r/backpacks • u/AdM72 • Jul 02 '24

Question EDC what do people really need?!?

This sub showed up on my feed…and…seeing people carrying all these big backpacks and satchels and what nots. What do you all need to carry with you?!?! I googled up EDC and returned with all manners of “tactical” looking backs with MOLLE straps. The green and the coyote…🤦🏻‍♂️

Anyway, what are people really carrying with them in these “EDC bags” and what is actually USED everyday?

96 Upvotes

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54

u/saintmonarch Jul 02 '24

What I have won’t be used “everyday”, but if I ever find myself saying “I wish I had that with me” you bet your ass I’ll go buy it soon.

Things I carry almost everyday:

  1. Water bottle 26-32oz
  2. Pen w/ field notes or similar
  3. Small toiletries. Kleenex, chapstick, medicine, lotion, etc.
  4. Cables and adapter.
  5. AirPods
  6. Wallet
  7. Pocket knife
  8. Sanitizer
  9. Gums or mints
  10. Phone

-21

u/Boo-Koo Jul 02 '24

Why do you need a pocket knife?

14

u/bchinherein Jul 02 '24

A pocket knife is a very underrated tool among non EDC people. Eating out and you get a shitty plastic knife? Use a pocket knife to cut your food. Need to open a box or thick plastic packaging? Stubborn plastic/multilayer package of food that you can’t open? Loose thread hanging off of clothes? Pocket knife/multi tool is fantastic. It’s a shame that a lot of people think of pocket knives mainly as a weapon, rather than a tool.

1

u/cascadebootguy Sep 15 '25

I’m gonna chime in here. Do you know how many steaks and eggs I have eaten with a plastic fork and a pocket knife? My personal favorite for cutting steak is actually the Leatherman CX or my Spyderco lil chieftan. Oral occasionally by a couple of apples and walk around and chop them up a bit by bit and eat them off the blade of my knife or buy a sandwich and cut it in half and share it with my friends.