Christmas Gift Guide 2022 | EDC Specialist

EDC is the first piece of the puzzle when it comes to carrying well. There are a plethora of options out there, and you might have spent years dialing in your carry. Perhaps you’ve got it down to a fine art; however, there’s always something worth looking into. You can always Carry Better! These options are simple upgrades to make your EDC kit shine.

Field Notes (from US$9.95)

An EDC notebook will tackle everything from to-do lists to meeting notes and on-the-fly inspiration. And Field Notes are undeniable icons in the notebook niche. The brand was inspired by agricultural promotional memo books given to farmers and has tended its own offerings with care, now providing a wide range of covers, paper styles, sizes, and even activity-specific options too (such as their D&D gaming journals). The notebooks are great for sticking in a back pocket or slipping in a bag, and even in a digital world, it’s hard to beat the simple efficiency and flexibility of a Field Notes notebook.

Koch Tools (from US$20)

If you’ve been in the EDC scene for a while, the chances are high that you’ve heard of Koch Tools. But if you’re just getting started, welcome to a varied and enticing selection of functional and eye-catching EDC tools that will bring colorful character to your setup. Pieces range from carabiners and beads to knives, prybars, keychain multitools, and more. So whatever you’re into, you’ll likely find tempting pieces to add functional flair to your daily gear.

Pack Config Customization (from US$7)

EDC looking a little dull? Need a pop of pizzazz? Pack Config comes to the rescue with a diverse range of patches and beads inspired by everything from superheroes and dwarves to the great outdoors. A variety of colors, designs, and additional features such as glow-in-the-dark options make it easy to customize your EDC to your personal style.

Prometheus Design Werx x Carryology Modular EDC Pouches (from US$31)

Light, rugged and with serious X-factor, our collaboration with Prometheus Design Werx dishes up four unique pouches perfect for optimizing your carrying system. Be it the admin organization and drawbridge-style opening of the A02-C – a pouch fit for the inside or outside of your pack for quick essentials access – to the cyclinder-like awesomeness of the AP-C, a pouch that can do double duty, daily or outdoors, for the longer tools in your arsenal.

And if you’re the kind if EDCer who digs having their phone off-body but close-at-hand, check out the SPX-C for a solution that fits most of today’s smartphones. And with the above donning VX25, Aquaguard zippers, and three of the four lined with Dimension Polyant PX05, you have one ready-to-go-anywhere collection.

The James Brand Stilwell Pen (US$50)

The humble pen is an EDC staple. But the Stillwell elevates your carry with its elegantly clean, lightweight, and compact design. Constructed with aluminum, the pen will stand up to the scuffs and scrapes of daily use with ease, while keeping carry weight to a minimum. And its collapsible two-part construction makes it convenient to carry in a bag or pocket on the go, while expanding to full size during use for maximum writing comfort.

The James Brand Cache River Bit Driver (US$60)

Carrying a toolbox around every day is a bit of a hassle. But having a functional bit driver for those just-in-case scenarios is well worth considering adding to your lineup. And if you’re looking for compact durability with clever and practical design, the James Brand Cache River is a solid pick. Made with lightweight anodized aluminum, it’s small enough to fit in a pocket but packs in handy features such as a magnetic bit attachment point, a ball bearing pivot, and interior storage for two additional bits.  

EVERGOODS CAP1 and CAP2 (US$75)

Whether you carry a lot or a little, the folks at EVERGOODS will help you get your organizing down to a fine art with their CIVIC Access Pouch 1L and CIVIC Access Pouch 2L. A clamshell opening for the CAP1 and a wide-opening, self-standing design for the CAP2 makes accessing your daily bits and pieces a breeze. You’ll find a choice of useful pockets across both designs, along with inbuilt 3D patterning volume for ease of storage. And with their tough builds, there’s no reason these pouches can’t withstand travel duty too.  

Fisher Astronaut Space Pen (US$79)

The Fisher Space Pen is an EDC icon in its own right and this version salutes it accordingly, featuring the original Astronaut Space Pen design used on the 1968 Apollo 7 space mission. The pen is made in the USA and features a solid brass construction with a chrome-plated finish. It comes with a Fisher Pressurized PR4 cartridge and is capable of writing pretty much anywhere – upside down, underwater, over grease, and in temperature extremes. Backed by a lifetime guarantee, you can trust this pen will keep going strong whatever mission the day has in store.

MecArmy Carabiner Flashlight (US$129.90)

Carabiner? Multitool? Flashlight? Why not all? MecArmy’s Carabiner Flashlight deftly blends a variety of features in one tough and portable design. Constructed with durable and lightweight titanium, the carabiner integrates a 360-lumen flashlight with multiple lighting modes so you always have a source of illumination at the ready. Additionally, the tool integrates a bottle opener and the bottom bezel can also be used for self-defense.

Huckberry x Craighill EDC Kit (US$134)

Seeking a savvy grab-and-go option that covers the essentials in style? Huckberry teamed up with Craighill on an exclusive EDC Kit that delivers form and function in one. The four-piece kit includes the stainless steel Offset Keyring, the Key Capsule (a screw-cap container), the stainless steel EDC Pen with a brass cap, and the folding Lark Knife. So whether you’re taking notes, opening packages, or want a nifty way to store medication or small items on the go, this EDC Kit has you covered.

The James Brand Carter (from US$139)

Described as TJB’s most advanced EDC knife, the Carter is a stylish and dependable daily workhorse. The ambidextrous design includes a slide-lock mechanism, a thumb disc for one-handed use, and a removable pocket clip. The corrosion-resistant VG-10 stainless steel blade will tackle daily use with ease, while a choice of G10 or Micarta scales in a range of colors accommodate a variety of tastes and style preferences.

Timex Q Watch Reissue (US$179)

While many watches can be pricey, the Timex Q offers a great balance of functionality, durability, and classic style with a very reasonable price tag. A reissue of the original 1979 Q diver-inspired watch, it features a Seiko quartz movement, a stainless steel case and strap, and INDIGLO® lume for visibility in the dark. And while you won’t be deep sea diving with this watch, its respectable 50-meter water resistance will easily keep the elements at bay during daily wear.

GiantMouse ACE Riv (US$195)

Jens Ansø and Jesper Voxnaes have utilized their considerable design expertise to create an elegantly efficient folder that will handle a variety of day-to-day cutting tasks, all while offering a lightweight and compact form for easy portability. The ACE Riv is available in a range of handle options such as Micarta, brass, and titanium, along with stonewashed and satin Elmax steel blade finishes. And an included pocket clip gives you the option to carry it on your person or store it in a bag to suit your needs.

EVERGOODS CPL | Best EDC Backpack (US$279)

A dependable EDC backpack makes a huge difference to your daily carry comfort and the ease with which you can organize and access your gear. And we can say with confidence that the top performers in our Carry Awards for Best Everyday Bag have been thoroughly put through their paces and deliver superior EDC performance. Our overall category winner, the EVERGOODS CPL24 V2 and CPL28 V2 for larger loads, will easily handle commutes, gym trips, and more, with the versatility for travel duty too. But the Highly Commended Alpha One Niner Pathfinder and Black Ember Shadow are excellent packs too that are also well worth considering for varying style preferences and organization options.

Timex Expedition North Watch (US$349)

If you’re looking to upgrade your watch game but still get great value for money, the Timex Expedition North Watch is an excellent choice. This watch nimbly straddles the urban/outdoor divide, ready for adventure with its shock-resistant titanium case, scratch-resistant and anti-reflective sapphire crystal, and 200-meter water resistance. But its understated appearance and Ecco™ DriTan™ leather strap look just as good on city streets as they do on far-flung adventures, making this a great all-rounder for work, travel, and play environments.

Unimatic UC3 Watch (US$700)

So what if your day-to-day life actually does involve deep sea diving? Or you simply want an elegantly robust, high-quality piece that’s ready for action on land and sea alike? The Unimatic UC3 Watch is a strong contender for your time-keeping needs. Crafted in Italy with a brushed 316 stainless steel case and black nylon strap, this chrono diver watch features two subdials to precisely measure elapsed time. The Super-LumiNova® C3 lume makes it easy to tell the time in dark conditions, while the 300-meter water resistance provides peace of mind in torrential storms, underwater explorations, and leisurely swims alike.