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Commercial Photographer and Outdoorsman
Based in the Appalachian Mountains, Anthony is a commercial product photographer within the outdoor industry. Alongside Anthony’s commercial work, he is also an avid outdoorsman and would rather be in the woods than anywhere else.
Everyday Carry Essentials List
Everyone’s lifestyle, location in the world, and daily habits are different. But, the need for a solid Everyday Carry (EDC) is universal. An EDC system is there to make our lives easier with compact tools, affect our survival, and it is always with us. I refer to this as my “Tier 1: On-Person EDC”.
What EDC Items should you carry?
Everyone’s EDC will be different and that’s the beauty of it. To give you an idea though, my Tier 1: On-Person EDC always contains some arrangement of the following gear & clothing…
Tools: Knife, Flashlight, Multitool, Lighter
Medical: IFAK and Tourniquet
Misc Items: Wallet, Pen, Bandanas, Necklace Tools, Chapstick, Credit Card Tools, Ferro Rod
Clothing: Pants, some sort of top, base layers in cold weather, a hat, and comfortable shoes w/modified laces
All of this gear easily fits into my clothing pockets or on my belt. It is second nature and part of my lifestyle at this point. Now, let me give you some gear recommendations along with some links to where you can find them.
Best EDC Knives & Tools
Knafs Lulu
The Knafs Lulu is my favorite EDC Fixed Blade. It is like this knife was made for me. I highly recommend you check it out.
Available Here Full Review
*use code “awaken10” for 10% off at Knafs.com
Best EDC Multitool
No matter if I have a folder or a fixed blade knife with me, I always have my Leatherman Wave +. This multitool is like an extension of me at this point. I use it every single day.
Tops El Pionero
The Tops El Pionero is my go-to fixed blade when I need something that will double as a self-defense tool.
Benchmade Bugout
The Benchmade Bugout is a legendary knife in the EDC Community for good reasons. It is extremely lightweight, very comfortable in the pocket, and performs well at just about everything.
Knafs Lander
I am a big fan of what Knafs is doing with the Lander line: swappable scales, budget & premium offerings, and the “right to repair”. This knife is really great for EDC.
Knafs.com RiversEdgeCutlery.com
*use code “awaken10” for 10% off at Knafs.com
Fenix HM50R
This is one of my favorite lights. It is a handheld flashlight that can easily convert into a headlamp. The Fenix HM50R has multiple white light modes and a red light mode.
Olight AA or AAA Flashlight
I have been carrying Olight i3T and i5T flashlights for years and couldn’t recommend them more. Their model names change frequently. But anything that takes a single AA or AAA battery should be solid.
Silva Mini EDC Compass
I have searched high & low for a good EDC Compass that is both accurate and provides all of the features that I need when navigating. The Silva Mini Compass is my favorite.
Best EDC Lighter
It’s hard to beat a Mini BIC Lighter for EDC. They’re lightweight, slim, and reliable most of the time. I practice primitive fire techniques, but you better believe I always have a BIC Lighter with me.
Everyday Carry First Aid Kit
Best EDC Tourniquets
I also struggled for years to comfortably carry a tourniquet. I now appendix-carry a SOF-T (most comfortable) or a CAT-T down one of my pants legs with the windlass sticking out. It conceals well and deploys rapidly.
SOF Tourniquet (Orange) CAT Tourniquet
Adventure Medical QuikClot
In addition to the tourniquet I carry, I also carry QuikClot to control major bleeding. I have been in 1 scenario where I’ve needed a clotting agent like QuikClot and I was very happy to have had it nearby. I know it seems expensive when you buy it, but go ahead and get some…You won’t think about the cost when you need to use it.
MyMedic ZZips
As we’re working with sharp tools, mistakes can happen. I like carrying My Medic ZZips for serious lacerations that butterfly bandages will not treat.
My Medic Bandages
I have become a huge fan of My Medic SuperSkin bandages. They hold onto skin in wet and dirty conditions better than any other bandages that I’ve used.
Misc EDC Items to Carry
Recycled Firefighter Sergeant Wallet
I have carried the front pocket wallets from Recycled Firefighter for years upon years now. Nothing beats their comfort. I can also fit all of my cards (regular cards + credit card tools) and cash all in this compact wallet. I recommend keeping a small amount of cash in your wallet and a larger amount hidden somewhere else on your person.
Suunto Clipper Compass
In addition to my Silva Mini Compass, I like this Suunto Clipper. As the name suggests, I clip it onto my watch band, and I am always able to verify my general direction.
Wazoo Viking Whetstone Necklace
I searched high & low for a good EDC knife sharpener but I couldn’t find one that complemented the rest of my EDC. That was until I found the Wazoo Viking Necklace. This sharpener does a great job and is very easy to carry.
Buy Here
*Use coupon “awaken10” for a discount
Grim Workshop Credit Card Tools
I recently added some Grim Workshop credit card tools to my EDC. They have everything from fishing cards to escape & evasion cards…And unlike other similar-looking products, these actually work.
Buy Here
*Use coupon “AWAKEN” (all caps) for a discount
Best EDC Ferro Rod
The Exotac nanoSTRIKER XL is my go-to ferrocerium rod for EDC. I carry it on my keychain and have started countless fires with it over the many years I’ve carried it.
Buy Here
*Use coupon “anthonyawaken” for a discount
Best EDC Water Bottle
In the warmer months, I typically reach for my Grayl Geopress Water Purifier Bottle. And in the colder months when I might need to boil water, I opt for a single-walled stainless steel bottle like the Klean Kanteen. This is a simple item to carry in my hand and I always have the ability to drink fresh water.
Atwood Micro Cord
I searched for years to find the best EDC Cordage and I ended up landing on Atwood Micro Cord. I carry 30-50 feet of this cordage in my pocket every day.
AtwoodRope.com Amazon
*Use coupon “anthonyawaken” for 10% off at AtwoodRope.com
Esee Navigation Cards & Notebook
This compact notebook features waterproof notebook paper, navigation cards, and other helpful information. This pairs perfectly with the Silva Mini Compass that I mentioned earlier.
Best EDC Bandanas
We all know Bandanas have 100 & 1 uses. But Wazoo extended their usage even more with their Tracking & Foraging prints. I carry 1 of these in my back left pocket and the other in my back right pocket.
Buy Here
*Use coupon “awaken10″ for a discount”
Field Notes
I am a big fan of journaling throughout the day. Instead of picking up my phone and mindlessly scrolling, I grab my notebook instead. I like to write about what’s going on, ideas that I have, etc. Field Notes are my favorite EDC Notebooks.
Pokka Pen
Pokka Pen’s are another item that I’ve carried since I can remember. They are compact, write really nice, they’re easy to carry and eliminate the need for using public pens that everyone else touches.
Best clothing for Everyday Carry
Lems Outlander Boots
I switched to barefoot/minimalist footwear in 2023 and I haven’t looked back. The Lems Outlander’s are my all-time favorite shoes.
Lems Primal 3 Shoes
When I don’t need my robust Lems Outlanders Boots, Primal 3’s are my next go-to. These shoes are perfect for warmer weather and give an incredible minimalist/barefoot experience.
Kuhl Silencr Rogue Kargo Pants
These are my favorite pants that I own, hands down. The slimline cargo pockets are perfect for storing my notebook or larger tools. And the fit is incredible.
Kuhl Spekter Crew
The fit and quality of this sweatshirt is incredible. I find myself layering this with one of my jackets throughout the cooler months.
Helikon Tex Wolfhound Hoodie
Aside from my Outdoors Vitals Jacket, the Helikon-Tex Wolfhound Hoodie is my other go-to. It is, equally, as warm – But I like the pocket layout a bit more…This is the key to my organizing my Winter EDC.
Injinji Toe Socks
Whenever I switched to minimalist/barefoot shoes, I picked up a pair of Injinji Socks and fell in love with them. They are perfect for helping you maintain a natural foot shape, while also preventing blistering.
Outdoor Vitals LoftTek Jacket
Every year I look forward to the cold weather rolling in so I can pull out my LoftTek Jacket from Outdoor Vitals. This is one of the warmest jackets I’ve ever worn and it keeps me totally dry even in pouring rain or snow. I can’t speak higher of this jacket.
Helikon-Tex Greyman Shirts
I like wearing button-downs regularly. It’s part of how I carry/conceal all of my EDC gear. If I could afford it, I would have a closet full of Greyman Shirts from Helikon-Tex.
Condor Base II Layers
The key to staying warm in cold weather is a good pair of base layers underneath your outerwear. I recently found the Condor Base-II’s and I absolutely love them!
Available at CondorOutdoor.com
*Use coupon “Awaken15” for 15% off
Wazoo Cache Belt
Ever wanted to carry a full survival kit in your belt? Well, even if you didn’t know that was a thing, the Cache Belt makes it a reality. I have mine around my waist every single day.
Buy Here
*Use coupon “awaken10” for a discount
Legendary Whitetails Fleece Flannel
Again, I wear button-downs every day. And when the temperatures start to drop, my Legendary Whitetails Fleece Flannels come out of the closet. They feel like you’re wearing a blanket and they’re extremely warm.
Wazoo Cache Cap
Not only are the Cache Cap’s some of the most comfortable hats out there, but they also conceal more gear! I personally keep a mini fire kit, some thin cordage, and a navigation kit in mine.
Buy Here
*Use coupon “awaken10” for a discount
Shoelace Modification
A great modification to do is change your shoelaces for Titan Survivorcord. This gives you some incredibly strong cordage to keep your shoes tied, along with an internal length of fishing line, utility wire, and a fire-starting strand.
Buy Here
*Use coupon “anthonyawaken” for a discount
Best Bags for Everyday Carry
Helikon Tex Claymore Bag
This extends past my on-person EDC. But I like carrying some sort of compact bag with me every day. And the Helikon-Tex Claymore Bag has become a go-to of mine lately.
Campcraft Traditional Haversack
When I want to keep things a bit more traditional, the Campcraft Waxed Canvas Haversack is my go-to. I’ve used these for years with great experiences.
Available at CampcraftOutdoors.com
*Use coupon “anthonyawaken” for a discount
Helikon Tex SERE Pouch
When I want to extend my EDC out of my clothing pockets, a pouch like this one from Helikon-Tex is my go-to. This particular SERE Pouch has great organization, rides slightly below the belt line, and is comfortable to carry every day.