My personal EDC has changed over the years and I’m sure yours has too. You carry something which you like, maybe you find out you don’t need something else or whatever. It’s constantly changing based on one’s personal preferences and desires. YET…it seems that EDC has gotten out of control lately with dudes carrying almost the entire contents of a bugout bag in their pockets: “Just in case.” Just in case what, in your daily commute on a 6 lane interstate you break down? Because the entire time you are traveling around throughout the day there aren’t houses, businesses, shops and such all within a 2 minute walk? Do you really need that fire starting tinder in your cargo pocket? Do you really need that paracord bracelet just in case you get stuck in line at Chipotle and need to tie a few bowline knots around a Tabasco bottle to burn some time? Seriously, enough with this crap already. Sure, have all the goodies in your pack in the trunk but in your POCKETS?
Blackhawk Down
I once knew a really good dude who said that the movie Blackhawk Down was the worst thing to happen to the average Infantryman and I know exactly what he is referring too. There was a scene in the movie where some of the Rangers left gear behind because the mission was supposed to be a short one, no need for NODs or extra ammo, or a back plate etc etc. Of course this didn’t work out as they thought it would, I suppose it’s true that no course of action survives first contact. What that spawned was a ridiculous surge in the amount of STUFF that the average dude had to carry. Two is one and one is none to a whole new level.
Two is One and One is None
I do believe in having backups, the whole two is one and one is none theory but there is a limit. Should I wear two belts? Should I carry two guns, have 4 spare mags instead of 2, have 2 cell phones, drive a car and tow a second one just in case? I mean seriously this could get out of control which is why there needs to be some common sense injected into this madness along with the reality that one cannot prepare for every scenario.
Pocket Dump Madness
I’ve seen quite a few vids on EDC and some pictures of pocket dumps and I am amazed at how much STUFF people carry. Yes if you are venturing out into the wilderness on a hunting excursion you’ll probably want more than the average suburban joe, but even then how much would be in your pockets vs pack? Even the average dude can probably get away with carrying minimal stuff in his pocket and have a backpack (not the survival bag) with standard stuff in it: flashlight, lighter, multi-tool et al. It’s almost like it is a competition, how much crap can you carry in your pockets. But wait what if you are driving to work in suburbia and an EMP hits and you veer off the road and end up in a field, tossed from your vehicle with only what you have in your pockets? Well…I guess you are just going to have to deal with it.
The Bottom Line
Sometimes less is more. A gun, knife, knot of cash, watch, wallet and phone will get you by in just about every single circumstance. Most phones have a flashlight on them and if you need a lighter one is probably within reach in your car or bag. Think about it.
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I get it that people over load on a lot of things; having said that I believe a lot of people have thought things through a little more thoroughly than this article implies. I live in Nevada and have my CCW license so I always have m Sig P238 but a few years ago I found myself hiking with my wife and twin daughters in a remote area and realized that because of the canyons not even a helicopter would have access to us in a detrimental circumstance and I had no way of building a shelter or making a fire. When we got home I did a little research and decided to make a Para cord bracelet, Within the bracelet I wove 20feet of 7 strand 550lb Para cord, 40 ft of jute twine, 150 Feet of 12 lb test mono filament fishing line, 4 lead weights, 2 spinners, 4 fish hooks on leaders, an excto blade encased in wax and electrical tape, and a ferocious rod for fire starting. While this may not be perfect it does solve a lot of problems and takes up no more space than a bracelet on my wrist.
I keep an extra one of these in my vehicle as well as on my wrist, and with my usual EDC items I am confident that I can survive in virtually any circumstance.
Please understand that I am not unique, and your other readers have made similar safeguards for their own futures.
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Scot
You had me at “hiking in a remote area…” Obviously where you are going and your daily activities should help determine your loadout. Unless you are a park ranger or outdoor enthusiast I doubt you are hiking in remote areas where no helicopter could access you on a daily basis. Nice job on the bracelet but again, if you are simply commuting to work and going about daily activities what are the odds you would ever need any of that? Personal preference and since it takes up only the space on your wrist I suppose there is no harm done.
At last… someone using some common sense!
Situation dependent PJ, “situation dependent”. Trip to the movies and I have my pistol, knife, zippo lighter, and a small flashlight. Around the house, pretty much the same. Long road trip and I usually go with more items in my pockets. Hiking and or camping, river trip, etc, and I go with full pockets.
Like with my bugout bag, I keep what I consider “pocket essential” in a bag so that it all stays together – personal preference on the bag whether it is a fanny pack, small athletic bag, or a plastic bag. I have found that one of the old military map cases works pretty good, keep it hung by the door, grab it on the way out and leave it in the front seat in case I need something out of it… If for some reason, I have to abandon my vehicle in a hurry, it is easy to grab.
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Definitely agree. Situation dependent.
One of the more sensible posts I’ve seen in awhile, from anyone.
Author
Thanks much, unfortunately sensible often does not get the press “wild and crazy” does. 🙂
Thanks for the comment
“EDC”, “Bugout Bag”, “INCH Bag”, cute names that did not exist when I was 18. For the past 30+ years I have had the same needs based on, like the Maj says, situational dependency. It is a balance of training, conditioning and gear. In my 20’s I could carry more, move faster farther but needed less. Now in my 50’s I’m slower, can’t carry as much but seem to need more or maybe I’m just not as broke now and can afford more. Either way gear is cool and there is SO much more of it now, but it is not as important as knowledge and training…oh and physical conditioning… sucks when you let that go away!
……”But wait what if you are driving to work in suburbia and an EMP hits and you veer off the road and end up in a field, tossed from your vehicle with only what you have in your pockets?”…..lol, love it!!
I totally agree man. Your list of essentials is all I carry…..I add a small flashlight as it fits in the opposite pocket of my folder. Of course I have a small to medium sized bag that accompanies me with the “other” essentials. Sometimes I use the tactical version, sometimes just a simpler messenger bag, just depends on where Im going.
Im sorry if someone mentioned it already……but a lot of the “vids” im sure we all watch on YouTube cater to certain vendors and companies who send them “free” stuff to advertise. Outside of that you also hit the nail on the head with the “competition”, seeing who can out do who.
Are there times when you need more gear? Of course. But not to go to the local pizzeria to get a Large Pepperoni, lol!!
Personally, a Leatherman and a Mini Maglite are about it for me. I have my standard Bag o’ Tricks in the vehicle but have found that there are very few situations that I cannot make a serious dent in with those 2 pieces of equipment.
One of the reasons my Bug Out Bag is “empty” is because I usually have most of it in my pockets… NOT!
Guilty as charged! I carry about 5lbs. of EDC including knife, flashlight, Blast match, scissors/shears, multi-tool, and small/med. first aid pouch on waist belt and wallet, keys, lighter, knife sharpener, watch, leather gloves, and (most important) paper towels (for TP) in pockets! The first aid kit has some multi-use items like cotton pads (wound care and fire tender), two unlubricated condoms (water carriers, water-proof container, and in case I get lucky; fingers crossed!), etc. Many of the jobs I have done required wearing a tool belt so I’m very used to the extra weight. I’d like to carry my pistol as EDC but I don’t believe the government has or should have the right to ‘allow’ me to CCW, and IMHO open carry only makes me a target for criminals and LEOs; no thanks! Good Luck and happy prepping! (GLAHP)
Good thread. I agree, people are getting ridiculous about what they carry. Those paracord bracelets are trash, IMO. The hooks are too small and weak, the fishing line isn’t strong enough to catch a minnow, and the fire starter is only big enough for a few strikes. Try one out before you purchase.
Anyways, I keep my bag in my truck, but I don’t leave it in there when at home. I found that the weather can ruin some of the items over time. On my person I carry my GLOCK 21 and 2 spare mags, and a policemans pocket knife. The knife has a window punch, seatbelt cutter and blade. That’s all I will need in my home area. I don’t work far from home, about 5 miles, and everywhere I go is relatively close; so I have packed my pack and person for the short hike home if need be. If I travel the only thing I add to my person is a flashlight.
at last….found a post that trashes the ” you need to carry” idiots.ive carried the humble swiss army knife for over 30 years!!! how many times do i use it weekly?? theres MONTHS go by i dont!!! but its there in my pocket…you know…
just in case???????