What is an Everyday Carry?
An Everyday Carry or EDC is a collection of functional items consistently carried by a person every day. As the guys at everydaycarry.com described – EDC items are the things you tap your pockets for before you head out the door. The things you feel naked without, and the things that would throw off your whole day if you had to do without them.
There are different types of EDC gears, such as work or lifestyle EDCs. In this article, I’ll cover the essential lifestyle items that I use daily, and you should too!
How do I pick my Everyday Carry gear?
As I mentioned on Instagram and in previous articles, I am a minimalist. I like to keep the least amount of accessories and items with me – so I can keep track of all my stuff and easily store them. Whenever I find an item that packs two or more items’ purposes into one, I am in to get a new piece in my EDC gear.
Some men prefer to keep a multi-tool or pocket knife in their EDC. I understand the multi-tool, but not the pocket knife. It’s not only illegal to carry in many places but mostly useless – unless you are opening packages 24/7. Now, let’s see the seven essential items every man should carry daily:
1. Watch
As covered many times, the watch is one of the essential accessories of every man – that’s why I carry a timepiece every day on my wrist. Even tho the purpose of wristwatches changed from telling the time to being a statement piece, a man who wears a watch will always look more professional and precise and someone who values his time.
There are many types of watches these days, ranging from training- to formal watches that you can wear with suits. If you are looking for a great deal on an exercise watch, check out this deal on Amazon.
Fitbit Versa 2 Health and Fitness Smartwatch
The watch uses Amazon Alexa for voice control, has sleep-tracking capabilities, controls music apps, has a larger always-on display, tracks fitness metrics, and provides smartphone notifications.
If the native advertisement doesn’t appear, click here to purchase the item!
2. Key organizer
As a minimalist, I like to keep my keys as organized and compact as possible. I have only two keys on my key chain and it is more than enough for me. The question is, do key organizers work?
The short answer is – yes. If you have a messy, bulky key chain that you can barely put in your pocket, then a key organizer is a must-have item. You can find great deals online – both leather and metal variants. You can easily pair your organizer with a handy bottle opener.
Northwall Key Organizer Keychain
Specifications
- Vegetable Tanned Italian Leather
- Compact Smart Design
- Secure Locking Mechanism
3. Earphones
Although we are not a tech magazine, music is a vital part of everyone’s life, so we have to cover earphones. Listening to your favorite song after a stressful day is one of the easiest ways to zone out. That is why it’s worth investing in a quality pair of earphones. There are many wired and wireless earphones on the market that you can pick for your phone.
It’s a personal preference, but if you are using an iPhone and are looking for quality wireless earphones, I highly recommend the AirPods. The native feeling of the Apple ecosystem is not something that can be reproduced by any independent brand.
Apple AirPods (3rd Generation)
Specifications
- Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking places sound all around you
- Adaptive EQ automatically tunes the music to your ears
- All-new contoured design
- Force sensor lets you easily control your entertainment, answer or end calls, and more
- Sweat and water-resistant
- Up to 6 hours of listening time with one charge
- Up to 30 hours total listening time with the MagSafe Charging Case
- Quick access to Siri by saying “Hey Siri”
- Effortless setup, in-ear detection, and automatic switching for a magical experience
- Easily share audio between two sets of AirPods on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Apple TV
If the native advertisement doesn’t appear, click here to purchase the item!
4. Pen
Although it is a digital world, you will still need a quality pen in specific situations. I don’t know about you, but for me, there’s something special in taking out a pen from your pocket to sign an important document – instead of using a cheap, plastic ballpoint pen. That’s why pens are a common EDC item for many.
ChaoQ Metal Ballpoint Pen
The package includes three ballpoint pens that offer smooth and precise writing performance with a portable design, easy-to-use, a retractable mechanism, and a 1.0 mm medium metal tip and comes with a total of 6 ink refills.
5. Phone
The phone is something most of us already have in our pocket. It has become a staple of our modern everyday life. Everyone needs a phone, whether it is an Android, Apple, or one of those classic ones. Nowadays, we can message each other in seconds, make emergency calls, learn about the latest news or do our banking.
Phones and smartphones, in general, have become an essential part of our lives – that’s why it is advisable to spend the time choosing the right one for you.
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6. Wallet
Picking the right wallet is a tough one. Especially if you like to keep your cards and cash clean and minimal. Of course, you can buy a regular wallet at nearly any store, but if you want to buy a high-quality one that meets all expectations, you need to search for a while.
My current wallet is from Vera Forma, and I am super happy with it – it’s a sleek leather bifold. If you are looking for something similar from another manufacturer, check out the following one:
Bellroy Hide & Seek Wallet
Specifications
- Leather lining
- Bifold closure
- Slim profile with a classic aesthetic, this billfold is a great starting point to slimming your pocket
- Fits 5-12 cards, coins, and flat bills and features RFID protection in the lining
- The hidden bill section stores spare cash
- Made from environmentally certified leather and backed by a 3-year warranty
- Measurements: 3.3 inches x 4.5 inches / 86mm x 117mm
If the native advertisement doesn’t appear, click here to purchase the item!
7. Sunglasses
Sunglasses are not only able to protect the eyes from the intense rays of the sun. As a physical barrier, sunglasses protect from wind, dust, sand, and other airborne debris that could irritate your eyes.
You would think that sunglasses are only for summer, but I use sunglasses more in winter than in summer. Especially when I am driving, the sun is shining, and there is snow or ice on the road.
Ray-Ban RB2140 Original Wayfarer Sunglasses + Vision Group Accessories Bundle
Specifications
- Plastic frame
- Glass lens
- Non-Polarized
- Lens width: 50 millimeters
If the native advertisement doesn’t appear, click here to purchase the item!
8. Bottle opener
A bottle opener can be handy in everyday life for opening bottles with crown caps, such as those found on soda or beer bottles. Although it is possible to open a bottle without a bottle opener, doing so increases the risk of breaking the glass. Choosing a bottle opener that can be hung next to your keys allows you to elegantly open bottles on any occasion.
Bellroy Key Tool
If you are looking for a unique and versatile accessory, the next item might be just what you need. This small addition from Bellroy combines two flat-head screwdrivers, a bottle opener, and a tool that can be used to open parcels.
Final thoughts
I could go on and on about the items I use every day when I go to work or school, but this article will cover only the most necessary. We will talk about the perfect men’s bags and what to keep in them in a future post.
The items listed above can easily be stored in your jeans, jacket, or car pocket. So the next time you ask yourself what men should carry every day – now you’ll know.
Keep on reading: The 10 Best Suit Accessories That Will Improve Your Style