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What is EDC and how to build your own kit?
EDC is an abbreviation of the English term Everyday Carry. In practice, these are items you always have with you — in your pocket, backpack, bag, or on your belt — to facilitate daily functioning and be prepared for minor problems and unforeseen situations. In this article, we explain exactly what EDC is and what elements most frequently make up its composition.
EDC — definition of the term
What goes into your EDC set depends on your lifestyle and daily challenges. However, there are elements that generally form its basis, and the rest can be tailored to your individual needs. Many people consider basic EDC items like keys, wallet, and phone, and in an extended version, also a multitool, flashlight, lighter, or a small personal first aid kit.
The concept of EDC, or everyday carried equipment, originates primarily from the survival environment. Over time, the idea extended beyond these circles and began to function more broadly as an approach to being more pragmatic and prepared for everyday situations. Currently, many people share their EDC sets on forums like Reddit, describing what specific items are used for them, and other users get inspired by these tips when creating their own sets.
What to include in your own EDC set?
An EDC set should be tailored to the lifestyle and daily activities of the user. However, there are a few basic categories that often appear in such equipment.
The foundation consists of everyday use items such as a phone, wallet, and keys. These are elements without which most people do not leave home.
The second group consists of utility items that increase convenience and allow handling minor, unforeseen situations. These can include a multitool, flashlight, pocket knife, or power bank.
In more elaborate EDC sets, there are also emergency elements like a small first aid kit, lighter, paracord, or basic first aid supplies.
Depending on the needs, the set can be expanded with additional elements, such as: self-defense means, a document organizer, or basic hygiene items. It is essential for each item to have a specific function, and the whole to remain as lightweight, compact, and convenient for daily carrying as possible.
Multitool – a basic EDC tool
Many people who consciously build their EDC set consider multitool as one of the most basic and universal elements. In daily use, it can replace several separate tools, such as a screwdriver, knife, pliers, or bottle opener. It can be used for basic repairs, gear adjustments, cutting, or assembly work.
An important aspect is its compactness. Most models are designed to offer a wide range of functions while maintaining small size and weight, allowing for convenient daily carrying without burden.
We recommend, for instance, the multitool Badger Outdoor Solid Black. It is a very well-made model equipped with 16 practical tools, including:
- pliers,
- screwdriver,
- wood saw,
- knife with a smooth blade,
- as well as a range of other features useful in daily repairs and outdoor conditions.
Pocket flashlight
A flashlight is one of the most practical EDC elements. It is useful not only in obvious situations, such as lack of light, but also daily — for illuminating a path, finding something in a backpack, or checking hard-to-reach places. It's important to remember that even small models today offer significantly better parameters than a phone flashlight.
A good choice for EDC may be, for example, the Olight I3E EOS, a small keychain flashlight that can be attached to keys. It generates a light beam of 90 lumens and a range of up to 44 meters. Additionally, it meets the IPX-8 standard, meaning resistance to water immersion.
Fire source
A fire source is one of the key elements of an EDC set, especially in the context of emergency preparation. It allows quickly starting a fire for warming up, cooking, water disinfection, lighting, or sending a rescue signal.
In practice, three products are most commonly chosen: a lighter, matches, and a fire starter. The most universal and convenient for daily use is a lighter, so it usually forms the basis of the set. Matches can complement it, although they are less resistant to moisture. On the other hand, a fire starter is very durable, works in difficult conditions, and can be used for a long time, but requires skill in use. Practically speaking, it's worth having at least two independent fire sources with you.
Small personal first aid kit
Accidents can happen in any situation, in the city, at work, during a trip or even during daily activities. Therefore, a small first aid kit is a practical and justified element of an EDC set. It allows you to quickly react in case of minor injuries and minimize their effects before getting professional help.
Basic equipment of such an EDC kit can include bandages, antiseptic wipes, disposable gloves, small scissors, and painkillers. Even such a set significantly increases action capabilities, especially since many people do not carry any first aid supplies daily.
Sunglasses
Sunglasses rarely appear on EDC lists alongside flashlights, multitools, or first aid kits, but nevertheless, they are worth mentioning because they are truly useful – both in summer and winter. When choosing glasses, the key is to pay attention to the UV filter. UV400 is the absolute minimum as it means the lenses block 100% of UVA and UVB rays, effectively protecting the eyes from the harmful effects of the sun.
It is also worth paying attention to the materials from which the glasses are made and their resistance to damage. This is particularly important during intensive activities such as trekking, cycling, or working in the field, where dropping or bumping can easily happen.
A good example is the OPC Extreme San Salvo Matt Black sunglasses with polarization. This model uses lightweight and durable materials suitable for intensive use, both in the city and in the field. The polarized lenses reduce glare and improve contrast vision, enhancing comfort and safety.
How to carry your everyday equipment?
The way you carry your EDC set should primarily depend on how much stuff you carry, what exactly is in the set, and what a typical day looks like for you. There is no single universal product, and the most important thing is to be comfortable and have the most necessary items always within reach. Some people carry their EDC items exclusively in their pockets.
For a small set, EDC organizers that can be attached to a belt or backpack work well. An example is the Badger Outdoor EDC Black organizer – compact, with compartments for easy organization of basic equipment.
For carrying the most important items "at hand," fanny packs (waist bags) are a practical choice. An example is the Mil-Tec Fanny Pack MOLLE Black, which thanks to the MOLLE system, allows expansion with additional elements.
For more extensive sets, EDC backpacks are the optimal choice. They offer greater capacity, numerous compartments, and the possibility of modular organization of equipment. The MOLLE system allows configuring according to your own needs, which is especially important when carrying a larger number of tools and accessories.
EDC product offerings at MILITARY
The MILITARY store offers all the previously described elements that will allow you to complete an EDC set and many other useful accessories. Among them are: pocket knives, notebooks, power banks, compasses, paracord lines, and other practical tools useful in daily use and during outdoor activities.
We also offer durable backpacks, bags, and EDC fanny packs that facilitate the storage and organization of all items.
