EDC. Every Day Carry. Crazy popular right now. Tons of sites and YouTube channels dedicated to EDC. What started out as primarily referring to daily conceal carry firearms and self defense paraphernalia (as opposed to your regular duty weapon and gear), EDC now encompasses everything on your person.

Most EDC YouTube channels will feature everything in your pockets, purse, and backpack. All the crap you carry around everyday. I’ve been hooked on these channels because I like gear and they have tons of neat stuff. Push button key organizers, titanium slim wallets, ultra-mini led flashlights, pocket knives, mini pepper spray dispensers, etc… I love it. And, I never buy any of it.

I’m cheap and I’m simple. My EDC consists of the following:

• Old, very thin wallet with 4 cards and zero cash (I don’t remember the last time I carried cash).
• Key ring with: car key, house key, mailbox key.
• Handkerchief. What can I say? My nose runs. Constantly.
• Phone.
• Mini single blade pocketknife.

That’s it. I can’t fathom why you’d need anything else? When I worked in an office environment I added a small bag with a laptop and a few pens and a phone charger. When I go to work now the only additional thing I bring is a water bottle to hold myself accountable for drinking enough H2O. I laugh when I see my coworkers walking in with a full backpack or tote, a lunch bag, and a giant purse. What the hell is in all those bags that you can’t live without? And women, for gods sake what do you carry in those giant purses? Do you really need all of it EVERY DAY?

To the original EDC concept… I’m not opposed to conceal carry and have thought about it from time to time. Then I remember I’m exasperated when I have one too many keys on my keychain. I can’t imagine how annoyed I’d be remembering to put on a holster every morning to run an errand. Then again, I live in a very safe city. If I lived in Atlanta, Houston, LA, New York… maybe I’d change my tune. And when the zombie apocalypse hits, I’m definitely SOL.

So – what’s your EDC and why? Is it time I become more adult and ramp up what I’m carting around with me every day? I have to admit that titanium push button wallet looks very cool. And I’m enamored with the North Face Access pack. I just don’t know what I’d put in it. Like the Seinfeld episode, just crackers and a newspaper probably.