that it is easier to find if you drop it.
Sunglasses also reduce your signature by making you less recognizable…
#5- Sunglasses
Sunglasses are essential when operating in the mountains as they prevent snow blindness. However, sunglasses offer many other tactical advantages that make them ideal for everyday carry.
The sunglasses you select do not need to be expensive but should be polarized. Polarization greatly inhibits glare on glass, allowing you to see inside of vehicles, through water, and through shop windows significantly better than you would otherwise.
Sunglasses also reduce your signature by making you less recognizable; some models even offer ballistic protection. Even if your glasses do not offer ballistic protection, they will still offer some degree of protection to your eyes
#6- Cash
To some, carrying cash is all but obsolete. However, there are many benefits to having cash. First, cash can’t be declined like a credit card, and it still works even if the internet is out. It’s not uncommon for banks to temporarily freeze a credit or debit card due to transactions occurring in an unusual place. If you are traveling and this happens, you may find yourself unable to purchase fuel, rent a hotel room, buy food, etc., until the situation is resolved with your bank.
[T]here are many benefits of having cash.
The life-saving value of this item makes it a must-have item.
#7- Emergency Blanket
A mylar emergency (space) blanket is lightweight and compact and offers you many benefits, such as incredible warmth, shelter material, and signaling capability in one tiny package. The life-saving value of this item makes it a must-have item.
#8- Notepad with Pencil
Even if you typically take notes and write down things you need to remember in your phone, a notepad is still an important thing to have. A notepad’s battery never dies and you can always tear out sheets to leave notes for someone else.
I prefer a Rite in the Rain notepad, as the sheets are durable and waterproof. A small golf pencil will allow you to write on your notepad without risk of bleeding and allows you to write on more surfaces than pen.
a pencil allows you to write on more surfaces than pen.
Nobody makes me bleed my own blood. Nobody! -White Goodman
#9- Tourniquet
As a Paramedic in 2023, there are few medical conditions I cannot fix, or at least stabilize, with the equipment and medications in my ambulance. However, If you run out of blood, there’s not much I can do. Yes, some EMS agencies do carry blood products, but not many. Thats why it is so important to keep your blood inside your body. If you’re bleeding a lot, a tourniquet is the best way to do that.
There are many space-saving EDC tourniquets out there, but I recommend either the tried and true CAT from North American Rescue or the SOF-T from Tacmed Solutions. Both of these TQs can be applied with one hand and are very effective at stopping extremity bleeding. Whichever you choose, make sure you practice using it.
#10- Steel Barrel Pen
“Tactical Pens” are becoming quite popular as they are a good defensive tool that is permissible in places where other weapons are not allowed. A nice bonus of the tactical pen is that you can write with it too! I have an outstanding “tactical pen” that I have been using for several years, and it cost less than $5, plus it included ink refills.
I’ve noticed that many knife and tool makers have started producing “tactical pens”, but they are incredibly overpriced. Before “tactical pens” became popular, I used steel barrel pens and mechanical pencils from Zebra. They are still a good option and are readily available just about anywhere pens are sold.
The pen may not always be mightier than the sword per se, but you can still stab the f*** out of someone with it. -Unknown
the best concealed pistol is the one you are most comfortable carrying and using.
#11- Handgun with Spare Magazine
As I am writing this, about half of the US states allow citizens to carry a concealed handgun without a permit so long as they are of age to do so. The other half of the US requires a permit to carry, and it is your responsibility to know the laws regarding firearms and the use of force everywhere you go. With that legal point out of the way, let’s move on to what type of handgun you should carry.
There are entire books that argue anything and everything about concealed-carry handguns, so I won’t beat a dead horse here. I believe the best concealed pistol is the one you are most comfortable carrying and using. That said, you will be prepared best by carrying the largest pistol with the largest magazine capacity you can effectively conceal.
As I was about to start writing this paragraph, my wife informed me of a shooting that occured less than a mile from my home. The shooting details are unclear, but it sounds as if it may be related to road rage. This is an eerie situation because this paragraph was going to be about exactly that. If you choose to carry a firearm for personal defense, and I recommend you do, YOU MUST LEAVE YOUR EGO AT HOME. If you cannot control your emotions, you are likely to find yourself in a situation that turns out very bad for everyone involved.
You must always be aware of your surroundings, carrying concealed or not. You should constantly evaluate possible threats. However, when you notice a potential threat, you should devote much of your thought to how you can avoid using your firearm. You may be forced to use your firearm to defend yourself or your family, but if you can avoid it, you should.
Spare Magazine – An Essential EDC Item
If you carry a reliable handgun with reliable ammunition, the most likely component to fail and cause a stoppage is your magazine. Even if you don’t need 30 rounds in a gunfight, having only one magazine might inadvertently cause you to have zero rounds. Your spare magazine should be readily accessible, and you should practice reloading it after running your pistol dry and with a simulated stoppage.
#12- Essential EDC Flashlight
Though you may have a flashlight built into your cell phone, its functionality is limited, and in an emergency you will want to conserve your cell phone’s battery. A good flashlight for EDC should have multiple brightness settings, allowing a wider range of use.
Your flashlight also pulls double duty as a defensive tool, as it is capable of temporarily blinding an attacker or being used as a striking weapon. Some flashlights offer a “strike bezel” on the front lens, which increases the effectiveness as a striking weapon.
Your flashlight also pulls double duty as a defensive tool…
The most common form of restraints used by kidnappers are handcuffs, duct tape, and zip-ties.
#13- Escape Items
The most common form of restraints used by kidnappers are handcuffs, duct tape, and zip-ties. It is important for you to have multiple items that will facilitate escape from each of these three methods.
Handcuff keys, folding razor blades, kevlar shoelaces (which can be used as a flexible saw), bobby pins, and a credit card lockpick set (or Bogota picks) are some important items to consider in this vein. How and where you carry them is up to you; ensure you can access them while restrained in various positions.
Bonus Item- OC Spray
OC Spray is a particularly effective, less lethal tool that has the potential to incapacitate a threat, making it much easier for you to escape to safety. There is a narrow scope of circumstances in which OC will be effective, and it is by no means a replacement for a firearm.
You must be aware of laws concerning carrying OC and the use of force in the area where you are carrying it. I also strongly advise anyone who carries OC to contaminate themselves in a safe, controlled environment so that they understand the effects. If you deploy OC on someone else, YOU WILL CONTAMINATE YOURSELF, so it’s best to know how to deal with it beforehand.
[OC Spray] is by no means a replacement for a firearm.
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Owen Wood
Founder, Guardian Angel Tactical
