E.D.C.? Accessories?

Plan & Prepare

What do I need to bring? What do I always bring, can I do with this? Can I do without this? Just in case moments. I am sure these questions are asked a lot of times during the art of packing for the day or days, whether it’s your briefcase, purse, pockets, your lunch, backpack, etc…at least I always ask myself some of these questions.

But the difference between what to bring and what you may use and have in an everyday case scenario differs from one person to the next. There is a term out there called “Every Day Carry” or “E.D.C.” for short, and it is not just for just in case moments, but also I use this often so I carry it with me always. They are those accessories that provide that comfort and “I got that gadget here” solution. whether your “EDC” is in your pocket, bag, or pack, You know that you have come prepared and nothing is going to slow you down.

To bring or not to bring?

I bet that phone charger is an EDC for ya. I have forgotten mine just a few times and my long day went with a sense of nervousness every time I had to use my phone, I was rationing the usage like meals on the space shuttle. My phone like many is the number one gadget that is so close to me that it’s in a pocket all to its itself much like my wallet, equally important goes in my other pocket. Now that my two pockets are occupied everything else goes in my backpack and/or on my pack if it doesn’t fit. I picked up reading in my youthful old age now. I like to read at times so a book comes with me hoping for that wow factor of knowledge and entertainment. I also bring a sketchbook for notes, ideas, and doodling, it’s my journal of good ideas, you never know where good ideas can come from while just writing and drawing sketches of interest. What good is a sketchbook if you can’t write or draw in it? So a pen, pencil, and a sharpie come along for the ride. I carry my reader glasses because I’m at that stage of my life now, and I also carry sunglasses for those in your face bright days for my comfort. I carry two tumblers now with me, one for water and the other for coffee, and when it comes to my drink containers spill proof is a must, I learned the hard way with cheap and shotty lids.

So far my accessories are more for my comfort and what I would have for my comfort to pass time if I’m stuck somewhere or that lull time you find on many occasions at work and play. I do carry a small first aid kit in my pack, nothing fancy in it just the basics, more of a booboo kit. I also carry a multi-tool and pocket knife and these go where they are allowed to go, obviously when boarding a plane your accessories change because the rules change. Also for my comfort on rainy days, my raincoat is nearby if needed and that is pretty much it for comfort with me and some precautionary items and tools that can help me in a pinch. I bring a lunch box, and I don’t go out for lunch when I’m at work, for me saves time and money, and I’m an advocate for that. I use to buy coffee every morning before work during my over-the-road days. It came out to about 600$ a year, So I quickly changed that routine, so food in my lunchbox and coffee from home saves me more in the long run.

Now for the extras! which is that stuff that a minimalist probably would not carry, but I’m saving money now and I rock a backpack that still has room in it, and if It doesn’t, I bring it with me and use the ALL-American backpack accessory that gives that extra room planned out of course.

two Mini OPSnet with my molle pack

Carabiners are a favorite accessory of mine, such a simple concept, hold something and connect it to something, from little pouches to sunglass holders many products come with it already for you to attach and hang on your pack, the quality of them all differ from product to product. I am more about quality now than in my younger years because that has an essence of lasting thru time. I carry about three carabiners, one is about 40 years old and I use it for my key chain, the other two are on my pack with one of them the Hero Clip that has that extra hook that swings out to hang on a post, railing, tree limbs, etc, it is genius and very useful for bags to keep them off the floor/ground when needed. The only annoyance is the swaying of stuff you connected them to on your pack, but that can be overlooked many times. For the molle/PALS webbing packs, the webbing screams out hang stuff on me, and there are special carabiners that are designed especially for those packs, an example is the “Grimlock Carabiners” on the photo above they are the black clips that fit in the webbing and create an attachment point for hooks, loops, etc or in my case I attach my backpack net to it.

Another favorite accessory of mine is my headset to listen to music and audio, love the privacy to turn it up and chill while waiting around and/ or doing tasks, it also comes in handy for hands-free phone calls. I actually have a couple of headsets from the blue tooth to my backup one that you plug in the phone jack. This comes to the next point of why I plugged in my old school earpiece, my battery ran out and I need juice! I carry an external battery pack for charging my phone, blue tooth headset, and other things, which makes my life easier because I have it there waiting for me at any time to use it, no more searching for outlets, or going into panic mode.

So the saying goes “better to have and not need it than need it and not have it.” I have practiced this philosophy for many years now and there are benefits to planning and preparing for the day. Our accessories are there to provide that preparedness and it will differ from person to person. My vacations and outings are that more memorable when I didn’t forget something that changed my mood or made me scramble in my day to get what I needed. Accessories are more than flare and beauty but necessities for us to seize the day.

Got backpack? looking for an accessory that’s got your back?