Every day brings new challenges to be faced, new hurdles to overcome, and new heights to reach. If you’re the sort of person who likes to be prepared to handle anything, these four everyday carry items will help you do just that.
Flashlight
A flashlight is the perfect daily companion that helps you always be prepared. Everyday carry, or EDC flashlights, are small, compact flashlights that can easily be attached to keychains, slipped into a pocket, or stored in a purse. Some EDC flashlights even come with different lighting modes to help you quickly adjust to any lighting situation. Ideally, your EDC flashlight should be capable of long runtimes as well, so that you don’t have to worry about charging it frequently or replacing the batteries.
In addition to being lightweight and versatile, it’s also important that your EDC flashlight is built to withstand the rigors of day-to-day life. A high IP rating, such as IP68, protects your flashlight’s internal components against dirt and water. A high impact-resistance will also protect your flashlight in case of drops.
For those who want a little more heft to their everyday carry, tactical flashlights have a few extra features that will take your flashlight game to the next level. Strike bezels are standard on tactical flashlights, which is a design feature that will allow you to break glass and can serve as a self-defense item in an emergency. Tactical flashlights are generally bigger and not quite as convenient to carry in terms of size and weight as an EDC flashlight, so keep that in mind when you’re making your choice.
Pocket Knife
Pocket knives might just be the original EDC item, and for good reason. A dependable pocket knife can be helpful in so many ways, from everyday tasks to emergency situations. From shaving down a piece of wood on a camping trip for cooking marshmallows or cutting fabric in an emergency situation, pocket knives can do it all. It’s important to remember that despite their well-rounded usability, pocket knives are still considered weapons. There may be some situations where you’ll be asked to leave your pocket knife behind, so be mindful of this before heading to the airport or a crowded event.
Flint
Flint might not be something that sees use on a daily basis, but when you need it, you really need it. If you spend a lot of time outdoors backpacking, hunting, or exploring new places, a flint can help you build a fire in an emergency situation. With fire comes the ability to signal for help, sanitize medical instruments, and boil drinking water.
Flint can be attached to bags, bracelets, and necklaces, giving you a low profile and easy to carry item that might just save the day.
Multi-Tools
Multi-tools such as Swiss Army Knives are designed to do just about everything. From scissors to corkscrews, multi-tools pack a lot of valuable items in one easy-to-carry frame. The more things you have packed into the frame, though, the bigger a multi-tool will be. If you want your EDC items to be lightweight and easy to carry, you may have to spend some time evaluating which tools you’ll actually need. By focusing on multi-tools that aren’t over cluttered with things you won’t need, you’ll save valuable carrying capacity for other EDC items.
Whether you’re constantly preparing for the worst case scenario or you enjoy being the person your companions can always rely on to have the right tool for the job, these tools are the perfect starting point for your EDC collection.
