Let’s be honest. If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve been bombarded by references to the term of EDC through social media. And, most likely, you’ve been wondering what the heck is all the fuss about.
Or maybe you’ve already been introduced to the term – at a very high level, mind you. By a friend, relative, neighbor, or colleague who happens to be an EDC aficionado (i.e., yours truly). And now you’d like to dive into it.
Conversely, you were actually searching for a chemical compound, a medical procedure, a music festival, or a motorsport championship. All valid but different uses of an EDC acronym. If that’s the case, I’m afraid you’ve landed on the wrong page.
Otherwise, allow me then to shed some light into the matter and answer that burning question: “What is everyday carry?”.
Table of contents
- What does EDC mean?
- What items can be added to an EDC kit?
- How to select and carry EDC items?
- How to store and maintain EDC items?
- Key takeaways and conclusion
What does EDC mean?
Overall definition
Humans – we’re creatures of habit. Most of us have a very specific routine when we’re heading out of home. No matter if we’re heading to school or work, or going to the grocery store. Or if we’re meeting friends for dinner, or making it to a dentist appointment. We regularly aim for the same essential items we must have with us at all times.
We usually grab our wallet or purse, house keys, and car keys (if we commute that way). Perhaps we strap on a watch before we leave home. If the weather conditions call for it, we may also reach for an umbrella or a pair of sunglasses.
Thanks to advances in technology during the past 20 years or so, we started adding other stuff. Mobile phones, headphones, tablets, laptops, and other numerous devices. They’re all part of the collection of objects we carry around with us on a daily basis.
In a nutshell, EDC refers to the set of essential items we carry on our person every day. Hence the term everyday carry. It wasn’t quite unheard of in the end, was it?
Rise of EDC popularity
I’ll bet you’re now figuring it out: “Hold on a minute, EDC has actually been around for quite some time”. Yeah, you’re most definitely correct. Boy Scouts with a folding knife. Wall Street executives with a fountain pen. Repairmen of any field with some sort of compact multitool. Your grandfather with his inherited pocket watch. They’ve all been carrying a specific-purpose EDC item according to their needs, interests, or environment.
Though it wasn’t until the late 2000s when an internet subculture emerged, before landing in the mainstream nowadays. Forums abounded on how to properly curate and optimize the set of EDC items we carry around. How to make it lighter, more efficient, and adequate for every situation we may encounter. And that’s precisely what this blog (and more specifically this article) is all about.
What items can be added to an EDC kit?
Most EDC connoisseurs would agree on some common incentives for curating an EDC kit. These key aspects are usefulness, self-sufficiency, and preparedness.
Insert here any quote or common saying you’ve heard before. “The best tool is the one that you have on you when you need one”. “It’s better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it”. Or “Preparation is the mother of success”. You get the prime idea.
When defining EDC items, most people only care about the essentials mentioned earlier (wallet, keys, mobile phone). Others could argue that you must include additional gear depending on your purposed activity and destination. A few would even go the extra mile by carrying self-defense or first aid items, to handle possible emergency situations. And parents will be obliged to add snacks, toys, and wet wipes, but (sadly) we won’t address those here.
So, to simplify things, let’s group our EDC items under the following categories: Basic, utility, tech, fashion, and emergency. I’ll throw in some examples under each category and their suggested use or function. It should already be pretty obvious in most cases… but just in case.
Basic items
- Keychain – to hold your house/car keys together, or use a key organizer (if you want to minimize the jingling).
- Wallet – to carry your cash, identification card, driver’s license, and bank/membership cards.
- Watch – to quickly tell the time or to use as a style piece.
Utility items
- Flashlight – to illuminate your way in dimly lighted places or after daylight.
- Folding knife – a.k.a., pocket knife, to be able to quickly open packages or cut through materials.
- Lighter – to light cigarettes, cigars, candles, or simply heat materials.
- Multi-tool – to conduct minor repairs (e.g., tightening a loose screw) or pry open things (e.g., jars and bottles).
- Pen – or pencil, to sign documents, take notes, or write your on-the-go ideas.
Tech items *
- Mobile phone – to make calls, send texts, and have mobile access to your favorite apps.
- Headphones – to listen comfortably to your music or videos without disturbing those around you.
- Laptop – or tablet, to read a book, watch a movie, or do some work while on the move.
* This isn’t a technology blog per se, so for these EDC items we’ll focus on accessories to customize them instead.
Fashion items
- Sunglasses – to look cooler, besides shielding your eyes from the glaring sun.
- Jewelry – including rings, bracelets, etc., to complement your outfit or make a fashion statement.
Emergency items
- First aid kit – to quickly tend to minor medical emergencies.
- Glass breaker – to easily break through vehicle windows in emergency situations (i.e., after a traffic accident).
- Fixed knife – or even a firearm, for self-defense purposes. *
* Self-defense items are only legally permissible to carry on your person in some countries and regions.
How to select and carry EDC items?
Personal requirements
We’ve covered what kind of gear and gadgets can be considered a part of an EDC kit. Now you may wonder: “How should I get started?”.
Like with many things in life, there is no single formula or to curating an EDC kit. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Every single EDC item I’ve mentioned so far is, ultimately, entirely optional.
Some people don’t wear a wrist watch merely because they use their phone to tell the time. A lot of people have their credit, debit, or identity cards added to mobile applications. A few even store their car keys in their phones, if they own an electric car with a digital key. Or do the same with their home keys, if they have installed a smart lock. And unless your profession requires it, you may not need to carry a multitool, pocket knife, or flashlight all day.
Hence, whatever you decide to carry with you every single day is entirely up to you. This isn’t rocket science – period. It’s simply about selecting the items to include in your EDC kit depending on certain factors. These may be your occupation, lifestyle, hobbies, destination, purpose, etc.
Choose whatever you want, whatever suits you; make it your own, personalize it – the sky’s the limit.
Usefulness and style
When curating your own EDC kit and choosing its items, you need to maintain proper balance between usefulness and style. After all, you’ll be carrying these items with you all day, right?
You need to make sure their performance will be up to the task and their aesthetics to your liking. Based on your personal preferences and budget, you can select from a wide range of EDC products. They come in different sizes and materials, in addition to various functionalities and prices.
I own a few items in some EDC categories so I can match colors and materials, providing multiple combination opportunities. For example, I grab items in titanium or rugged materials when I go hiking. Or I select items in dark colors (mostly in leather) if I’m dressing up for work or going out. Who said you can’t be prepared and stylish at the same time?
You need to evaluate the pros and cons of each aspect, before selecting the items you’ll enjoy using every day. That’s the whole point, isn’t it?
Carry alternatives
Certain EDC items we’ve listed so far can be easily carried on ourselves in many ways. Wearables aside, men will most likely carry them in clothing pockets (trousers, jacket, suit). Women will most likely carry everything in a purse or bag.
If you decide to increase your daily EDC kit loadout or under special circumstances, you’ll require additional carrying options. These may include special holders, belt accessories, fanny packs, or backpacks.
For handling and protection of your EDC items, some manufacturers might include protective cases (e.g., for your headphones or earbuds). Or they’ll offer you such additional options at an extra cost (e.g., dedicated case for your pocket knife or multitool).
In most cases, you could also choose from a myriad of third-party manufacturers. They can provide compatible accessories for some of your EDC items (e.g., mobile phone covers or watch straps and bands).
How to store and maintain EDC items?
Storage options
If EDC is supposed to help you be prepared when leaving home, adequately storing your essentials is a must. It’d be meaningless to have an EDC kit that you can’t quickly access on a daily basis.
There’s quite a selection of EDC organizers and trays in the market. EDC manufacturers might sell them directly, or specialized brands will cater to this market via online retailers. Just like with EDC items, you’ll find quite a range of prices and quality to meet every style and budget.
Personally, I find it very useful to have my basic EDC items organized in multiple trays. I keep them right next to the door, so I can easily grab them on my way out. My remaining EDC items are a bit more out of reach, but only because I need them for certain situations (e.g., travel or hiking).
Maintenance tips
Some items will only require minor cleaning every now and then (e.g., wallets and keychains). Primarily to remove dust or stains from daily use. Others will require constant recharging (e.g., mobile phones, headphones, tablets). Or having their batteries replaced (e.g., flashlights and watches) at some point.
Certain items will require more thorough maintenance, if you want to keep them properly functional. For example, your knives will need sharpening and cleaning at certain intervals. Your multitools will need scrubbing and oiling from time to time. Your lighters will need refueling once they’re emptied, and so on.
To keep your EDC items in top shape, you must closely follow the instructions provided by their manufacturers. They’ll tell you how to clean them, how often you should do it, and provide other relevant maintenance advice.
You’ll most likely obtain an instruction manual or user guide when you buy your EDC items. Otherwise, you can search online for how-tos or step-by-step instructions on social media or related blogs (such as this one).
Key takeaways and conclusion
Here are the key points you should be aware of regarding everyday carry:
- EDC (everyday carry) refers to the set of useful, essential items we constantly carry on our person every day.
- An EDC kit can contain essentials such as wallets, watches, pocket knives, flashlights, multitools, pens, and keychains.
- An EDC kit can be tailored according to your occupation, hobbies, lifestyle, specific situations and purposes.
- Storing and maintaining your EDC kit may require additional accessories and carefully following instructions provided by the manufacturers.
I hope you’ve found this information useful when considering (or perhaps by now deciding) to start your own EDC kit. Stay tuned for future posts (check out our recent posts here). We’ll delve down further into the EDC world with guides, how-tos, recommendations, and reviews. There’s plenty more to come.