What to Put in Your EDC Bag
Morgan Rogue 06.30.23
Over the past decade, my EDC has changed a lot. From being single, to having babies then toddlers, hopping from suburb to city to rural; there have been many changes.
EDC stands for everyday carry. These are items that you will generally carry with you on a daily basis because it can help you be prepared for whatever may happen during the day.
I like to be extra prepared, but I have also toned down what I carry simply because I’ve become more attuned to my everyday needs and the needs of my kids.
I remember carrying around a huge diaper bag when I had my first child and by my second child, I had downsized it to a fanny pack.
You learn a lot over the years and I’m here to share my wisdom with you. But let’s be clear; everyday carry gear is personal to each individual and their needs. If I suggest something that you feel isn’t worth it for you, then don’t add it. Figure out what works best for you!
Remember that everyday carry gear changes with the seasons, too. I might carry a travel bug spray during the summer, but during winter I’ll carry hand warmers.
Then there are some things that always stay constant with my EDC.
I’m going to show you a few ideas of what you could put into your everyday carry to fit various situations and environments, as well as how to customize it to fit your exact needs.
Best EDC gear for your everyday adventures:
Firearm – this is something that is attached to my body every single day. I dry fire and live fire train with my EDC firearm daily.
Knife – I remember the days when I didn’t need a knife, then all of a sudden my kids were asking me to cut tags off toys and cut down straws to make them shorter. I also use my knife for other things like cutting apples on road trips. Ok, I do also use it for bushcraft things, but that’s usually on the weekends when we’re all out in the woods and enjoying our time. Lots of things that a knife is useful for. Or even a multitool.
Snacks – having kids, this is basically the main purpose behind my EDC bag; to carry snacks. I replenish the snacks in my pack more often than anything else in my bag. Whether for you or your kids, carrying snacks is a smart idea. I like to think of snacks that are good for the season, like chocolate is better for fall and winter than summer. Nuts are great for the summer months. And so on. Find out what works best for you and your needs.
Lip balm – I may be a lip-balm-a-holic. My lips get especially dry when I’ve been in the sun for a while or during the winter. So, year-round I need lip balm!
Wallet – I carry a minimalist wallet with just cards and cash, nothing else goes into it.
Paracord – carrying a little bit of paracord is a great way to ensure you always have cordage on the ready. I don’t carry a ton, maybe 50 feet worth, which isn’t a ton, compared to how much paracord one might use out in the bush.
Lighter – don’t mess around with rubbing sticks together, keep a lighter handy! In the winter, I keep the lighter close to my body because lighters can fail in extremely cold conditions. But I always have a lighter on me at all times.
Napkins/wipes/tissues – I use wipes or napkins on a daily basis. They have come in handy on so many occasions. They can be especially useful when going to the bathroom in the woods (always pack it out!), they can even be used as a fire starter.
Flashlight – it’s amazing how often we use a flashlight, even if it’s just to search for things under the seats in our Jeep. In the darkness of winter it’s especially handy to have on hand.
First aid – specifically bandaids. Bandaids are easy to carry and they offer quick relief. You can certainly carry a larger first aid kit or a trauma kit if you’re going out into the woods or just cause. Many people also carry a tourniquet. We have a larger first aid kit and a trauma kit, as well as tourniquet in our Jeep and we also carry these larger kits when we go out into the woods.
Water – if you have a big enough bag, pack a bottle of water in there. I have a smaller bag but I always try to keep at least one bottle of water in there. Never hurts! This is in addition to our regular water bottle that we have with us on a regular basis. We use it and rotate it regularly.
Situational awareness – yeah, this isn’t a piece of gear, but it is an important mindset to have at home and when you’re out and about, no matter the time, day or situation; stay situationally aware.
That’s about it! Of course, this is bare bones and all fits nicely in a little sling pack. I might carry additional stuff if I know I’m heading out into the woods, but for the most part, this is what I typically carry on a daily basis. Over time, you’ll find a good groove of what you is most useful for you on a daily basis and supplement with other stuff as you feel you need to.
For instance, I might carry extra clothes for my kids if we’re heading out into the woods. In the summer I’ll carry a travel-sized bug spray and sunscreen. When my kids were babies, I carried diapers. When we go on an extended trip I’ll throw in extra survival supplies, depending on where we might be going.
Take as much or as little as you want/need and adjust over time. It’s never going to be perfect but we have the ability to adapt as time goes on. Have fun with changing up your EDC!
What else could you carry?
