Backpack EDC

You may not think of it in terms of using funny acronyms or odd terms but everyone in the world already has an EDC of some sort. Standing for Every Day Carry , an EDC is just what you carry with you every day, simple as that. In the morning you probably grab your keys, maybe put a wallet in your back pocket and perhaps grab a purse or bag before your hit the road for the day. That is your EDC. My goal today is to show you my every day carry, get you thinking about yours, and perhaps inspire a few new items that you may not have thought about before.

No EDC is right for everyone, teachers will carry something different from EMTs who will carry something different from college students like me. That being said, over the years I've nailed down a system that works very well for me and hopefully you can draw some inspiration from it.

The bag I chose is the Osprey Talon 11. Depending on your profession and lifestyle you may opt to carry a purse, messenger bag, or have no bag and just use your pant pockets, but because I am on my feet so much, running around campus when I'm late to classes, and traveling, I chose something that would be easy to carry for long periods comfortably and could be expanded to carry quite a lot of volume and weight in a pinch.

Starting at the top of the photo, I carry a few toiletry items that get used daily. I only keep sunscreen and aloe around in the summer but my lotion, hand sanitizer, chapstick, and hippie deodorant are permanent residents of the bags inner pocket.

To the right of the bag is my electronics and "admin" items. My Samsung Note phone is quite a power hog so in addition to a wall charger and assorted cables I also have my favorite oversized Anker power bank. My cheap wired and wireless (not pictured) earbuds round out the electronics I usually carry on a day to day basis. Next to all the cables are a wallet and a money clip I use to keep assorted cards that I only use infrequently. Instead of weighing down my pants with gift and insurance cards that I almost never need, it's easier to keep them in the bottom of my bag. The last three items that get thrown into the main compartment are an Altoid tin filled with some change for parking meters a spare pair of prescription glasses, and a lighter. While I don't smoke I find a lighter comes in handy from time to time for things like fusing synthetic materials.

While there is still plenty of room in the main compartment of my pack, I put the last few items somewhere more accessible. Writing utensils and sunglasses go in side pockets where I can get to them easily, my flashlight and water bottle go in mesh pockets, and a grocery bag clips to the back. While most phones have a flashlight app, it drains the battery quite quickly and is never quite as bright as the real deal.

Like I said, this set up won't be for everyone but hopefully I've got you thinking and maybe given you a few good ideas. What about you? What would you never leave the house without? Post down in the comments a few of your favorite EDC items.